Trip to Tokyo
 

It pays to get to the airport early…

Original Itinerary:
4/23 AA153 BOS 9:04a ORD 10:45a M80
CNX AA153 ORD 11:55a NRT 2:50p(+1) 777

After the storm last Friday that knocked down the radar at Logan, lots of flights to/from Boston have been cancelled. Considering this, with the added fact that my girlfriend (g’f) had to be at a meeting at 7, I got dropped off at Terminal 2 at around 6:30. Despite the early hour on a Sunday morning, the terminal was a madhouse with lines out the door.

The main line looked to have at least an hour wait, and there were about 15 people waiting in the First Class/Elite line, so, since I had no luggage, I made my way to the Admiral’s Club. Security was a madhouse that took ten minutes to get through, but I arrived at the relative solitude of the AA Club. I went straight to an agent to work this out. She said that due to the radar problems selected flights would be cancelled to certain destinations, mostly at the discretion of ATC. They’d give each airline only X number of flights an hour (“usually one, maybe two”) and the airline had to figure out what flights to send out. My original flight, AA153, was already showing cancelled (only the BOS-ORD segment). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif Since I showed up early, she could reroute me on many earlier flights. Problems were that either everything was full to Tokyo or the flight to the connecting city would be full or (more likely) cancelled.

She finally was able to confirm me in F on AA1200 to ORD at 7:35a, connecting to my original AA153 to Tokyo. She said that AA1200 was pretty much the only AA flight to O’Hare this morning. (We even tried to route me on UA to ORD to connect to my original AA flight, until something on AA1200 “suddenly opened up”). The rest of the process went quickly as I already had my passport and contact information put in the computer last week at a city ticket office (CTO).

By now it was 7:15, so I rushed to the gate, stopping at a stand to buy an outdated USA Today on the way. The agents were trying to get this flight out as close to schedule as possible so it could get cleared by ATC. I was the last passenger to board.

4/23 AA1200 BOS 7:35a ORD 9:10a 738
The flight was filled in all cabins, with just one open seat left as I boarded, my 3F. I stowed by briefcase under my seat as I tried to find space for my rollaboard. The extremely friendly flight attendant offered to place it in the closet, and I was extremely grateful.

We pushed back from Gate B19 on time by my watch http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif and after sitting on the tarmac for a short time we took off at about 7:50a.

Right after take off I drifted to sleep from lack of it the last few nights. Last night I saw American Psycho with my g’f, and that alone made me unable to sleep last night. It was a well done movie, though. It kept my attention, but I wouldn’t be watching it again.

When I woke up the great flight attendant was collecting breakfast trays. She offered me breakfast when she took away my seatmate’s, but I turned it down requesting simply a cup of coffee and a glass of water (separate). She happily delivered both a moment later.

The 738 was outfitted with the new blue seats, which I find extremely comfortable. And on this plane, the headrests actually worked http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif! I pulled out my laptop and plugged it into the EmPower charger. I began to do a little work, but realizing that that was the last thing I wanted to do, I began typing this very trip report that you are currently reading.

Our 2-hour flight took us over Upstate New York, passing near Syracuse and Rochester, and over Michigan, passing near Lansing, and descending over Lake Michigan to O’Hare Airport in Chicago.

We arrived on time to Gate H11. I had a comfortable two hours until my Tokyo flight. I went to the Flagship Lounge as an int’l First Class passenger. The lounge isn’t all it is hyped up to be, but it is comfortable.

I’m relaxing here now waiting for my Tokyo flight.

I arrived at the boarding gate, K16, about as far from the lounges as possible, a few moments before boarding commenced. The agents called “First Class, Business Class, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum, Gold, AAirpass, oneworld emerald, oneworld sapphire, and customers requiring extra time aboard” all at once, so there was a massive crowd of about fifty people jamming into the jetway.

But I played it cool http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif and waited for the rush to clear, and just before the agent called general boarding, I walked down the jetway with almost no waiting at all http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

There was an army of four flight attendants at the boarding door of the Triple Seven, and one was standing in front of the left aisle keeping the riff-raff from making the ceremonial left term http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif. I presented my boarding pass to one of the flight attendants, she warmly greeted me, and led me down the aisle (after making the ceremonial left turn, of course http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif) to my seat, 3G.

The cabin was completely full, and I later discovered that C and Y were as well.

I had an icy Diet Coke and settled in (no alcohol for me on this flight). My seatmate and I began chatting, and we realized that we had much in common, too much possibly. He was also an EP with AA, from Chicago. He flies AA ORD-NRT biweekly. When asked why he didn’t fly the hometown airline, he responded that “they are just too difficult” http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif. I discovered that he too was also staying at the Westin (“The best hotel in Tokyo!”) and he offered to split a cab with me (How’s that for a coincidence?). I told him that I’d think about it, but probably not.

We pushed back early and airborne at 1:10 on the dot. Captain said that flying time to Tokyo would be 11:55. Weather in Tokyo was a comfortable 57 degrees F http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif.

I reviewed the menu and entertainment guide that was on my seat at boarding. The entertainment magazine was very confusing, it took my a good 10 minutes to decipher it. They have one magazine for all classes and aircraft types, instead of one for each as with United.

Meal service started about an hour out. Nuts with Diet Coke, appetizer cart, fancy salad prepared “tableside”, excellent Steak Teriyaki, fruit and cheese cart, ice cream cart, and Godiva chocolates http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif.

I decided to sample some of the entertainment, and I found it very disappointing. We had 10 channels of entertainment, only three movies, and each movie repeated after it was finished, rather than a cycle of different movies. There was an airshow though, which I love http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. I was offered a video, but I turned it down. The Bose Headsets were fantastic, though.

I could stretch out comfortably thanks to the 90 inch pitch (I believe US will have 93 inches on it’s A330s, though there is a point where you just don’t need anymore). I played around with the controls and reclined it all the way. It’s flat, but by no means a bed. I found it rather uncomfortable at full recline, and my feet dangled off the edge. I found that recline at about 85% is much more comfortable.

I read, dozed for increments of 15 minutes, watched the airshow, and flipped through the channels of the tv for a few hours. Feeling moderately refreshed, I walked to the galley and chatted with the FAs. They said that they loved the new 777, and pax seem to as well. They said that the galleys are larger and have better storage areas, making it much easier to work in.

I pounded the keyboard, thanks to the EmPower port, for a while.

Dinner was served prior to arrival. The only standout of this was the salad, which was unbelievably fancy and had so many designer greens that it was almost inedible.

Descended and arrived into NRT about 30 minutes ahead of schedule. I was so tired (it was about 1am body time) and didn’t feel like dealing with the trains, so I took my seatmate up on the taxi offer. “I told you so.”

Overall an excellent AA Transpacific F flight. These flights can be hit or miss, and this flight was truly excellent. The seats are very comfortable, though they are not sleeper seats, and they aren’t comfortable at all fully flat, at least in my opinion.


Deplaning was quick through the real jetway (no buses). Customs and Immigration was a relatively easy, and as neither I nor my seatmate had checked baggage, was glided through baggage claim and caught a taxi for the 1:15 ride to the Westin.

At check-in I was immediately upgraded to an Executive Floor room (SPG Platinum, thanks!) and took a long nap.

More later.

You flew first class to Japan and all I can think is "A taxi from Narita -- now that's extravagant!".

The Return
I'm pretty tired so this will be a shorter trip report...

Tokyo was amazing. This city never fails to amaze me. Thanks to a packed schedule of meetings, I never had time to go and see the city http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif. Ironically, the best part of the trip was nothing in Tokyo, but a great chat on FlyerTalk Live with Randy Petersen and many others this morning (last night in the States). It was great comparing thoughts on FFPs and airline service you, Randy! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

After my lunchtime meeting today, I headed out to Narita. My host drove me to Tokyo station (driving in Tokyo can be scary!) and I took the Narita Express for the one-hour journey to the airport.

Check-in with AA was easy. No wait at the First Class line. I was quickly issued my boarding passes for my two flights and was told that no pass was necessary for the Admiral’s Club.

After a short wait at passport control, I was free in the departure hall and headed to the Admiral’s Club. The place was packed thanks to my ORD flight and DFW, SJC, and SEA flights all departing around the same time. AA should either add a separate First Class lounge or block off a part of the Admiral’s Club for First pax only.

I managed to find a nice loveseat, and worked on my laptop while sipping an icy Diet Coke.

I went to the gate about 15 minutes before departure, as I was finishing up a document in the Club. There were a few passengers still standing around the gate area, and I was let right on.

We pushed back on time and were shortly airborne.

Dinner service soon after out 5:00p departure. Similar to lunch but with a nice caviar course! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I didn’t feel like sleep, so I read and watched movies on the PTV (both cycle and tapes from FA). Bose headsets were great. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I also forced myself not to do any work! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Again an excellent transpacific AA flight. The flight attendants worked hard and it reflected in the service.

25 minute arrival into O’Hare. Deplaning was quick at the int’l terminal. No INSPass yet at ORD (or, if there is, I didn’t see it) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif. I waited in line for about 15 minutes, for an inspector to scan my passport, say “American? Gettouta here,” then walked past baggage claim, hand my form to a customs inspector, and I’m back home (well, almost) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

By this time, it is only 2:20. My scheduled connection is at 4:30p. I pull out my OAG and find a 3:30p AA flight to Boston. I go to the AA terminal and Gate H5. I get to the gate, hand the agent my FC boarding pass and EP card, and ask to get on. She gives me a boarding pass for a coach aisle, and puts me “on top of waiting list” for First Class.

I walk to the nearby Admiral’s Club and again check-in with the agent. “Wow! Tokyo in three days! You must be really tired, let me see if I can help you out.” She magically prints me out a First Class boarding pass! Ah, the joys of the Admiral’s Club!

I return to the gate and board. Flight is filled in all cabins. Smooth and comfortable flight back to Boston.

My g’f is waiting for me as I walk off. What a way to come home! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I need some sleep now. Off to Zurich next Tuesday :embarrassed:

Thanks for reading,
BB

I didn’t feel like sleep, so I read and watched movies on the PTV (both cycle and tapes from FA). Bose headsets were great. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I also forced myself not to do any work! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Again an excellent transpacific AA flight. The flight attendants worked hard and it reflected in the service.

25 minute arrival into O’Hare. Deplaning was quick at the int’l terminal. No INSPass yet at ORD (or, if there is, I didn’t see it) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif. I waited in line for about 15 minutes, for an inspector to scan my passport, say “American? Gettouta here,” then walked past baggage claim, hand my form to a customs inspector, and I’m back home (well, almost) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

By this time, it is only 2:20. My scheduled connection is at 4:30p. I pull out my OAG and find a 3:30p AA flight to Boston. I go to the AA terminal and Gate H5. I get to the gate, hand the agent my FC boarding pass and EP card, and ask to get on. She gives me a boarding pass for a coach aisle, and puts me “on top of waiting list” for First Class.

I walk to the nearby Admiral’s Club and again check-in with the agent. “Wow! Tokyo in three days! You must be really tired, let me see if I can help you out.” She magically prints me out a First Class boarding pass! Ah, the joys of the Admiral’s Club!

I return to the gate and board. Flight is filled in all cabins. Smooth and comfortable flight back to Boston.

My g’f is waiting for me as I walk off. What a way to come home! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I need some sleep now. Off to Zurich next Tuesday :embarrassed:

Thanks for reading,
BB