Most airlines in the United States would have you believe that they are in the "transportation business" -- as if somehow humans were just cargo moving from point A to point B. The Europeans are not absent from this philosophy: Ryanair and EasyJet have popularized the notion of passenger as a box. But, many of the mainline carriers in Europe are proud of their heritage, their culture and their service. Austrian Airlines is such an airline!

On a recent business trip from London to New Delhi, I had the opportunity to sample Austrian Airlines' business class. It was as far away from human cargo as I could have imagined.

The business class section of the airplane was equipped with lie-flat (though not horizontal) seats, a personal video screen that popped out of the center console, a fluffy blanket and a soft pillow. The menu, literally a small folder stuffed with information about the food service that day, tantalized my imagination and stomach as soon as I opened it. Appetizers of "Salmon and Prawns with marinated fennel and leaf salad" accompanied by "viennese potato mushroom soup" would start the feast, followed by "rack of spring lamb served with herbed pappardelle, sauteed wild mushrooms and rosemary jus." It didn't stop there! A cheese and exotic fruit course followed, only to be topped off by the dessert. I almost chose two desserts, but resisted then settled for the "Austrian style apricot dumplings." This stuff was 10.5 on the taste-o-meter! Even hand-delivered to my tray table by a full-blown chef.

I was disappointed, though, when I found a small booklet in the menu folder that announced: "Sorry, no coffee served on this flight..." I stuffed it back into the menu folder without looking at it. After dinner, I saw the flight attendants moving around the cabin with coffees. But, I thought...? I pulled the small booklet back out and took a look at it: a veritable encyclopedia of Viennese coffee! Cappucinos, mochas, lattes and many German names I could not even begin to pronounce!

After dinner, my seat reclined into the "relax" position while I watched a movie. I was so content, I don't even remember the movie. My eyes closed and my mind drifted off into the clouds. I was awakened by clanking silverware a few hours later -- time for the second service, apparently! "Herbed chicken brochette, leaf salads and french dressing" followed by "marinated berries with vanilla creme fraiche."

The flight was over too soon. I peered out the window as we began our descent into New Delhi. It was dark very outside, not even so much as a candle or a street light was visible from the sky. And this on the outskirts of a city inhabited by nearly 14 million people! Too much cargo for Ryanair, I bet.