FlyerTalk Forums - Vanilla Magic to Hong Kong

With a devalued yen and proliferation of LCCs in the region, I found the cheapest summer flight from Tokyo back to Hong Kong on this airline. Vanilla is a Japanese LCC that charges for otherwise basic facilities. I paid 17,000 yen for the base fare, then a 500 yen processing fee and a standard checked bag for 4000 yen. This one-way wasn't particularly cheap, but still reasonable for summer holiday season.

Vanilla uses the basic but new Terminal 3 at Narita. From the train station, the walk is well sign-posted although a bit far. I liked how they paved the route in bright colours so it is nearly impossible to lose your bearings.

http://www.globalphotos.org/tokyo/20150705/IMG_5512.jpg

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There wasn't a huge line at the international check-in area, although I arrived quite tight to departure.

http://www.globalphotos.org/tokyo/20150705/IMG_5513.jpg

Other budget airlines occupied the warehouse-like terminal.

http://www.globalphotos.org/tokyo/20150705/IMG_5514.jpg

There aren't that many flights departing from this terminal. Look at the huge dead time from 12-6pm.

http://www.globalphotos.org/tokyo/20150705/IMG_5518.jpg

Yet there was still duty-free shopping available.

http://www.globalphotos.org/tokyo/20150705/IMG_5520.jpg

Boarding and departure was uneventful, and we roared into the rainy skies as usual. The seat was comfortable enough although I'm not a fan of narrowbodies and their 3-3 configurations.

http://www.globalphotos.org/tokyo/20150705/IMG_5523.jpg

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I turned my attention to the shopping menu. LCCs don't give free meals, but I was surprised this Japanese carrier sold cheaper food than Hong Kong Express!

http://www.globalphotos.org/tokyo/20150705/IMG_5538.jpg

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The flight was uneventful. The cabin was clean, staff were friendly, and I took a good rest until we started our descent. The weather in Hong Kong was beautiful and summer winds meant crispy clear skies. I was on the right side of the plane so I wouldn't be able to see the skyline on landing, but the views were nevertheless great.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...5/IMG_5560.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/tokyo/20150705/IMG_5551.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...5/IMG_5567.jpg

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http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...5/IMG_5578.jpg

Beyond the villages in the New Territories' Yuen Long, Shenzhen rises in the background.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...5/IMG_5589.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...5/IMG_5594.jpg

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http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...5/IMG_5602.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...5/IMG_5609.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...5/IMG_5613.jpg

Vanilla is gaining more familiarity in the Hong Kong market. Among the LCCs, the Tokyo route has been dominated by Hong Kong Express, but Vanilla offers a good product with cheaper in-flight catering. They are definitely worth a try if at the right price. The only down-side is how far Narita is compared to Haneda.

More photos on my website : http://www.globalphotos.org/vanilla.htm