BEXIL, I wish, but flying a C-21. Coming out of the U.K. when we were light enough, we requested FL430, but that was abeam Geneva. This request was approved. While passing FL415, Roma approved FL410, and we decended back to FL410.
FL430 is a struggle to get to when heavy (we usually are with fuel), but FL410 is usually no problem. It seems that ATC would authorize FL400 or FL410 (as appropriate) as I can rarely see any 1000 ft separation conflicts.
I rarely see other aircraft above FL390.
Your thoughts?