Flight to Beijing, May 19-20, 2013 (JAL - yeah!)

Departed KC 10:30am May 19th, for Chicago.  Tiny American Airlines plane.
Departed Chicago 6:15pm, May 19th, to arrive in Beijing about 9:30pm May 20th.
Chicago to Tokyo leg on American.  No surprise - seat very tight.  I could only enter and exit my extra-cost aisle seat by throwing my leg on top of the arm rest and pushing up.  They fed us ample quantities of mediocre snacks enroute.
At Tokyo, Japan, we changed to a JAL Japan Air Lines flight, which would take us on to Beijing (about a 4 hour flight).  What a treat!  I got the impression these folks actually cared about my business. Smiling, bowing agents at every turn.  Once on board, and noticing my cramped seating, the agent volunteered that I could move to one of the many open seats in the rear of the plane.  And I did!
We were able to see glorious Mt. Fuji shortly after takeoff!
The dinner served was just lovely.  A beautifully presented 6-compartment bento box, with a sliver of salted black rockfish on the side.

 I knew little of what was in the bento box, but I ate every bite. Then I found a printed menu on the tray.  Some samples: Seafood dumpling; five color Japanese pickles; Pumpkin salad; Kinpira Burdock, flower shaped fish cake and mini okra; grilled salted rockfish, etc, etc.  Fascinating!  Desert was a small Haagen Daaz coffee-flavored custard.

About 8pm we entered South Korean air space, and encountered some mild turbulence.

Summary - I will seek a JAL flight next time!