Flying JAL J class next week and am slightly nervous about it

[BVT]

Just a little interim update sitting in the First lounge at Narita airport just about to board my flight to Paris. As others have said- staff service is excellent but just part of Japan- the ride attendants at Tokyo Disneyland bow and wave just as much as the flight crew on JAL. I personally love those little cultural differences but it's certainly different to Western countries.
Negatives were the slopy (and narrow!) seat, no pre-flight drinks (odd) and the rather spartanic amenities (e.g. simple Why-style paper towels in bathrooms and no face moisturiser or similar). My no fish meal was rather disappointing, a bland dry piece of chicken with mashed pumpkin and beans- I could have sworn it was exactly the same as that dry chicken with pumpkin that I had at least three times before on QF domestic J... Pluses: Staff attention and service, drink selection (I love both Sake and Whisky so bring it on!) and the F lounge I'm currently in is lovely- not quite QF First but close: Lovely buffet style food, comfy seats and a relaxing ten mins massage. Oh- and I simply love those toilet seats here! ;-)
One two things caused me real trouble in Japan and it was neither the seafood nor the language: Their love for cash (sorry, no credit cards...) combined with an astonishing lack of ATMs and/or acceptance of anything but Japan-issued cards which was a real hassle. Secondly, the stigma of tattoes- I was on several occassions politely but firmly told that with the tattoo on my arm, I'm not allowed to use the hotel pool, wear a T-shirt only and so on. Sorry- I can't strip my skin off! Oh well, otherwise it was all fine!

I wonder what sort of farewell we would get if QF instituted a similar program to JAL in waving off the punters?

More seriously, how much carry on baggage can you get away with in J?

 

[grussellt]

Hi Berlin, thanks for the comments. I'm glad I'm OK with the seafood and I expect by September JAL will have topped up the sake jugs! I hadn't realised that your first stop in Europe is Paris, so I am really following in your tracks as that's my destination too. However my second leg is BA via LHR so it will be a good comparison of services. I'm sure JAL is great value and I feel even better having bought 60000 miles from AA (for about $1200) to pay for this trip. Unfortunately BA insist on a bit extra for YQ but I'll make sure that the champagne flows for afternoon tea in the T5 lounge.
Vive la France!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just a little interim update sitting in the First lounge at Narita airport just about to board my flight to Paris. As others have said- staff service is excellent but just part of Japan- the ride attendants at Tokyo Disneyland bow and wave just as much as the flight crew on JAL. I personally love those little cultural differences but it's certainly different to Western countries.
Negatives were the slopy (and narrow!) seat, no pre-flight drinks (odd) and the rather spartanic amenities (e.g. simple Why-style paper towels in bathrooms and no face moisturiser or similar). My no fish meal was rather disappointing, a bland dry piece of chicken with mashed pumpkin and beans- I could have sworn it was exactly the same as that dry chicken with pumpkin that I had at least three times before on QF domestic J... Pluses: Staff attention and service, drink selection (I love both Sake and Whisky so bring it on!) and the F lounge I'm currently in is lovely- not quite QF First but close: Lovely buffet style food, comfy seats and a relaxing ten mins massage. Oh- and I simply love those toilet seats here! ;-)
One two things caused me real trouble in Japan and it was neither the seafood nor the language: Their love for cash (sorry, no credit cards...) combined with an astonishing lack of ATMs and/or acceptance of anything but Japan-issued cards which was a real hassle. Secondly, the stigma of tattoes- I was on several occassions politely but firmly told that with the tattoo on my arm, I'm not allowed to use the hotel pool, wear a T-shirt only and so on. Sorry- I can't strip my skin off! Oh well, otherwise it was all fine!

yeah! tattoos are a big no-no! Hopefully you'll get a steak out of Japan - catering probably done by QF in AU anyways As for ATMs - 7/11s there I have had no problem using AU credit cards. Other places are normally ok as well - I only found one bank ATM place that didn't accept it. As for paying elsewhere by CC - I made several transactions at a local supermarket to pay for goods - I have never been charged!! (and this is going back 6 months now!)

 

[Kolo]

I also meant to say that I quite like the way they offer amenities from a basket. That way you only take what you need and you don't end up with useless boxes or bags in which all the other airlines offer their J amenities. Much better for sustainability and the environment. I've got so many QF J packages and its such a waste.

 

[Berlin]

Hi Berlin, thanks for the comments. I'm glad I'm OK with the seafood and I expect by September JAL will have topped up the sake jugs! I hadn't realised that your first stop in Europe is Paris, so I am really following in your tracks as that's my destination too.
Vive la France!

How funny- LHR will be my departure port in a few weeks time and I'll "enjoy" some BA and Iberia legs as well. Paris was once again awesome (what happened to the rude French in recent years- they are suddenly all so lovely!) and I'm currently in the Rioja which is an amazing place with even more amazing food and wine.