Pikachu Air

ATTENTION, PLEASE.

UP, UP AND AWAY!!!

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (全日本空輸株式会社 Zen Nippon Kūyu Kabushiki-gaisha?, TYO: 9202, LSE: ANA), also known as Zennikkū (全日空?) or ANA, is the smaller of the two largest airlines in Japan, the other being Japan Airlines.

Okay, so P.R. pamphlet aside, business is NOT booming for airlines—Nihon included. JAL (my former Fave ride) is in an unprecedented governmental bail out–complete with the CEO resignation, blah blah blah….. But, fear not All Nippon remains.

I was, however, surprised that last time I was on ANA, I discovered that they had instituted a new option: onboard snacks for purchase (abunai!!!). While this can not compete with Ryan Air’s PAY TOILET brainstorm, it was a surprise.

In the past—even we peons flying coach—were tossed a few cursory morsels during the highly entertaining 14.5 hour flight from IAD (Washington, D.C.) to Narita (Tokyo). Okay, so we’re talking Pocky and rice crackers–you’d be surprised how thrilled everyone in seats 15-766 were to see those treats at about the ninth hour in flight. But whoa, the times they are a changin’…..

Usually by the time ‘meals on wheels’ ambles its way down the aisle to my row, I get the fare that the earlier rows declined. Pre boarding, I’ve gotten much more creative about putting a rotisserie chicken in my carry-on…..nothing like a caesar salad and two pounds of pastrami in the ‘ole croc Birkin.

However, that said, the Reason that I fly Japanese Airlines IS their pilots.

a) they are so darned cute.

b) they actually know how to fly the planes.

c) they know how to build the planes.

d) they know how to land the planes.

All of the above, but really, I’m quite happy with with ‘a.’

Very, Very Happy.

(Kokkoi desu ne?)

Therefore…..if I can’t choose between beef and chicken–and I have to ante up for ramen….well, at least I get the peace of mind knowing that my samurai pilot is absolutely, positively able to drive the bird even when it isn’t on auto pilot. (so what if the plane is decked out like a Saturday morning commercial or a breakfast cereal).