ORDnHKG
Jul 12, 04, 6:50 pm
Since I think I have read someone had posted international NH C recently, I would be posting my trip about UA/NH in Y after this NH intra-asia and domestic Japan trip report first.
Since I went back to HKG to visit my parents from ORD in May, my parents decided to join a tour to Japan. We haven't been to Japan for almost twenty years, like we I was 5 or 6 years old. All the time we only use Japan
in transfer to US from HKG. And I told my father that I am more into sightseeing and shopping, rather than stuck in Disneyland or amusement park for a whole day. Therefore, he booked a 7 days tour that is for 3 days
in Osaka, and 4 days in Hokkaido. CX does fly to Sapporo (CTS) nonstop from HKG 3 or 4 times a week, but I told my father I really prefer to fly either JL
or NH. CX only flies 330 in summer, more chance to get on bigger planes for JL and NH. (I am a 747 and 777 person). We didn't know JL or NH til we have a meeting from the tour, and therefore it listed all four segments would be on NH. NH 176 HKG-KIX and NH 911 NRT-HKG were the only two segments posted in the itneraries. THe other two segments for Japan domestic
would know it until the day of departure. I know for sure this two segments are both on 767 though.
Date: 2004/5/23
Flight# NH/NQ 176
Segment: HKG-KIX
Aircraft: 767-381ER
Registration# JA8323 (2 class old style)
Seat: Y/27A
We arrived in HKG by the airport bus about 1pm, although the scheduled time of departure not until 2:55pm, went to the NH check-in counters, got the
travel vouchers from the tour agent. THen my parents went to the economy class check-in, and I went to Club ANA check-in since I am UA*G. They do have a *G sign at the check-in table. Surprisingly it was all handled
by CX agents, it was very efficient and my luggage was tagged with the orange *A priority tag, and also a brown NH F class tag. Then a boarding pass with my UA status and ff# printed on, also accompany with the
invitation to the plaza premium lounge. Boarding pass was actually printed NQ 176 for NH, so I know this is actually a ANK flight instead of NH. My parents got a few rows behind me in the middle section, and I got 27A.
Plaza Premium lounge was actually a paid and share lounge by many airlines doesn't have a lounge in HKG. I remember I saw a price sign outside it said around HK$200 or US$25 something like that, although couldn't remember the exact price, it has included both food and shower. The guy at the front will check your bag or something, but he didn't say anything to my bag,
just took my invitation and let me in, doesn't even check my boarding pass or my *G card. Inside was actually quite nice, buffet style "hot" food, some
Thai chicken, "red" fried rice, egg drop soup, cold sandwhiches, and some others didn't remember. Soda from the fountain, but also plenty of Hong Kong made bottle drinks and bottle water. I picked lemon iced tea and tried a little everything of the food, actually those are really restaurant quality, extremely tasty and got me quite full. I settled in an area with the ANA sign, later on, actually at the end of the hallway in the ANA area, there is another room,
which I think is the original Club ANA lounge, which you can't get in there without entering plaza premium lounge. I wonder if I travel on UA, I can enter the lounge without the invitation card or not.
It is almost the boarding time, so I went to the gate to watch some other planes, saw a SAA A346 ZS-SNC, MAS 744 9M-MPQ "Kuala Lumpur", and finally got to gate 32, saw my NH 176, it was a 767-300, still with the old scheme with both Chinese and English writing of ANA, also written ANK and Air Japan. At gate 36, it was parked with a NH 777-281 JA705A going to NRT as NH910. Gate was also handled by CX agents, I presented my *G card and
board with ClubANA pax. Both Hong Kong and Japanese newspaper were spread on a cart at the door right outside the plane. I took several of it so that my parents wouldn't get bore on this 3.5h hrs flight.
Boarding was rather quick and even on a full flight. I was the very first to board, and it only took 15 min for everyone to get on board and the FA to close the door and push back. I am really shocked to see all Japanese FA on board, not a single one from HKG. From departure to take off, I can
only hear two recorded Chinese messages about tightened the seat belt and the plane is about to take off, although I can hear plenty of Japanese was spoken during the time. THe last time I was on JL about 4 years ago, they have a mix of HK and Japan crew on board, not sure if this flight is operated by NQ, that's why no HK FA ? With the help of the nose camera , I could see we take off from runway 07R, and the take off time was actually the schedule departure time.
Once we got to safe altitude, there were four sounds by switching off and on the no smoking night, which means FA can get to work, and actually seat belt sign turned off right after. Unlike all US carriers, NH still use curtains to separate C and Y class. On the flight, both C and Y class about 95% full. This 767 was an older one, and thus doesn't have ClubANA Asia
and PTV in Y. Between NH and NQ FA, NH had stripped on their uniflorm, while NQ FA had white bubbles on their uniform, both have same color. Drinks were served, and same as NH, extremely limited drinks were offered,
only orange juice, apple juice, water, cold Oolong tea, Pepsi and Sprite. However, tray tables still have holes for you to put the cup in it. No menus handed out, only spoken the choice in the speaker. I hardly hear what the FA said in English, only hear something like chicken and curry. Japanese usually speak not so good English, they should really reinstate the menus
just for foreigners. As far as I know, JL still have menus on board as in May. However, I found that out menus is only available in the NH website since April or May this year. Here is what it said for HKG-KIX in Y:
LUNCH/DINNER JAPANESE COURSE
Appetizer
Marinated shrimp and calamari
Pork pastrami
Main Course
a) Vegetable curry and sannsai (mountain vegetables)
rice
or
b) Sauteed Chicken Cacciatore Style
Japanese noodles
Coffee or Tea
When FA got the cart to my seat, I asked her if it was serving curry, she had no idea what I am talking about, just took out a small slip of paper with the meal choices written in both Chinese and English. The meal was put in the new container which has different shapes and colors, different from
international routes. I only enjoy the cold soba noodles the most, curry was quite spicy that I only eat half of it, and the appetizer was horrible. The
flight was smooth most of the time, and we landed in KIX during sunset, 30 min ahead of the schedule arrival time. After clearing the immagration, we
settled into the ANA Hotel in Osaka for the night , right across the bridge from Kansai Airport. It was a very nice 5-star hotel, and we got to have breakest in the morning on the 50th floor with great view of the
whole Kansai Airport. We stayed in Osaka for two days, then the tour went north to Hokkido.
Date: 2004/5/25
Flight # NH777
Segment: ITM-CTS
Aircraft: 747-481D
Registration# JA8965
Seat: Y/29A
Since KIX had limited flights to CTS, and usually small planes, so our tour used ITM instead of KIX in Osaka. NH also provide e-ticket check-in in ITM, but didn't find any super seats check-in or *G check-in. Therefore, I follow the rest of our tour group to check-in. Got a window seat 29A right at the wing. Agent again put the orange *A pirority tag on and hand me a domesitc boarding pass, it was smaller than any boarding pass I have ever seen. UA*G was printed on it, but not my UA #, hopefully I can get the miles later. Then we walked through the terminal before we entered security. There was a nice toy store with plenty of airplane models, and I bought a ANK YS-11
model. Then we entered the security near all JL gates. NH is on the left side, JL and JD (now JAL domestic) all on the right side. Was hoping to see some JD
planes especially the rainbow 777, but no luck at all, not many planes around 2 in the afternoon, only one JL 777-246 Star Jet JA8981 "Sirius", still in full old JL color.
After that, we walked to gate 11 for out NH 777 flight, the timetable said it should be a 767-300. However, turned out it was a 747-481D. I was extremely happy about it, since I have travelled on 747-100/200/400, but never on a 400D, this plane was delivered in 92 to NH, but seems like still in very good condition. A big sign was put right outside the gate, listing super seats are from row 1-8, then all economy from row 12 onwards, even upper deck. (J/27 and Y/542) It is supposed to be high density domestic travel, but I feel quite comfy at my seat, (I suggest it is like 34", some of the flyertalk members pointed out it should be only 31" or 32") even my mother said
that is the most comfortable seat she ever had on a 747. (she is a NW fan, and I am a UA fan, we had been flying on 747 many times)I didn't feel the cramp feeling like on UA's 747 E-, but doesn't has that much legroom like in UA E+.
Anyway, our plane had an on-time departure at 2:40pm, we passes through a ANK 737 and ANA 744D, and there is an Air Do 767-200 JA8251 (ex-NH aircraft) parked right outside the ANA hangar. Again, with the nose camera, showed that our plane took off from runway 32L. 747-400D is just the
same as regular 747-400 without the winglet to decrease the weight of the plane and accomodate more passengers. Plus the winglet does not have much effect on short haul flights. The plane is only about 30% full in Y, most of the 4 seats across in the middle section are empty, except the back from row 48 to 65. After the 4 sounds turning on and off no smoking lights, FA begin to serve drinks, first is walking through a tray of beers, then the cart pull out with regular drinks. It has hot consomme soup on domestic
flight rather than in international flights. But only drinks are being offered, not even the NH snack mix. There are actually two different version of NH
magazine, one for international with English in the back, one for domestic and only Japanese, comes with a full list of NH domestic aircraft and color photos
While I was on the NH flight earlier in the month from LAX to NRT, (It would be posted as another trip report later) I heard that there are model airplanes on domestic Japan flight. I asked the FA, which she gave me a little box, with ANA 777 on it, it is a slapped together mini NH's 777 plastic model with their new color on it. I asked if she had any postcard, and she gave me a postcard about the pokemon movie with the old pokemon jet on it, also come of a mini pokemon story book with NH logo on it too. She is so nice and even make an oragami about Pikachu's head. THose are all supposed to be for kids traveling on NH, but wouldn't mind they treat me like a kid, since I really like collecting different airline stuff.
Flight time is about two hours, but we landed in Sapporo (CTS) just for only 1.5 hours on runway 01R. Saw a JL 777-346 JA8944 (Star Jet:Antares) parked next to usWith my *A priority tag, my bag was the fourth bag
come out from the baggage claim. Seems like Japanese really have strict rules about priority baggage handling.
Part 2 (THe return flight report coming in 1 or 2 day)
Since I went back to HKG to visit my parents from ORD in May, my parents decided to join a tour to Japan. We haven't been to Japan for almost twenty years, like we I was 5 or 6 years old. All the time we only use Japan
in transfer to US from HKG. And I told my father that I am more into sightseeing and shopping, rather than stuck in Disneyland or amusement park for a whole day. Therefore, he booked a 7 days tour that is for 3 days
in Osaka, and 4 days in Hokkaido. CX does fly to Sapporo (CTS) nonstop from HKG 3 or 4 times a week, but I told my father I really prefer to fly either JL
or NH. CX only flies 330 in summer, more chance to get on bigger planes for JL and NH. (I am a 747 and 777 person). We didn't know JL or NH til we have a meeting from the tour, and therefore it listed all four segments would be on NH. NH 176 HKG-KIX and NH 911 NRT-HKG were the only two segments posted in the itneraries. THe other two segments for Japan domestic
would know it until the day of departure. I know for sure this two segments are both on 767 though.
Date: 2004/5/23
Flight# NH/NQ 176
Segment: HKG-KIX
Aircraft: 767-381ER
Registration# JA8323 (2 class old style)
Seat: Y/27A
We arrived in HKG by the airport bus about 1pm, although the scheduled time of departure not until 2:55pm, went to the NH check-in counters, got the
travel vouchers from the tour agent. THen my parents went to the economy class check-in, and I went to Club ANA check-in since I am UA*G. They do have a *G sign at the check-in table. Surprisingly it was all handled
by CX agents, it was very efficient and my luggage was tagged with the orange *A priority tag, and also a brown NH F class tag. Then a boarding pass with my UA status and ff# printed on, also accompany with the
invitation to the plaza premium lounge. Boarding pass was actually printed NQ 176 for NH, so I know this is actually a ANK flight instead of NH. My parents got a few rows behind me in the middle section, and I got 27A.
Plaza Premium lounge was actually a paid and share lounge by many airlines doesn't have a lounge in HKG. I remember I saw a price sign outside it said around HK$200 or US$25 something like that, although couldn't remember the exact price, it has included both food and shower. The guy at the front will check your bag or something, but he didn't say anything to my bag,
just took my invitation and let me in, doesn't even check my boarding pass or my *G card. Inside was actually quite nice, buffet style "hot" food, some
Thai chicken, "red" fried rice, egg drop soup, cold sandwhiches, and some others didn't remember. Soda from the fountain, but also plenty of Hong Kong made bottle drinks and bottle water. I picked lemon iced tea and tried a little everything of the food, actually those are really restaurant quality, extremely tasty and got me quite full. I settled in an area with the ANA sign, later on, actually at the end of the hallway in the ANA area, there is another room,
which I think is the original Club ANA lounge, which you can't get in there without entering plaza premium lounge. I wonder if I travel on UA, I can enter the lounge without the invitation card or not.
It is almost the boarding time, so I went to the gate to watch some other planes, saw a SAA A346 ZS-SNC, MAS 744 9M-MPQ "Kuala Lumpur", and finally got to gate 32, saw my NH 176, it was a 767-300, still with the old scheme with both Chinese and English writing of ANA, also written ANK and Air Japan. At gate 36, it was parked with a NH 777-281 JA705A going to NRT as NH910. Gate was also handled by CX agents, I presented my *G card and
board with ClubANA pax. Both Hong Kong and Japanese newspaper were spread on a cart at the door right outside the plane. I took several of it so that my parents wouldn't get bore on this 3.5h hrs flight.
Boarding was rather quick and even on a full flight. I was the very first to board, and it only took 15 min for everyone to get on board and the FA to close the door and push back. I am really shocked to see all Japanese FA on board, not a single one from HKG. From departure to take off, I can
only hear two recorded Chinese messages about tightened the seat belt and the plane is about to take off, although I can hear plenty of Japanese was spoken during the time. THe last time I was on JL about 4 years ago, they have a mix of HK and Japan crew on board, not sure if this flight is operated by NQ, that's why no HK FA ? With the help of the nose camera , I could see we take off from runway 07R, and the take off time was actually the schedule departure time.
Once we got to safe altitude, there were four sounds by switching off and on the no smoking night, which means FA can get to work, and actually seat belt sign turned off right after. Unlike all US carriers, NH still use curtains to separate C and Y class. On the flight, both C and Y class about 95% full. This 767 was an older one, and thus doesn't have ClubANA Asia
and PTV in Y. Between NH and NQ FA, NH had stripped on their uniflorm, while NQ FA had white bubbles on their uniform, both have same color. Drinks were served, and same as NH, extremely limited drinks were offered,
only orange juice, apple juice, water, cold Oolong tea, Pepsi and Sprite. However, tray tables still have holes for you to put the cup in it. No menus handed out, only spoken the choice in the speaker. I hardly hear what the FA said in English, only hear something like chicken and curry. Japanese usually speak not so good English, they should really reinstate the menus
just for foreigners. As far as I know, JL still have menus on board as in May. However, I found that out menus is only available in the NH website since April or May this year. Here is what it said for HKG-KIX in Y:
LUNCH/DINNER JAPANESE COURSE
Appetizer
Marinated shrimp and calamari
Pork pastrami
Main Course
a) Vegetable curry and sannsai (mountain vegetables)
rice
or
b) Sauteed Chicken Cacciatore Style
Japanese noodles
Coffee or Tea
When FA got the cart to my seat, I asked her if it was serving curry, she had no idea what I am talking about, just took out a small slip of paper with the meal choices written in both Chinese and English. The meal was put in the new container which has different shapes and colors, different from
international routes. I only enjoy the cold soba noodles the most, curry was quite spicy that I only eat half of it, and the appetizer was horrible. The
flight was smooth most of the time, and we landed in KIX during sunset, 30 min ahead of the schedule arrival time. After clearing the immagration, we
settled into the ANA Hotel in Osaka for the night , right across the bridge from Kansai Airport. It was a very nice 5-star hotel, and we got to have breakest in the morning on the 50th floor with great view of the
whole Kansai Airport. We stayed in Osaka for two days, then the tour went north to Hokkido.
Date: 2004/5/25
Flight # NH777
Segment: ITM-CTS
Aircraft: 747-481D
Registration# JA8965
Seat: Y/29A
Since KIX had limited flights to CTS, and usually small planes, so our tour used ITM instead of KIX in Osaka. NH also provide e-ticket check-in in ITM, but didn't find any super seats check-in or *G check-in. Therefore, I follow the rest of our tour group to check-in. Got a window seat 29A right at the wing. Agent again put the orange *A pirority tag on and hand me a domesitc boarding pass, it was smaller than any boarding pass I have ever seen. UA*G was printed on it, but not my UA #, hopefully I can get the miles later. Then we walked through the terminal before we entered security. There was a nice toy store with plenty of airplane models, and I bought a ANK YS-11
model. Then we entered the security near all JL gates. NH is on the left side, JL and JD (now JAL domestic) all on the right side. Was hoping to see some JD
planes especially the rainbow 777, but no luck at all, not many planes around 2 in the afternoon, only one JL 777-246 Star Jet JA8981 "Sirius", still in full old JL color.
After that, we walked to gate 11 for out NH 777 flight, the timetable said it should be a 767-300. However, turned out it was a 747-481D. I was extremely happy about it, since I have travelled on 747-100/200/400, but never on a 400D, this plane was delivered in 92 to NH, but seems like still in very good condition. A big sign was put right outside the gate, listing super seats are from row 1-8, then all economy from row 12 onwards, even upper deck. (J/27 and Y/542) It is supposed to be high density domestic travel, but I feel quite comfy at my seat, (I suggest it is like 34", some of the flyertalk members pointed out it should be only 31" or 32") even my mother said
that is the most comfortable seat she ever had on a 747. (she is a NW fan, and I am a UA fan, we had been flying on 747 many times)I didn't feel the cramp feeling like on UA's 747 E-, but doesn't has that much legroom like in UA E+.
Anyway, our plane had an on-time departure at 2:40pm, we passes through a ANK 737 and ANA 744D, and there is an Air Do 767-200 JA8251 (ex-NH aircraft) parked right outside the ANA hangar. Again, with the nose camera, showed that our plane took off from runway 32L. 747-400D is just the
same as regular 747-400 without the winglet to decrease the weight of the plane and accomodate more passengers. Plus the winglet does not have much effect on short haul flights. The plane is only about 30% full in Y, most of the 4 seats across in the middle section are empty, except the back from row 48 to 65. After the 4 sounds turning on and off no smoking lights, FA begin to serve drinks, first is walking through a tray of beers, then the cart pull out with regular drinks. It has hot consomme soup on domestic
flight rather than in international flights. But only drinks are being offered, not even the NH snack mix. There are actually two different version of NH
magazine, one for international with English in the back, one for domestic and only Japanese, comes with a full list of NH domestic aircraft and color photos
While I was on the NH flight earlier in the month from LAX to NRT, (It would be posted as another trip report later) I heard that there are model airplanes on domestic Japan flight. I asked the FA, which she gave me a little box, with ANA 777 on it, it is a slapped together mini NH's 777 plastic model with their new color on it. I asked if she had any postcard, and she gave me a postcard about the pokemon movie with the old pokemon jet on it, also come of a mini pokemon story book with NH logo on it too. She is so nice and even make an oragami about Pikachu's head. THose are all supposed to be for kids traveling on NH, but wouldn't mind they treat me like a kid, since I really like collecting different airline stuff.
Flight time is about two hours, but we landed in Sapporo (CTS) just for only 1.5 hours on runway 01R. Saw a JL 777-346 JA8944 (Star Jet:Antares) parked next to usWith my *A priority tag, my bag was the fourth bag
come out from the baggage claim. Seems like Japanese really have strict rules about priority baggage handling.
Part 2 (THe return flight report coming in 1 or 2 day)