That does sound cheesy but I like it because I feel the same way, and it is TRUE! (And cheese is not a bad thing, especially if it's delivered by a smiling FA after the meal )
Another great story! Thank you for sharing your experience - I really enjoyed reading about it.
Sorry to break the recent discussion with a response to an earlier post above. In contrast to that, the recent posts, especially the posts from schoflyer, FlyingFish and wripro get to the exact point about service on NH, which is culturally Japanese and Asian. These posts are very interesting to read. The Japanese have a word for this, which does not translate well into English. It is called "shibui", where the closest translation may mean "subtlety".
lol re the "pj police". That is very funny. The discussion on pjs, amenity kits and the gifts seem more like western style service, where the airline floods the customer with consumerist items to keep them pre-occupied and go home happy. Of course, I agree that none of the above service concepts are conceivable in N.A. airline service.
Lol to the post regarding bringing your own VS pjs on an NH flight. Please don't forget to also bring your VS Flying Club card as you can also earn your miles/points on NH flights as well...
That's not necessarily true. I had the slippers in Y class, and took them with me after the flight - sorry no PJs or amenity kits.
Don't know about that, I flew in long haul trans pacific Y recently to three years ago, never got slippers in Y, even in the NH website and service promo booklet, slippers only in F, C, and PY, never in Y, same as to JL.
You sure you are not in premium economy ? because in premium economy, the service is actually exactly the same as Y, you only get wider seats plus more legroom.
...the recent posts, especially the posts from schoflyer, FlyingFish and wripro get to the exact point about service on NH, which is culturally Japanese and Asian. These posts are very interesting to read. The Japanese have a word for this, which does not translate well into English. It is called "shibui", where the closest translation may mean "subtlety"... The discussion on pjs, amenity kits and the gifts seem more like western style service, where the airline floods the customer with consumerist items to keep them pre-occupied and go home happy. Of course, I agree that none of the above service concepts are conceivable in N.A. airline service.
tonywestsider is right on the mark with the comments above. It is precisely this concept of extreme attentiveness, excellence and subtlety, that is the quintessence of Asian, and especially Japanese service. Anyone who pays premium fares can afford plenty of PJs, perfumes, and other such commodities. But the real experience and special service of flying in a premium cabin on an Asian carrier or as an Elite or Ultra Elite passenger... at times it even defies articulation. The part I find most satisfying is that they seem to keep improving despite the already high standard. They are always finding new ways to excel and impress. Truly magical...
As someone who lives in Japan, I find this thread somewhat interesting and a little amusing. It's interesting to see the views of people that don't live in Japan.
I haven't flown ANA nor JAL for years. On one level I'm interested in trying them again but the need to connect (almost always) and the consistently high prices are an obstacle.
I haven't flown ANA nor JAL for years. On one level I'm interested in trying them again but the need to connect (almost always) and the consistently high prices are an obstacle.
If you start from somewhere else(outside of Japan) the fares are usually more reasonable on both JL and NH.
If you start from somewhere else(outside of Japan) the fares are usually more reasonable on both JL and NH.
Unfortunately that's not an option. I've wanted to try JL or NH but they're fairly inconvenient if you're in Osaka. The last few times I flew within Asia I was on CX (although it was to SE Asia). I was looking at fares for Obon to Europe (in business, as economy isn't cheap then) and OZ, MH, KE, and TG were around 350,000 yen++. European carriers (and SQ and CX) were around 400,000 yen, while JL and NH were around 600,000 yen. I can tolerate a premium, but that's too much.
Unfortunately that's not an option. I've wanted to try JL or NH but they're fairly inconvenient if you're in Osaka. The last few times I flew within Asia I was on CX (although it was to SE Asia). I was looking at fares for Obon to Europe (in business, as economy isn't cheap then) and OZ, MH, KE, and TG were around 350,000 yen++. European carriers (and SQ and CX) were around 400,000 yen, while JL and NH were around 600,000 yen. I can tolerate a premium, but that's too much.
One word that sticks out is "Obon" which peaks higher for fares than GW.... I haven't started C or F from Japan for many years and certainly not during a peak season.
Just go off another NH first flight from NRT-SFO.. FANTASTIC. Had the wagyu beef short ribs over rice with coddled eggs for a snack... I can only tell all of my FT colleagues...IT IS UNBELIEVABLE!!!!...
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Wow - I had no idea this thread would grow to three pages!
I only posted my original post about how great NH was because I had read elsewhere on FT that the service for non-Japanese could be lacking. Other than the ground service pre-lounge, nothing could have been further from the truth in my experience (and, it sounds, in the experience of many others).
I recently booked another ticket for next year and had a choice of SQ, NH, or OZ. I chose NH for the flight over and SQ on the return as I haven't yet experienced SQ longhaul F. NH's schedule was less convenient, but I'd rather go with a sure thing than risk a better schedule on a worse carrier.
All the posts about the short ribs have me hoping they're still on the menu next March...
Looking forward to reading about other great experiences with NH!
I am back to check on this still interesting thread started by the OP. Yes, regarding the posts on high fares for Japanese ex Japan, I recall a friend of mine who lives in Japan telling me that he always flies on NW on all his overseas flights and not NH because NH is so expensive.
As for the slippers thing or the PJ thing, I must have flown in PE several times to get slippers, I don't know. I'm grateful to have the slippers but all consumerism aside, I am more interested in the impressive service NH provides. All I know is unlike slippers or pjs, you can't take a bow from an NH FA home with you. As some people might know (and the Japanese locals might take for granted because it is culturally ingrained), excellent service is a duty to perform, because all pax are considered "okyakusama" or "honorable guest".
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I haven't started C or F from Japan for many years and certainly not during a peak season.
