Jl f- nrt-lax
 

Yo, all.

I ended up flying the route in question yesterday because I missed my NW flight the day previously and didn't feel like ponying up the $250 change fee. Instead, I decided to use 67.5k AA miles and $133 to fly JL.

My flight ended up being really good. People often like to use AA and UA as reference points for this sort of thing. In this particular case, there is/was no comparison at all; JL was much, much, much better. BTW, I've also done SQ and NH on the same route and this was simply the best.

I caught an older airplane yesterday (in fact, its very last day of service), which meant that I didn't have a big TV or fancy "suite" set-up. However, even with the old style, JL still only parks 11 seats in its cone cabin and treats pax like rock stars.

Since you've all read many trip reports of this nature, I'd like to skip over the standard stuff (i.e., yes, the food/wines are pretty solid) in order to focus on points that hit home with me-

-I was fast asleep in the lounge during the boarding hour, but the JL people physically moved me from the lounge to my seat on board; I didn't notice anything at all
-The purser seemed to be available 100% of the time; simply glancing in her direction resulted in FA attention (those of you that do AA/UA/NW surely realize that this sort of treatment is special)
-I had both Japanese and Western meals
-In spite of the fact that I don't care for champagne any more, Nicolas Feuillate Palmes d'or 1997 is sweet stuff (much better than the Perrier Jouet flower bottle that was also on offer)
-I was a big fan of their special olive oil, butter, and sea salt; over spending on small items like that gives passengers the impression that the airline cares about them

In closing, I typically average about 2 F segments per year, so I'm not an expert here. However, the fact that JL delivered an experience that compelled me to post here speaks volumes (i.e. you haven't read my NW trip reports because they don't exist).

wait, really?

I was conscious during the bulk of the process, but they made it happen (really).

How was this accomplished? Did they enlist the help of several strong bodies to lift you up from the lounge chair and physically carry you all the way to the gate and onto your seat? Did they do it by hands? Or did they use a stretcher, or wheelchair?

Since you "didn't notice anything at all", were you unconscious or heavily sedated, in which case did they enlist the help of a doctor or nurse to determine that you were fit to fly medically?

Enquiring minds want to know... (Would this happen to be on youtube somewhere?)

Edited to add: Just saw your additional remark that "I was conscious during the bulk of the process, but they made it happen (really)", so you were not unconscious, but still they make it happen, and it would be interesting to understand how they made it happen, really. I mean, this is extraordinary service!

Yes, details, please.

I was picturing the lounge armchair being gently carried by a team of porters and installed in the F cabin on board..... :p
Now that would be worth some extra Skytrax brownie points!

oh i've had that treatment. they use a dolly and wheel you in a reclined position to the gate. of course, i'm joking.

I hope this won't make people flying JL F intentionally "fall into sleep" to experience this special service :D

This conjures up an image of being hoisted up like the Pope.

The JL "Sedan Chair" service is being piloted for select flights originating at NRT. Very hush-hush.

Did they undress you in the lounge and put your PJs on for you too?

Everyone seems to be focused on how you got move from the lounge to the plane without having to get up, but, seriously,

You value 67.5K AA miles at a net of $117? Or was the fare difference on NW more than a thousand dollars?

I'm impressed...
 

with JAL's service level at NRT, it's beyond human
or was it part of your dream sequence in the lounge
:rolleyes:

:D:D:D
Classic!!!

Although we had long suspected that JAL provided this service for its pilots (everyone needs a little help on board after a night of hard socializing), it's good to see that it is being extended to the pax.