I could focus on the shame and anger at myself about missing the flight, how silly (and costly) a mistake to make. Instead, I can also choose to see the relief - here I am, landing a mere 30 minutes after my initial flight was scheduled to touch down, on my way home. I am sitting not in the plush seats of the Qatar Airways business class, the kind of flying experience I have come to expect (at some cost), but in the tight, loud and pedestrian economy class of Air India’s Delhi to London service. Whenever I fly business, I expect great things, but because of this am easily frustrated by the parts of the experience not controlled through ‘separation’ (fast lanes, lounges…). To myself, nothing is more valuable than my own time, and to feel it wasted is painful, therefore arousing anger easily - much as I do try to control it. Today, everything feels like a blessing. The queues, though long, moved seemingly quickly, everything seemed friendly and colourful, there were moments during which I felt that I must be the most satisfied person in the airport. Though I cost myself my usual comfortable and luxurious experience, the cramped and loud 9 hours in economy class have felt like a gift, have been more blissful than I could have asked for.
Published on March 8, 2024