Our annual family trip to Pakistan was something we loved, but this time, rising Air ticket prices made it impossible. However, the sadness in my mother's eyes during our video call left an indelible impression on my heart. The thought of her feeling sad was something I couldn't shake.
Upon sharing my intentions with my wife, I was surprised when she expressed her desire to accompany me. Still, the thought of taking my children along felt difficult. We sat with them, explaining the critical situation. They understood and agreed to stay back during the trip.
The day of departure arrived and we left for the airport in our car as we planned to park it in the long-term parking lot and catch a bus from there to the terminal. Wanting to make sure we had plenty of time, we set off a little early and stopped at Chochop in Rotebro for an early lunch on the way. We opted for a light lunch and California rolls seemed like the perfect choice.
After eating we headed straight to the beta parking lot, carefully parking our car at the last bus station "N" to ensure that we remember its location when we return after 30 days.
We headed to the airport expecting a straightforward trip via Qatar Airways. Little did we know that things were about to change. At the airport it was revealed that there had been a twist in our flight plans – Qatar Airways had formed a partnership with Finnair. While initially surprised by this unexpected turn, we were assured that our comfort would not be compromised.
We found myself in a place called "Premium Economy". The airline staff gave us a small kit containing the essentials: water, a comfort blanket, and a clean bag with various travel items. These thoughtful arrangements eased my worries about the trip.
Sitting in my assigned seat, I was pleasantly surprised by the ample legroom and handy storage compartments. The seating area was well designed, providing a comfortable environment for the long journey ahead. I also discovered a spacious lavatory on board, which had an interesting feature—a window! Peeking out the window in the middle of the toilet using the air felt unreal.
The flight from Stockholm to Doha spanned 6 hours and 40 minutes. However, the comfort of the premium economy seat made the passage of time smooth. The reclining feature and extra leg support provided better than expected comfort. I leaned back, closed my eyes and drifted off into a deep, rejuvenating nap, embracing the luxury of uninterrupted mid flight sleep.
This unexpected turn of events during our travel plans brought a mix of emotions initially a rush of anxiety but ultimately a sense of satisfaction knowing that despite the changes, peace and tranquillity awaited us in the skies.