JAPAN AIR LINES: Airplane food of the gods

Canada is a fabulous country for hockey, donuts and yes it’s true, basic human pleasantness. But if we were judged on our national airline, we’d be seen as a cranky bunch of cheapskates.

Air Canada has officially scrapped any kind of meal service for North American travel — and now charges $2 Can for those flat little pillows and static-charged blankets. They say it’s because travellers are most concerned about price. So how much is that all going to save ME? All I know is it’s sure helping out the airline.

Which brings me to my utter worship of Japan Airlines (JAL).

First, there are individual TV monitors at every seat, regardless of class. You can choose movies, video games or flight information with your remote. Headphones are (gasp) free.

Then there’s the food. The Japanese have always valued the aesthetics of presentation. Translation: things should be pretty. And JAL takes airplane food to beyond pretty. Plus it’s tasty. Take a gander:

• rolled salmon with radish
• perfectly grilled sesame chicken
• braised tuna and welsh onion
• saskatoon berry mousse cake.

To be fair, these photos are from a business class meal from Vancouver to Tokyo (for which we were lucky enough to snag upgrades). But take a look at sample international economy menus on JAL versus Air Canada.

But it’s on sheer hospitality that JAL wins hands down. During a long delay due to a backed-up runway, the pilot came on every 10 minutes or so to give an update. When you’re strapped in like a kid straining on the end of those parent leashes, it’s nice to know what’s going on outside.

Then there are the JAL flight attendants. So lovely and so patient. They bring you things before you have to ask. They don’t bang into your shoulder when they walk down the aisles. And they wear these great aprons during meal service.