UNDERCOVER EXPAT: Reason #2,587 to not fly on an American carrier.

As a child, I adored commercial airplanes and flying. As an adult, I love food and kitchen/eating accoutrements. So... a history of loving commercial aviation + food and ornate eating accessories = I love airplane food. Sort of. Actually no, not really, not at all. HOWEVER, while its no secret that service and food on Asian airline carriers have consistently remained superior, compared to those on American carriers, my "snack" on the second leg of my flight on Japan Airlines was dare I say, beautiful and quite tasty. No easy feat at 30,000 feet in ECONOMY. Hooray for civilized flying!

*keep in mind that JAL filed for bankruptcy in 2010. American Airlines, start taking notes. Immediately.

Flight Attendant: Would you like a snack?
Me: Oh, sure.
Flight Attendant: Here is your bento, your miso soup, your green tea, your red wine, your packet of warm rice, and your ice cream.
Me: Ice cream?
Flight Attendant: Would you like some rice crackers?
Me: Uhhh, I don't think I have any more room on my tray.


From Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Packet of mushroom rice wrapped in paper, Grilled saba, Tsukune meatball, Yuba tofu with flying fish roe, Okra with simmered vegetables, Simmed Daikon radish, Deep fried tofu with egg and kamaboko, Picked Nozawana and some potato/tuna salad thingy. And of course the ice cream.

Friends who plan to visit, do yourself a favor and fly on either: JAL, ANA, Korean Airlines, Asiana or Cathay Pacific. The lay-over is worth it.