Japan Airlines B777-300 First Class NRT-ORD
The rainy night in Tokyo turned into a sunny morning. After a quick breakfast at the Hilton Narita, it was off to the airport for one of the best first class experiences you can have, Japan Airlines.
This is the 4th floor JAL Salon lounge that opened in April of 2019. The 3rd floor renovation had not been completed when I visited.
The lounge is U shaped, inverted. It consists mostly of dining tables. When you enter to the left you are at the sushi station.
Then make a right turn to more dining tables.
Then another right to, more dining tables.
Further to the back of the lounge are these phone booths???
Then a typical lounge type room in the back that has windows, the only part of the lounge with window views.
In the hallway are some private cubicles for seating.
And in the back are lockers.
It didn’t take me long to realize having breakfast at the Hilton was not one of my better decisions on the day. But that decision was influenced from the last time I was at the JAL F lounge where I wasn’t impressed with the food. I hadn’t realized the new lounge was open. Food is mostly made to order. Here is the sushi menu which appears to change monthly.
And the table menu.
In the back were elevators to take to down to the 3rd floor. I did not see any private resting rooms in this lounge. I’d only allocated time to visit the lounge for a quick few photos and a cup of coffee.
Then it was off to the gate for a late morning departure to Chicago.
First and Business class customers (along with JAL/Oneworld elites) were allowed to board simultaneously.
Today’s ship a 12 year old 777 #JA737J.
The crew has assembled paper airplanes for each first class passenger. Mine was blue.
Over in 2K would be some sort of dignitary. He boarded last with an entourage of people / bodyguards. The FA’s made a fuss over him as well. Today the F cabin would be full.
2C was a yellow plane.
A quick peak back into the mini business class cabin.
5E might be the most private seat on the plane. On the other hand it might be the most claustrophobic seat on the plane.
Amenities were stacked at the seat and pajamas were passed out.
Lavatories were stocked with essentials.
Time to depart. We were behind a JAL 787 and before Finnair A350.
With a passing glimpse of an ANA A380.
Today’s menu beginning with the wine list.
Then food, which shall it be? Japanese or International. Socalnow has raved about the Wagyu beef out of Tokyo. That had been my plan. Time for a new plan.
A beautiful dish.
I was thrown off by the new egg yolk cream presentation. This is much preferred to the traditional caviar garnish in my opinion.
How predictable.
The beef cheeks were fabulous. Yes that is them under the mushrooms. This was gourmet dining, portion wise too.
I tried the red bean dessert. While Japanese food culture isn’t known for desserts, this was fabulous.
Time for bed as I was tired, no make that exhausted.
So here was my chance for Wagyu beef, even if it was only a bite size piece. The Brochettes and Soba noodles were perfect before arrival. I enjoyed this with a glass of Royal Blue Tea (not shown).
Carrier: Japan Airlines
Date: October, 2019
Route: Tokyo Narita - Chicago ORD
Flight #: 10
Aircraft: Boeing 777-3 (JA-737J)
Configuration: F8/ C49 / W40 / Y147
Seat(s): 2A
On Time: Yes
Reward Flying Rating: 8.2 out of 10 ✈
Cabin: ✔︎ I’ve always like the JAL first class seats. Are the the most private, no. Are they the most comfortable, maybe. Do they turn into the most comfortable bed, the Airweave mattress sure does help.
Cabin/Seats Rating: 9 out of 10 ✈
Food/Amenities: ✔︎ Every bite of food from both meals on this flight was delicious. And the amuse bouche was beautiful to look at. The only issue was portion. The main entrée was small. Salon and Chateau LaGrange made up for those shortcomings.
Amenity/Food rating: 8.5 out of 10 ✈
IFE: ✔︎ JAL doesn’t have the best monitor (anymore) in the sky. Emirates and the new ANA monitor are significantly better in every regard. But I’ll stick with a good rating as there are plenty that don’t compete. While I had a wifi certificate I ended up not connecting.
IFE Rating: 8 out of 10 ✈
Flight Attendants: ✔︎ Sakai was my lovely flight attendant. Service was impeccable and she was super friendly and well spoken in english. After the Emirates FA disappearance it was almost annoying that Sakai constantly walked the cabin back and forth for hours to make sure anyone (it was full) who wanted something would get it immediately. One of the best FA’s I’ve ever had.
Flight Attendant rating: 9 out of 10 ✈
Aircraft: ✔︎ This B777 was 12 years old. Well maintained it certainly didn’t show its age.
Aircraft rating: 6 out of 10 ✈
