Our departure was delayed, first while the entertainment system was fixed, and then because one of the doors had a problem. Once we took off, the lunch service began – really nothing of note to report there. I remember when the prospect of an airline meal really excited me. Yes, I know it’s sad, but it was still a special experience, even in economy. It’s unfortunate that either I, or the airline industry, or perhaps both, have a reached a point at which the dining experience in business class is completely devoid of thrill.
The service from the crew was straight up and professional, and yet the weakest I had encountered on a trans-pac flight in years. Perfunctory is perhaps how I’d best describe it, and far enough removed from my typical experience that I left wondering whether all the great service I’ve had over the years is because of my kid(s).

sometimes the food tastes better than it looks - chicken brochette

For the first time that I recall in my flying life, I encountered a baby who was crying on and off throughout the journey. Frankly this had never happened to me before, and I found myself suddenly a lot more empathetic towards people’s frustrations. I really wanted some sleep, but there was going to be none to be had. The parents were trying really hard, so I had no issue with them, and in fact chatted to them at length later on in the flight.

However, even though my own kids have fortunately been great travellers, we have always deliberately avoided the upper deck when either one of them has been under 3, simply because it is a closed, confined cabin space and if something does go wrong, then everyone suffers. The downstairs business class cabin is noisier in general, and the wail of a screaming baby does get lost, relatively speaking, especially if families take the row 9 and 10 seats. I have no problems with babies in C or F, especially when the parents genuinely make the effort to keep their kids entertained and happy, but even then, I think there are some common courtesies that can be applied.

Even without the crying baby, there was little chance of me getting any sleep. As I noted when I measured the seats when they first came out, the upper deck doesn’t cut it if you’re even somewhat tall. The difference was far too obvious, and the impact of those 3 or 4 inches cannot be understated.

With sleep not expected, I decided to get some work done and listen to some music. I worked my way through the IFE music library, and it was going well until I looked in the Oldies section and found the likes of INXS in there. Seriously, United? I know I’m the wrong side of 30, but I refuse to accept that INXS are old, because that makes me old and I’m quite happy to be in denial.

For the first time in my experience, we landed on 16R, which resulted in a very short taxi to the gate. There was a bit of excitement as we landed, which is referenced in another thread. Local law enforcement came on board to have a little discussion with a couple of passengers involved in a seating related disagreement downstairs. As I exited I saw some passengers being interviewed, but there was no indication of anyone having been led away in handcuffs or the like.

After a short stopover at the Tokyo Red Carpet Club, it was back on board the 777 for the second leg into Singapore. This flight put paid to all the negatives of the previous leg. The crew were top notch, the food was palatable, although the salmon was a bit dry, but most importantly, I was back in the old recliner C which I still insist is excellent for sleeping on. It didn’t even bother me that the IFE was broken at my seat, although no doubt I am a fool for not requesting compensation.

I did notice, sitting in an aisle seat, a lady who looked very familiar. After digging through the memory banks, I remembered that she was one of the irate DYKWIA passengers from the October 10 cancellation fiasco at SIN.

My ride to Singapore

I've done many miles in these seats, and they're not quite as bad as people make out

Not the worst salmon I've had at 35,000 feet

Garlic Bread through a wine glass - aka "cricketer gets creative"

plateful of sugar for dessert!