JL 005 JFK-NRT NEW FIRST CLASS with pictures!
Mar 9, 2003, 10:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Agoura Hills, CA USA
Posts: 2,662
JL 005 JFK-NRT NEW FIRST CLASS with pictures!
Well, I finally did it. I was able to grab an award seat using AA miles on the new Ross Lovegrove designed seats on the Japan Air Lines first class flight from JFK-NRT. For all pictures please refer to http://photos.yahoo.com/prostatehealth123 and then just click on the folder labelled JL 005.
Arrival
I had arrived at JFK for the 12 noon flight at 10AM. I was told in the check in line that the flithe was to be delayed due to the late arrival of the incoming flight JL 006 from NRT. I of course was disapointed, but I was virtually horrified when the first class ticketing agent told me that the first class section of this aircraft would not be the new FC! However, a supervisor quickly came over to me and then told me that the aircraft was equipped with the new first class seats. I was given a pass to the FIRST CLASS lounge. The Sakura lounge and the FC lounge at JFK are in the same area. The passengers in the FC lounge just are guided to a smaller section. The food selections included sushi, soba noodles, as well as udon. What was unique about the JAL lounge was that it had the best business center I have ever seen. Each person had their own table with internet connections as well as phone lines. Very private and very quiet. Made the time pass very quickly. I had a few pieces of the crab sushi rolls and a couple glasses of green tea. Sushi was great.
Boarding
Please see the pictures of the seats. It is hard to descibe. However, this is my FAVORITE layout of first class I have ever been on. It is better IMHO than CX, SQ, QF and BA. There are 11 seats with an incredible sense of privacy and room. There were 10 of us in the section on this flight. No sooner than I had put my briefcase down, than I was shown how the seat functioned. As the pictures will illustrate there were more gadgets and storage space than one could possibly imagine. The orange side table was very nice to have and the side and shoe storage compartments were just wonderful
FOOD and IFE
I had sat down and a trio of Foie Gras, salmon and crab appetizers were set down. Pictures really dont do the presentation justice. Menus were handed out and here is the transcript:
Appetizer
Ossetra Caviar
Maine Lobster with corn relish
Soup
Tomato Garden Soup
Salad
Fresh vegetable salad with balsamic vinegar dressing
Main dish
Fillet of Beef Cafe de Paris
Grilled chicken Americaine with Plum tomato chili sauce
Roasted Sea Bass with Beurr Blanc Sauce
Assorted Cheeses
Dessert
Fruit Tart
Mont-Blanc
Mango Mousse
Chocolate Cake
Cut fruits in season
Beverages
SPRING TASTE OF JAPAN
Japanese Appetizer
Grilled Conger Eel with Bracken
Prawn Sushi wrapped with Bamboo Leaf
Fillet of Beef Tataki Style
Grilled ****ake Mushroom
Wan
Japanese Clear soup with Turbot Fillet
Mukouzuke ( sashimi )
Fresh Soft Salmon, Tuna
Kobachi
Lobster and Cucumber in Egg Yolk vinegar sauce
Nimono
Deep- simmered bamboo shoots in light soy sauce
Main Dish
Grilled Tilefish in Sweet Soy Sauce
Rice
Japanese Sweets
SELECTIONS available anytime
WESTERN TRAY
Grilled Salmon with Lemon dill Sauce
Fresh Salad
Fruit Tart
JAPANESE TRAY
Boiled Spinach with Sun-dried Whitebait
Grilled Black Cod Miso flavor
Japanese Pickles
Japanese Miso Soup
Rice
RICE
Steamed Rice and vegetables with Japanese Tea
Chicken Curry Japanese Style
Simmered Eel in Sweet Soy Sauce
Braised Beef in Sweet Soy Sauce on Steamed Rice
NOODLES
Udon Noodles in Soup with Fried Bean curd
Ramen Noodles in Soup with Pork fillet
A LA CARTE
Grilled Lamb chops with Meaux Mustard Sauce
Seafood Congee
Beef Stew
Sandwiches
REFRESHMENTS
Prepared Fresh Fruits
Vanilla Ice cream or Green Tea Ice Cream
As you can see this menu is quite extensive. While the food was exquisite, the IFE was not. JAL needs to update their IFE. There was a 6.4 inch screen with AVOD. The movie selection was pitiful. For a thirteen and one half hour flight, the folks at JAL should really begin to offer more selections to their passengers. However, the seat comfort and ability to sleep really made up for this "defect". Unlike CX, QF, SQ, and BA, there were NO SLEEPER SUITS. However, the seats were so comfortable that I sleep was inevitable.
All in all this was a very wonderful flight. The JAL crew were all very friendly. They went out of their way to make sure that I was having a good flight. The food was outstanding as were the seats. I did not imbibe and therefore I did not include the champagne and wine selection. If it is requested, I will post the selections. Hope that you enjoyed this report.
Arrival
I had arrived at JFK for the 12 noon flight at 10AM. I was told in the check in line that the flithe was to be delayed due to the late arrival of the incoming flight JL 006 from NRT. I of course was disapointed, but I was virtually horrified when the first class ticketing agent told me that the first class section of this aircraft would not be the new FC! However, a supervisor quickly came over to me and then told me that the aircraft was equipped with the new first class seats. I was given a pass to the FIRST CLASS lounge. The Sakura lounge and the FC lounge at JFK are in the same area. The passengers in the FC lounge just are guided to a smaller section. The food selections included sushi, soba noodles, as well as udon. What was unique about the JAL lounge was that it had the best business center I have ever seen. Each person had their own table with internet connections as well as phone lines. Very private and very quiet. Made the time pass very quickly. I had a few pieces of the crab sushi rolls and a couple glasses of green tea. Sushi was great.
Boarding
Please see the pictures of the seats. It is hard to descibe. However, this is my FAVORITE layout of first class I have ever been on. It is better IMHO than CX, SQ, QF and BA. There are 11 seats with an incredible sense of privacy and room. There were 10 of us in the section on this flight. No sooner than I had put my briefcase down, than I was shown how the seat functioned. As the pictures will illustrate there were more gadgets and storage space than one could possibly imagine. The orange side table was very nice to have and the side and shoe storage compartments were just wonderful
FOOD and IFE
I had sat down and a trio of Foie Gras, salmon and crab appetizers were set down. Pictures really dont do the presentation justice. Menus were handed out and here is the transcript:
Appetizer
Ossetra Caviar
Maine Lobster with corn relish
Soup
Tomato Garden Soup
Salad
Fresh vegetable salad with balsamic vinegar dressing
Main dish
Fillet of Beef Cafe de Paris
Grilled chicken Americaine with Plum tomato chili sauce
Roasted Sea Bass with Beurr Blanc Sauce
Assorted Cheeses
Dessert
Fruit Tart
Mont-Blanc
Mango Mousse
Chocolate Cake
Cut fruits in season
Beverages
SPRING TASTE OF JAPAN
Japanese Appetizer
Grilled Conger Eel with Bracken
Prawn Sushi wrapped with Bamboo Leaf
Fillet of Beef Tataki Style
Grilled ****ake Mushroom
Wan
Japanese Clear soup with Turbot Fillet
Mukouzuke ( sashimi )
Fresh Soft Salmon, Tuna
Kobachi
Lobster and Cucumber in Egg Yolk vinegar sauce
Nimono
Deep- simmered bamboo shoots in light soy sauce
Main Dish
Grilled Tilefish in Sweet Soy Sauce
Rice
Japanese Sweets
SELECTIONS available anytime
WESTERN TRAY
Grilled Salmon with Lemon dill Sauce
Fresh Salad
Fruit Tart
JAPANESE TRAY
Boiled Spinach with Sun-dried Whitebait
Grilled Black Cod Miso flavor
Japanese Pickles
Japanese Miso Soup
Rice
RICE
Steamed Rice and vegetables with Japanese Tea
Chicken Curry Japanese Style
Simmered Eel in Sweet Soy Sauce
Braised Beef in Sweet Soy Sauce on Steamed Rice
NOODLES
Udon Noodles in Soup with Fried Bean curd
Ramen Noodles in Soup with Pork fillet
A LA CARTE
Grilled Lamb chops with Meaux Mustard Sauce
Seafood Congee
Beef Stew
Sandwiches
REFRESHMENTS
Prepared Fresh Fruits
Vanilla Ice cream or Green Tea Ice Cream
As you can see this menu is quite extensive. While the food was exquisite, the IFE was not. JAL needs to update their IFE. There was a 6.4 inch screen with AVOD. The movie selection was pitiful. For a thirteen and one half hour flight, the folks at JAL should really begin to offer more selections to their passengers. However, the seat comfort and ability to sleep really made up for this "defect". Unlike CX, QF, SQ, and BA, there were NO SLEEPER SUITS. However, the seats were so comfortable that I sleep was inevitable.
All in all this was a very wonderful flight. The JAL crew were all very friendly. They went out of their way to make sure that I was having a good flight. The food was outstanding as were the seats. I did not imbibe and therefore I did not include the champagne and wine selection. If it is requested, I will post the selections. Hope that you enjoyed this report.
Mar 10, 2003, 5:45 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Northport, NY, AA PLT 1.95MM
Posts: 267
Nice report. I'm on JAL005 on 12 March, also in F. Didn't they have the Eye-Trek system available? According to the web-ste this system is available on 005/006. Also, the web-site clearly states that leisurewear is available. I'll file a report after my flight.
Are you returning on 006? I am, I'm curious to see how the two compare especially in food.
Are you returning on 006? I am, I'm curious to see how the two compare especially in food.
Mar 10, 2003, 12:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX DM, UA UGS, SQ PPS, AA EXP/1MM, SPG, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton HHonors Gold, Amex Centurion
Posts: 144
Great Report Thanks ! I really think that ANA also needs an improvement on their IFE. The choices are just not good enough !
Mar 11, 2003, 8:36 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Agoura Hills, CA USA
Posts: 2,662
Yes there are amenity kits. However, there were NO sleeper suits even offered on this flight. Amenity kits were blue velvet lined pouches. However, I did not open as I save these for my girls who collect them
Mar 11, 2003, 12:30 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 12,148
Isn't it about time you became RTW5 or even RTW6 by now? 
Thanks again for another fine photo report and, as always, for the inclusion of the menu transcript. I always enjoy your reports! Where to from NRT?
Thanks again for another fine photo report and, as always, for the inclusion of the menu transcript. I always enjoy your reports! Where to from NRT?