Sometimes you need to spoil yourself. I like the thought of working hard and earning something as a reward. That is why I decided to book business class flights after we had made the plan to visit Japan. For me a business class flight is more than nice food and feeling glamorous, though.
Growing older as a mobility-impaired person I learn to treasure moments where I am not limited during travellling. Nine hours on a plane without being able to really move or change your sitting position wasn't a problem ten years ago, but now? Oh what a drag it is getting old... ;)
After doing some research we booked flights from Stuttgart via Helsinki. Firstly because they were affordable and didn't start somewhere in Southern Europe early in the morning. Secondly because from Helsinki the flight time to Tokyo is relatively short with a little more than nine hours. And thirdly because I was excited to try Finnair's business class!
Departure time in Stuttgart was 10:15 am. Good, because so we didn't have to get up in the middle of the night. Since our flight was delayed we had plenty of time after security check and had coffee at the British Airways Executive Club. The lounge had a slight 90s feel but wasn't crowded and offered everything you possibly need before a short haul flight.
Entrance Executive Club Stuttgart Airport
Seating area Executive Club Stuttgart Airport
Buffet Executive Club Stuttgart Airport
Tarmac Stuttgart Airport
The Embraer wasn't parked at a gangway and we didn't have an ambulift take us to the plane. For this reason I had to be carried up the stairs. The Finnish stewardess greeted us polite but aloof. She reminded me of a strict but fair teacher.
Ground service Stuttgart Airport
There was no one else but us in business class and we had our personal safety demonstration. Even the strict teacher thought this was funny and had to smile to herself. After takeoff we had drinks and pretzels followed by the lunch. My sweet tooth had hoped for a breakfast. The fish was tasty, though. And my sweet tooth was happy about the delicious cake that tasted like christmas.
Finnair business class lunch (short haul)
Window view Finnair Embraer 190
In Helsinki we had to wait for half an hour at the gangway for the wheelchair. Our connecting flight was 3 hours later so we didn't mind. Helsinki Airport is modern and stylish.
Tarmac Helsinki Airport
At the moment the airport is undergoing some major refurbishments. That is why there was only limited access to the lounge. We had some snacks and strolled around the terminal.
Buffet Finnair Lounge Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (Non-Schengen area)
Seating area Finnair Lounge Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (Non-Schengen area)
Terminal 2 Helsinki Airport
Boarding began on time at 5 pm. Entering the A350-900 we were welcomed by the very friendly flight attendants. I was impressed by the Scandinavian design inside the cabin. Although it was cool with the blue ambient light it didn't feel uncomfortable. The reverse herringbone seats offered a lot of space and felt like cozy bunks.
Finnair A350-900 business class seat
Leg room Finnair A350-900 business class seat
Storage Finnair A350-900 business class seat
Power outlets Finnair A350-900 business class seat
Noise cancelling headphones Finnair business class
Amenities kit Finnair business class
Wing view Finnair A350-900 at Helsinki Airport
Right after settling down the flight attendant came and offered us champagne or blueberry juice as a welcome drink. She told me that I shouldn't hesitate to ask for help if I needed to go to the restroom.
Welcome drink Finnair business class
A lot of times I am asked how I am able to move inside a plane. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures of the aisle chair and the roomy restroom. Next time. Till take off I explored the seat, the impressive and fast in-flight entertainment system and watched the plane getting ready and de-iced over the flight camera.
In-flight entertainment system Finnair business class
Flight camera in-flight entertainment system Finnair A350-900
Timeline in-flight entertainment system Finnair business class
Interactive route map in-flight entertainment system Finnair
After the seatbelt sign was turned off we started dinner. I have to say all the food on this flight was delicate. We started with an hors d'oeuvre with a Napue Gin & Tonic, followed by the very tasty beef pastrami as appetizer. The red snapper Nanban was delicious, too and had a nice sweet and sour taste. For dessert I had chocolate cake with blackcurrant and tea.
Hors d'oeuvre Finnair business class (long haul)
Appetizer Finnair business class (long haul)
Entree Finnair business class (long haul)
Dessert Finnair business class (long haul)
Normally I don't like night flights too much because I can't see what is going on outside. But this flight was different. I was relaxed, listened to some music and snoozed. I couldn't actually sleep and enjoyed the sunrise over Russia.
Wing view A350-900 over Russia
Breakfast service started and the flight attendant informed us about turbulences over the Japanese Sea, which I really appreciated. Turned out the turbulences didn't hit us though.
Breakfast Finnair business class (long haul)
Approach Tokyo Narita Airport
In the end I was happy and sad to leave the comfortable A350 at the same time. I really liked the smooth flight and service. The door opened and our Japan experience began. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures of the nice wooden aisle chair. We had assitance all the way through passport control and baggage claim. But it didn't end here. The friendly man escorted us to the post office to get our pocket wifi and afterwards to the Japan Railway office to pick up our rail passes.
JR pass and JR wheelchair pass
There a nice lady took care of us. She handed the passes and an accesible train guide over to us and brought us to the gates of the train station. From there a third person escorted us to the track. The space on the Narita Express was limited and I don't think an electric wheelchair would fit in there. But I am not sure whether or not we were put on the actual wheelchair seats. As we arrived at Shinagawa station another man awaited us und brought us to another train. As we would find out during our Japan travel this was no exception this was business as usual!
Our hotel was the Pullman Tokyo Tamachi which had just opened a few months ago. The staff was exceptionally friendly and proffesional. Everytime we passed through the lobby we were greeted by name. The room we had booked had a bathroom which was too narrow for the wheelchair. You could see that everyone was embarrassed about that. We were upgraded to a bigger room instantly.
The room was huge and offered a beautiful view of the trains arriving and leaving Tamachi station. We did our best to stay awake and just after dark we left the hotel to walk around the area a bit. The cute and narrow alleys of Tamachi looked like surreal movie sets.
Alleys in Tamachi
At a small place we had our first Japanese meal: Curry! And once more we were welcomed friendly. A young guy noticed that we had trouble using the ticket vending machine and helped us. He brought us water and told us where to leave our plates after dinner. All of that happened right before me like a strange but entertaining movie. What would this friendly country have in store for us? Continue here.
Japanese food ticket vending machine
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