|
Making my Monday morning 10am class in style - JAL First Class NRT-ORD
Hello again - some of you will know that I am based in ORD as a college student. I can't deny the fact that all these HKG-ORD trips over the years have built up intense loyalty to CX, hence my regularity on the CX forum ;)
But this time, I just had to be home over the weekend quickly for my dad's birthday, and there was no way the HKG-ORD flight would have let me make my Monday morning classes. That's why my travel agent (i.e. myself) came up with the 'innovative' solution of hopping over to NRT overnight and catching the earliest TPAC flight home, which happens to be one of the most premium configured jets on one of the most well acclaimed airlines out there... I think I'm writing this in rebuttal to SFO777's recently reported mediocrity about JL F. Just gotta justify it in return :D The CX flight was, as you can expect :p ...oops, no, it was meh, as it was operated by one of those regional jets. That said, if we compare with its 'outstanding' peers here in the US and Europe on their regional services... https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4414/...ab7f8677dd.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4408/...dc43d427dc.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4335/...b68382f425.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4398/...70ed25a6a8.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4409/...3e69b17f52.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4423/...afe4823c36.jpg Three hours later, we were pulling into this ageing beauty of an airport otherwise known as NRT upon daybreak :) https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4391/...4db3f447c7.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4425/...d7bba22e50.jpg The original plan was to catch the remnants of the cherry blossoms in Narita-shi but the temperature and waiting time for the next train upon arrival disagreed, so instead, I ventured off and located the sightseeing terraces. The views were...meh. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4434/...b8af9fac0e.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4429/...8bd8007f84.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4420/...c87b65f73e.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4435/...340201cb91.jpg Can't deny one of the reasons to first head out was to... https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4382/...1e50ef4b13.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4377/...d5fe89db2b.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4361/...dd1002cfc4.jpg A line was forming, and I was silly to think there was a separate F channel in there... https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/...3eea51f20e.jpg Although it was a busy Monday morning, the clientele meant a hassle free and efficient process through security, and off I went to the promised land. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/...0f5ce1ea3f.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4441/...402188691d.jpg The receptionist, a charming lady, asked if it was my first time. Well yes, as O/Ding to Tokyo from HKG takes me to HND more. So I took her offer of a walkaround of the lounge as she introduced the facilities in a perfectly confident tone. Little that I know that she would be my personal assistant a la LH for the next 3 hours... https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4417/...030c85c095.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4434/...8ac9a80e33.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4422/...0de2efeddb.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4353/...37c720e678.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4438/...a4ccd16565.jpg I found the decor to be...Japanese, as in very corporate and somewhat clinical. As many of you will know, this is a perfectly competent lounge, but just lacks any type of 'bling' or uniqueness, save for the sushi bar. So off I went...and went...and started losing control... https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4347/...5a8415a51f.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4337/...886e0364c2.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4371/...b3930a4b1c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4413/...e6c811417c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4354/...52d2e0474e.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4397/...ef0a1c669f.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4407/...073be6cf83.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4383/...8439ab6cd5.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4374/...ff1744600d.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4367/...51a0ccbe3d.jpg Although it is no pretentious a la carte style but the F&B offerings were of high quality, and of course the toro was oozing with fat and sweetness, it was definitely not a bad way to start a supposedly long day ahead. As I said, my 'personal assistant' was secretly watching aside, but once I went for the bar, off she sprinted and offered assistance with pouring and delivering the drinks to my table. Perhaps this is when you want to be lost in translation so it becomes hard to decline such offerings :) The lounge soon filled up (completely) given JL's elite heaviness(?), and I was soon 'recommended' to make my way up to the annex lounge, after reserving a time for the since-enhanced body massage and a shower before my flight. The annex lounge was a virtual clone except it didn't have the sushi bar. Okay, sushi is part of the national diet so... https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4430/...f338daf6f1.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4433/...9b29d3543e.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4428/...d0ebbba655.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/...501792a2cc.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4385/...095dd45950.jpg The thing I liked about both lounges were the abundant options for power outlets and speedy wifi. I hanged around a bit and headed back downstairs where my PA cheerfully led me to the masseuse followed by a pre flight shower. The massage was strong and soothing enough, but the shower suites were a bit on the compact side, although I couldn't find anything to fault with regard to water temp and pressure. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4379/...6cae802235.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4376/...fa33497033.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4428/...afb9c36234.jpg My PA asked if I wanted to be escorted to the gate, but I had promised my friends to sweep up some duty free so I politely declined. Little did I know how humongous the line would be, although the tight boarding time practiced by JL meant I did not need to do my HKG-Pier-to-gate-3 sprints yet. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4369/...ebc19f0365.jpg Today's battleship JA734J was delivered in 2005, so it is older than all CX 77Ws. It was painted with a smart JAL SKY ECO decal ;) https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4399/...7696b4a888.jpg Today's flight was filled to the brim in the 3 cabins behind, but again given the clientele, boarding was peaceful and efficient. One thing I really love about Japanese airlines. As the other 3 pax in F had already boarded, the lovely lady holding up the F boarding sign retracted once I reported to her and escorted me towards the jetbridge. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4387/...c0c25f6fb5.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/...4500f2375c.jpg |
Flight details
Date: Apr 10th 2017 Flight: JL 10 / AA 8405 / MH 9110 Equipment: B777-346ER JA734J Routing: RJAA Tokyo Narita - KORD Chicago O'Hare Int'l Seat: 1K STD: 1110 ATD: 1116 STA: 0855 ATD: 0850 Flight time: 10h 52m Loading: 4/49/40/147 (98%) The head FA Miyazaki-san was ready at the door for me, and quickly instructed one of her peers to escort me to my coveted throne of One Kilo. As many of you will know, it is a 1-2-1 configuration here at JAL :D https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4332/...f757c8f200.jpg The leading FA in First Class Masako-san introduced herself with just a slight hint of hesitation, until I offered to place my carry on by myself. She must have felt some relief, this gaijin is not one of those that angrily shout into their phones and at them. Anyway, I asked for some OJ to begin, which was served with a sinfully fragrant oshibori. Miyazaki-san then came by again, to my surprise, she sounded just like an American. Score for me, as I was previously worried about language barriers. The two FAs in First today, while not possessing that quality, did not present any communication issues either. There was a free wifi voucher as you can see, but the wifi was spotty at best. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4376/...b8a8a0bcb5.jpg The strikingly well designed Porsche amenity kit was pre-set aside too, along with the Bose headphones in a case: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4384/...62a0f3218a.jpg The 23" monitor was satisfactory in terms of resolution (but not really content-wise). The carpeting was plush and elegant, in a deep burgundy. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4403/...55da37d551.jpg PJs also designed by Porsche along with a slip...and slippers https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4434/...d56f69ebe9.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4421/...962b569d37.jpg The remote is hidden in one of the storage cubbies, which also comes with a small make-up mirror for those who need it. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4398/...e4cf33c1ae.jpg Here's how wide the seat looks, along with a comfy but not squishy enough temperamental pillow. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4437/...31be98b4ab.jpg The standard 1-2-1 open plan was okay-la but lacked the spaciousness and airiness of the world-leading product with regard to that, the you-know-which airline that does 1-1-1 instead. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4381/...bef5b1425b.jpg There was no I'm-moving-to-America style of war like boarding at all, in fact I may have only seen one or few pax quickly dashing by, and sooner than I realized, boarding was complete and off we pushed almost to the dot, in typical Japanese fashion. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/...b3f3dd2016.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/...85fc3d423d.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4353/...406eae9473.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4394/...b3ae488019.jpg The seat controls were intuitive and responsive. Nothing to fault here. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4418/...5c2e7b3e24.jpg Once we rolled off into the air after a long taxi, it was show time, JAL style (ie top of the world style) The promised land, the promised cabin, the promised concoction. So smooth and light it was, I feel like my hyperbole would just fail to reflect how it tasted. Or in short, O M G. The canapes were meh, but at least it worked well with the Salon. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4363/...0d1208c9d5.jpg Masako-san then came with the menu, which features a set Japanese or Western (main) meal, followed by dozens of a la carte options. She agreed to my request for the Japanese meal along with caviar to start. *Drumroll* https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4385/...edf480eb17.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4360/...b59c175bac.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4353/...8fccd9243c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4340/...08bd5e94c4.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4398/...693a10383b.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4335/...bccb83c124.jpg Caviar presentation on JL is not as fancy as CX or LH but the portions were similar, and the innovative pumpkin-puree like condiment was creamy and sweet, pairing perfectly with the caviar itself and of course more and more SALON. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4407/...a038d9bb18.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4339/...1cace94ced.jpg Not sure if it was my photo taking, or my accelerated consumption, Masako-san just gives up and grants me the whole bottle. Or the FIRST whole bottle per se! https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4431/...0c28da35b3.jpg The Japanese meal is carefully crafted by Michelin 3-star establishment Ryugin in Tokyo. Again, excuse my hyperbole, but there's not much way to properly describe both the aesthetics and delectability of this meal service presentation. You just don't quite believe that this is an airplane meal. I would have gladly paid up to $200 for this meal on the ground. The meal kicked off after caviar with 'Seasonal five colorful delicacies'. Truly colorful and delicate they were. The simmered octopus was particularly fresh, and while somewhat overwhelming each dish was distinctively flavorful. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4344/...6606d33a4e.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4422/...b2b187caf0.jpg The abalone consomme to follow was sublime. Well textured without being too overbearing. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4427/...8e4aa17541.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4390/...8f85fb5453.jpg The seafood presentation is just crazy. On the left was the sashimi for which the temperature and freshness control was great, and the mixture of caviar, sea urchin and steamed egg custard, while overbearing, still provided a unique and memorable taste of each item as it melted in the mouth. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4434/...a4b17ede86.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4436/...d708b64614.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4344/...48b7b02796.jpg And we're still not at the main yet. The presentation was somewhat more understated in comparison, but definitely not the taste. While you can't see it, the beef cheeks were piping hot but not overcooked, literally dissolving before chewing. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4419/...6ca33feb8e.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4415/...2e4506898f.jpg The dessert trio just sent the meal to a climatic finale. No easy task to assemble and present it, given that each item was of a different serving temperature. Still, this was nothing too hard for the second FA that took over, Yokochi-san. I was too indulged in SALON and did not bother with the reds, but now it was time to jump on the Royal Blue Tea, another classic JL F offering as per their suggestion. It was thick and dense and...'royal'. :p https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4412/...ff4ff59c6c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4402/...52fd74edeb.jpg The voluminous food meant a food coma was arising, so the plan to sleep later to adjust to jet lag was now destroyed. Masako-san set up the bed in the empty middle seat next to mine, as Yokochi-san was waiting for me outside the lav holding hangers to a perfect angle as she awaited to hang my clothes after I changed. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4437/...7a945814fe.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/...f622e531a9.jpg The kit was well stocked to start with, but yes, JL F has two kits, because one is just too conventional... :D https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4421/...63bd5a2e16.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4428/...b4f849d263.jpg In hopes of sleeping all the way through, I dunked some chocolates courtesy of Jean-Paul Hevin, with a tasting of Hibiki 17- IT WAS SO GOOD https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4396/...4989aacc08.jpg The heat of the cabin didn't bother me much, but I still ended up waking up with around three and a half hours to go. Oh well, time to walk around... F class set up near Door 1 https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4387/...2d4062aa7d.jpg J class set up. This is so Japanese and so stylish! https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4442/...287aefd643.jpg Lavatory stocking was more on the low-key side. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4406/...f17e112b89.jpg As I said, the ife options were meh, which was a pity given the excellent hardware. That being said, this remote-ordering feature was cool enough, although the FA on duty still came by to confirm my orders once more after I did so https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4406/...4d8f065550.jpg It was only around 6 am in Chicago, so with a long day ahead, it was time to get fully energized. :D Before moving on to the a la carte menu, there were leftovers for the caviar, so I gladly participated in having seconds, along with a SALON mimosa. Perfect perfect perfect match! https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4354/...1fa6ed5e33.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4331/...706d240814.jpg Next up was the sea bream carpaccio which had good texture and was flavorful. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4413/...0ac1daab20.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/...fd745f50e9.jpg Assorted brochettes of sirloin, pork belly, shrimp and scallop. My mouth is watering thinking of this. They were all soft and served just like it came off the grill. How do you do that!!! https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4394/...b4040fac32.jpg This 'friendship rice bowl' of basil and tomato infused minced beef with rice was striking with a runny poached egg, I just have no idea what's in the galley behind all this magic. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4410/...db87608d59.jpg The portions were adequate and not overbearing, and I ended this mini tasting with a cup of sen-cha. Well, Masako-san then popped by to ask if I wanted 'fruit', little that I know what 'fruit' means on JAL is somewhat different... https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4348/...f8fc4f6d58.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4376/...9ca849cb2d.jpg Even on 'upscale' airlines like CX, fruit is fruit, at most sliced and plated. But this 'fruit plate' was just over the top, way way way over. As I digged in, we were around an hour out of ORD, when Yokochi-san asked if I wanted to change, as she once again awaited with a new set of PJs outside the lav throughout. She must have caught how I was perusing the schedules and brochures placed in front of the cabin during the flight, and managed to come back with some extra JAL goodies. I love it!! https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4399/...7e0bc0e459.jpg I've heard about how elegantly coffee is presented, so didn't want to miss out on that before descent. Sadly I wasn't offered one to take home :/ Well, Miyazaki-san came by again wishing me a great day in Chicago. She was very passionate about JAL, even doing a little dance as I told her how much I enjoyed my first long haul flight on JAL up front and would be sure to be back. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4385/...55dd13c805.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4441/...89dd0db00f.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4441/...f7f1486223.jpg With a bit of bump we cleared into the skies above Gotham and soon vacated out of the busy runway on a Monday morning straight into our gate at ORD T5. I unwillingly stepped out, was through GE in less than 10 minutes on my Uber back to campus. UGH (Couldn't even bid the crew farewell at bag claim :( ) All in all, this unintended ride home with JL greatly exceeded my expectations. Although as an HKGer I still prefer the down to earth and Cantonese speaking ladies (and gentlemen) at CX, the F&B offering on JL is just a whole other world apart (although I can understand there may be some difference between ex-Japan and ex-US...). The bed was wide and comfy enough, but yeah CX's may have been better. The service was absolutely flawless with polite and self-respecting FAs that you just cannot find on many airlines nowadays. The personal assistant at the NRT lounge was definitely something I didn't expect and nowhere could I find that it is the regular norm. If a bit more effort is put in in the IFE and at NRT, JAL First is certainly up there with the other giants when it comes to aspirational F experiences. |
Great TR... glad to see you compare it vs the regular CX
|
Thanks for the TR - that was an incredible amount of food you put away :p
|
wish I knew more ppl like you when I was in college!
were you able to focus in class or were you dozing off? :p |
Originally Posted by G-CIVC
(Post 28963869)
Although as an HKGer I still prefer the down to earth and Cantonese speaking ladies (and gentlemen) at CX, the F&B offering on JL is just a whole other world apart (although I can understand there may be some difference between ex-Japan and ex-US...). I actually found the Japanese meal far better ex-JFK than ex-NRT. Same as you, I likened it to a top-class Japanese restaurant. |
Awesome Trip Report as always! I admire your willingness to jump on any travel opportunity no matter how long the flight and short duration.
If if I wanted to experience JAL F from HKG to LAX, would I be able to book a J fare and upgrade using Asia Miles? Also I tried booking from the JAL website with the flight originating from HKG but it doesn't seem to allow that. Would I have to make 2 separate bookings? Thanks for any info and keep up the Trip Reports! |
Wow, JAL F looks amazing ... from the cabin, seat, food to presentation - it all looks outstanding!
Thank you for sharing. |
Nice report, the JAL F food presentations look lovely... ^
|
Awesome report! Thank you.
|
Great TR! Lovely pictures. Hope you can enjoy it again soon :-)
|
Not flying JAL F YET, the consensus is flights out of NRT, the food is better. The presentation is in typical Japanese fashion perfect.
|
Some tasty looking food, both on the ground and in the air.
|
Originally Posted by FlightNurse
(Post 28971061)
Not flying JAL F YET, the consensus is flights out of NRT, the food is better. The presentation is in typical Japanese fashion perfect.
|
Wow! Great trip report! Now I find myself wanting to try out this airline...
|
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 6:09 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.