Buffalo is a huge destination for Japanese tourists, because of Niagara Falls just up the road. Naturally, NW is more than happy to accomodate them (and their tour operators) by flying them from Japan to DTW/MSP to Buffalo.

Half the plane were asian pax and I have no idea why this smallish woman had wrapped herself in a couple of blankets as if she were hunkering down for a 13-hour flight. She was certainly astonished when I lept to my feet. At first, I didn't think she was going to let me out.

Other than that, it was certainly not intended to be a gratituitous racial insult.