It’s always so exciting booking the plane ticket to your chosen destination. When I approach that check in counter I always smile and look like I deserve that complimentary upgrade to business class. It never works for me. I keep smiling hoping that my bag is under the allocated weight, relieved when they slide it back to the conveyor belt.

Passing through customs is an automatic relief that there was nothing untoward in my carry on, although I have been known to lose the occasional swiss army knife and very expensive body lotion.

Killing 2 hours eating rubbish food and trying not to spend all my spending money on duty free (that I don’t need) is always my first challenge. Surviving that, the excitement builds as I head to the departure gate.

Its about this point when they call business class, gold members that I wish I was a gold member to board first.

By the time boarding happens, the first challenge I always have is to find room for my carry on in the overhead lockers. If my seat has a completely empty locker above it I feel like I’ve won the lottery!

Unpacking all the things I need for the flight into the tiny pocket behind the seat, and I am ready to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Then I get my seat neighbours. Front, back and side. I tremble when I have the rugby front rower in front of me, knowing that his seat is coming back first chance he gets. The steam is coming out my ears when the kid behind me starts kicking the seat back before I have clipped up my seatbelt. And then the lovely gentleman beside me decides that a shared armrest is indeed not for sharing.

Doesn’t matter, I am going on holidays! Still exciting.

As we take off and level out, the trolley for drinks comes out. I think great I will enjoy a beverage on this flight. Only to realise that my ticket was the budget one, and I was allowed one complimentary glass of water. While enjoying my free water and watching an episode of my favourite show, Mr Rugby in front sends his chair back with gusto and my free water ends up in my lap. Lucky it was only water.

The wafting smell of cooked food starts to fill the cabin. My stomach does little flips at the thought of the plane food coming. Only then to realise, the budget ticket does not include meals. So while Mr Arm Rest Hogger enjoys his roast chicken meal, I seriously regret not buying the more expensive ticket.

By this time the kid behind me has been to the toilet 3 times and pulled my seat back everytime, Mr Arm Rest Hogger is chewing is food so loudly and Mr Rugby is still fully reclined, I realise I do not enjoy flying.

The best option to survive this flight for me is to go to sleep. Napping during the day – what a luxury. I fall into a light slumber, only to have Mr Arm Rest Hogger poke my arm because he needs to go to the toilet. I really wish I could afford business class.

Lucky this is a short flight and I arrive at my destination a little wet, mildly cranky, but determined to have a fantastic holiday.