cyborg

I just completed a journey from LAX to HND in F connecting HND to BKK in C and must say that the service and experience for a measly 75K miles was extraordinary. Crew on both flights was fantastic. The F segment was 8/8 full and still I had what seamed liked unlimited pours of the Billecart Salmon Cuv�e 2008 which was delicious. The strange thing was having selected the western meal I was served everything listed on the menu...ugh... way to much food, but thats why we play the game? I consider this a tie. I was extremely satisfied with what they served, but full to the point of not being able to enjoy desert or choco pieces after. They did offer a caviar plate later in the flight with the waffle pieces and smoked salmon w/cream cheese(?) which I actually liked better than the traditional eggy weggy sides. The lounge experience was awesome; fresh sushi and decent JAL curry followed by a trip upstairs to the JAL Salon for a glass of Yamazaki 12...yum. The onward flight was nice and trhe crew were wonderful. japanese breakfast served 2 hrs before landing was just ok, but based on my experiences on other airlines quite decent.

75K for this...yeah great value. For 100K or whatever the new price is using ASMP...well ok then, I'm in. Not happy about the price increase, but still worth it. The problem is finding availibility and with recent AS route changes, finding value in AS bookings that would create another opportunity going forward is the current challange as my home dep airport is better suited for UAL considering the US destinations I travel to.

Cheers,

-Cyborg

glasszon

Thanks both. I checked but can't see my infant's name under the reservation nor the baby fact associated with the seat. The only thing I can see is under food selection, it states adult 1: Baby food.

I see that Japan Airlines has charged my credit card and they sent me a PDF file for the infant ticket with a ticket number starting in 131, I take it that should be sufficient to show my son has a confirmed ticket for the flight?

Thichbay

You can go to Jal website, search for your exact flight, then pull up the seatmap. You should see a baby face at your seat. (You won't see any baby face when you pull up your PNR)

maverikbc

I looked at Western menu, I see both fish and meat listed under main on separated lines, but I don't see any words 'and/or' in between. I guess they give you both unless you specify?

I've never tried their complete Western menu on JL. JP menu is a full course (sure you can remove items you don't like, but they give you everything listed on menu by default), they bring food 5-6 times. I always come with an empty stomach, so the portion isn't too big for me, but I can see for average person, they may not be able to eat everything. When I'm in F, I have no hesitation asking to customize my meals and their schedule even if they aren't proactively asked. For example, I often see caviar as an appy for Western, I'd ask them if I could have it before I start my JP course, it's been always granted. Or when I'm sleepy when departing, we'd agree with something like I wouldn't have meal for a few hours, but I'd give them half an notice when I'm ready.

Yes, they serve waffles instead of blinis with caviar. I find DIY waffles at Days Inn 😅 better than their cold waffles, or if they can't serve them hot, I'd appreciate if they served chewy Li�ge style waffles instead.

I always love their sake selections, I often end up not having enough room to try other drinks.
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I criticize their catering both on air and ground here and there, but I have to say they're a notch or 2 above CX, and I found extra 5k well worth it, because I've only flown CX F pre covid. When dim sum in F is a lot worse than $3 a plate joints, and a la carte food at lounges taste like just served from buffet (it's Sodexo, right?), as old saying goes what you pay is what you get.

Another annoying development with AS is that they've removed lounge access except for long haul F last winter. While nothing fancy, their lounges are pretty good for US J lounges, and I always liked their awesome craft beers and barista made coffee (at their flagship lounge at SEA, screaming Seattle character), they'll be greatly missed when I book E(F) award space to connect with partners.

Travelchurner

I recently (3/2023) flew from SFO-HND in F, then HND-BKK in coach as well. 75k is great. 100k is ok. I don't think I'd pay 100k.
Billecart Salmon Cuv�e 2008 is fine, but a notable cost cutting move from the Cristal 2013 that was previously offered on ex-USA flights.
I found the waffles served with the caviar hard and stale. They're the same waffles served with the fried chicken and waffles.


The F lounge food was not as good as the last few times I've been. I found Nigiri options were limited, only one fish was available. I forget which. Covid cost cutting, I guess.
Upstairs in the Salon, I found Hibiki Blender's choice to be very good. It was also available on the SFO-HND flight.

estnet

Odd, constant change I guess, 2 months ago 3 choices of nigri and the Salon area was closed.

glasszon

That worked! Thanks Thichbay.

TOMFORD

Does anyone have experience booking award on AS-JL flights with an infant? Currently I booked both adults, do I need to call AS to add the infant to the JL leg or call JL to do that?

BaconSF

call JL

skier464

I just did this a few months ago for our flights in June. Easiest process yet for an Alaska award booking trying to add an infant. It does take about 2-3 hours on the phone though so be ready.. most of it is hold time while they add the ticket.

Also be ready for sticker shock. Our flights are ORD-HND stop 3 days NRT-CGK then SIN-HND stop 2 days HND-ORD in business. Was $1200 to add the infant

Sandeep1

ORD-HND nonstop award inventory really dried up. Currently booked with a stop in SFO, was hoping to change that to a direct T-14 but doesn't look like I'm going to be able to. Bummer!

PDXPremier

For some reason the T-14 availability has been unusually limited lately....hopefully this is temporary....it almost sees like if SFO-HND (or HND-SFO) isn't available, there is nothing.

mediator

First week of May is a major holiday period in Japan.

PDXPremier

Ah, makes sense then.

Sandeep1

Why would that impact flights from the U.S. to Japan?