Cherry Blossoms in Seoul and Round the World in Lufthansa, Asiana & JAL First Class
Apr 23, 2017, 4:41 pm
#61
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Simply wonderful. Honestly, there really ought to to be a movie about your travels! Thanks again for another First Class report! ^^
Apr 24, 2017, 12:54 am
#62
Join Date: Apr 2014
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Wow Incheon airport looked an extremely busy airport!
You're right, that beef dish didn't look appetising at all on that flight! What gives with the tomato too???
You're right, that beef dish didn't look appetising at all on that flight! What gives with the tomato too???
Apr 24, 2017, 4:37 pm
#64
Join Date: Feb 2012
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Thank you for sharing!!! Jealous you got to visit my home city. The palace looks the best in the springtime too.
A bit shocked about Mondavi Chardonnay being served on OZ F... That was our go-to cheap wine to drink during summer days a few years ago in University lol!
A bit shocked about Mondavi Chardonnay being served on OZ F... That was our go-to cheap wine to drink during summer days a few years ago in University lol!
Apr 25, 2017, 6:40 am
#66
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Ahhh ... this brings back memories, since we have been to South Korea and Japan last October for 3 weeks in total.
We went with Asiana from NRT to ICN and back in a quite large (and almost fully booked) 747, which was impressive for a 2 1/2 hour flight.
Food-wise, although we are fond of "haute cuisine" as well, we also liked our local Gangnam-based Korean BBQ ...
(Saemaeul Sikdang Nonhyeon)
And: Very enjoyable report, as always! ^
We went with Asiana from NRT to ICN and back in a quite large (and almost fully booked) 747, which was impressive for a 2 1/2 hour flight.
Food-wise, although we are fond of "haute cuisine" as well, we also liked our local Gangnam-based Korean BBQ ...
(Saemaeul Sikdang Nonhyeon)
And: Very enjoyable report, as always! ^
Apr 25, 2017, 6:15 pm
#67
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,600
Ahhh ... this brings back memories, since we have been to South Korea and Japan last October for 3 weeks in total.
We went with Asiana from NRT to ICN and back in a quite large (and almost fully booked) 747, which was impressive for a 2 1/2 hour flight.
Food-wise, although we are fond of "haute cuisine" as well, we also liked our local Gangnam-based Korean BBQ ...
And: Very enjoyable report, as always! ^
We went with Asiana from NRT to ICN and back in a quite large (and almost fully booked) 747, which was impressive for a 2 1/2 hour flight.
Food-wise, although we are fond of "haute cuisine" as well, we also liked our local Gangnam-based Korean BBQ ...
And: Very enjoyable report, as always! ^
Apr 25, 2017, 7:07 pm
#68
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
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Posts: 166
Very nice report so far. I liked the pictures from Gyeongbokgung, I had been there a number of years ago but not during the spring. I was just in Nagoya last week, the cherry blossoms were past the peak - just missed it. Your pictures of Inchon airport make US airports (all of them) look, well, third world!
Apr 27, 2017, 5:11 pm
#70
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JAL First Class Lounge at NRT
Just around the corner from the Quarantine Counter is the First Class Lounge. Lovely entrance...
But the lounge itself is pretty tired and in need of a makeover.
The focal point of the lounge is the unique Sake and Sushi bar.
My LAX-NRT 77W next door at Gate 61.
JAL First Class Tokyo to LAX
At around T-55, I'd had enough of the First Class Lounge and headed down to nearby Gate 61.
Tokyo Narita to LAX
Japan Airlines JL 62
777-300ER (77W)
5:25p-11:20a
April 13, 2017
Departed 5/8
Suite 2A
After a whole lot of scurrying around by JL staffers and a number of preboards, the First Class cabin was invited to board. A nice touch as 1L was reserved for First. At least initially as towards the end of the boarding process, a few dozen passengers used 1L and walked thru the First Class cabin on the way to Business or something less.
JAL's First Class cabin is very attractive 1-2-1 suite configuration, although the suites are open as there are no privacy doors.
The suites are very comfortable, spacious and well appointed.
2D was not occupied during the flight and with 2G raising his privacy divider, the lack of a door was not that big a deal tonight.
As I was settling in, our wonderful lead First Class flight attendant Ban came by with pre-departure champagne.
OK, now that's a warm welcome on board.
IFE was adequate with a reasonable level of movies.
And a nice and functional hand held controller.
The JAL First Class amenity kit.
A hodge podge of meh although the facial mist was nice.
Tonight's menu in an impressive leather binder.
But I still don't get the BEDD thing which apparently is supposed to "represent the comforts of the full flat beds and also to stand for ‘Dine’, ‘Delicious’ and ‘Dreams’".
Then wouldn't it be BDDD? But I digress.
And a very nice wine list.
Once in the air, our crew was quick to begin service.
Starting with a lovely amuse bouche trio.
And more pupus, nuts and a dried prawn. Much to the amusement of the crew, I tried a single dried prawn.
OK, maybe "tried" is not quite accurate. How about smelled and put my tongue of it. Yikes, pass!
Showtime, JAL style!
Another amuse bouche, the Scottish Smoked Salmon Gravlax. Delicious.
For my starter, I chose the French Veal Vitello Tonnato. OMG, this was sensational with the most perfect little gem lettuce.
My Beef Filet with Green Asparagus and Egg Yolk Soy Sauce.
This was positively divine.
With the most perfect asparagus on the ground or in the air.
I know zero, zip, nada about tea but at $50 a bottle, I was willing to try. Very nice.
The "Kotoka" Strawberry & Rhubarb in Springlike Vacherin Style was light and lovely.
JAL offers free Wifi for First Class passengers, using a one time access. Speed was reasonable and I was able to check emails and do a little work. And after a movie, bedtime.
About 2 hours from LAX, I ordered the Grilled Chicken Sandwich "Yuzu" Chili Flavor. It was just OK.
Almost home.
Fortunately, I'm driving south.
We landed about 30 minutes early after a short 8:40 flight.
With no line at the Global Entry kiosks, I was out in no time, in my car and south on the 405 to Orange County.
My all too short JAL flight was most enjoyable. Once on board and in the air, the JAL First Class product is excellent and food and wine as good as any airline in the world. But everything on the ground up to that point is pretty basic, disappointing and not very First Class. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to my return flight in July and round 2.
For more pics and an HD version of this report please visit SFO777.com
Just around the corner from the Quarantine Counter is the First Class Lounge. Lovely entrance...
But the lounge itself is pretty tired and in need of a makeover.
The focal point of the lounge is the unique Sake and Sushi bar.
My LAX-NRT 77W next door at Gate 61.
JAL First Class Tokyo to LAX
At around T-55, I'd had enough of the First Class Lounge and headed down to nearby Gate 61.
Tokyo Narita to LAX
Japan Airlines JL 62
777-300ER (77W)
5:25p-11:20a
April 13, 2017
Departed 5/8
Suite 2A
After a whole lot of scurrying around by JL staffers and a number of preboards, the First Class cabin was invited to board. A nice touch as 1L was reserved for First. At least initially as towards the end of the boarding process, a few dozen passengers used 1L and walked thru the First Class cabin on the way to Business or something less.
JAL's First Class cabin is very attractive 1-2-1 suite configuration, although the suites are open as there are no privacy doors.
The suites are very comfortable, spacious and well appointed.
2D was not occupied during the flight and with 2G raising his privacy divider, the lack of a door was not that big a deal tonight.
As I was settling in, our wonderful lead First Class flight attendant Ban came by with pre-departure champagne.
OK, now that's a warm welcome on board.
IFE was adequate with a reasonable level of movies.
And a nice and functional hand held controller.
The JAL First Class amenity kit.
A hodge podge of meh although the facial mist was nice.
Tonight's menu in an impressive leather binder.
But I still don't get the BEDD thing which apparently is supposed to "represent the comforts of the full flat beds and also to stand for ‘Dine’, ‘Delicious’ and ‘Dreams’".
Then wouldn't it be BDDD? But I digress.
And a very nice wine list.
Once in the air, our crew was quick to begin service.
Starting with a lovely amuse bouche trio.
And more pupus, nuts and a dried prawn. Much to the amusement of the crew, I tried a single dried prawn.
OK, maybe "tried" is not quite accurate. How about smelled and put my tongue of it. Yikes, pass!
Showtime, JAL style!
Another amuse bouche, the Scottish Smoked Salmon Gravlax. Delicious.
For my starter, I chose the French Veal Vitello Tonnato. OMG, this was sensational with the most perfect little gem lettuce.
My Beef Filet with Green Asparagus and Egg Yolk Soy Sauce.
This was positively divine.
With the most perfect asparagus on the ground or in the air.
I know zero, zip, nada about tea but at $50 a bottle, I was willing to try. Very nice.
The "Kotoka" Strawberry & Rhubarb in Springlike Vacherin Style was light and lovely.
JAL offers free Wifi for First Class passengers, using a one time access. Speed was reasonable and I was able to check emails and do a little work. And after a movie, bedtime.
About 2 hours from LAX, I ordered the Grilled Chicken Sandwich "Yuzu" Chili Flavor. It was just OK.
Almost home.
Fortunately, I'm driving south.
We landed about 30 minutes early after a short 8:40 flight.
With no line at the Global Entry kiosks, I was out in no time, in my car and south on the 405 to Orange County.
My all too short JAL flight was most enjoyable. Once on board and in the air, the JAL First Class product is excellent and food and wine as good as any airline in the world. But everything on the ground up to that point is pretty basic, disappointing and not very First Class. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to my return flight in July and round 2.
For more pics and an HD version of this report please visit SFO777.com
Last edited by SFO777; Apr 27, 2017 at 5:39 pm
Apr 27, 2017, 5:15 pm
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,600
Very nice report so far. I liked the pictures from Gyeongbokgung, I had been there a number of years ago but not during the spring. I was just in Nagoya last week, the cherry blossoms were past the peak - just missed it. Your pictures of Incheon airport make US airports (all of them) look, well, third world!
Apr 27, 2017, 9:01 pm
#72
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: Lifetime Levels in AA & Marriott
Posts: 162
Just around the corner from the Quarantine Counter is the First Class Lounge. Lovely entrance...
Once on board and in the air, the JAL First Class product is excellent and food and wine as good as any airline in the world. But everything on the ground up to that point is pretty basic, disappointing and not very First Class.
Once on board and in the air, the JAL First Class product is excellent and food and wine as good as any airline in the world. But everything on the ground up to that point is pretty basic, disappointing and not very First Class.
Question: Have you been thru the JAL Haneda F lounge; and if so, what are your thoughts on that location? I ask because it's one of my favorites (although it too is nothing super-exceptional) with it's made-to-order chef station, champagne and chocolate room, John Lobb shoe room, etc.
Apr 27, 2017, 9:29 pm
#73
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: TPA
Programs: WP
Posts: 372
My all too short JAL flight was most enjoyable. Once on board and in the air, the JAL First Class product is excellent and food and wine as good as any airline in the world. But everything on the ground up to that point is pretty basic, disappointing and not very First Class. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to my return flight in July and round 2.