Even in 2019, a year that marked a turning point in history, I flew on JAL planes countless times. I love traveling to remote islands in Japan, and in recent years I have been focusing on southern islands, but for the first time I also went to Tarama Island in Okinawa and Yoron Island in the Amami Islands. No matter how many times I fly on propeller planes such as the ATR42 and DHC8, I find myself leaning forward and gazing at the propellers circling with the beautiful sea behind me.
On the other hand, if you look to the northern sky, you will often encounter a B763 between Haneda and my hometown, Tokachi Obihiro Airport. Its wings are two-tone gray and white with the Japanese flag shining on them, and its appearance that harmonizes with the Tokachi Plain changes its appearance throughout the four seasons, which is lovely. In 2019, the charm of Tokachi was widely conveyed due to the influence of NHK's morning drama "Natsuzora", and it was also a memorable event that many tourists visited the area.
I was lucky enough to board the "JAL DREAMEXPRESS 90" aircraft, which had a special "Natsuzora" version with Mickey Mouse on it, and the last flight of 2019 was the "Everyone's JAL 2020 Jet," so it was a very emotional experience. Even on the same route, there are no two flights that are the same.
And the more I fly on airplanes, the more I realize that aircraft have not only a recognizable appearance and physique, but also individuality in the details. Every aircraft flies with a story, as many as the number of people involved.
As a part-time writer, I have a lot of work to do, so the first class of the Airbus A350 was like a comfortable private room flying in the sky, and it was the ideal space for me. I have spun a story about that day, but please forgive me if it seems annoying that I stretched myself out and rode in first class, which I don't usually ride.
Early that morning, I was sitting at my laptop in the Diamond Premier Lounge, processing my emails and trying to resist the temptation to have breakfast. I am such a greedy eater that I even use my appetite to write gourmet mysteries, but I had no choice but to enjoy the breakfast on the plane.
The departure time was 7:30. I took the time to finish my work, and with excitement, I walked to the boarding gate. There, I was greeted by the distinctive cockpit window of the A350 with its droopy-eyed raccoon face.
I pass through the boarding gate and head to the plane. I feel nervous as I enter for the first time. I arrive at my seat, greeted by a smiling flight attendant and the familiar boarding music "I Will Be There With You". The sunlight coming through the large windows may be the reason for the strong feeling of openness. The interior, which exudes traditional Japanese beauty, is calming.
After storing my luggage in a storage space so vast I had to look twice, I leaned back comfortably in the shell-shaped seat.
The plane with all the passengers aboard began to move. As I had heard, the engine noise seemed quiet. It was the same during takeoff. The chic black full leather seats were comfortable and I wanted to fall asleep, but when the plane rose to an altitude of 10,000 feet where AC power was available, I plugged in the laptop adapter. The battery on my MacBook Pro runs out quickly, so it was reassuring to have an outlet.
Open the seat table and start using your computer. The table can be adjusted to the optimal distance, making it easy to touch the keyboard. If you slide the divider between you and the seat next to you, you will feel even more private.
All the various seat arrangements are power buttons. Because it is a shell type, you can recline without worrying about the back, and the footrest can be raised quite a bit. As I tried various things, a massage suddenly started around my lower back. The pleasant vibrations seemed to relax my mind.
Soon the breakfast I was looking forward to arrived. The grilled Spanish mackerel marinated in sake lees went perfectly with the plump rice from Hokkaido. And the miso soup with roasted seaweed warmed my body. After I had finished eating and enjoyed everything up to the dessert, the after-meal coffee was placed on the table. The design of the heavy tray was beautiful, and I stared at it for a while before picking up the cup.
This time, I tried to operate the large monitor using the remote control. As I changed the channels, I noticed footage from an external camera. There were two views: a front view, presumably from a camera attached under the front of the aircraft, and a wing view, presumably from a camera attached quite high up on the tail. The weather was good, so I never got bored watching it. Gazing at the realistic front view, I had the illusion of being a pilot.
It's so comfortable that I wish I could stay in the sky forever... I opened my Mac again and started working, and before I knew it, New Chitose Airport was approaching. When we landed, I closed my eyes and listened carefully, and once again confirmed how quiet it was. It was a plane that was kind to both people and the environment. As I listened to Joe Hisaishi's "Wings of Tomorrow," I vowed to myself that I would always be like that.
Upon arriving at New Chitose Airport, I visited the "Super Lounge" near the observation deck on the third floor for the first time. As I sat in a window seat, I happened to see the A350 aircraft I was on parked right in front of me. Although it was a high-spec, state-of-the-art aircraft, its unique raccoon face made it somewhat charming even when viewed from the front. After a while, it took off, but the aircraft that came in one after the other also showed their unique expressions.
Through the many open windows, including the cockpit, you can see the stories of the people who love the aircraft and are involved in its navigation, and the people who travel. The plane flies through the sky, filled with people's passionate thoughts. I love such spaces so much that I can't stop flying. Which plane will I fly on next, and in what sky? I looked up at the sky and thought about my next journey.
Interview and text: Keiichi Yagi
Originally from Tokachi, Hokkaido. After graduating from university, he worked as an editor for the travel magazine "Jalan" and a copywriter for the food and beverage industry, before making his debut as an author in 2014 when his work "One Trillion Yen Ransom" won Takarajimasha's 12th "This Mystery is Amazing!" Grand Prize. The following year, the same work was made into a TV drama by Fuji TV. He is currently writing novels and essays while pursuing a parallel career in IT. His latest work is the second in his gourmet mystery series, "The Clue is in a Plate: The Temptation of Local Gourmet Food" (Shueisha).
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
