Shinkansen Gran Class
Jul 26, 2022 | 3:39 pm
#76
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,543
Jul 26, 2022 | 4:19 pm
#77
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Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 39
I rode the Glacier Express in 2017. The views are amazing. I will say if you have a chance of avoiding being seated in a car with larger group tours, I would suggest you do so. That might be a little harder than it sounds since I saw so many group tours in that region while part of a group tour myself. I think we were in a Panorama Wagon 1st class prior to refurbishment. Riding trains in Japan has gotten me used to a lower level of voices. First World Problem
Aug 14, 2022 | 8:29 am
#78
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Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 39
These are all mostly irregularly-scheduled scenic tourist trains and are not to be compared with regular commuter and long-distance trains.
Gran Class has to be compared with other train cars that ride the rails NOW! Not everyone had the opportunity to meet Agatha Christie on the Orient Express in 1927.
The Narita Express had four-person private compartments in the late 1990s. Do these still exist? (I chose to take the Keisei Skyliner when I discovered that it was cheaper and faster and cleaner!)
Still - Not even close to Gran Class.
Gran Class has to be compared with other train cars that ride the rails NOW! Not everyone had the opportunity to meet Agatha Christie on the Orient Express in 1927.
The Narita Express had four-person private compartments in the late 1990s. Do these still exist? (I chose to take the Keisei Skyliner when I discovered that it was cheaper and faster and cleaner!)
Still - Not even close to Gran Class.
Seat manual
Gran Class Shinkansen Menu
Aug 15, 2022 | 2:14 am
#79
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 6,283
Just noticed this thread, but Gran Class is indeed amazing! Here are some photos I took earlier this year on the Hayabusa traveling between Sendai and Tokyo:
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek
Aug 15, 2022 | 3:35 am
#80
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,417
Why the double standard for rail seats. If an airline came out with a new business or first class seat that wasn't full flat they'd be laughed out of existence.
Aug 15, 2022 | 7:25 am
#81
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,148
Aug 15, 2022 | 8:01 am
#82
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bay Area, peninsula! (SFO)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,652
About 4 hours, give or take, on Hayabusa between Tokyo and Shin Hakodate Hokuto.
P.S.
There is a website in English with a food and drink menu. Gran Class
P.S.
There is a website in English with a food and drink menu. Gran Class
Last edited by AlwaysAisle; Aug 15, 2022 at 1:49 pm
Aug 15, 2022 | 2:25 pm
#83
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,148
About 4 hours, give or take, on Hayabusa between Tokyo and Shin Hakodate Hokuto.
P.S.
There is a website in English with a food and drink menu. Gran Class
P.S.
There is a website in English with a food and drink menu. Gran Class
Aug 15, 2022 | 5:56 pm
#84
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Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 39
Aug 15, 2022 | 7:19 pm
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NRT
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 10,048
If airline economy class offered the same legroom as the ordinary class seats on Japan's express trains, I would be delighted - The back of the plane is packed tighter than a sardine can. That's a real case of holding planes and trains to different standards.
Aug 17, 2022 | 2:36 am
#90
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Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 39
The recline function is an added feature. Those who dont care for it can sit up straight. Everyone on the train last week had their seats reclined. The recline function presents no problems and is not outrageous.