After the 12.5hr flight from Chicago to Tokyo I had a 2 hour wait before my final flight to Busan. The flight to Busan was an hour and forty minutes before waiting an hour for the Daegu bus which would be another 90 minutes, after which I'd have to take a 20 min taxi to eventually get me home.

On the final descent into Busan the Captain made a startling announcement . There was a sudden weather change at Busan and we may have to return to Narita Tokyo!!! Hopefully, that would not be the case as I had been on a very long journey from Toronto with two previous flights. There were also many American Service Personell who had either come on the Chicago flight with me or joined in Tokyo from a Dallas flight.

The pilot said he had enough fuel to circle for 20 minutes after which he would have to return to Narita. I could see Ulsan further away all lit up, and other planes in the sky, but Busan was covered in thick cloud. I was hoping maybe we could be diverted to Daegu to land to save me the extra journey home. Unfortunately, when I asked the stewardess if this was possible she said the flight plan was Narita<>Busan and this was the only route they could fly in either direction, so no return to Osaka to wait out the storm.

After 20 minutes the pilot announced we were returning to Narita and that other flights had also abandoned their approach . There was no explanation what would happen on return arrival. Would we refuel and return, wait till tomorrow, or be rebooked on alternate flights? I was also a little anxious as I was supposed to return home saturday night, rest and repack, for my China flight Monday.

I wasnt overly panicked as everyone was in the same boat so to speak (or plane actually) and I didnt think a short flight from Tokyo could be delayed 36 hours to jeopardize my Monday China trip.

On descent back into Narita they explained ground staff would board and advise procedure for overnight hotel and alternate travel arrangement. When we landed they advised we would all be given a hotel room and the flight was rescheduled to depart 7.15am Sunday morning.

As we left the plane there was an army of JAL staff positioned throughout the airport holding signs with our flight number, ready to guide us swiftly through the terminal . They fasttracked us thru Immigration, Baggage Claim, and Customs, after first providing us with hotel vouchers.

I was surprised by their organization. When the plane had landed they had already assigned hotel rooms to the passenger list. The last time something similar happened in oil rich Abu Dhabi their attitude was "go away - dont bother us" and all the passengers had to sleep in the airport terminal and fight with the counter staff just to get a meal voucher.

The JAL staff then guided us to the parked buses waiting for our flight to take us to assigned hotels. There we also had rapid check ins by just initialing our name on the passenger list. Unfortunately we arrived at midnite, and the special bus to take us back was 5.45am so not much time to sleep. The compact hotel room was the size of a hospital or freight elevator including the fridge sized bathroom. If I was teaching in Japan this could be my apartment for one year! 

On arrival back at the airport terminal there was an army of JAL staff again holding boards with our flight number . Each of them kept apologizing to us as they fasttracked us through check in and security, even though the airport was practically closed this early on a Sunday morning.

I would have to commend JAL for the professionalism and smooth operations in how they handled the situation, compared to my past experience with other airlines/airports. Even the americans commented if this was the American Airlines flight they wouldnt have got this service. Just reminds me why I love Japan.

Fortunately it worked out for the best as I was able to rest up before arriving at Busan, where I had to wait an hour for the bus, which was then a 90 min ride, after which I had to take a 20 min taxi, to finally arrive home Sunday lunchtime.

Now its a short rest and time to unpack and repack hand luggage for week long trip to Silk Road China Monday lunchtime.