Again, a picture-report from me. This took place June 2011, when I attended a course in Kuala Lumpur. Did quite a detour, but it was well worth it.
Scandinavian lounge, an average lounge
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_0985.jpg
LH2451
OSL-MUC 11:50-14:05
After take off. There was a flood in Norway at the time, so the lakes and river were brown.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_0987.jpg
Decent room from the seat to the wall.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1028.jpg
The PJ looked like this:
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1023-1.jpg
Dag
Jul 11, 12, 3:46 pm
The menu:
• DINING MENU
Choose freely what you fancy when you feel like it from our fine selection of Japanese Kappo cuisine or from our Western course menu serving a pleasing array of fine dishes available in half-portion sizes.
• KAISEKI o Poached chicken skin dressed with chili ponzu citron soy sauce
o Simmered prawn in ginger flavored soy sauce, Grilled duck with soy sauce Egg omelet with various vegetables, Dried date roll around butter Preserved salmon roe in petit pot, Boiled asparagus soaked in
o Smelt-whiting fish rolled with bean curd crepe Japanese plum flavored wheat vermicelli
o Quick seared beef with garlic flavored soy sauce
o Braised conger eel and daikon radish roulade in special seafood broth
o Grilled freshwater eel with bonito flavored vinegar soy sauce
o Grilled sablefish marinated in aromatic sweet miso
• APPETIZER
o Caviar with traditional garnish
o Nice style salad
o Cod brandade and crab meat salad with orange-accented oil
o Baked phyllo pastry filled with cepe mushroom and pork
o Fresh garden salad, choose from three kinds of dressings
• MAIN PLATE
o Pan-fried beef tenderloin with eggplant puree anchovy and coppa ham sauce
o Sauteed turbot and steamed mussel, saffron sauce
o Sauteed lamb chops persillade with tapenade
• BREAD OR RICE
o Freshly-steamed Hokkaido yumepirika rice, miso soup and assorted Japanese pickles
o Selection of bread rolls with a choice of flavorful dairy butter or extra-virgin olive oil
• CHEESE PLATE
o Cheese plate (Cambozola, German Camembert, Emmental)
• DESSERT
o Selection of fresh seasonal fruit
o Assorted ice cream and sorbet
o Orange and champagne mousse cake with mango sauce
o Warm lavender and peach cake with vanilla ice cream
o Three varieties of amanatto (sugar-glazed chestnuts, toroku beans and sweet potatoes)
o Three kinds of petits fours
• POST-MEAL SIP
o Smoked flying fish
o Three kinds of deep-fried fishcakes
o Simmered giblets with teriyaki sauce
• LIGHT DISHES
o Hot Japanese udon noodles with grated daikon radish and tiny smooth mushroom
o Cold miso soup over steamed rice and barley
o Simmered raw wheat gluten with soy sauce over steamed rice
o Ramen noodles in miso soup with welsh onions
o Cold tomato potage
o Pork cutlet sandwich
o Fried jhon dory in Chinese black pepper sauce
o Chicken and mushroom curry
• POST-NAP MEAL
o Stir-fried bok choy and scallops with lightly soy-based sauce
o Deep-fried flat fish with sweet sour sauce
o Steamed rice, miso soup and assorted Japanese pickles or creamy rice porridge
o Accompaniment for steamed rice (Choose from four condiments)
• POST-NAP MEAL
o Two kinds selection of ham and cheese
o Bread roll accompanied with flavorful dairy butter and a choice of three kinds of sweet spreads
o Selection of fresh seasonal fruit
o Plain yoghurt with green lemon confiture
o Crisp brown rice flakes with milk
Drinks:
As you can see, excellent selection of wine.
Champagne
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/img_drink_en/krug_grande.jpg
KRUG GRANDE CUVÉE
Krug has earned its unrivaled reputation as maker of the world's finest champagne. Its GRANDE CUVEE-a blend of various wines from different years-is perfectly balanced, with notes of green apple providing a profound nuance. The effervescence spreads slowly in the mouth,revealing the wine's graceful acidity. The long finish highlights the ever-so-slight bitterness of fresh citrus. ANA First Class has offered this supreme champagne since its first international flight,.in 1986.
pinot Noir / pinot meunier / chardonnay
White wine
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/img_drink_en/chablls_premier.jpg
Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2008 Domaine Long-Depaquit
Chablis Bourgogne France
A marvelous chardonnay made with contemporary winemaking techniques at a prestigious property dating back to 1128, the original producer of chablis. A tingling acidity combines with refreshing lemon peel and grapefruit aromas for a peerlessly juicy flavor. Fruity nuances linger in the finish.
chardonnay
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/img_drink_en/chassagne_montrachet.jpg
Chasagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes 2008 Domaine Chanson Pere et Fils
Côte-de-Beaune Burgundy France
A cave-aged chardonnay from a 16th century fortress on a property founded in 1750. The aromas conjure up images of yellow fruits and white flowers; think hawthorn and white peach melding with ruby grapefruit. A sweet, subdued acidity complements a soft alcohol for a supple texture.
chardonnay
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/img_drink_en/rudesheimer_serg.jpg
Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland Riesling Spätlese 2008 Johannishof
Rheingau Germany
From an estate established in 1685, the owner of many renowned vineyards in Rheingau, home to the world’s best riesling. Acacia blossom nuances with clover honey notes for the dignified aroma of pure riesling. Fresh and fruity, with a crisp acidity complementing a fluffy cotton-candy sweetness.
riesling
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/img_drink_en/cloudy_bay.jpg
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Marlborough New-Zealand
From the renowned, pioneering winery that put New Zealand’s sauvignon blanc on the global wine map. Nuances of hazelnut and marmalade waft alongside lime aromas. Fresh, subdued acidity resonates gently with alcohol, forming perfect-pitch floral notes that give way to a lingering, delicate finish.
sauvignon blanc
Red wine
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/img_drink_en/leoville_poyferre.jpg
Château Léoville Poyférre 2007
Saint-Julien Bordeaux France
From a château known for its unwavering quality, among Médoc second-growth châteaux renowned for winemaking finesse. Vanilla fragrance follows notes of blackberry and black currant for heady voluminous aromas. An excellent tannin-alcohol balance. The mouthfeel challenges for an instant, but pure elegance ensues.
cabernet sauvignon / merlot / petit verdot / cabernet franc
From Labouré-Roi, a négociant with a stellar reputation for quality in Burgundy. The vineyards take in ample sunshine and produce wines with long finishes. A pinot noir with aromas of freshly picked raspberry and dark cherry. A soft acidity wraps around the alcohol for a smoky, smooth finish.
From a famed winery run for 24 generations over six centuries in Chianti. The superb winemaking methods of Siepi are revered throughout Italy. Berry aromas fill the nose, with hints of violet and cocoa mixed in. A fine consonance of solid tannins and soft acidity. The smooth alcohol accentuates well-balanced flavors.
sangiovese / merlot
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/img_drink_en/shioziri.jpg
Suntory Japan Premium Shiojiri Melot 2007
Nagano Japan
From a winery highly acclaimed for using fruit from dedicated vine growers in Shiojiri. This is Japan’s most favored region for merlot cultivation, thanks to its wide daily temperature variations. Brilliant aromas of blueberry, plum, and rose. A coupling of smooth tannins and alcohol form the elegant, powerful finish.
merlot
Dessert wine
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/img_drink_en/cha_laf_pey_2005.jpg
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 2005
Sauternes Bordeaux
From a château with a distinct history of premier cru wines in Sauternes, the Mecca of sophisticated sweet white wines. Has a sweet, voluptuous perfume redolent of acacia nectar and mango. An ideal and harmonic blend of sweetness and alcohol. Its intense, full-bodied taste goes well with dessert and marries nicely with cheeses and richly flavored dishes.
sémillon / sauvignon blanc / muscadelle
Japanese sake
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/img_drink_en/nagasakibijin.jpg
Nagasakibijin Daiginjo
Daiginjo Nagasaki
From a western Kyushu brewery established in 1688. Special rice grown by contracted farmers is hand-brewed with utmost care using spring water from virgin forests. Brilliant, fruity flavors play wonderfully with the sweetness of the rice.
Shibori, the process of extracting unprocessed sake determines the sake’s purity and is performed by a centrifugal separator to ensure that any odd taste is completely eliminated. This is a crystal-clear sake of the highest quality.
Unrivaled sweet-potato shochu made by Toshihiko Murao, a renowned distilling master. Traditional black yeast and fine sweet potatoes are distilled in large ceramic pots in the classic, time-tested manner. Its ellegant, soft flavors give way to a lovely, round finish.
Accompaniment eep-fried fishcakes trio with wasabi soy dipping sauce
A shochu made from choice barley, from Japan’s most prestigious distiller, an artisanal perfectionist for more than 100 years. A deep, sweet flavor in a league of its own, with thick aromas redolent of slowly roasted barley.
Accompaniment eep-fried fishcakes trio with wasabi soy dipping sauce
A shochu specially made from unrefined, estate-grown brown sugar, distilled on the island of Kikaijima in southernmost Kyushu. A pleasing taste with a gentle sweetness and full body well suited to the tranquil coral island whence it comes.
Accompaniment eep-fried fishcakes trio with wasabi soy dipping sauce
First-rate plum wine brewed from the finest Japanese plums. Plums are steeped in 3-year-old genuine rice-shochu, where they mature for one year. This plum wine is barely filtered, giving it a lovely and full body and texture, and allowing the pure flavor of plum to shine through.
Dag
Jul 11, 12, 3:47 pm
Other drinks:
Aperitifts & Cocktails
・Dry Sherry ・Dry Vermouth ・Campari Soda ・Campari Orange ・Spumoni ・Kir ・Kir Royal ・Mimoza ・Martini ・Bloody Mary ・Screwdriver
Whisky
・Ballantine's Limited ・SUNTORY Whisky HIBIKI 21 Years Old ・Jack Daniel's Black Tennessee Whisky
Spirits
・Gin ・Vodka
Brandy & Liqueurs
・Hennessy XO ・Baileys Original Irish Cream
Beer
・ASAHI Super Dry ・KIRIN Ichiban Shibori ・SAPPORO Black Label ・SUNTORY
Non-alcoholic drinks
Soft drinks
・ANA Original Drink ｢Aromatic KABOSU｣ ・Orange juice ・Apple Juice ・Grapefruit Juice ・Tomato Juice ・Coca-Cola ・Coca-Cola zero ・Sprite ・Ginger ale ・Sparkling mineral water ・Still Mineral Water ・Iced Green tea ・Milk
TEA SELECTION
・Assam [Silonibali] ・Darjeeling [Darjeeling The First Frush ] ・Earl Gray [Breakfast Earl Gray] ・ANA Original Flavored Tea [Sunny Spot] ・ANA Original Flavored Tea [Soyokaze] ・Relax Tea（Deepspeep Blend） ・Refresh Tea（Awakening Blend）
Krug and sunset, a good match
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Very nice sunset, the flight headed north past Berlin to Finland and the sun did not really go down at all.
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Preparing for the starter
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Caviar and Krug, can’t go wrong with that
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More starters. It was ok, but not impressive
Cod brandade and crab meat salad with orange-accented oil to the left, and Baked phyllo pastry filled with cepe mushroom and pork to the right.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1009.jpg
Ready for the main. Very good meat, maybe a little overdone. Had the Bordeaux with it, a very nice wine.
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Cheese plate, still had the Bordeaux
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1013.jpg
Dessert with Krug and Sauternes
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Port, coffee and chocolate
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Slept for a few hours, and then had another meal. Tried the Asian option this time:
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1031.jpg
Overall, an excellent flight. The FAs were extremely polite and provided superb service. The food was good, but not excellent. The wine list was very, very good. The ground service was nothing, both at Munich and Tokyo, just like business class or economy class with a *A gold card.
Dag
Jul 11, 12, 7:13 pm
Stayed at the Conrad, which was excellent. Actually, we are going back to Conrad Tokyo in August this year. Room was nice, with a view of the bay.
View, the well known green Narita-sign
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1055.jpg
ANA Suite lounge, did not even have champagne, only cava.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1057.jpg
The 77W is amazingly long
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1056.jpg
View, my next flight
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Dag
Jul 11, 12, 7:15 pm
Tokyo Narita-Bangkok TG677 16:55-21:25
Thai Airways HS-TKH, on lease from Jet Airways
An assistant came and picked me up and escorted me past the boarding lane and all the way to my seat. Good service by thai.
Cabin is totally opposite of ANA, not airy and spacious at all. Privacy is a lot better though.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1061.jpg
Probably great on a night flight
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1063.jpg
Dom in a remarkable bad champagne glass, and a nice amenity kit by rimowa.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1059.jpg
The seat
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1062.jpg
The ottoman in Thai first suite
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1060.jpg
Not much room for storage next to the seat
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1065.jpg
Remote and control center. Seat adjustments are done on the touch screen
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An excellent soup, the best of all the courses. The ride was a little bumpy, so the picture is blurry
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Main course. Turbulence made my tablecloth red of wine, but the FA quickly removed all the tableware and set the table with a clean tablecloth. Had Bordeaux with the main.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1072.jpg
Fruit
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1076.jpg
More dessert, pancake and ice cream. Declined the cheese plate, it came with plastic foil. No no no!
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1078.jpg
Large screen on the IFE, I watched a movie on my laptop instead.
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Sunset, somewhere northeast of Hong Kong. Rounded off with a nice Otard 1795 and coffee.
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The amenity kit, photo taken later
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1147.jpg
I also got this one
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1151.jpg
Picked up by a golf cart, and assisted through immigration and baggage pickup. Great service on the ground by Thai, but not very impressive in the air. The suites were dirty, the food was not good and the service was really not sophisticated (more like clumsy)
roadwarriorafrica
Jul 12, 12, 4:41 am
Great report. I really think the ANA F menu is excellent. Not enough airlines in F have so much choice and on demand. I know EK does, and I think QF.
blackmamba
Jul 12, 12, 7:32 am
You lucky, lucky man!
onefasteuro
Jul 12, 12, 7:50 am
seems like a nice trip, thanks for the salivating images :)
aks120
Jul 12, 12, 12:10 pm
Great report - can you tell me what you got in that Rimowa amenity kit?
I like the bag a lot. Think I may look for one on ebay :D
I must admit that this report has given me the nudge to look at ANA, an airline I would not have considered before.
Regards
aks120
Dag
Jul 12, 12, 7:56 pm
Stayed at the Tower club at Lebua. I was not very impressed by the hotel, but I was chosen due to the restaurant that was open long enough so I could have dinner after the late night arrival.
Kind of a suite, some 66 sqm. Looked pretty old actually.
Not classy and not modern.
Daytime view from the balcony, not so charming
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1112.jpg
Grabbed these which fit fine in the rimowa bag
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1149.jpg
Really not my kind of hotel, and I will never go back. I guess I didn’t do my research properly.
Dag
Jul 12, 12, 7:59 pm
Checkin at Bangkok was a breeze, so was the immigration. Since my flight was not with Thai, there was no escort. I still managed to find the lounge.
First lounge was empty
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1115.jpg
Lunch in the lounge, which is ordered ala carte from a menu. I had the duck with noodles with some Bordeaux and Champagne. The lounge itself was nice, but to much noise from the terminal below.
“Retro” first class cabin
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1120.jpg
At that time, not many retro-fits were done, but first were down to 8 bookable seats
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The famous “D”
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Starter, chicken with asparagus and smoked salmon
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1125.jpg
Main, some spicy beef, with Bordeaux
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1128.jpg
Good looking (and tasty) dessert. No Johnny blue, so I was stuck with Bushmill 10YO (with ice, really??)
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Hard to get a proper wing view from 82C
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Immigration at KUL was a mess, priority did not work at all. I guess it took almost an hour.
joy16
Jul 12, 12, 11:01 pm
I think the main course for LH flight is beef green curry (Geang Kiew Waan Neu)
Dag
Jul 13, 12, 10:38 am
A few pictures from Kuala Lumpur:
The couse was at Crowne Plaza, so we stayed there too.
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Hotel entrance at night
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Went to the KL tower for the buffet dinner, but mostly for the view. The view was great, we arrived in daylight and left when it was dark. The food was ok, not like a fancy restaurant. Well worth a visit anyway.
Then we had rotated 360’
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1180.jpg
The tower at night
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Another night, we went to the mall Suria KLCC. A nice park outside
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I really like those buildings
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Later at night
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1206.jpg
Dag
Jul 13, 12, 10:41 am
After 6 days in KL, it was time to head home.
Not very impressed with the Thai lounge, small and crowded
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1214.jpg
Terminals were nice and spacious
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1215.jpg
Kuala Lumpur – Bangkok LH783 21:35 - 22:40
Boeing 747-400
“D” and nuts
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82H this time. With 16 seats, I think row 83 was preferred by most, but when you don’t have to climb over another passenger, row 82 is just as good.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1220.jpg
Menu
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1231.jpg
Wine list
Red wine
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http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1240.jpg
White wine
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1242.jpg
Getting close to Shanghai
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The seats are previous generation, and not very good for sleeping. The worst thing was the smell onboard, which was a strong smell of urine. Not very impress with Thai on this flight.
Had to collect the bags in Shanghai and check in again. Got escort though security and immigration, all the way to the underwhelming lounge.
Far from the spaciousness of a 77W with the same 1-2-1 configuration. This is clearly felt when the seat across the aisle is taken. Good thing they don’t have suites in the 343.
Drink list (Heineken, same as Air France. Would not regard Swiss First Class a bad product based on that)
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Salmon, vegetable terrine and lobster were truly excellent. The dried meat was just dried meat. Continued with the very nice Grand Siecle.
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Potato soup, also excellent
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Main course, a perfectly done tenderloin. Had Bordeaux with the meat, which was excellent.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1271.jpg
Forgot to take a picture after I cut in the meat
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Dag
Jul 13, 12, 10:45 am
Cheese were served from a cart, with excellent presentation. Had some port with it.
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Very tasty cheese, and I loved the spicy jam
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Even more dessert with Sauternes
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1283.jpg
Again, excellent presentation and taste
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Ended with Macallan and a nice Lungo
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With swiss chocolate of course
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1288.jpg
Flying over some sparsely populated area
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1276.jpg
Over Mongolia
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1277.jpg
Time for a nap
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1290.jpg
Sorry for the blur. Proper bed with Van Laack PJ
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1291.jpg
Dag
Jul 13, 12, 10:45 am
Got room for more food? I think I did!
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1292.jpg
Not as good as the tenderloin, but good anyway. More Bordeaux
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1294.jpg
Another dessert, and Sauternes
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1295.jpg
A little more simple than the other dessert 7 hours earlier
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1296.jpg
Getting close to Zurich
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1301.jpg
No escort, but quick immigration and Heidi to the main terminal, then off to the first lounge.
After all, an excellent flight, both in regards to service, wine and food. Could not find any fault at all, except maybe the cabin is a little narrow for 1-2-1
mag
Jul 13, 12, 1:12 pm
Thank you for the pictures and comments. I do appreciate that you keep a critical distance to the FC experience.
isaifan
Jul 13, 12, 2:21 pm
Great Report
pvdecastro
Jul 13, 12, 7:54 pm
Great report. I like you don´t glorify FC but give a rather honest opinion of what you´ve experienced.
Betteronacamel
Jul 14, 12, 11:54 am
I enjoyed reading and looking.
Thanks for your efforts ^
sportsfra
Jul 15, 12, 5:53 pm
...but why so many negative comments? Try to make your reports more joyful for us readers... You fly first class after all...;)
ORDnHKG
Jul 16, 12, 1:15 pm
I wished you have done this trip report sooner, or I would have stayed at that Tower Club at Lebua for my trip last December instead of Novotel BKK, they are just the same price !
Despite what you don't like about Tower Club, one thing really caught my eye are the Bvlgari toiletries. I had read reports on TA it had since downgraded to Acca Kappa. :(
You had the same entree and dessert for my TG677 flight back in December, just like you I also passed on the cheese, the foil paper was a real turn off too, not to mention I had that duck with noodles in TG F lounge in BKK as well !
Anyway, thanks for your photos !
Great report - can you tell me what you got in that Rimowa amenity kit?
I like the bag a lot. Think I may look for one on ebay :D
Regards
aks120
French brand La Maxima Paris, it has small bottle of eau de cologne, body lotion, lipbalm, face mist, Flucocaril mouthspray, Flucocaril toothpaste, toothbrush and a folding comb, no eyeshades or socks inside the bag, those are on request items.
If you are going to look for one on ebay, prepare to pay a lot of money, they are selling for the min $50 up to $100, and they are in very scarce availability too (often lots of bids despite the crazy asking price), as many people don't want to give up this one of a kind amenity kit, not to mention TG had already discontinue this kit in F since March of this year.
I rerouted myself last December and pay extra 37.5K miles just to fly TG F NRT-BKK-HKG instead of NRT-HKG just to get two of the Rimowas, I am really glad I made the diversion of my trip, and it was well worth it.
Dag
Jul 27, 12, 5:45 am
Thanks for the comments
I do appreciate that you keep a critical distance to the FC experience.
:D
That was kind of the point. Getting of reading all the TR that worship everything in first.
...but why so many negative comments? Try to make your reports more joyful for us readers... You fly first class after all...;)
To make your reading joyful, stick to the heap of TR that is just positive comments from start to end. I try to be a little more poised than just giving praise.
I wished you have done this trip report sooner, or I would have stayed at that Tower Club at Lebua for my trip last December instead of Novotel BKK, they are just the same price !
Tower club is one of the most expensive in Bangkok, and about twice the price of Novotel BKK.
Dag
Jul 27, 12, 5:58 am
Some food in the FCL in ZRH.Oban whisky and coffee
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1304.jpg
Good looking
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1303.jpg
The buffet. I will post more pictures of this lounge in my next report, for a journey a month later.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1305.jpg
I got offered escort to the gate, but ZRH is very easy to navigate, so no need. A few minutes of walking was good after many hours of sitting.
Not very crowded on the A321 from ZRH to OSL
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1306.jpg
Start with Jaquart champagne and some snacks
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1307.jpg
I ended up getting the veggie meal, since the started serving from the back of the cabing. Later they found that I was a *A gold, and became pretty embarresed that I did not get my choice. Anyway, the meal was very good. Had some red wine as well
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1308.jpg
Coffee and dessert
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1310.jpg
Almost home
The ferry to Denmark leaving Oslo. Downtown just to the left of the edge of the image
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/festrus/Kuala%20Lumpur%202011/IMG_1317.jpg
Dag
Jul 27, 12, 6:23 am
Time for a short sumup and comparison:
Best Aircraft
-777-300ER wins. It has charm due to the powerful engines and impressive take offs, and a wide and spacious cabin
-747-400 on the upper deck is good as well. Curved walls can make it a little bit claustrophobic
-340-300 is nice and quiet, but the much narrower cabin than 777 with same 1-2-1 seat arrangement makes it more cramped
-330-300 is much more noisy than the 340, and you can also feel more vibrations
Best cabin
-All Nippon, spacious and open, and I like the timeless design
-Lufthansa. With only 8 seats for sale on the 747, the cabin will never be crowded. Each passenger has a lot of space and privacy, yet the cabin is airy.
-Swiss. Nice and open cabin, but you sit pretty close to the person across the aisle. Only one bathroom
-Thai. I don't like suites. The wide and spacious cabin of the 777 goes to waste, and when the suite it self is dirty, I'm not very impressed.
Best seats (for sleeping and sitting) and dining set-up
-ANA has nice and wide seats, comfort is excellent both for sitting and sleeping. Table a little bit on the small side.Can put the computer by the window when eating
-Swiss has a large table, big enough for 2. Seat is a little bit low, but othervise very good.
-Thai has good seats, and large table for dining. The board next to the seat is useless for putting a computer on, so you are stuck with aircraft IFE when dining.
-Lufthansa's product with the old first seats is out dated, but the solution with both seat and bed is excellent.
Food and drinks
-Swiss has really no fault. Excellent food, presentation and drinks
-ANA has an extensive menu, but lacks a proper cheese plate and some of the food was not excellent.
-Thai serves dom, but in very lousy champagne glasses. The food is not very good, but the wine and spirits are of high quality
-Lufthansa serves "D", and the rest is just OK. A little hard to compare, since it was short sectors.
Service
-Swiss and ANA were just excellent in every way. A little less formal on Swiss, but all in all they were equal
-Lufthansa were also of very good standard
-Thai were nice and polite, but a bit clumsy. Get the feeling of beeing at fridays instead of a 5 star restaurant.
Check in, lounges and boarding
-Thai were excellent in all aspects here, I just wish the noice in the lounge was a eliminated
-Swiss uses a bad lounge in Shanghai, but are good on the rest
-Lufthansa uses Royal First lounge in Bangkok, but only a business lounge in Kuala Lumpur
-ANA uses a business lounge in MUC and no assistance at MUC or NRT.
Intra European
-Swiss beats Lufthansa on everything. Lufthansa short haul business is in fact really bad. Terrible seats, food and drinks are not good at all. Swiss is good on both food and drinks, and seats and service are better than Lufthansa.
Total evalutation
Swiss wins hands down. They are just good in every aspect, and the only thing that could have been better is a better lounge in Shanghai, a wider aircraft and 2 bathrooms for first class. Swiss was so good, that after these flights I rebooked the return of last years vacation from Thai to Swiss. That trip will follow in my next report.
Any questions, feel free to ask.
SASDC8
Jul 29, 12, 6:04 am
LX really seems to offer a great inflight product, even with old seats.
I still have no flown LX F, but have tried there longhaul C-Class and was not very impressed, but do agree with you that LH has the worst european business product in Star. I would rate them like this SK, OS, LX and then far behind LH.
Did you need a visa for the transfer trough PVG? Will transfer through there myself to BKK, and considering the "tension" between Norway and China I am wondering if I should transfer somewhere else..
How did you book your flights? It seems I am not able to book F on NH threw their webpage?!
Thanks for a great report!
Dag
Jul 29, 12, 9:22 am
LX really seems to offer a great inflight product, even with old seats.
Did you need a visa for the transfer trough PVG? Will transfer through there myself to BKK, and considering the "tension" between Norway and China I am wondering if I should transfer somewhere else..
How did you book your flights? It seems I am not able to book F on NH threw their webpage?!
Swiss is great, and I like the old seats.
No visa required for transfer through PVG, you can stay for up to 48hrs
http://no.china-embassy.org/eng/lsfw/fdlqz/t931125.htm
Shanhai is not a great city to transit, as you have to collect luggage, clear immigration, and then check in again.
Booked all flights on the phone with dividend miles, no hazzle.
SASDC8
Jul 29, 12, 1:03 pm
No visa required for transfer through PVG, you can stay for up to 48hrs
http://no.china-embassy.org/eng/lsfw/fdlqz/t931125.htm
Excellent! Thanks for the link ^
Have been to PVG before and liked the airport and Shanghai, but I think they have build a new terminal since then.