British Airways does this through the most hilarious, well thought out in-flight instructional videos and every year we look forward to which theme they bring to life. First it was Pubs in Pelham. These days it's been Lady Whistldown and her friends. And no matter how many times you see, it nothing prepares you for that haunting buccal cavity.
China Airlines does this in their seating and food. Tight squeezes. Chinese ayis and shushus walking up and down the aisle. And the unforgivable Turtle Shell Gel for dessert. If we are going to do dessert, do it right or doh do eet atall.
Well today, I was introduced to Hainan Airlines, based in the only island that willing belongs the China. From the minute I saw our air hostess dressed like this I knewwww, this was going to be different.
As soon as I got to my seat, the hostess asked permission to wake me up for my vegan meal just in case they found me sleeping. What??
Then we were all handed a menu and a night bag of socks, sleeping mask, toothpaste and a toothbrush I very much needed.
Drinks were served not once but twice through out the meal so I started with this ice cold lychee inspired cocktail and ended with coconut water.
After lights out, we were offered cups of warm water to settle ourselves. Unlike on BA, when I fell aslp with 2 blankets and 3 pillows and woke up with one each. Who takes sleeping paraphernalia from a customer on an ice cold flight? I'm going to remember that one for a long time.
But this should not surprise me, at one point, I headed to the back and was waiting for assistance to collect hot water when an Anglo Saxon entered the kitchen space opened one of the large bottles of water and started pouring himself a drink. Typical, I thought. Then a Chinese couple entered, bewildered at first, then started helping themselves to the Oreas and KitKats from the basket. And then suddenly I had to realise that Hainan Airlines was simply the Chick Fila of the Sky.
This level of service was really giving domesticated. Between the rose on the bathroom and breakfast that looks like this, this was easily one of the best Airlines I have ever been on this side of the world. And I look forward to flying with them again in a couple weeks.
