I don't want to say much about Tokyo itself. Others have done so before in much better terms. It was wild, loud, quiet, calm, brilliant, funky, dreamy, crazy, prudent - all in one. Just as it is to be - and even more. It felt like coming home, connected to the most fantastic feeling any traveller can have: Getting yourself lost in a place, drowning yourself in experiences and discover new things. Thank you Tokyo for taking me back home.
Way to fast it meant: Sayonara. Luckily I knew that I would get to experience LX F, so I wasn't all too sad about it.
May I? Yes I may!
ANA Suite Check In. For a short moment you forget you're at an airport. Only other time I felt that was in BKK in their F check in area. The dedicated security area away from all others (compare Frankfurt FCT) and being offered someone to escort you also makes it a very smooth experience.
ANA Suites Lounge. Small, comfy, clean and quiet, unobstrusive staff - which are always ready to help. Just like a lounge should be.
Foooooood!
More fooooooood! In general a small and good selection (didn't take photos of everything). Not stellar, but much better offering than others. The small noodle-bar was also already open, but I didn't opt for something warm&heavy in the morning.
...so, Suhsi instead. (forgive that fork, I did indeed simply use my fingers...)
And, logically, some Bubbly. They needed a while to find a proper glass, and refused my offer to simply take a white wine glass. Oh well. Was worth the while though!
And to say good bye to Japan - some Sake. (notice the extremely pretty napkin *sigh*)
Shortly after I was picked up by an extremely cool lady to take me to the plane. We had a meaningful conversation, but I forgot what it was about. Go figure...
Hello beauty! Nice to see you!
I'll say it straight up front: This was by far one of the best flights I have taken all my life (maybe 1-2 others are close. This is not counting adventury flights across volcanoes and in deep jungles, I am comparing the Premium segment here) Everything was good, from start to finish, almost every small detail fit. There are flight experiences one thinks back to often and remembers them fondly - this was one of them. If Swiss shows such a performance in most of their F flights, I am bound to book them again for sure.
I like the style. Some might call it 'old-fashioned' and yes, some other F products certainly do have more appeal, but I must say that now after flying it, that this cabin resulted in an immediate feeling of comfort, unlike others.
Ohhhhh yes! Endorphines doing a happy dance. And this seat is a wonder in being comfortable.
Only two more guests in F today - perfect!
Holiday after a holiday. For me this flight was also a reward after half a year of very stressful work. Seldomly flights are also part of the recreation. This one was.
"May we offer some very awesome bubbly cool stuff?" - "Of course! I am planning to enjoy this flight from start to finish" - "Well, we will do everything in our power to help you with that".
This dialogue turned into reality. It's such small details like saying "May we" instead of "Here, have this" that define good service. "My" FA Monika Joachim (and I really hope my feedback I sent to LX after the flight reaches her) did her job with such a passion and smile, that I was quite perplexed at first, so rare it is nowadays. Never intrusive, open, honest - and most of all: predicitive and anticipatory. Also the MdC Huber and the pilot (who greets F passenger personally when flying Swiss) that came by just showed a sense of enjoying what they do. I knew I was in for a treat.
Small Amuse-Bouche. Something fishy. Gladly!
"Some more champagne?"
Looking into the "Stübli", the front mini C cabin. Seeing the new C live for the first time, and it looks quite good. Will have to try it one day.
"Some more champagne?"
And off we go. Bye Japan, it was a pleasure!