JAL First Class SYD-NRT

[vantage03]

Hi there,
Just wondering if any AFFers have flown F on JAL SYD-NRT (or vv) whilst they've been flying the 777-300 on the route since late last year (finishing late next month).
I'm booked on it in a couple of weeks and am keen to know if it's a full F service out of Sydney (standard of catering etc).
Thanks!

 

[ketsuzei]

Just did it yesterday out of SYD. The service levels were equal to when I flew ORD-NRT in F.

I received the "moss green" corduroy amenity kit, and look forward to receiving the brown canvas version on the way back.

Mar 28, 2014 New Amenity Kits onboard JAL International First Class

I had the Japanese (kaiseki) meal plus the caviar, but will probably opt for the Western version from now on. A bit hard to get all the temperatures right in a plane.

There's an option to request food and drink via the touchscreen, but I found the crew to be so proactive and attentive that it wasn't necessary.

 

[vantage03]

Brilliant, thanks for all the info. Exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Pele]

Gday

I will be going over next month too. So excited as its my first trip to Japan.

Ketsuzei can you confirm they have the 777-300ER bar stocked with plenty of 2002 Salon Champagne?

Also what time did you check in at SYD? I was told check in didnt open until 0715 for the 0915 flight. Sounds like an unusually efficient check in team if that is the case.

Thanks.

Pele.

 

[ketsuzei]

I myself only had around half a bottle of the Salon, but others also appeared to be indulging. I might try to ask on the return leg if I remember. The Hyakunen no Kodoku barley Shochu is definitely worth a try, too, it costs a small fortune at many bars in Tokyo.

I'm almost certain that I checked in before 7:15, albeit perhaps not by much. I certainly didn't get the sense that check-in had only just opened.

 

[Pele]

Gday

Thanks for that. I have perused the drinks list and am looking forward to immersing myself in Japanese culture(sake/shochu) and champagne for 10 hours.

Pele.

 

[Daver6]

Gday

Ketsuzei can you confirm they have the 777-300ER bar stocked with plenty of 2002 Salon Champagne?

Nice! That's a seriously expensive wine right there.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi there,
Just wondering if any AFFers have flown F on JAL SYD-NRT (or vv) whilst they've been flying the 777-300 on the route since late last year (finishing late next month).
I'm booked on it in a couple of weeks and am keen to know if it's a full F service out of Sydney (standard of catering etc).
Thanks!

the full menu is available on line - on the JAL website - right hand side of the page, enter in route: https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/first/f_meal/

 

[Gold Member]

Hi there,
Just wondering if any AFFers have flown F on JAL SYD-NRT (or vv) whilst they've been flying the 777-300 on the route since late last year (finishing late next month).
I'm booked on it in a couple of weeks and am keen to know if it's a full F service out of Sydney (standard of catering etc).
Thanks!

What date you flying Vantage03? I'm flying F on this return route in two weeks as well!

 

[boomy]

Glad to read the positive reports, heard many good things about JL F over the years but never got to try it out for myself so I'm excited for my coming flights next month

 

[PeteFlyer]

I flew JL772 in both July and September last year (flight time at 8:15AM) and checkin was open both times shortly after 5AM.

 

[vantage03]

What date you flying Vantage03? I'm flying F on this return route in two weeks as well!

SYD-NRT Mar 4
NRT-SYD Mar 8

 

[ketsuzei]

In response to a couple of PMs, let me note that I've probably had close to a thousand kaiseki meals on the ground, so my standards may be tough, and I certainly recommend that option to first-timers.

Also, be prepared for some language barriers if you can't speak Japanese... yesterday I heard the guy next to me explaining he didn't need any food for the first five hours or so, but the point just didn't get across. Sometimes the CAs' listening comprehension might not be as good as their speaking... but a slow and polite approach should always get you there.

 

[Gold Member]

SYD-NRT Mar 4
NRT-SYD Mar 8

Miss you by a couple of days. Enjoy your trip! Oh, and be on the lookout for a 'Gold Member was ere 2015' etched into one of the fine wood grain panels in suite 1A

 

[Princess Fiona]

Also, be prepared for some language barriers if you can't speak Japanese... yesterday I heard the guy next to me explaining he didn't need any food for the first five hours or so, but the point just didn't get across. Sometimes the CAs' listening comprehension might not be as good as their speaking... but a slow and polite approach should always get you there.

I would agree with this. I do not speak Japanese, have quite a thick accent and found it difficult to get some things across.
No trouble getting my Salon refills though

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In response to a couple of PMs, let me note that I've probably had close to a thousand kaiseki meals on the ground, so my standards may be tough, and I certainly recommend that option to first-timers.

Also, be prepared for some language barriers if you can't speak Japanese... yesterday I heard the guy next to me explaining he didn't need any food for the first five hours or so, but the point just didn't get across. Sometimes the CAs' listening comprehension might not be as good as their speaking... but a slow and polite approach should always get you there.

if anyone wants the japanese meal I'd recommend pre-ordering it to make sure you don't miss out.

 

[knasty]

if anyone wants the japanese meal I'd recommend pre-ordering it to make sure you don't miss out.

Indeed as the only gaijin in J I was 'strongly recommend ed ' to choose another meal when the Japanese meals were short. Luckily they then found one somewhere...

 

[ketsuzei]

Got back from the return (NRT-SYD) leg this morning. Received the canvas amenity kit as advertised.

All eight seats were taken, and there were some issues with availability of certain dishes. I also noticed some communication issues, and would strongly recommend that non-Japanese speakers use the printed menu wherever possible as a prop.

Talking with the crew on both legs it would appear that having an F cabin on the NRT<>SYD route is a bit of an experiment (obviously due to end soon, at least for the time being), the CAs (FAs in English?) I spoke with usually do FRA or JFK as their regular routes.

Those of you who like wine, do try to express that when ordering, and I think you'll get an extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic response.

 

[boomy]

Looks like the experiment is successful so far if all F seats were occupied. I hope JL is making enough profit from using the 3 class configuration on this route and will decide to make it permanent. We need more OW F service to AU.

 

[ketsuzei]

Looks like the experiment is successful so far if all F seats were occupied. I hope JL is making enough profit from using the 3 class configuration on this route and will decide to make it permanent. We need more OW F service to AU.

I'd like it to continue, too, but I think there's a fair chance most of the seats were either Mileage Bank upgrades or scumbags (such as yours truly) using points.

I did however speak to a full-revenue-fare gentleman who said that via Japan is his preferred way of getting to North America from Australia.