2004apr30. JAL airlines features two inflight cameras, one pointing straight forward, and one pointing straight down. So while you’re flying over the ocean, you can see the ocean, 30000 feet down. Past the clouds. And the shadows of the clouds. Or are the shadows actually part of the water? It is not for me to say.
During the flight JAL has done pretty much everything in their power to make you forget you’re flying. Each seat has its own li'l video screen (like JetBlue) and then there’s this mongo remote which allows you to select video stations, musical stations, play videogames, and if you turn it around – ABRA ABRA CADABRA! – it’s an airphone with a credit card slot (USD7.50/minute). Then there are the larger video screens which show important flightal instructions like the “alcohol has more affect in the air” directive animation which featured a guy banging down an aisle, falling on people. As if that wasn’t enough, about halfway through the flight – it’s BINGO! Sponsored by the manufacturers of the mango jelly substance we were given for dessert (“HIGH FLACTOSE CORN SYRUP”), passengers were given free bingo cards and then you watched the accompanying video (and for me and a few other passengers, English-dubbed) and perhaps you won valuable non-valuable prizes if you were not me. Actually, they didn’t look too shabby -- couldn’t really tell what they were, but they appeared to have some bulk/heft to them, it wasn’t like “Here’s a free case of High Flactose Corn Syrup Mango Jelly.”
I am in Narita’s airport, pretending like I know what the hell’s going on here. In front of me is the glass-walled smoking lounge, and after you get off the plane there’s a smoking “station” of sorts that’s like a bar – you hie up to it, start smoking, and powerful venting/suction devices take in the smoke and everyone is happy.
I am actually just here for a layover, I’m on my way to Hong Kong which is a different place entirely.