This is the third flt of my DONE4 and given the other two were on QF I really didn't think that they would be worth posting about.
JL 710 check in was fine with the man able to get me through all the way to JFK which was 3 flights later. He handed me a lounge invitation to the SATS Premier Lounge which located next door to the SIN QP. After about two seconds I left this lounge and headed to a well known quantity next door. After a quick reference session with the door attendant about SG entry it was inside for a quick shower and email check.
The flight boarded on time and I was quite optimistic about the service with JAL given the natural class system that exists within Japan. The welcome was ok and the amenities pack was ok, but that really summed up the flight. Ok. The Executive class seats are almost identical to Skybeds but without the cocooning nature of their pod style.
I was rather thrilled to find that the forward looking camera was on but no so thrilled to discover that no pre-departure drink was offered. I was really looking forward to a glass of Piper on the Upper Deck of a 744.
Take off was the usual with a very short run and taxi. The AVOD worked perfectly with very little delay which showed a clear contrast to the system on QF77 earlier that had to be reset no less than 4 times and still didn’t work. A real let down were the headphones that were no better than QF Y domestic.
Drinks were finally offered with snacks and amenity kits handed out. After they were cleared away I watched a little of Oceans 13 and waited for the cabin lights to be dimmed. And I waited……… Eventually I asked the FA if the lights were turned down or off at all. Apparently no, that’s what your eye mask is for. This is just a little grim. A departure from SIN at 2330 arriving at 0700 and you can’t dim the cabin lights?
Oh well, the slings and arrows we suffer whilst sitting in seats that eclipse first class seats a decade ago. So let’s have a little perspective.
The FA’s were tremendous. Breakfast service was quick and hot. I woke 45 min before landing and they still got through the whole service. The two girls also spoke better English than my ‘strain so points to them. They did get treated a little shabbily by the Japanese men on board but who I am to pass comment.
Arrival into NRT was smooth and connecting to my CX flight to HKG was easy.
I am writing this in the AC after sampling the CX lounge (small and pretty boring) and the Sakura Lounge (awesome, huge and with beer pouring machines!). The AC is really quite nice and almost better than the Flagship Lounges Stateside. The Flags have better food but not the standard of booze, JW Black and Suntory 12 year old were the help yourself options.
All lounges had free internet though could only get the AC to connect me wirelessly. All lounges also didn’t have a problem with me if I wasn’t flying with them. They obviously know their entry rules and bravo JAL for getting your team up to speed quickly in the oneworld sphere.
Will write after CX 888 from HKG to JFK. This is a looooong flight and should be a bit of a laugh.
So now it is off to HKG and my first ever sample of the Wing/Pier. Hope that you people haven’t got my hopes up too much!
JL 710 check in was fine with the man able to get me through all the way to JFK which was 3 flights later. He handed me a lounge invitation to the SATS Premier Lounge which located next door to the SIN QP. After about two seconds I left this lounge and headed to a well known quantity next door. After a quick reference session with the door attendant about SG entry it was inside for a quick shower and email check.
The flight boarded on time and I was quite optimistic about the service with JAL given the natural class system that exists within Japan. The welcome was ok and the amenities pack was ok, but that really summed up the flight. Ok. The Executive class seats are almost identical to Skybeds but without the cocooning nature of their pod style.
I was rather thrilled to find that the forward looking camera was on but no so thrilled to discover that no pre-departure drink was offered. I was really looking forward to a glass of Piper on the Upper Deck of a 744.
Take off was the usual with a very short run and taxi. The AVOD worked perfectly with very little delay which showed a clear contrast to the system on QF77 earlier that had to be reset no less than 4 times and still didn’t work. A real let down were the headphones that were no better than QF Y domestic.
Drinks were finally offered with snacks and amenity kits handed out. After they were cleared away I watched a little of Oceans 13 and waited for the cabin lights to be dimmed. And I waited……… Eventually I asked the FA if the lights were turned down or off at all. Apparently no, that’s what your eye mask is for. This is just a little grim. A departure from SIN at 2330 arriving at 0700 and you can’t dim the cabin lights?
Oh well, the slings and arrows we suffer whilst sitting in seats that eclipse first class seats a decade ago. So let’s have a little perspective.
The FA’s were tremendous. Breakfast service was quick and hot. I woke 45 min before landing and they still got through the whole service. The two girls also spoke better English than my ‘strain so points to them. They did get treated a little shabbily by the Japanese men on board but who I am to pass comment.
Arrival into NRT was smooth and connecting to my CX flight to HKG was easy.
I am writing this in the AC after sampling the CX lounge (small and pretty boring) and the Sakura Lounge (awesome, huge and with beer pouring machines!). The AC is really quite nice and almost better than the Flagship Lounges Stateside. The Flags have better food but not the standard of booze, JW Black and Suntory 12 year old were the help yourself options.
All lounges had free internet though could only get the AC to connect me wirelessly. All lounges also didn’t have a problem with me if I wasn’t flying with them. They obviously know their entry rules and bravo JAL for getting your team up to speed quickly in the oneworld sphere.
Will write after CX 888 from HKG to JFK. This is a looooong flight and should be a bit of a laugh.
So now it is off to HKG and my first ever sample of the Wing/Pier. Hope that you people haven’t got my hopes up too much!
of said beer machine. will let you know when i work out how to get it off my camera.
