I'd crossed the ocean before, but this was the first time on a four-engine aircraft.

Specifically an A380 in Lufthansa colours. The flight to Houston was long… which gave me plenty of time to think about a few things.

Why do they fly "over the pole"? Pick up a globe and connect Frankfurt and Houston. Which route is shortest? Over the pole! The key search term is great circle route. We were seated right at the front of the lower deck — Premium Economy. It offers a little more legroom, and believe me, after that flight you really notice it when you can move around reasonably well. The big surprise came at takeoff. Long-range Boeing aircraft have brutal power and really push you back into your seat, accompanied by quite a bit of noise. The Airbus is whisper-quiet — more of a hum. No being shoved into your seat whatsoever. I'd be curious to see what it'd be like if the plane were lighter…

Since 11 hours on a plane is no small thing you need to keep yourself entertained somehow. There's an excellent in-flight portal available, plus connectivity! WiFi/3G use is paid, but for those who need to be online constantly the option is there from €9/hour. For those who can survive without the internet, Lufthansa offers the option to send a postcard from on board. You pick a design, write your message, and send it. The recipient then gets an email complete with the aircraft's current position (GPS, altitude) and speed at the time of sending.