FLIGHT REVIEW: TOKYO to SAPPORO via ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS (PART 2 of 4)
We flew from Manila to Tokyo via All Nippon Airways (ANA) and were billeted overnight at Royal
Park Hotel, attached to the airport. For
convenience’s sake, our tour operator changed our accommodation from an
ordinary inn 10 train stations away as we had a 0900 flight the next day.
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
After checking out of the hotel, we took a 10-minute
shuttle bus to the domestic terminal which looked more international than our Ninoy
Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
Checking-in was fast and there were several lanes for
security check where water bottles were tested with a detector. If the light
turns green, you're free to go with your bottle. If red, the officers will open
and smell it which was what happened to my tour mate but she was still given
back her bottle with contents intact. I almost expected them to drink from it
just to be sure.
Also, even though it was a domestic airport, perhaps
being foreigners, we were asked to present our passports.
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
While waiting at the gate, my group and I noticed a sea
of black suits. Almost everyone was male donning the same salaryman look which
made our small tour group of six stick out.
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
Boarding was prompt and fast which was impressive given
how many the passengers were for an overbooked 3-4-3 seating plane.
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
After a smooth takeoff, blankets were offered followed by
a choice of soup, coffee, green tea and water served in pitchers. I just had
water.
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
The hole on the table tray makes
a lot of sense to keep the cupt steady. I wonder why not all aircrafts have
this feature.
There was a centralized in-flight entertainment from the
old days but I did not bother with it as I tried to catch some
ZZZZs---something most passengers in my section did. The rest were reading from
a print book that curiously was all the same size.
The flight was smooth throughout except for a mild turbulence
upon reaching Sapporo prompting an announcement with an assurance that we were not
in danger. I think that's the first time I have heard an announcement like that
which had a positive psychological effect on me.
Before landing, I went to the toilet and saw another
first: a full-size body mirror so you can see how you look while heeding the
call of nature. That was too much for me as I looked at everything else except my
reflection.
Also, the toilet was kind of spacious compared to the
usual airline toilets I have seen including those in the business class. You
don't have to worry about hitting your elbows against the wall or sink for
every inch that you move inside.
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
We finally landed at New Chitose Airport and found our assigned carousel easily enough with no
escalator or walkalator rides. It took quite a bit for my luggage to be given up
which gave me time to notice that the carousel was kind of low compared to
other airports.
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
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Copyright photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN |
Next: SAPPORO to TOKYO
This flight review is part of a four-part series. Click here for Part One, Part Three, or Part Four.
This flight review is part of a four-part series. Click here for Part One, Part Three, or Part Four.
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