After a near-heart attack moment when I thought I had lost my passport, I proceeded through the ever-efficient Japanese security at Narita. Obtaining directions from the staff member, I walked over to the JAL First class lounge. Checking in, I walked inside to a rather crowded lounge. The lounge had several sections with plenty of seating, but the lounge itself wasn’t as private as others I’ve seen. Other than the large crowd in the lounge, there was a sushi section where a set of three sushi were provided on a plate, a hot food section, and a spa in the back. Observing the very strict no phone policy, I walked over to the private phone booths to make some calls. Afterwards, nature called too, so I had a chance to look at the bathrooms. The toilets have their own sinks and were very clean. However, it still felt rather cramped. The spa took appointments, but based on my FT friend’s experience, it was all too brief and not memorable.


Sushi bar

Sushi plate and champagne

View of the JAL Tails from the lounge

I saw at least 4 AA aircraft in NRT that day!

After having some sushi, some more champagne and a few snacks I wandered over to my gate. It was a good thing too, as gate 84 is quite a walk from the lounge. After getting to the gate and waiting for a reasonable amount of time (during which the delayed boarding process elicited three formal apologies from the staff…even though each delay was 5 minutes at most), we boarded business and then economy. The 767 features the revised, lie-flat seats. While generally comfortable, the seat back doesn’t truly recline…it only reclines when the foot rest comes up.


Seat in 767 J NRT-SIN

Same IFE system as on the JAL F 773W, “Magic VI”….definitely needs improvement

More storage and room

I forced myself to stay up for a quick dinner, and once again chose the Japanese meal. This time, even though the appetizers were much more numerous, the quality wasn’t nearly as good as F. I had hoped that ex-NRT the Japanese food would be better, but unfortunately I was disappointed in this case. Of course, the FA was quite surprised that I would want the Japanese option when nearly everyone went for the Western choice.


Appetizers…eh, more miss than hit.

Neato chostick rest in the form of origami crane

Main course, fish again! This was actually quite yummy, although I couldn't taste the miso soup as the lid seemed to be glued on. All courses accompanied by iced green tea.

I had reached a point of true exhaustion, and as soon as possible placed my bed into fully flat. The chair lowers to the floor, so when in bed mode you are barely a foot above the ground! That made for some awkward sleeping, even with the arm rest pushed down. I would think that the seats directly next to the window would be preferable for sleeping compared to the seats that are directly next to the aisle.

It may have been my exhaustion or time difference, or a combination of both, but I passed out for almost 5 hours! I woke up just in time for landing in SIN.
As soon as we landed, I headed over to immigration and passed through for a one-night stay at Fraser suites by Changi airport.