My trip to NRT started off with a barrage of rainfall. If you’ve ever been at JFK during a heavy downpour, you can almost feel a tangible level of depression. However, every time I looked at my Worldmate app itinerary, and excited chuckle escaped my lips. Naturally, this sort of behavior looks out of place in a hotel shuttle, and in this case it wasn’t an exception. Thankfully, the rest of the Comfort Inn/Fairfield guests onboard the airport shuttle were all too busy talking about their own journeys (most were traveling China Southern or ANA). I was the only one dropped off by JAL, and I made my way inside the huge T1 lobby. I was directed over to the far side of the terminal to the JAL check-in counters. I had left the hotel at 9:30, assuming that the check-in would open at 10a at the earliest. However, it turns out the counters actually opened at 9. I regretted waiting the extra hour (especially at the Fairfield), but after getting to the AF lounge, I didn’t really mind all that much.
Check-in was a painless process, although the contracted staff member was a little apathetic. She did, however, run around to get all my bags tagged to SIN, and came around the counter to tag my hand-luggage herself. After giving me both boarding passes, I left to the security line. Perhaps it was the weather, but more likely it was the time, as there was hardly a wait in security, even for general boarding/non priority. After an interaction with a rather cheerful TSA agent, I moved over to the security line and turned right to head down the hall to the Air France Lounge.
The Air France Lounge entrance
The lounge itself looks quite nice from the outside, and when venturing in you have a choice of the upstairs (reserved for F) or downstairs (J). I was excited to try the Clarins Spa, but due to the timing, the spa was not open…I believe it only opens for the AF flight.
Upstairs, there was plenty of seating, most of which did not look all that comfortable. However, they turned out to be quite comfortable.
Since it was fairly early in the morning, the buffet was “a petit dejeuner” which included noodles, rice, soup, smoked salmon sandwiches, some other sandwiches, more smoked salmon with accompaniments. Being a huge fan of salmon and all seafood, I opted for some salmon sandwiches, some more smoked salmon and a cup of nespresso espresso (the first of three cups). I also had some champagne later in my stay.
Plugging into a power port, I charged up my tablet and watched some videos while waiting. After some time, the lounge filled up until no seats were available. 10 min prior to boarding, I headed out for the short 1 min walk to the gate.
There were a ton of people waiting at the gate, although the JAL staff had created three boarding lanes for F, J and Y pax. People were generally good natured about the process and queued up appropriately.
When boarding, I was taken by the JAL J attendant to my seat in F, and handed over to the F attendant on my side of the plane. Thankfully, I had asked AA for the JAL booking code, and had switched my seat to the window…I was really happy with my selection!
The seat is part of the Sky Suite set up, and looks great! While aesthetically simple compared to EK, EY, CX, etc., the seat is very well supported, very comfortable, and didn’t get warm at all. Naturally, there was plenty of room. Seated next to me was another FTer, Alexphj527. How did I know? Well, he and I were the only ones snapping pictures of the cabin with silly grins on our faces! He’s a great guy and we had a good convo during the flight.
After settling in and stowing all my gear, the purser Sato came by to introduce herself and thank me for flying JAL F. I started off with a glass of champagne, Salon 2012 prior to takeoff…delicious and super smooth, I can understand why each bottle of this fine champagne costs $400. Prior to takeoff, I was handed a Loewe amenity kit (with Shiseido supplements), Bose Headset, Pajamas (L was more than sufficient for me), and the menu for the flight. As others have noted, JAL serves a formal meal, and then the passengers can make additional meals a la carte throughout the flight. After all the trip reports I had read, I was eager to try to the Kaiseki meal. That choice proved to be perfect!
A very smooth takeoff later, the flight attendants went right into action once we reached cruising altitude. Sato was an amazing purser, and the other two flight attendants (even though they didn’t speak English well) were amazing as well. I can understand why JAL F service is so lauded, I actually preferred it to the CX service…it felt more enthusiastic and genuine.
The tables were deployed and I ordered caviar to start, with the kaiseki meal followed by the western dessert (instead of the Japanese one).
Here is the menu for the flight:
The amuse bouche was rather tasty, and a good accompaniment to the Salon (which was refilled 4 times!). Mmmmm more salmon!
Natto and other snacks were presented after the amuse bouche
Caviar course. Although it was small, it was delicious, and included the requisite mother of pearl spoon
First course (although I suppose after the caviar it would be the second appetizer course!
Duck Breast and Savory veggies in savory jelly. Delicious, although the jelly might throw off some.
Soy-simmered beef The beef had a delightful ginger flavor, and was delicious as a chilled appetizer.
Grilled salmon and welsh onion roll This was the most…western of the appetizers, but tasty too.
Chicken breast cucumber julienne and jellyfish While the jellyfish sounded interesting, I didn’t really notice any flavor other than the chicken and the cucumber. Still, yummy!
Arctic char, taro, grilled eggplant and fennel Straightforward fish and veggies. Delicious!
The next course consisted of clear soup with yuba mouse. The yuba (soybean) was soft, and slightly sweet, which paired well with the savory soup.
Broiled eel with tofu cake, cucumber stuffed with salmon, lemon-simmered potato, conger eel. Another appetizer, the Shiizakana was good, but not great. I would’ve had another soup in a heartbeat, but this appetizer fell somewhat short. Still, it was very high quality and wouldn’t be out of place at a fine-dining establishment.
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The lobster in miso….AMAZING! Tender slices of lobster paired with a delicious miso mousse, this course was delicious and my absolute favorite.
The main course (I know…so much food already). Steamed seafood, paired with rice (with corn and scallops), miso soup and pickles. The main course was good, with well-complemented dishes. A great main.
The western dessert, cheesecake. Yummy and beautifully plated.
Overall, the first meal was amazing and quite an experience. Everytime food was served, it was accompanied by smiles and bows. I asked Sato what she would recommend for wine pairings, and she brought by several different glasses (presenting and pouring them at the table) for each course. I was stuffed, and incredibly impressed. The meal was wrapped up by a great cup of coffee.
Throughout the flight, I also ordered the Japanese brochettes, duck with rice and some royal blue tea. Sadly, this would be the only glass I would have, as the bottle ran out quickly! The tea was delicious, more like a pristine form of iced tea make with very clean water.
I asked for a glass of Montrachet after that snack, and was given a plate of cheese and fruit without asking! Again, the service was phenomenal.
The IFE, which fairly advanced, did not have much in the way of content. Very few English movies, and a few Japanese/Asian movies (most without English subtitles), and a few single-episodes of TV comedies and dramas. An old How I met your Mother episode and a few English movies are not sufficient for a long 12 hour flight, especially if you are unable to sleep. I think this may be the one thing holding them back from Skytrax 5 star status.
Every time I used the lavatory, my bed was remade and my slippers were set properly whenever I woke up. While the seat/bed was comfortable, the cabin temperature was rather warm. Being used to sleeping in cold temperatures, I did not sleep well…just a mere 2 hours. That is not a knock against the seat or bed, the mattress was soft, and my pillow was great.
At the end of the flight, I asked Sato for an additional pajama set for my dad, which she provided in a nice duty free bag when we deplaned. I headed over to the JAL F lounge at NRT with Alex for the short layover before my next flight.
I would love to travel by JAL again, and can see why the airline is pushing for Skytrax 5 star. I think they can easily achieve that if they improve their IFE. A terrific experience!