TLV-BNE the longer way

[boomy]

Are they air vents in the suite I can see? A major negative for the A380 Apartments is not having them.

Yes there are vents in the suite and also the new PJs are thinner and more breathable material.

 

[boomy]

We landed in Singapore on time at 10am. No queues at passport control and I had to wait for my luggage which I wasn’t so sure it will show up. Not only the multiple and unusual connections from TLV via AMM and AUH but also the bad experience I have with EY losing my luggage twice in the past. This time however it arrived and didn’t even have to wait long for it. Unlike in Australian airports, priority tags mean something in SIN.

While waiting for luggage I’ve downloaded the Grab app (it’s the Uber version in SE Asia) and booked my ride to hotel.

For this trip I’m using UK 3 SIM card with 12GB 30 days plan. Each time I’m in Hong Kong I make sure to get some and keep at home for my travels. The plan covers most of Europe as well as Israel, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and some other countries. The Sim cost $180 HKD ($33 AUD).

The ride to hotel took around 20 minutes in light traffic. This time I’ve stayed at Conrad and it was my first visit since they refurbished the place.



At check in I was upgraded to high floor executive room.









The room did looked nice and fresh but no major changes compared to what it used to be.

The view was nice.



Had quick shower and off to my company’s offices for a catch up.

 

[boomy]

Once done with obligatory work commitments I went back to hotel for a short nap and around 5pm went to visit the executive lounge. Conrad used to have one lounge on the top level but since refurbishment they now have two. The original lounge is now more formal with smart casual dress code and no kids under 12 allowed. The other new lounge is now on level 4 near the pool and it’s more casual with relaxed dress code and kids friendly.
No prizes for guess to which lounge I went















While the room looked not much different after refurb, the lounge on level 31 looked much nicer with significant improvements in service, food and drinks quality. They even serve premium champagne which is unusual for Conrad.

 

[boomy]

After dinner in the lounge I was in the mood for a swim.



Later I went for a walk. It’s an easy to get from Conrad to the waterfront promenade and Merloin via linked underground passages that go through air conditioned shopping centres. It was max humidity in Singapore (as usual) so walking in air con was good treat.


When arrived to waterfront I took these two photos and couple of minutes later it started to rain, slowly at first but then became massive, there was no way to stay outside.





I’m not fan of shopping so instead went to have massage and back to room for an early night.

 

[Pushka]

Nice photos!

 

[Josh Hamilton]

Unlike in many big airports, AMM has only one dedicated airline desk after security and it’s for RJ pax. I went there to ask how can I check in for EY and was sent down and back up few times with misleading information. Finally I found someone who managed to contact the same Menzies guy who met me back at the transfer desk downstairs.

At that stage I’ve already went back and forth through security 6 times and they didn’t bother to scan me or my bag even once (all scanners were shut as there were no connecting flights in those hours). The security guys knew me by now and felt comfortable enough to let me go in and out freely which was convenient but extremely unprofessional in this day and age.

The Menzies guy finally showed up, took my passport and said he’ll be right back with my BP. I sat on a bench and waited there for 75 minutes(!!) together with other transiting pax (all in Y, they were in no rush) until he finally showed up, apologised and gave me the BP. My transit time was originally 6 hours yet only 1 hour before departure I finally managed to enter the lounge.

I heard about these kind of transit failures happening in other countries like Egypt and now can add Jordan to the list. Lesson learned - Never transit in AMM without holding BP for the next flight!

Unlike in many big airports, AMM has only one dedicated airline desk after security and it’s for RJ pax. I went there to ask how can I check in for EY and was sent down and back up few times with misleading information. Finally I found someone who managed to contact the same Menzies guy who met me back at the transfer desk downstairs.

At that stage I’ve already went back and forth through security 6 times and they didn’t bother to scan me or my bag even once (all scanners were shut as there were no connecting flights in those hours). The security guys knew me by now and felt comfortable enough to let me go in and out freely which was convenient but extremely unprofessional in this day and age.

The Menzies guy finally showed up, took my passport and said he’ll be right back with my BP. I sat on a bench and waited there for 75 minutes(!!) together with other transiting pax (all in Y, they were in no rush) until he finally showed up, apologised and gave me the BP. My transit time was originally 6 hours yet only 1 hour before departure I finally managed to enter the lounge.

I heard about these kind of transit failures happening in other countries like Egypt and now can add Jordan to the list. Lesson learned - Never transit in AMM without holding BP for the next flight!

This makes me a little nervous, we are flying from Athens to Dubai via Amman, RJ for first flight then 3 hour connection with an Emirates flight to Dubai

 

[boomy]

Woke up at 5am for 8am departure. Grab was surcharging so took taxi to airport which came out cheaper. Very low traffic at that hour, arrived in 20 minutes.

No queues in the business line at JAL check in. Was surprised to get invitation to Dnata lounge, is this what they use in SIN? Must be better options... Well there weren’t at that time as both QF and BA lounge were not open yet.



For a non-airline and PriorityPass lounge it was better than I’ve expected. Nice modern decor.









Australian also got representation.



In the spirit of Japan, my next destination, I went with Udon soup for breakfast.

 

[boomy]

This makes me a little nervous, we are flying from Athens to Dubai via Amman, RJ for first flight then 3 hour connection with an Emirates flight to Dubai

If only 3 hours connection then you’ll arrive just in time when check in opens.

 

[boomy]

Flight #4

SIN-NRT JL B772
Business Class
Seat 10K

Flight time:
6 hours 45 minutes

Was looking forward to this flight on JAL newest business class product, reverse herringbone 1-2-1 config.



I was sitting in the “mini” cabin which is usually more quiet and less likely to get fully occupied. Indeed the two seats next to me were left vacant, not that it makes big difference as this config is one of the more private in business class.



Basic amenity kit and slippers (with little shoe horn).



JAL don’t provide PJs in J, instead they offer cardigans to put over the clothes. Interesting concept.



IFE screen was good size, easy to control either via touch screen or remote. Plenty space and storage around the seat. Especially loved the conveniently located charging and headphones outlets.







The seat goes fully flat and reasonablly comfortable but tall people will find the foot cubby quite narrow. It’s a well know issue with this config but it is the only downside I could find, other then that I loved the new J hard product.

 

[boomy]

Soon after takeoff coffee and tea was served. Usually coffee on the plane is nothing to write home about but the coffee on JAL is excellent.





For lunch I’ve ordered the Japanese meal.







It was a celebration of flavours in immaculate presentation.

Food menu



Drinks menu





When asked about sake recommendations the FA suggested to arrange sake/shochu tasting for me, nice touch!



Had an awkward moment when I spotted one ANA glass there and the CSM came together with the both FAs to apologise. I was laughing but they took it seriously and genuinely felt embarrassed about it.

 

[boomy]

Between meals JAL offer variety of instant noodle snacks and they’re yum!





Cute self serve bar was set in the galley between both J cabins.



Time passed by quickly and soon it was time to land in JAL country.



We were still in Asia but the weather was quite different, from 33 degrees in Singapore to negative 1 in Tokyo.

 

[LadyC]

Interesting TR - a few airport codes I have yet to visit. Look forward to reading more.

 

[Josh Hamilton]

If only 3 hours connection then you’ll arrive just in time when check in opens.

Oh good, turns out it's only a 2 hour transit so may have just enough time to check out the lounge

 

[boomy]

We landed at 4pm in NRT and with an early departure the next day there was no point taking the 90 minutes shuttle to Tokyo. Instead I took the shuttle to Hilton Narita. Hotels in Narita are significantly cheaper than Tokyo and very convenient to get from airport with free shuttles.

I booked the cheapest room and got an upgrade to higher floor. There’s nothing special about this hotel or the rooms but it’s cheap and comfortable enough for short stay.



The hotel offers free shuttle to town. There was some traffic on the way and it took about 45 minutes to get there. By the time we arrived it was dark already and very cold outside.

I’ve been to Narita previously and had a tour around town during daytime. The biggest attractions are AEON mall and Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple and gardens. Another thing Narita is famous for is food, particularly eel. I wasn’t hungry and don’t like shopping so the choice was easy.











The temple is quite impressive and it felt completely different visiting during nighttime. Unfortunately the gardens were not lighten properly.

After an hour of wondering around it became too cold for me and I headed back to the station. This restaurant I saw on the way doesn’t make you guess what they are selling...



Back at hotel I’ve used the complementary drink vouchers they give diamond members for some good Japanese beer on the tap before going to sleep.

 

[boomy]

Here some photos I took during my previous visit in autumn.















The place is very pretty, worth visiting during stopover.

Not only good scenery but also good food.

 

[ric_melb]

A very interesting and enjoyable trip report, thanks Boomy. Love the quality of your photos, the photo of MBS was outstanding.

 

[boomy]

Woke up 7am to prepare for 10am departure to KUL. Had very light breakfast at the hotel restaurant and took the shuttle back to airport.

All these years I was avoiding MH, mostly for personal reasons (nothing to do with safety) so this was my first time ever to fly MH and my first visit to KUL.

I was excited to test two different products on A380 and the newer A350, also to visit KUL airport and MH newly refurbished F lounge.

Couple of months ago MH decided to change the name of its First Class to Business Suites, supposedly to lower down the price and attract more corporate and government officials who are not allowed to fly First. MH said it will be only name change with no downgrade to soft product.

Coming to check in at NRT it seems there is still some confusion with mixed signs however there was clear separation from the business class queue.





At check in I was told JAL F lounge is undergoing renovations and only their own members or pax flying JL F currently allowed access. Was invited to use any of the other OW lounges (AA, CX, QF). Among the three AA is by far the nicest lounge but nothing special that worth coming early to airport for.

 

[boomy]

Flight #5

NRT-KUL MH A380
First class (AKA Business Suites)
Seat 1A

Flight time:
7 hours 55 minutes

This was daytime flight with reasonable length which gave me the opportunity to put both hard and soft products to good test.

Boarding was slightly delayed and when it was finally called I was first to board, it gave me the opportunity to snap few shots of an empty cabin before others took their seats. It’s something that I like to do when flying new product.





The F cabin is classic two rows 1-2-1 config.
Although it’s MH old F cabin it still looks very nice. The suite was in fine condition, no wear and tear or visible scratches.











The seat was wide and well padded, comfortable in both sitting and lounging mode.

Both FA and CSM came to introduce themselves and offered pre-departure drink. My impulse was to order glass of champagne but it’s always important to ask which champagne they serve because MH and other airlines will offer significantly inferior label on that ground to avoid DF taxes. Glass of guava juice will do for now.



Amenity kit was unisex by Cerruti and Payot with decent size perfume and MH keychain.



PJs and slippers had nice design and were good quality.



After departure the proper champagne was opened.

 

[boomy]

Food menu



Drinks menu





The meal started with MH signature satay.



Followed by caviar service.



I asked to try another started which seemed interesting.
Cajun chicken roulade.



Main was pre-ordered steak which unfortunately was dry.



MH has Chef on Call pre-order service (similar to TG and SQ). Special meals can be ordered online up to 24 hours before departure. I thought steak departing Japan is a safe choice. I was wrong.

Returned the steak and got fish curry from the menu instead.



Dessert was double chocolate cake.



Apart from the steak all other dishes were very good.
The wine list was good too. My favourites were Comtes de Champagne and Old Block Shiraz.

 

[boomy]

While the seat was already wide enough, in bed mode it was even wider with added space of the armrest.



It has the potential to be very comfortable bed but instead of proper mattress they only use thin cover.

The beautiful A380 stairs leading to the J cabin.



An interesting observation, out of 8 seats in the cabin, 4 were occupied by MH staff dressed in pilot uniforms. Not a good look, especially for a struggling airline. I thought MH changed the product name to bring more corrupt government money, not to let their own sit there for free. The J cabin wasn’t full, they could sit there and maybe upgrade some of MH elite members instead. For the record, they all acted professionally, were well behaved and last to take orders and receive meals.

Before landing I’ve asked for (it was not offered) an express pass which saved me valuable time going out from KUL airport during my 6.5 hours layover.



Overall I thought MH A380 had legit first class product, no matter how they chose to call it. So far I’m impressed.