davakkar

Any recent data points or opinions on this topic? Comparing the newly renovated NRT F Lounge to the temporary Sakura Skyview at HND for F passengers.

CPH-Flyer

That's pretty simple, the temporary lounge is basically a J lounge with a few added amenities for F pax. So at the moment, Narita is the clear winner.. Some time in March we will see a new situation.

Tokyoite

not much of a comparison. went through both in this month and the comment above is spot on.
Until the HND refurb is completed next month, the HND F lounge is just a glorified J lounge with additional amenities such as shoe shining and premium champagne.
What aspects of the lounge are you specifically interested in?

Kacee

Odd first visit to NRT F lounge today. As I entered upstairs, noticed some commotion in the small seating area to the left but couldn't tell what was going on. On a subsequent pass, saw that a guest had been violently sick all over the floor. He was passed out in one of the lounge chairs, and staff had surrounded him with plastic sheeting. Don't know if he was ill or just exceptionally drunk. What was really weird was that lounge staff just let him sit there in full view for the length of my visit (about 30 minutes). Several staff members were standing around looking extremely uncomfortable, but I saw no indication assistance had been sought either from medical personnel (if he was ill) or law enforcement (if he was drunk). Never seen anything like this in any lounge anywhere. In the US the dude would have been promptly carted off either on a gurney or in handcuffs.

And the lounge? Nice enough space. Food options rather disappointing. Except for the mini Kit-Kats. They were very tasty

davakkar

Thanks to you both! That's what I figured. Most of my research on reviews indicated that Sakura Skyview was nice enough as the only F option at HND, but the exclusivity of NRT F lounge makes it more appealing. And since we'll have 8+ hours at either location and we have the option between the two, I'll plan for NRT.

Tokyoite

with 8 hours to kill, I would chose NRT because of the number and variety of lounges you can hop through. (total 7 lounges!)
Sakura F x 2 lounges
Sakura biz x 2 lounges
Cathay biz
American biz ->Closes March 31st.
Qantas biz
+++Shower in F lounge, Champagne in either F lounge or Cathay lounge, DIY burgers in the American lounge, some Aussie coffee in the Qantas lounge, the famed curry in Sakura lounge etc.

davakkar

THIS IS AN AMAZING IDEA AND YOU'RE AWESOME FOR MENTIONING IT! I didn't even consider lounge-hopping... I was too focused on getting the right JAL F experience. I'll just have to convince the +1 to come along. Or leave him in the F lounge and go adventure on my own

Now I have to go do more research on all those! Thanks again!

Tokyoite

just google search "narita oneworld lounge review boardingarea" and there are many blogs/vlogs with the ins, the outs, the highs and lows of all the lounges there.
also, note their operational hours and strategize your eat/drink/eat/drink cycle !
there are no real nap-rooms though, that's the only small bummer in the 8 hour party.
and, definitely let HIM stay somewhere to read the paper/surf the web as you hop all over.
I usually go in this cycle
Sakura F ->appetizer snack on 4F n drinks at the bar on 3F, then do Cathay J for the Haagen Dazs ice cream and some noodle soup (the lounge itself is nothing fancy like HKG)
then go down to American J for rest/break from eating. It is quiet with amazing aircraft views.
then trek up to the satellite area Sakura F lounge for some more drinking/

dvs7310

I'm not sure what the actual law is on it, but you'll never see the police involved for public drunkenness in Japan. You have to do something above and beyond like getting into a fight or vandalism. Simply passing out in a public place, 'getting sick' in a public place, or staggering around are of no interest to Japanese police. If anything at all would be done for this lounge passenger it would also be medical personnel, but the general attitude in Japan is just to ignore it.

I do suspect drunk was likely the case, if he were that ill, they'd have brought in the paramedics... paramedics are called for extremely minor things quite often that are a complete waste of public money. (it's run by the fire department, not charged to insurance like in the US).

NYCtraveler

Does anybody know when the Haneda F class lounge is finally due to open? Thanks!

CPH-Flyer

Not a word on the topic from JAL yet. My best guess is a week or so before the change of the timetable change.

Tokyoite

NRT satellite lounge F and J, both closed indefinitely (Due to low travel demand due to CoronaV effects).
On website, they say tentatively reopen on 3/29th, but could change "depending on conditions".

dvs7310

Can't remember where I saw it, but pretty sure it's the end of March. Though who knows now with the COVID19 BS going on.

CPH-Flyer

Yes, that general statement has been around since they closed the lounge for refurbishment. Waiting for the specifics.

Asquared1

Would they let him board a flight in that condition?