Why did I chose British Airways? Was it a patriotic choice? No, as British Airways, although British in name is a subsidiary of International Airlines Group, an Anglo-Spanish multinational airline holding company. The simple reason for my decision was luggage allowance.
British Airways Economy Class
They say that hindsight is 20/20.. I will keep this short, British Airways is NOT the best airline for a long flight. It’s not even mediocre. I appreciate that economy class is not going to be the most extravagant experience, but for a 14 hour flight, it should at least be comfortable. Comfortable, it was not. Not only the shear lack of leg room, but the very shape of the seat seemed to be designed in a manner than reminded me of McDonalds seating back in the 90s. McDonalds, along with many other fast food chains, at the time relied on a quick turnover of customers. You came in, ate your food, and left as quickly as possible, freeing up the seat for the next poor sod to “enjoy”. However, squashed into this thing with my knees touching the hard plastic back of the seat in-front of me for 14 hours, there was no escape, no quick turn-over. Only the worst discomfort of my life. Even now as I write this almost three weeks later, my back is still feeling the effects.
I wish I could tell you about the food, but I was in so much pain and discomfort at the time, I just wanted it to be over. I couldn’t bring upon myself whatever flavour of disappointment was offered in those tiny metal trays. I would make do with coffee and water.
The Flight
Watching out of the window, I saw the UK falling away from me and soon we were flying above the clouds. It was a truly beautiful sight to behold. The sky was blue, the clouds fluffy like delicate cotton. We cruised at around 40,000ft for most of the journey, until we got to China.
The plane started a noticably rapid climb to nearly 55,000ft over China, I wonder why we must fly so high here.. The sun now seemingly at eye-level. Below, in the great distance, I could see a beautiful landscape. Almost like the veins in a leaf, the contoured deserts of China spread out under us.
The sun started to rise over the lands below, and reflecting hues of orange, pink and purple in the rivers and estuaries, it was an almost breathtaking view. For a moment, I could escape my agonising physical discomforts, and enjoy looking out of my window.
As beautiful as China was in that moment, nothing could compare to what came next. Ahead, Japan..
Mt. Fuji
Possibly the most iconic natural feature of Japan is Mount Fuji. It is every travellers hope to be greeted by this wonderful and magical view, and for very good reason. As volcanoes go, Mt Fuji has to be the most beautiful and quintessentially perfect. Our flight into Tokyo Haneda Airport, originally was not planned to deliver much of a view of Fuji, but perhaps the delay had resulted in a change in flight path, or perhaps the pilot simply wanted to treat us, but as we approached Tokyo, we were gifted the most amazing welcoming view anyone could ever wish for.
Mt Fuji, Fujisan.
Finally… Landing in Tokyo, Japan
Shortly thereafter, landing at Tokyo Haneda Airport, my long and agonising flight was finally over. To myself I silently vowed, “never again”.
Never again will I put myself through the pain and discomforts of British Airways, economy class or otherwise. The whole experience left a distinct and lingering bad taste. It was over, it was finally over. I have landed. I am in Japan. Despite the pain in my back and ache in my neck, I am in Japan and I am happy.
