View of the JA739J from lounge







Boarding began at 10:35am at Gate 61


Cabin Shot



Business class – mini section behind first class



Seat 1A



Storage bin











Electronic Seat Control



Since the flight was 100% full in first class, the F/As were a bit more hectic, but then it was a daytime flight, so passengers were not in a rush to change into pajama and going to sleep. I was once again invited to change into my pajama, but once again I waited till after takeoff. A pair of BOSE noise-canceling headsets and an amenity kit were immediately offered, instead of after lunch.


Details of amenity kit & men/women additional amenities:





Crews operating today’s flight

Despite being a full flight, door was closed at 10:54am and once again, boarding was completed in nineteen minutes. We pushed back eleven minutes later.

Ground crews waving to passengers


Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9


ANA Boeing 777-300ER JA790A to JFK


We finally took off from R/W16R at 11:32am, and our pilots estimated our flying time to be a quick eleven hours and thirty-three minutes (almost an hour quicker than normal). For the first part of the flight, we slowly climbed from 32,000ft to 35,000ft, before reaching Neah Bay, Alaska, and then climbed up to 37,000ft, as we passed North Stanwood, Lone Pine, Lewistown, Miles City, Hettinger, Lemmon, McLaughlin, Aberdeen, St Peters, Rochester, Onmaska, Flint, Lake Erie, Mayville, Scranton, and then onto JFK.

Skymap


Shortly after takeoff from Tokyo Narita


Seat belt sign stayed on longer than normal due to strong wind, but seat belt sign was turned off at 11:46am. One by one, passengers were invited to change into their pajama. For those who were interested in the order, they started from the aft to front. Beverage and lunch order were taken next. As a Japanese food lover, I chose the Japanese lunch.

Hot towel in lacquered tray


Beverage with canapés


Canapés - Gorgonzola blue cheese w/prosciutto, Abalone w/dried mullet roe, & Salmon roe radish ball


Packaged Otsumami next



Red Wine


Beautiful sky


Setup


Chopsticks


Japanese
The menu is created by prominent Chef Seiji Yamamoto of “Nihon-ryori RyuGin” Roppongi Tokyo.


Seasonal five colorful delicacies


Simmered Yellowtail & Radish in Soy Sauce


Egg Cake


Scallop & Sea Urchin dressed with Mustard Vinegar Miso


Simmered Conger Eel roll with “Yuba”


Simmered Taro with Stir-fried Duck & Welsh Onion


Owan
Japanese Clear Soup with Steamed Prawn Mousse & Grated Turnip




Seafood


Boiled “Mastuba” Snow Crab with Citrus Vinegar Jelly & Pickled Radish


Cold Steamed Egg Custard with Smoked Potato Potage & Pureed Welsh Onion Soup accompanied by Caviar





Dainomono


“Wagyu” Beef Fillet Sukiyaki accented with Black Pepper


Hanmono
Steamed Rice (Japanese Peppered Flavored Young Sardines)
We are pleased to offer freshly steamed Koshihikari rice.



Egg – additional to the menu – Japanese soft boiled egg


Tomewan
Miso Soup


Japanese Pickles


Sweets


Roppongi Pudding




Dekopon Orange, Yuzu, & Coconut Sobrbet
Please add Grand Marnier to your choice



Ryugin’s Specialty – Japanese Style Baked Pistachio Cake


Western
The menu is created by Chef Yosuke Sugar of “Sugalabo” Kamiya-cho, Tokyo

Amuse Bouche
Rice Wafers filled with Foie Gras Mousse & Raw Peppers

Hors-d’oeuvre (Choice)
Caviar accompanied by Smoked Salmon & Potato, Herb Caper Sauce
Warm Lobster Bisque with Winter Vegetables
Grilled Scallop with Turnip Puree in Salad Style

Main Dish (Choice)
Braised Japanese Beef Cheek in Red Wine with deep flavor
Roasted Quail stuffed with Mushroom Rice
Miso-grilled Black Cod with Warm Veloute of Winter Radish

Assortment of Artisanal breads
Pain de Campagne
Soy Milk Butter Roll

Special Bread from Maison Kayser
Petit Ekmek & Sweet Potato Petit Bread

Dessert
SUGALABO Mont Blanc

Seat in recline position



Mid-flight


I pretty much slept through the first part of the flight. But the F/As checked on the cabin frequently, and the moment they saw me waking up, they immediately offered me beverages and snacks. There were many items in the menu that I wanted to try, so I decided on the soup and pork cutlet sandwich.


Cream Soup with Lobster, Truffle & Mushrooms accompanied by Leaf Pie



“Sangenton” Pork Cutlet Sandwich


JAL First Class Coffee Mug – used to be a gift to all first class passengers


Strangely Japan Airlines no longer offers a proper breakfast menu, as a proper arrival meal. Instead, it offered a choice of Japanese and Western plate lunch designed by a Japanese chef – not to mention it was exactly the same in first and business class. I personally think a more proper breakfast tray should be offered, just similar to what ANA offers. The plate lunch set was also a bit on the small side with lack of courses, and I have to add components to my Japanese lunch plate. I personally prefer a more proper breakfast plate.

F/A took last meal orders two hours prior to arrival, but meals could be not served as late as 90 minutes prior to arrival.



BEDD Sky Auberge by JAL
Cuisine by Fumiko Kono
The menu is created by renowned fine cuisine producer and chef – her home ground is Paris – Fumiko Kono

“Fumiko’s Japanese Set Plate”


Dainomono
Seared Alfonsino “Sashimi” Style with Shallot Soy Dressing


Poached Chrysanthemum Flowers & Leaves
Radish with Drilled Mullet Roe


Soup
Japanese Clear Soup with Root Vegetables & Japanese Parsley


Steamed Rice

Kounomono
Japanese Pickles


“Fumiko’s Western Set Plate”
Main Dish
Brandade of Cod & Celeriac with Truffle Dressing

Strawberry & Chervil Salad

Special bread from Maison Kayser
Spinach & Yuzu Petit Bread, Petit Strawberry
You can enjoy your breads with butter & cherry jam

Japanese Hot “Udon” Noodles with Edible Wild Plants


I requested a fruit plate after the set plate!

Sunrise


Refreshment
Assorted Seasonal Fresh Fruits




Passing Lake Erie


Descent began at 8:35am and the F/As passed out some sweets for first class, as well as thanking each passenger.
Jean-Paul Hevin “Songe” exclusive for JAL
Jean-Paul Hevin “Amer”



Approaching NYC area





We landed on R/W31R at 9:05am, fifty minutes early.

JAL 787 – JL 3 heading back to Narita


We parked at gate 3 eight minutes later.
The immigration hall was empty, as we were the first flight arriving this morning. We arrived before Korean Air Airbus A380, so most passengers got through quickly.

I hope you enjoy this trip report. While JAL might not be a fancy airline offering amazing suites, like Etihad, the cabin and seats were very comfortable. The service was simply amazing and you could not fault the F/A at all. They were personable, despite some language barrier. They were attentive without being intrusive. The catering was excellent, despite some cutbacks in the a la carte menu. I think this 67,500miles were well spent, and if I have to buy a first class ticket in the future, Japan Airlines is on the top of my list.

Carfield

PS. I actually got a set of women cosmetic items for my mom but did not upload the pictures yet. I will add them to the trip report once I am back in the US this weekend.