There is a simple tradition at airports in Japan you’ll struggle to spot in Australia or possibly anywhere else in the world.

The crew on the ground bow and wave off each plane as it taxis away from the gate.

Australian pilot Darren Howie who has been flying to Japan since the early 2000s told news.com.au “rain, hail or shine” they are always there to give “the wave off”.

And while pilots and passengers may get a wave at other airports around the world, he said it was “nothing as formal as what they have in Japan”.

Mr Howie said the wave is not just seen at the big airports in Tokyo and Osaka either, but across the country. ...continue reading