Friday and we are off to Sapporo.An early breakfast and off on the 0910 bus to Haneda.The bus drops us at the South entrance of the JAL terminal and of course we have to check in at the North end.However we can check in at the JAL Gold club desks though we have to point out to the fellow policing the entrance the small OWE and OWS logos on their sign to get in.Our large bag is right on the 23 kg limit and the agent checks it on a second set of scales but it weighs the same-we think she looks a little disappointed.
Quickly through security and off to the JAL lounge.You scan your BP and it tells you whether to go right or left.Fortunately I can go right with mrsdrron.A large lounge and not busy-
good views of the action-
And we see a 787-
However virtually no food.They do have the beer dispensers and a selection of sakes including a special 10 year old one.but no wines.The board has all the usual info but also whether there are spare seats.When we arrive our flight is showing as having spare seats.As I could not get a J award on this flight I go to the desk.The agent was happy to sell me an upgrade for 1000Y even though mine was an award ticket.Sadly though no J seats left.
We leave early for the gate.Boarding starts at the advertised time as expected.Kids and a couple of wheelchairs first then priority boarding called.Mrsdrron goes up and is waved away.Has to point out the very small OWE print on her BP and we are let through.Again just swipe your BP over the sensor and through you go with the GAs bowing.
Unfortunately at the door mrsdrron turns left and I to the right.She is in 9D and I in 21D.We are on a domestic 772.2-4-2 in J and 3-4-3 in Y.Y starts at row 15.
JL517. HND-CTS. ETD-1330. Push back-1336. Take off-1350.
ETA-1575. Landed-1512.At gate-1520.
So my area of Y-
By the time we left the lounge our flight was showing as full and certainly I didn't see an empty seat.As the plane fills I note everyone around me getting out their food.Not a good sign and likely I will go hungry.Amongst the last to board are 17 very large Sumos.They headed right down the back.Me thinks it may have been a tad squeezy.
Just as I feared service is just a soft drink.Not even any food to buy.Absolutely no difference in J.I like the way before push back and after the safety demo all the FAs bow to the passengers.Dont think I will ever see that on QF!All the kids on board get a model JAL plane-I felt like asking for one,after all I am just a big kid.The other unusual thing on this flight was it went out with empty overheads even though most did not have checked baggage.
After the seat belt light went out the Japanese forgot their usual politeness and mayhem broke loose.You really had to fight your way out.At the baggage carousel we noticed the Sumos again.One had been in J with the managers-he was being mobbed and everyone wanted their photo tsaken with him.So googled Sumos and found out his name was Baruto.
Our bags were number 1 and 2.so quickly to the lift and down to the train station.able to get seats at the front of the carriage with extra space for our bags.Just as well as it was standing room only by the time the train left.As usual it left right on time and pulled into Shin sapporo at the advertised time.I had instructions on how to get to the Sheraton which included going to gate 8.Unfortunately no signs for gate 8 but I was able to ask a fiendly policeman who escorted us to the exit for the Sheraton.
For the Sheraton sapporo here is my review-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ences-and-reviews/sheraton-sapporo-41912.html
and our time in sapporo will be covered here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....otos/another-long-mini-trip-report-42670.html
the next post here will be our flights back to Sydney.