YVR-NRT-YVR on CP
Dec 17, 1999 | 2:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,942
YVR-NRT-YVR on CP
29 Nov CP 1 YVR 12:15 NRT 15:15+1 767-300
Flight was booked in October using 80,000 Canadian Plus points in Club Empress (J class)
Proceeded up to international departures and asked CP check-in agent if my wait list (was booked on CP 3 but wanted to get to Tokyo earlier) as CP 1 and the JL codeshare showed full in business class on ITN. Agent gave me a standby pass and told me availability looked good and checked my baggage in for the flight.
Proceeded to the international Empress Lounge which hasn't changed since 1997 with the exception of 2 internet-connected PCs added (there should be more though). Lounge agent paged me and gave me a boarding pass for the flight in seat 4E. Flight turned out to have some 5 business class seats empty so there were quite a few no shows. Also noticed that my seat was booked in R and sure enough, some 4,700-odd miles + 50% loyalty bonus appears a few days later online. Let AC eat the cost.
Some confusion after boarding. My seat 4E is also assigned to another passenger. Volunteer to take CP3 if the cabin is full. FAs and gate agent take my pass and reassign me to 3E.
The aircraft was painted and fitted in the new CP livery and J-class upholestery and may have been one of the ex-Asiana aircraft with no individual vents. Surprisingly, it doesn't have EmPower ports either which is standard on all other CP 767s. 60" seat pitch is always nice.
Inflight map was available but only showed on takeoff and initial climb out of Vancouver (turbulent for the 1st hour) and prior to landing at Narita hence no routing was shown (at Narita, the map screen only showed Japan).
Seems that there were some late connecting passengers as luggage loading held up pushback by some 10 minutes. After takeoff to the east, the flight went up the N. American coast passing west of Anchorage before turning around at 59N before heading SW to Japan. The flight deck announced this as well as what must have been a lenghty 10 hr + flight due to strong headwinds.
Usual distribution of inflight amenities (headphones, socks, eye shades, wash kit) but also early distribution of Japan landing cards instead of just prior to landing or later into the flight.
Lunch menu was still by Toque! (had seen this entree before) so I opted for the Japanese kaisaken meal. This was served before the western-style lunches with a tray containing a japanese hot appetiser with 4 assorted side dishes containing sushi and pickles. Appetiser plate was taken away and a new dish with a pureed rolled chicken, a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup. Tray was taken away and a lenghty wait to cheese, dessert and after dinner offerings. Japanese tea was available though having it earlier, and perhaps sake, with the lunch would have been a nice touch.
Since it was a day light flight, took in a Watchman video for the first time in many CP 767 flights. Matrix took 2 1/2 hours and gave me enough time for sleep.
Light lunch was served 1 1/2 hr prior to landing at Tokyo. A cold appetiser (peas in mustard sauce accompanying the cold roast beef was actually the higlight) with fruit salad and bread rolls.
Flight landed at Narita and taxied by terminal 1 (original with 4 round satellites) and then around most of Term. 2 to the gate in the main area (no shuttle). Quick walk out to Japanese immigration (no wait to get to the agent but they are a bit slow with the paperwork) and then to the luggage claim. Bags took only 10 minutes at most to appear and mine was out quite fast. Japanese customs asked few questions and I was out quick and arranging my onward rail connections.
8 December CP 4 NRT 20:50 - YVR 12:12 DC-10-30
Took the Narita Express from Tokyo (train trip to Narita originated from N. Honshu) to Narita 2 terminal. JR booked me in carriage 1 which is on the opposite end of the platform exit. Ran past the crowds and up through the ticket barriers and security where there wasn't a line yet, and then up 3 escalators to the departure level.
Got to the check-in area and ran checked baggage through security (they x-ray screen them before check-in Asian airports including HKG, BKK and NRT) with little wait. The security person didn;t know what to do to tag a backpack though. Went to the JL (codeshared flight) business class agent who efficiently ran through the check-in process though she seemed to have had to do a lot of typing into the terminal. She was kind enough to point me to the gate and the JAL Sakura (business class) lounge. Proceeded through security and japanese immigration which was fairly fast.
Automated self-guiding remote bus service took passengers to the extension. The distance is so short that a moving walkway would seem to make more sence. Went to the JL Sakura lounge which is nice. Nothing exceptional with drinks mainly for the Japanese market and assorted snacks - nothing substantive. The lounge is also used by Qantas flights.
Boarding had already begun and was almost complete when I got to the gate at 20:20. JL staff were efficient at boarding remaining passengers using the automated boarding pass readers and a passport check. NRT is nice in having a seperate jetway for premium cabin passengers. The flight was quite empty in business class (but relatively full in economy) with some 15 of the 28 seats empty.
The cabin hasn't been renovated at all since these aircraft are being phased out. Seat pitch is still good at 50" but my feet will touch the front seat when the leg rest is up and the seat in front is fully reclined. Electronics are going south or I seem to always get the DC-10 with flickering cabin fluorescent lights. Mercifully these don't stay on long.
Door close was ahead of time but premature as the forward door was reopened at scheduled departure time for late coming passengers. Pushback was on time and the flight was airborne shortly after taxiing around. Flight was quick at just 7 1/2 hrs resulting in a 25 minute early arrival into vancouver. Amenity kit and Canada customs cards were distributed before or soon after takeoff.
Perhaps because of the imminent AC takeover, service was much better than on previous flights (my 9th international CP flight in 12 months).
The December chef is Glen Monk whose inflight cuisine I had before so I opted for the Japanese kanseki meal once again (it should be good coming out of Japan). Meal was in the same style as the meal out of vancouver with beef rolled around leeks as the entree. Cheese was just a selection of gouda and cheddar with fruit and crackers. No ice cream on this flight so I took the cake (one of two dessert offerings) accompanied by tea but no liquors.
Most J passengers opted for sleep on the short flight (I didn't even take out the video monitor) and I caught some 4 hrs from just after dinner to lights on for breakfast before Vancouver arrival.
Breakfast consisted of a fruit plate, bowl of yogurt and pastries with jam and beverages. Quick clearance before a lengthy wait for descent. It wasn't possible to judge but noticeable descent didn't commence until 15 minutes prior to landing from the west.
Doors were opened and deplaning took place less than one minute after engines off. After passport check on deplaning, immigration clearance was fast (flight landed just ahead of a CX flight from HKG) and less than a 8 minute wait for baggage before exiting Canada customs.
[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 12-17-1999).]
[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 12-19-1999).]
Flight was booked in October using 80,000 Canadian Plus points in Club Empress (J class)
Proceeded up to international departures and asked CP check-in agent if my wait list (was booked on CP 3 but wanted to get to Tokyo earlier) as CP 1 and the JL codeshare showed full in business class on ITN. Agent gave me a standby pass and told me availability looked good and checked my baggage in for the flight.
Proceeded to the international Empress Lounge which hasn't changed since 1997 with the exception of 2 internet-connected PCs added (there should be more though). Lounge agent paged me and gave me a boarding pass for the flight in seat 4E. Flight turned out to have some 5 business class seats empty so there were quite a few no shows. Also noticed that my seat was booked in R and sure enough, some 4,700-odd miles + 50% loyalty bonus appears a few days later online. Let AC eat the cost.
Some confusion after boarding. My seat 4E is also assigned to another passenger. Volunteer to take CP3 if the cabin is full. FAs and gate agent take my pass and reassign me to 3E.
The aircraft was painted and fitted in the new CP livery and J-class upholestery and may have been one of the ex-Asiana aircraft with no individual vents. Surprisingly, it doesn't have EmPower ports either which is standard on all other CP 767s. 60" seat pitch is always nice.
Inflight map was available but only showed on takeoff and initial climb out of Vancouver (turbulent for the 1st hour) and prior to landing at Narita hence no routing was shown (at Narita, the map screen only showed Japan).
Seems that there were some late connecting passengers as luggage loading held up pushback by some 10 minutes. After takeoff to the east, the flight went up the N. American coast passing west of Anchorage before turning around at 59N before heading SW to Japan. The flight deck announced this as well as what must have been a lenghty 10 hr + flight due to strong headwinds.
Usual distribution of inflight amenities (headphones, socks, eye shades, wash kit) but also early distribution of Japan landing cards instead of just prior to landing or later into the flight.
Lunch menu was still by Toque! (had seen this entree before) so I opted for the Japanese kaisaken meal. This was served before the western-style lunches with a tray containing a japanese hot appetiser with 4 assorted side dishes containing sushi and pickles. Appetiser plate was taken away and a new dish with a pureed rolled chicken, a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup. Tray was taken away and a lenghty wait to cheese, dessert and after dinner offerings. Japanese tea was available though having it earlier, and perhaps sake, with the lunch would have been a nice touch.
Since it was a day light flight, took in a Watchman video for the first time in many CP 767 flights. Matrix took 2 1/2 hours and gave me enough time for sleep.
Light lunch was served 1 1/2 hr prior to landing at Tokyo. A cold appetiser (peas in mustard sauce accompanying the cold roast beef was actually the higlight) with fruit salad and bread rolls.
Flight landed at Narita and taxied by terminal 1 (original with 4 round satellites) and then around most of Term. 2 to the gate in the main area (no shuttle). Quick walk out to Japanese immigration (no wait to get to the agent but they are a bit slow with the paperwork) and then to the luggage claim. Bags took only 10 minutes at most to appear and mine was out quite fast. Japanese customs asked few questions and I was out quick and arranging my onward rail connections.
8 December CP 4 NRT 20:50 - YVR 12:12 DC-10-30
Took the Narita Express from Tokyo (train trip to Narita originated from N. Honshu) to Narita 2 terminal. JR booked me in carriage 1 which is on the opposite end of the platform exit. Ran past the crowds and up through the ticket barriers and security where there wasn't a line yet, and then up 3 escalators to the departure level.
Got to the check-in area and ran checked baggage through security (they x-ray screen them before check-in Asian airports including HKG, BKK and NRT) with little wait. The security person didn;t know what to do to tag a backpack though. Went to the JL (codeshared flight) business class agent who efficiently ran through the check-in process though she seemed to have had to do a lot of typing into the terminal. She was kind enough to point me to the gate and the JAL Sakura (business class) lounge. Proceeded through security and japanese immigration which was fairly fast.
Automated self-guiding remote bus service took passengers to the extension. The distance is so short that a moving walkway would seem to make more sence. Went to the JL Sakura lounge which is nice. Nothing exceptional with drinks mainly for the Japanese market and assorted snacks - nothing substantive. The lounge is also used by Qantas flights.
Boarding had already begun and was almost complete when I got to the gate at 20:20. JL staff were efficient at boarding remaining passengers using the automated boarding pass readers and a passport check. NRT is nice in having a seperate jetway for premium cabin passengers. The flight was quite empty in business class (but relatively full in economy) with some 15 of the 28 seats empty.
The cabin hasn't been renovated at all since these aircraft are being phased out. Seat pitch is still good at 50" but my feet will touch the front seat when the leg rest is up and the seat in front is fully reclined. Electronics are going south or I seem to always get the DC-10 with flickering cabin fluorescent lights. Mercifully these don't stay on long.
Door close was ahead of time but premature as the forward door was reopened at scheduled departure time for late coming passengers. Pushback was on time and the flight was airborne shortly after taxiing around. Flight was quick at just 7 1/2 hrs resulting in a 25 minute early arrival into vancouver. Amenity kit and Canada customs cards were distributed before or soon after takeoff.
Perhaps because of the imminent AC takeover, service was much better than on previous flights (my 9th international CP flight in 12 months).
The December chef is Glen Monk whose inflight cuisine I had before so I opted for the Japanese kanseki meal once again (it should be good coming out of Japan). Meal was in the same style as the meal out of vancouver with beef rolled around leeks as the entree. Cheese was just a selection of gouda and cheddar with fruit and crackers. No ice cream on this flight so I took the cake (one of two dessert offerings) accompanied by tea but no liquors.
Most J passengers opted for sleep on the short flight (I didn't even take out the video monitor) and I caught some 4 hrs from just after dinner to lights on for breakfast before Vancouver arrival.
Breakfast consisted of a fruit plate, bowl of yogurt and pastries with jam and beverages. Quick clearance before a lengthy wait for descent. It wasn't possible to judge but noticeable descent didn't commence until 15 minutes prior to landing from the west.
Doors were opened and deplaning took place less than one minute after engines off. After passport check on deplaning, immigration clearance was fast (flight landed just ahead of a CX flight from HKG) and less than a 8 minute wait for baggage before exiting Canada customs.
[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 12-17-1999).]
[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 12-19-1999).]
Dec 19, 1999 | 2:04 am
#2
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,224
Did you get the points yet? Because I know sometimes when I get upgraded, they'll put me in J class (It shows J class on my boarding pass) but when I check the online statements, it'll be reverted back to R class.
I think sometimes you'll have to have luck with the inflight crew. Sometimes, I get some FAs that look so
that they are about to throw you off the plane or something. But (almost) most of the time, CP's FA are nice and friendly. (At least they pretend to be).
Regards,
Empress
I think sometimes you'll have to have luck with the inflight crew. Sometimes, I get some FAs that look so
that they are about to throw you off the plane or something. But (almost) most of the time, CP's FA are nice and friendly. (At least they pretend to be).Regards,
Empress
Dec 19, 1999 | 2:30 am
#3
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,942
I did get the points posted online and it is in my December '99 statement now. Only the YVR-NRT (not an upgrade but a change of flights) leg but better than no points at all. Not bad, J class YVR-NRT-YVR for a net of < 73k points
[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 12-19-1999).]
[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 12-19-1999).]