A Premium Economy Seat, Two Lounges, and a Soft Landing Home (Part 3 of 3)

There’s a special kind of peace that comes with a return flight you’ve already made once or twice before — the kind where the surprises are fewer, the expectations are clearer, and the seat you’re settling into is one you chose on purpose. This HND–MNL leg isn’t about scrambling for miles or stumbling into Nobel laureates; it’s about intention. I booked ANA premium economy again, deliberately picking the same seat that once impressed me by sheer luck, and this time I’m pairing it with a long‑delayed mission: finally stepping into the TIAT Lounge with a freshly minted DragonPass in hand.

And because this trip marks something bigger — a relocation flight back to my home country — I decided to do something I’ve never done before: check into a hotel right inside the airport. The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda had always felt like an indulgence I couldn’t justify, especially with its steep price tag. But with an early flight the next morning and the quiet realization that I might not get another chance to experience this, I jumped on it. One last small luxury before closing this chapter.

This flight marks my second or third time flying ANA premium economy back to Manila, but this one feels different. On previous trips, I didn’t have much of a choice — I simply took whatever seat was left and hoped for the best. Luckily, the seat I ended up with was surprisingly comfortable. So this time, with availability on my side, I deliberately chose the exact same one. There’s something oddly comforting about returning to a seat you already know, like revisiting a favorite café table or claiming your usual spot at the gym.

The seat itself — ANA’s B787 premium economy — was exactly what I remembered: still comfortable, still blue-striped, and still requiring a bit of manual persuasion to get the leg rest and recline to cooperate. I’d also pre‑ordered their seafood meal in advance, and I’m happy to report it did not disappoint. Flavorful, well‑portioned, and a nice change from the usual chicken-or-beef roulette.

Now, let’s talk about the downsides. Premium economy passengers are among the last to board, and if you’ve got a middle aisle seat like I did, you’ll be in the final boarding group. On some airlines, that could mean fighting for overhead bin space — but thankfully, I’ve never had that issue with ANA. The bigger inconvenience? Toilet access. Despite being closer to the business class lavatories, premium economy passengers aren’t allowed to use them. So yes, I had to walk all the way back to the economy section every time nature called. Not ideal.

But the real subplot of this flight? The lounge situation.

ANA premium economy passengers normally get access to the ANA Lounge at Haneda Terminal 3, which is already a solid perk. But while I was still in Manila, I managed to snag a credit card with DragonPass access — a tiny victory that unlocked a new possibility: the TIAT Lounge. If you’ve been following my travel misadventures, you’ll remember that the TIAT Lounge has been my target. On my last HND–MNL flight via PAL, I was all set to try it… only to be told that ANA passengers could only use the ANA Lounge that day. I could’ve chosen NRT–MNL instead, which came with Aspire Lounge access, but I prioritized the A330‑300 business class seat. No regrets — but the TIAT Lounge remained unchecked on my list.

This time, though, I finally had the means to get in. And here’s the twist: the PAL ground staff once told me TIAT gets extremely crowded, which is why they redirected passengers to the ANA Lounge. But when I walked in — DragonPass in hand — the place was nearly empty. Meanwhile, the ANA Lounge was packed. If not for my craving for their tonkotsu ramen, I could’ve stayed at TIAT much longer.

TIAT had clearer sightlines and a more varied runway view, which I loved. ANA Lounge, on the other hand, had more food options — including their tasty ramen — while TIAT offered only cup noodles. Still, I found it amazing that with just a premium economy ticket, I suddenly had the power to lounge‑hop like a seasoned business traveler. All thanks to one newly acquired credit card.

By the time this flight touched down in Manila, it won’t just mark the end of a trip — it marked the end of a season of my life. This HND–MNL run is most likely my last for now, a gentle relocation flight home after years of bouncing between terminals, lounges, and carefully chosen seats. And maybe that’s why this return leg feels different. It isn’t about chasing upgrades or squeezing in one more review; it’s about savoring the familiar comforts one last time before life shifts in a bigger way. A seat I chose on purpose, a lounge I’ve waited ages to try, a night in an airport hotel I’d always talked myself out of — all of it coming together for a soft landing into whatever comes next.

But just because I’m ending my trips for now doesn’t mean I’ll stop collecting miles. Far from it. The quest for finding unique ways to earn and redeem miles Japan‑style continues — and if anything, this quiet return home is just a pause before the next chapter begins.