On our trip to France this fall, instead of flying straight to Paris, we opted to fly British Airways through London. And we discovered that it's a lot more convenient than you might think.

British Airways serves most popular destinations with frequent service from Heathrow, so your layover is probably no more than a couple of hours—which, when you are flying business or first class, is enough time to freshen up at their spectacular new Terraces Lounge.

We were mightily impressed with British Airways' spacious new business class—a.k.a Club World—in general, and in particular with its unique seats that convert into a completely flat bed. Most of the seats are arranged in facing pairs with a screen between adjacent seats. I enjoyed the intimacy of the face-to-face sitting—or should I say lounging?—arrangement, which made it easy to chat and share the flight. I was facing backward, a unique experience, except for feeling like I might fall out of my seat on takeoff.

Sleep? Oh yes! With an adjustable foot stool, tons of leg room, lumbar support, and comfy pillows and blankets, I got the best rest I've ever had on a long-haul flight. And British Airways' food and wine service was good—whatever you wanted from the menu, whenever—but our steward seemed embarrassed about serving a formal dinner with cheap plastic utensils.

Winter 2001