All Nippon Airways

AMMMMAZING. What a great start to a holiday. Well apart from checking in. A) I was late and was only there 1 hour before departure. They told me sternly «straight to gate, no shopping». B) I was a «Miss» on my Virgin ticket but a «MS» on my connecting ANA flight and they couldn’t check me though. Interesting fact. In Japan you cease to be a «MISS» at 12. I rather like being singled out as being single, reeking of middle-​aged desperation and available on my plane ticket, but you know; potato, potaaato.
Once on the plane however, you feel like you entered Japan early. Well, yes there was the stiff, slightly over-​formal service to consider but they were kind enough and attentive and like all Japanese service industry people, simply disappeared when not needed And the poor girls changed about 3 times during the flight; talk about commitment to the role. The chair was pretty wide and there was a 17 inch tv for you to watch. Yup that is some big ass tv to watch your inflight movie. They also provide ipod connectors if you feel like your movie choices are superior to theirs. Next to your chair there is also a bedside table type thing for your books and a (sign with pleasure) tubbleware type thing for your ipod and glasses (coz all asians wear glasses, you know?) Due to this funny bedside table configuration, you are literally at least 6 feet from the next person in the cabin. Lux! :D
The food was pretty delicious though the anytime ordering system was not working. Now this being a Japanese company, the lack of 100% working airplane caused quite a national stir when they launched the new business class and thus I am pretty sure they will be fixing it up and working better than ever soon.
Then came the time after bedtime. For the last 2 hours of the flight I desperately tried to work out how to smuggle the pillow and especially the duvet off the plane. In fact, I might write to them to ask where they get such comfy duvets from. There is now this empty void in me needing a squidgy duvet like the one they hooked me on.
One last thing– no amenities kit. They just had this massive basket of stuff– eyeshades, ear plugs, creams and potions and urm weird Japanese things placed next to the refreshments and you can help yourself to whatever you want. How environmental and not wasteful.
I LOVE. My sister raved about it so much that I think my mom might have told her to shut up about it. It’s not like the mother would ever experience such wonderfulness not needing to fly long-​haul to Japan, ever.
Totally worth it.