You Trip Report

	DATE	FLIGHT NUMBER	SEAT	AIRCRAFT
27 Nov 16	JL 25	3A	787-8
CLASS	VIEWS	LANGUAGE	AUTHOR
Business Class	90772	English ,Spanish	jetsetpanda

Prologue:

Hello and welcome to this report of my first flight on a JL 787-8.

When I took this trip in 2016 I have originally used award miles for a HND-SFO tkt on JL, but upon finding a USD 378.66 (EUR 357.11) one way from PEK on UA flying a 747-400, I decided to cancel the award and just purchase the ticket to get more miles in my TK acct. I needed to meet the 15,000 miles within the first year of being matched into their program in order to get a second year extension and this fare was just handy.

As a Oneworld Emerald I was able to check in at the F counter. I did not have any problem finding it and walked towards the agent that was standing at the entrance of the line. Upon seeing me she bowed and escorted me to the front of the counter. She then went around and proceeded to check me in. The personal touch by the staff provided a great impression and really made you feel like a valuable F pax.

Upon entering I was welcomed by the attentive staff and invited to turn to my right and enter the F lounge. The Sakura lounge for J pax was on the same level to the left.

Interior.

There is a business center with individual seats offering privacy before entering into the main lounge.

The "RED Suite" is a separate room inside the lounge and considered an attraction by itself. It is quite an unique place that combines elements of a library museum playroom and gentleman's club. Its sober and elegant ambiance allows adult pax to relax and escape from the airport environment. There was a shoe shine station but it was not staffed and a drink station with champagne sake and other alcoholic drinks.

Buffet. Supposedly there is a teppan station staffed with chefs at certain times but I did not encounter this feature when I visited. The buffet display had a variety of foods that one would find in a good J class lounge like salad bar soup hot dishes sandwiches small plates and desserts. The catering was satisfying but it didn't strike me as being associated with a F lounge especially since there was no sit down facility where you could order "a la carte".

Curry rice. Yum!

I wanted to take a shower before my flight and went directly to the shower reception desk. It appeared that these facilities were shared with the Sakura lounge and once I rang the bell a staff member appeared within seconds. I surrendered my boarding pass in exchange for a shower room key. The shower room was functional but did not have a toilet. It was just a sink and the shower.

I was welcomed into the lounge and made a left turn to the noodles bar after reception. The dining area was pretty spacious and featured tables with individual stools and benches.

The rest of the lounge is a very inviting space with a mixed of open and private seating. The views were fantastic.

Right after reception there is a small counter where you could order the displayed snacks from an attendant. It seems that with this new set up CX is trying to eliminate the "help yourself" buffet concept. In a way this could be more hygienic and might translate into less waste.

Snacks.

I proceeded to the gate and placed myself on the priority line. There were 4-5 agents getting ready for the flight and once the wheelchair passengers boarded they started general boarding. The agents were very strict in enforcing priority boarding.

Upon boarding there were 2-3 FA's welcoming passengers aboard. I quickly took my seat and my neighbor showed up minutes later. The cabin was configured with the old angle lie flat seats and a blanket along with headphones were placed on the seat.

Pre-dept. drinks were offered but I declined. Afterwards packaged amenities were offered from a basket.

The menu was in the seat pocket. A bit minimalist.

After take off the service started with hot towels and linens placed on the tray tables.

Después de despegar el servicio comenzó con toallas calientes y manteles colocadas en las bandejas.

Beverages were served with packaged snacks. I ordered Skytime which was kiwi flavored. For those who have tried real natto the dried version is milder and tastes slightly sour.

Appetizers and main dish served together.

I love the presentation of these appetizers.

Simmered prawn with minced chicken cake.

Marlin sashimi with steamed anglefish liver served with citrus soy jelly.

Braised pork belly.

The fish was delicious and not overcooked at all.

Rice.

FA's were attentive throughout the flight. I requested an extra blanket and the FA unwrapped it before handing it to me. Also when I requested a pen she made sure that it was clicked down and ready to use before giving it to me. That kind of attention to detail is what makes JAL such a preferred carrier. Then we started landing into PEK.

Around Shinjuku.

Dinner at the famous Tsunahachi restaurant in Shinjuku which specializes in tempura. Frying the food in freshly pressed sesame oil results in a more "aromatic" crunch. it's forbidden to take pictures inside so I quickly snapped this shot of my meal. My dinner set included anago eel shrimps and vegetables.

Gyoen Park.

========== Haneda Arpt (HND) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 10/10

Access and parking: 10/10

Services and activities: 10/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

========== Japan Airlines First Class Lounge ==========

Staff Service: 10/10

Entertainment: 9/10

Business Center: /10

Food: 9/10

Lounge Design: 9/10

Spa and Bathroom: 10/10

Wifi: 10/10

========== Cathay Pacific Lounge ==========

Staff Service: 10/10

Entertainment: 9/10

Business Center: /10

Food: 9/10

Lounge Design: 10/10

Spa and Bathroom: 10/10

Wifi: 10/10

========== Japan Airlines - Airline ==========

Cabine comfort: 8/10

Crew: 10/10

Entertainment: 8/10

On-time performance: 10/10

Appetizer: 10/10

Starter: 10/10

Main Meal: 10/10

Main Meal-2: 0/10

Cheese: 0/10

Desserts: 8/10

Alcohols: 0/10

Mid-flight snack: 0/10

Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 0/10

========== Beijing Capital Arpt (PEK) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 9/10

Access and parking: 9/10

Services and activities: 9/10

General cleanliness: 9/10

Summary:

I was glad that I arrived at the airport early and had the time to explore the CX and JL F lounges. Personally I love the ambiance of the CX lounge and the staff was on top of things. The JL F lounge was spacious and the Red Suite is a great addition that sets it apart. I gave me the feeling of being a kid in a candy store and the JAL memorabilia on display is not to be missed. Catering was solid, but for being a F lounge I was expecting more in that league like a personalized meal service in a sit down restaurant or dedicated rooms to rest.

My first ride on the 787 proved to be an enjoyable one. Comfort was fine for a flight of this length, but the angled lie flat seats are not my favorites and it is a challenge to get out if you have a window and your neighbor's seat is fully extended. The plane felt quiet and the service from the crew aboard was great. I love their attention to details and appreciate the professional and smiling demeanor. The meal was well presented and delicious. I really enjoyed my dinner with a fish that was moist and perfectly cooked. I think serving ice cream as dessert in a premium cabin is a bit of a shortcut and I personally I would prefer a less "industrial" dessert.

Overall JL is a great carrier and I was happy with my choice.

17 Comments

Thomas — Aug 11,2019

Wow, another great TR Adan :) Thanks
I love the CX lounge, the JL one is not bad either. Nice meal onboard.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Aug 11,2019

Hi Thomas,

i really love the CX lounge too. It is elegant in a classic way and was never crowded. it felt really private. The JL F lounge was nice but I expected more for a F lounge in a hub.

Thanks for commenting.
Emile — Aug 11,2019

That's a fucking great report. Worth reading it. JL is a fantastic airline. On the ground in Japan, lounges are not known for greatness unlike you !
See you around Adan.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Aug 11,2019

Salut Emile,

When I was young JAL was one of the few airlines (besides AR and AF) that really fascinated me. The staff at their sales offices were always top notch and just as great as the crew aboard. I grew up in the 80's before the era of internet. During that period JL used to have these stunning brochures about their product and services and I was an avid collector of them.

As you said Japanese lounges are not renowned for having a "wow" effect despite the excellent service reputation of their airlines (JL & NH). With the exception of the "Red Suite" the JL F lounge feels more like a J lounge than a truly F one.

Thanks for you f***ing great comment. ;)
AntoinePil — Aug 11,2019

Thanks for this great YTR!! I loved the lounge and the pics!
Reply

jetsetpanda — Aug 11,2019

Hi Antoine,

Glad you liked it and thanks for visiting.
Casper — Aug 11,2019

Gracias Amigo !
I'm a bit shy to publish after reading such a stunning review. I can see that you really had fun. Next YTR, UA in Y ?
Casper
Reply

jetsetpanda — Aug 11,2019

Hi Casper,

Con gusto. It's been some time since you have published a TR and we miss them. ;) I always have fun when I step in an airport and fly. It's in our DNA don't you agree?

Next TR is UA with the "Queen of the Skies". Sta tuned and thanks.

Vendredi13 — Aug 12,2019

Ouaf !
I agree with Jetset' : I miss you too:))
Vendredi13 — Aug 12,2019

Ouch !

Beautiful tripreport !
You had a fantastic journey.. Thanks to JAL:))
You "check in at the F counter"..Easy;) Just next to the G counter^^
Both lounges are beautiful, Memorablias are so incredible in the Red corner. Too incredible, perhaps. (I mean, like a movie set without atmosphere)
I don't really know JAL. Are they as good in economy class ? I remember their advertising in newspapers when I was young..For me it was so far !

Last picture is lovely. Not so many people^^

Thanks Adan, for this beautiful ytr review !

Reply

jetsetpanda — Aug 12,2019

Hi Francis,

I'm so glad you liked the TR and thanks for commenting.

The Red suite is really special and that is why I felt like a kid in a candy store. ;)

JAL is really good no matter which class you fly. A long time ago I flew them in Y from MEX-YVR (I think it was in the mid 90's) and the service was very good. That was the first time that I flew JL and it really impressed me. My only regret is that I did not have a good camera back then and did not occur to me to take pics of my onboard experiences.

The last pic of the park reminded me of Paris. If you did not know that was in Tokyo you could easily confused it with somewhere in Paris.

See you later on another adventure.
GG_007 — Aug 12,2019

Thanks for sharing this TR

The lounge is quite disappointing for a first class lounge

Anyway the red suite gives a touch of spice ;)
The red is often associated with sex and the name of the Bourgogne wine (Montre-Cul)
confirms lol

A shower shared and without toilets, Meh !!!

I like the noodles bar in the lounges, so foodie speaking CX lounge is better in my opinion

Old seat on board

Appetizers in a kind of a bento box look very yummy

"The fish was delicious and not overcooked at all."
Mackerel is so delicious in Japan.
When I'm there I'm eating mackerel for breakfast

Meal looks very good except the HD :(
At least the ice cream should taste matcha !

Your dinner in Shinjuku was great

I miss Japanese and Asian food !

See you soon

Reply

jetsetpanda — Aug 12,2019

Salut mon cher GG,

"The lounge is quite disappointing for a first class lounge"
- Especially in a hub but then again lounges are not the strong point of Japanese carriers.

"The red is often associated with sex and the name of the Bourgogne wine (Montre-Cul)"
- I don't know about these things but thank you for being so enlightening. ;)

"A shower shared and without toilets, Meh !!!"
- Reminds me of the old AZ lounges in FCO.

"I like the noodles bar in the lounges, so foodie speaking CX lounge is better in my opinion"
- Noodles are such comfort food. CX feels more like an exclusive club in that sense.

"When I'm there I'm eating mackerel for breakfast"
- You see bears fishing for salmon all the time in Alaska. :P

"At least the ice cream should taste matcha !"
- That's the same ice cream I got flying SQ Y from HKG-SIN.

"Your dinner in Shinjuku was great "
- I still dream about it.

"I miss Japanese and Asian food !"
- What about Asians? :P

Vendredi13 — Aug 12,2019

Ouch !

I missed the bottle of Montre-Cul !!
Capoune — Aug 12,2019

Wooowwww!
What a great report!!
2 very nice lounges and a very good flight.
Thank you for sharing with us!
Reply

jetsetpanda — Aug 12,2019

Hi Seb,

Lounge hopping is fun for us avgeeks.

Thanks.