Bangkok: March 2016
Another ridiculously early morning going to the airport, with the same overpriced cab ride as two days before. Suvarnabhumi Airport is a massive steel and glass edifice as most modern major airports are, but with some nice cultural touches in the form of several large pieces of Thai artwork throughout the international terminal.
Once running the usual gauntlet of immigration, customs, and of course, the duty-free shops, off to find a place to relax until the flight. The Thai Airways Royal Orchid (Royal Silk?) Lounge was modestly sized and rather busy so early in the morning. Decent food and internet for the wait, then back into the vast, surprisingly photogenic (!) concourse at to board the return flight to Narita.
Six hours to Narita via another old ANA 777-200, satsified a quick craving for french fries, and then to the much more spacious and airy United Club til the next flight. Decent fried chicken and sushi, but not as good as ANA Lounge.
A shiny new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for the flight to LAX, which even had a few empty rows in E+. Got to lay down and get some actual sleep for once. Gave up what was a very spacious bulkhead seat in exchange for a whole empty row (not a bad trade!) and survived the usual so-so United food. Final surprise of the trip was an unusually attentive flight crew-- proof that the domestic carriers do get it right once in a while!