Ask 100 children what they want to be when they grow up and it¡¯s a safe bet that a dozen will say they want to be a pilot.
Sure, air travel is less glamorous than during my father¡¯s generation, but the act of flying remains magical to kids. Adults too. You don¡¯t have to be a schoolkid to find aviation interesting. For those who love planes, two Japanese airlines offer a chance to experience some of the biggest jets in a new way.
Both Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) offer tours of their Haneda Airport maintenance facilities. This is often called a factory tour, but you won¡¯t see planes being built. Instead, retired pilots, flight attendants and ground staff show you airplane maintenance up close ¡ª all while you learn about air travel and the mechanics of aviation. Oh, and did I mention that this is free?
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