We live in a country where bigger is better -- from our cheeseburgers to cups of coffee, SUVs to skyscrapers. Now, the U.S. will soon be able to supersize air travel with the new Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane that made its inaugural flight on Wednesday.
The "superjumbo" made a flawless landing in the southern French city of Toulouse, opening the door for a new generation of airplanes and international travel.
In its typical passenger layout, the jet would have 555 seats and four aisles, dwarfing anything on the market to date.
But this plane could also have full bars, massage parlors, Jacuzzis and casinos.
And while the plane won't be used for weekend benders to Las Vegas or Cancun, it could easily make flying cool again.
Remember when people used to dress up to fly somewhere? It was an event, but now it's just a flying cattle car used to get from Point A to Point B, filled with retired people in iridescent jumpsuits.
Ask around -- most college-aged students would tell you they would rather take a train or an old-fashioned road trip.
However, the A380 could eliminate most of the hassles we currently face in the not-so-friendly skies.
Space -- or the lack thereof -- would no longer be an issue; at least it shouldn't be with the equivalent of a flying Marriott. This extra space might also be used for larger chairs. We aren't asking for La-Z-Boys, but a little something for us with more junk in the carry-on trunk.
Screaming kids could easily be banished to a holding cell (we might as well take advantage of the space) and a smoking section (without the threat of jail time for tampering with lavatory smoke detectors) would blend in nicely with the bar.
Students could also feel how the other side lives. Throw back a few highballs with the attorney, or play baccarat with the debonair businessman. When the flight attendant gets on the horn and says the landing will be delayed, it might be a blessing in disguise.
There are some other things we would want to see if we ever get a spot in the jet, like maybe a swimming pool. Many people hold their breath and pop their ears on takeoff and landing, so why not plug our noses and pull off a cannonball?
A driving range would be pretty sweet. Baseball players rave about the thin air of Denver helping the ball travel outrageous distances. Imagine how far you could hit a driver at 35,000 feet? Watch out Tiger Woods -- and the guy sitting in business class sipping on a martini.
While you won't be able to use the A380 to fly home to Cleveland for Thanksgiving, this could turn the dreaded flight to Europe for that once-in-a-lifetime backpacking trip into a real pleasure.
And with the exchange rate, just be glad you can buy your ticket in dollars.
