JAL 1 SFO-HND
EQP- 772 Seat 4H
J/C - Dept. 1805 Arriv. 2220


I took some pictures of the plane at the gate and then decided to head down to the gate area. Once below I saw about 6-7 agents at the counter which was reassuring but honestly I have never encountered that many agents working a flight before. One agent went to each passenger checking the passports and another gathered the passengers who needed assistance for pre-boarding.

Boarding was very smooth and conducted in a very efficient way. As I approached the door of the aircraft one of the agents inside the jetbridge bowed down thanking me for flying JL and a technical crew at the door did the same. The purser and 2 other FA's were at the door greeting passengers and directing them to their seats.

4H is the last row of the first J cabin and once I settled down a FA came over to take my coat. As others have mentioned JL does not do a pre-departure drink service at the gate so beverages were offered while on the ground. The door was closed early at 5:55P and we were on our way for departure. Our taxiing and departure was played on the screens through the outside camera. Shortly after take off the FA's sprang into action and a tray of orange juice and champagne was offered followed by the passing of menus and coats to wear onboard.


JAL plane






MENU

Japanese


Perfect with Sake & Wine (top row 3 dishes from bento tray)

Steamed Angler Fish Liver & Radish - Tuna "Sashimi" - Cuttlefish & Glass Shrimp w/Egg Yolk Soy Vinegar Sauce.


Cold Delicacies (middle row 3 dishes from bento tray)

Fluke "Sashimi" w/White Vinegar Sauce - Grilled Fillet of Beef - Steamed King Crabmeat w/Herring Roe.


Hot Savory Delicacies (bottow 3 dishes from bento tray)

Steamed Conger Eel & Radish - Simmered Sea bream & Turnip - Simmered Winter Vegetables.


Steamed Rice/Japanese Pickles/Japanese Delicacy/Miso Soup
We are proud to offer freshly steamed Koshihikari rice.

Pina Colada Panna Cotta

Green Tea



Western

Amuse Bouche

Feta cheese, turkey ham & sundried tomato
Kalamata olive dip w/bread stick


Hors-d'oeuvre

Maine lobster
Seasonal vegetable w/roasted yellow pepper cream dressing


Main dish

Grilled fillet of U.S. prime beef with red wine sauce
Blackened salmon with maitre d'hotel butter
(there was an inserted page wishing everyone Happy Holidays with an additional entree of roasted turkey with gravy instead of the salmon.)

Bread or Steamed Rice

Pina Colada Panna Cotta

Coffee/Tea/Herbal Tea



Anytime You Wish

We will be pleased to offer you the following items anytime after the first meal service. Please ask your cabin attendant by one hour and 30 minutes before landing.

Order in the Sky

Deep-fried breaded pork with curry sauce on steamed rice


Mariage - for the side of your favorite wine -

Assorted cheese


Sky Bistro

Hamburger
Tokyo Curry Lab x Japan Airlines - Japanese vegetable curry with rice
Ravioli & Mushroom with tomato cream sauce
Fresh seasonal salad
Manhattan clam chowder with oyster cracker


Sora Men Tei - noodle shop in the sky

Japanese "udon" noodles in soup with kelp


Boulangerie

BLT sandwich w/chicken & egg
Focaccia sandwich


Japanese Finger Food

Grilled skewered free range chicken "yakitori"


Sora-Gohan Japanese set plate

Kobachi - Egg cake/fish cake/simmered kelp/pickled plum
Dainomono - Grilled sablefish "saikyo miso" flavor
Steamed rice Miso soup


Gochisou - plate Western set plate

Relish - Fresh fruits
Main dish - Quiche Lorraine with bacon & chicken apple sausage
Roll


Dolce

Chocolate
Vanilla ice cream
Fresh fruits


Hot towels on a lacquer tray were passed before the meal service. The amuse bouche arrived which were appreciated and then some rice crackers and cheese sticks (really good) followed by a very good lobster dish. Quite a refreshing change from the jaded smoked salmon or shrimp appetizers that some competitors love to serve. I had Skytime and water as drinks. The beef fillet was tender and juicy, easily one of the best I have ever had onboard. There were 2 pieces of bread already placed on a plate when they bring you the tray. No choice for dressing or dessert, but the panna cotta was good. I decided to order the cheese plate right after that and the FA happily obliged. Another round of hot towel was passed at the end of the meal service and FA made the rounds with a basket of toiletries and bottles of water. Right after the meal service FA's patrolled the aisles quite frequently. I saw one walking the aisles like every 15 min. Towards midflight the frequency ceased a bit but you could tell that they were actively checking the cabin.


The J cabin viewed from row 4






After departure drink




Hot towel




Amuse bouche








Rice crackers




Cheese sticks




Lobster appetizer





Nice piece of claw




Main dish




Creamy panna cotta




Cheese tray



JAL's JEN entertainment system is decent if not the best out there. CX has better entertainment options in my opinion. After catching up on some movies, I visited the bathroom and it was disappointing to see the lack of facial mist, moisturizers or perfumes. Even UA has these on intl premium cabins. However, there were ample supply of toothbrushes and mouthwash packets in the lav. The seat is a bit hard and not the most comfortable out there. When it is in the flat sleeping position, it is angled but I did not have too much of a problem with that. Having said that, I felt a protrusion in my lower back when I tried to sleep so I placed my pillow behind me to cushion it. If you are in a window seat that is not the bulkhead, good luck trying to get out when your neighbor is extended.

I then checked the galley in hopes of looking at some Canon pics but I guess this feature is only available on the 773 models. There were some chocolates (generic brand made somewhere in Kansas), cheese sticks, coconut tarts and chocolate ginger cakes in tightly sealed bags and bottles of water. I took some post cards and the purser came by to ask if I needed anything else. I asked if they still had playing cards and she said that she will bring them to me. Afterwards she appeared apologizing that they did not have any. About 8 hrs into the flight I ordered a couple of dishes, starting with the Japanese set and later the udon noodles. They hit the spot and were served promptly by the FA's. The service onboard was top notch as expected with FA's being proactive, courteous and always smiling.


Galley




Japanese set plate






Udon noodles




Soon we landed in Tokyo about half an hour earlier and going through Immigration and Customs was quick and painless.


to be continued with IC ANA and impressions of Tokyo.