LHR to SYD on JAL in J - live trip report (leaving 23 Feb 2022)

[scoobs214]

Here we go again!

My awesome UK holiday has come to an end and I must head back to Aussie tonight on JAL in there lovely J-class. Come along with me for the ride! I spent a gruelling 39 hours flying over here due to a schedule change in Haneda making me stay in the airport for 16 hours, but today is different. Only a 2hr 45min wait in Haneda and then onto Sydney.

I've just done my video-supervised rapid antigen test and all clear, but awaiting the PDF to come thru. I started filling out the new DPD (digital passenger declaration) last night for Australia - quite easy and straightforward. There is 3 sections - I've done all but upload negative test certificate. Need to upload your international australian vax cert, and choose your quarantine options (government, pre-arranged, none required)



Now I'm going to have a cuppa tea and enjoy this strange sunny London morning! Then time to pack.
Ill update this thread as often as possible. Thanks for coming along with me on this journey

 

[scoobs214]

A gorgeous sunny (but freezing!) London morning.

 

[AIRwin]

Aircraft (rego JA742J) is on its way from HND to LHR as JL43 and is of course on/ahead of schedule...

 

[scoobs214]

Aircraft (rego J742JA) is on its way from HND to LHR as JL43 and is of course on/ahead of schedule...

Thanks for the update @AIRwin !

 

[AIRwin]

Thanks for the update @AIRwin !

Sorry typo it's JA742J

 

[scoobs214]

Just grabbed an Uber to Terminal 3, waited in line for 5mins to check-in and all very simple.
Had to show Vax cert, test result pdf and Australian DPD. As I am doing two sectors to get home, when I printed the DPD for checkin it only showed JL44 to Haneda so I had to login on my phone and show the check-in agent I was going all the way thru and had done it correctly.

Terminal 3 is very busy! Currently relaxing in the Cathay lounge on @Mattg suggestion. It's lovely, very classy and relaxing. Only open for another 15mins tho so will lounge hop to BA lounge shortly.





Tempted to try the noodle Bar but kinda wanna save myself for the food onboard!

 

[Mattg]

Tempted to try the noodle Bar but kinda wanna save myself for the food onboard!

If it sways your decision (and you still have time), the noodle bar is excellent!

 

[scoobs214]

If it sways your decision (and you still have time), the noodle bar is excellent!

I just missed out @Mattg ! Nevermind, next time. Hopefully Cathay is still going.

Now in the BA galleries lounge, it's not too bad, a bit dark and quite crowded and a bit like a long dormitory.



Nice and quiet tho despite the amount of ppl, also not to bad views of the tarmac.








This is actually the view for CX lounge, shame it wasn't open longer.

 

[scoobs214]

Tried to lounge hop to the new Amex Centurion lounge, got there (it's quite hidden upstairs around some corners) and lady at reception was lovely, but they said they were closing in 15mins. So dragged myself back to the BA lounge haha

Qantas lounge is not open yet and American Airlines Admirals lounge closed.

 

[scoobs214]

There wasn't much WiFi available over Russia so just jagged it now as coming over Japan.
There's about 10 of us in J class and I originally had seat 5K in the mini cabin on the 777, except the silly screen stopped working so I had to move. Chose the very back row, 12K and it paid off as more roomier and had the seat next to me for a bed again.
We are about 40mins out from Haneda then for a quick shower and back on the 787 to Sydney!
Here's some pics from the flight



Seat 5K before the screen broke





Lovely London at night


Japanese Starter




Japanese main meal







Anytime you wish dining - deconstructed sushi and grilled halibut with miso soup


Chocolates and cigar cookie

 

[AIRwin]

We are about 40mins out from Haneda then for a quick shower and back on the 787 to Sydney!

Aloha! Aircraft (rego JA838J) is also arriving around the same time as JL73 from HNL and will operate its next sector to SYD...

 

[SYD]

Aloha! Aircraft (rego JA838J) is also arriving around the same time as JL73 from HNL and will operate its next sector to SYD...

That would be a Lei-over?

 

[antycbr]

Expect that you may be amongst one of the last flights across Russian airspace for some time….

 

[scoobs214]

Aloha! Aircraft (rego JA838J) is also arriving around the same time as JL73 from HNL and will operate its next sector to SYD...

Thanks again for the update @AIRwin !
I think this flight to Sydney is busier - there was quite a few ppl connecting from London to Sydney.

 

[scoobs214]

Expect that you may be amongst one of the last flights across Russian airspace for some time….

Yeah, that maybe very true. When we landed the flight attendant came and told me the news

 

[scoobs214]

Had a shower and now waiting in the JAL First lounge enjoying the view

 

[k_sheep]

Hold up.

Is that a flip phone in your photos?

 

[bam71]

Hold up.

Is that a flip phone in your photos?

That’s what I was wondering. Or some weird Blackberry thing?

 

[AIRwin]

Welcome back @scoobs214 ! I'm heading up to Ain't No Sunshine Coast for a long weekend...

 

[encryptededdy]

Is that a flip phone in your photos?

Looks like a Moto Razr 5G with a large case