Tiresome as long-haul flying has become these days, I find there’s usually one consolation: the view. At an altitude of 30,000ft, and with the sun in the right place, a string of ponds can glitter like Tiffany’s best.

Flying at night is another matter entirely. If you’ve ever flown over a mountain range in the dark, you’ll know what I mean. Stare as you might through your little window, there’s often no evidence at all of those enormous landforms that would take your breath away during the day.