Maybe it was the threat of SARs, or bird flu, the H1N1 or the consistent stories of smog but the flight over to Beijing was empty. I should have booked a seat in the middle section because those folks had three seats a piece. I am glad that I did not upgrade to "economy plus" because that section was nearly full. Poor b******s. I hoped none of them turned their heads toward the rear of the plane to see all the economy class laid out in full stretch across empty seats.

This was the first flight I have flown with USB ports and a personal television. The show selection was endless. I watched the movie, "This was 40" and unless you were stuck on a airplane for 12 hours avoid it at all costs. It was just two hours of tropes and clichés. It was unedited so the expletives flew. Awesome. Sleep followed intermittently.