A flight in a typhoon

I arrived in Japan on Wednesday June 3rd a few hours after typhoon #6 had subsided in the Kanto plain. My flight was delayed five hours so as not to land right as Haneda airport was in the eye of the storm. 

I had a suspicion that the flight would be bumpy as we approached Japan. And unfortunately, that proved to be true. I knew as soon as the cabin crew served breakfast with four hours left on the flight, that they too expected a bumpy ride. I have traveled to Japan on the same route enough times to know that breakfast is always served with two hours left on the flight.

With about an hour and a half left on the flight, as we approached the Kansai area, the flight got extremely rocky. We were dropping up and down like on a bungee swing. As it started, the pilot had put on the seatbelt sign and made announcement that, unfortunately, for the remaining hour and a half we would not be able to leave our seats.

However, about 30 minutes after the turbulence started it eased off for a while, and the pilot was able to take off the seatbelt sign for about 20 minutes. Much to the relief of all the people that suddenly rushed to the bathroom! Thankfully, although I was nauseous, it wasn't that bad and I didn't need to be sick. Only a few people were from what I can tell.

The rough ride started again as we started our descent, but the pilot was in full control and landed the plane with great skill.  I think we were all very grateful that the turbulence wasn't as bad as expected. Moreover, it was a relief to arrive safely after a flight in the tail end of a typhoon.