ANA Suite Lounge NRT + THAI F NRT-BKK A380
Transit security was a breeze there was no one in line and we arrived at a gate that was only a 2 min walk away and then puts you out on the floor with the F lounge.
A blue, white and grey afternoon at NRT.
I've only been in the F lounge as first departing from Tokyo so I hadn't used the showers (compared to J several times). Happy to see they are stocked with some of the same stuff (love the rose skim milk thing) but they also give you an extra little amenity kit of soaps which I just gave back to them.
Had to appreciate the overhead lights and the past few months of less drinking and smarter eating (on planes too!). Hoping in a month a bit bigger and tighter after CNX.
The standard m.o. at the F lounge is to be welcomed, seated and then brought a drink. After that you are on your own. No problems with that. Went and picked up a bunch of little snacks which they have in addition to the noodle bar, sweets and some other foods.
I left the lounge 5 min before listed boarding time. I confused the gate numbers and went down and saw the board said the flight was for Manila. After the split second of a panic attack I looked at my BP and realized I was 2 gates off. Boarding would be delayed a bit which I thought may be the case since sitting in the lounge I saw the plane pull up and didn't think they could turn it that quick. Delay was now about 25 min so I went back to the lounge. I went back down after and they announced about another 10 min which would basically put boarding at departure time.
The F/J/*G line was growing huge by this point. I saw a woman milling about that had an actual TG name tag and I asked (knowing what I was doing hehe) "Do First Class passengers use this line?" She looked at my BP and perked up and said "No no! I will escort you onto the plane. Do you want me to get you from the lounge?" I declined and just waited off to the side and we ended up starting to board about 5 min before that. 3 western gents who were standing at the front of the line from the original boarding time gave me a glare or two.
I was escorted to my seat and within a minute was presented with a bottle of Dom. I was going to pass but my nerves were getting worked up as I was doing a bit of math in my head about the flight time and arrival.
My original connection in BKK was 1:25. We were leaving about 30 min late...and then as we turned the corner to taxi I was able to count about 7 planes ahead of us.
The crew was great. Everyone was friendly and talkative. The cabin was full.
Now for TG F meal service. I've said this before and it still holds...the style just seems dated. From the paper doily bread basket, to the actual dishes to the food choices (liver terrine). I get that they have somewhat of a Francophile thing going (French champagne, L'Occitane products, French-Western food) but it makes me think of what someone would consider haute dining in the 80s.
The prawn/Thai main was good. The rest of it was just food. I would rather see them doing something a bit more exotic or bolder in terms of style. Hell lay a banana leaf down now and then.
Now feeling pretty tired and reclined and before I knew it I was wiping drool off my cheek and pillow as I felt one of the FAs covering me up with a blanket.
Now a little sweat as I saw more or less our arrival time of 11:05. My flight to Perth departs at 11:55 (so boarding axed at 11:45). I knew I had two things going for me...I was going TG-TG and I was transiting in F at BKK.
Getting off the plane I found the man with my name on a sign (and two other F pax who were transferring to CDG). We came in to E4 and was leaving from D1.
