I wish I'd been smarter with air miles so I'd never have to fly long-haul in economy class again.

That's what I found myself thinking as I settled into my first-ever business class seat on a recent American Airlines flight from London Heathrow to New York JFK.

As a pretty frequent traveler across the Atlantic I'm a Canadian living in London who makes the trip home regularly the idea of splurging on a first or even business class ticket has always seemed beyond me, especially as I've only been properly collecting miles for under two years.

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However, when I was offered an upgrade from economy to business class at the gate as I was boarding my eight-hour flight to New York, I jumped at the chance (despite the fact I was travelling with my boyfriend who, having booked separately, didn't have the same option).

We took turns in the upgraded seat to see what flying long-haul in business class is really like and there were a few things that surprised me.

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