Time for my 2nd meal

So after taking enough pictures of the familiar Business Class self-service bar and Sky Gallery, I went back to the First Class cabin to watch more movies.

Now it's around 19:50 EDT, around 4 hours after the first meal service. I was finally not as full and had some room to spare for more food. So I started flipping through the menu. Within minutes one of the cabin attendants visited my seat and asked if want something to eat. Yes, even though the lights were off and curtains were closed, the attentive cabin attendants would still keep an eye on the passengers. You could see them periodically peeking through the curtain to see if any passengers needed anything to provide an attentive yet non-intruding service in First Class.

JAL inflight entertainment video contents for June 2012. Image by Japan Airlines.

Given this was a day time flight, at this point I was not tired at all. So I just kept watching some movies from Japan Airlines' (JAL) MAGIC-III inflight entertainment system (IFE). Although MAGIC-III is JAL's previous generation inflight entertainment system on long-haul flights, it still has the same amount of video contents as the latest MAGIC-V (MAGIC-IV is on regional 737-800 only). It just lack touch-screen capability, some cool 3-D video games and maybe some extra features like SKY MANGA and meal ordering from your controller, but it still comes with full audio video on demand (AVOD) capability in all 4 classes. With that said, the movie and TV selections were rather limited, especially if you don't watch Japanese programs or in some cases don't understand Japanese at all as some of the Japanese channels don't have English subtitles.

Cabin attendants handed out bottled water and First Class amenity kits after first meal service

Towards the end of the first meal service, the cabin attendant handed out bottled water and amenity kits to each First Class passenger. Japan Airlines (JAL) used bottled water from Naya on JL005 from New York JFK to Tokyo Narita. These bottles are made from 100% recyclable post-consumer recycled plastic called rPET. Although I am not sure if that was one of the reasons JAL selected these bottle water, at least this helps save the environment!

Grand Dessert - "Yuzu" Mousse Cake, Mille-feuille with Raspberry Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream

Before the dessert, I was offered cheese from the a la carte menu too but I declined. No way I could fit all these in! So I just went for the the Grand Dessert which is another trio.

"Yuzu" Mousse Cake
Mille-feuille with Raspberry Sauce
Vanilla Ice Cream

JAL Original Drink "SKY TIME SHIKWÂSÂ CITRUS"

At this point, I had a couple of glasses of Champagne SALON already and my face had turned a bit red. So I switched to a JAL signature drink, "SKY TIME SHIWÂWÂ CITRUS". Shikwâwâ means Okinawa Lemon and this is the third SKY TIME flavors since it was first introduced on January 15 1992. Compared to the previous Yuzu flavor, Shikwâwâ is less sweet and more acidic. But it could still be quite sweet for some people. Not a problem for me and majority of JAL passengers as this is the third most popular beverage in Economy Class after beer and wine.

Amuse bouche from the Western menu.

There were two different menus for the first meal service: Japanese Cuisine and Chef's Recommendation.  In case you are wondering what Chef's Recommendation is, it's just the Western Cuisine. Not sure why Japan Airlines (JAL) named the Western options this way. Makes you wonder whether it means the Japanese option isn't recommended by the chef then LOL

For the Japanese option, two different types of rice were provided and you could choose to have either or both of them. For the Western option, there were three different appetizers and three different main dishes for you to choose from. JAL allows its First Class passengers to pre-select their meal options. But unfortunately, you can only specify whether you want Japanese or Western. So not very helpful if you want the a specific dish on the Western meal, but would work for sure if you plan to go for the Japanese one instead.

Get ready for the first meal service on JL005

Shortly after the cabin attendants distributed the menus and Bose noise canceling headphones, they came back to set your table and take your welcome drink and meal order. Although JAL has a very extensive drink menu, it didn't take me long to decide. In fact, I decided long before my flight! Of course I am going to start the service with the Japan Airlines (JAL) exclusive, Champagne SALON 1999!

Ms Fumiko Arisaka was in charge of JAL First Class wine list

As you have seen in my previous post on First Class amenities, Japan Airlines (JAL) has a separate drink menu in First Class. In Business Class, you would only get an insert to the menu telling you what the wine and drink options are. Not in First Class!

Ms. Fumiko Arisaka has been in charge of JAL wine list for a long time. She is one of the leading wine journalists in Japan. A lot of JAL cabin attendants (CA) are also qualified members of the Japan Sommeliers' Association and have in depth knowledge of wines. Therefore, they also assist Ms. Arisaka to carefully select the wines to be served onboard.

When you fly in First Class, other than the more spacious seat and lavatory, it also comes with other perks such as better amenities. Below are some of them. (Note that I will cover the amenity kits in a later post because the photos I had taken would have given out what the cabin attendants (CAs) did to surprise me)

Sleepwear/Pajamas

Pajamas provided to JAL First Class Passengers.

In order to help you relax more and sleep comfortably, the CAs would present you the sleepwear (pajamas) during boarding. You could change it before departure or could simply ask for it whenever you want.

JAL First Class lavatory on 777-300ER

When you fly in First Class, other than the private and spacious seat, it also comes with other perks such as amenities. Even the lavatory is different than those in the back on the plane. In the W82 configuration, there are a total of 2 lavatories in First Class for 8 passengers - one behind the cockpit on the left hand side (captain side) of the plane and the other side in front of seat 1K on the right hand side.

JAL Suite seat 2A in upright position for takeoff and landing.

Finally we get to the JAL First Class seat. At that time, the JAL Suite used on the Tokyo Narita (NRT) - New York JFK (JFK) route was the latest generation long-haul product. It was first rolled out on August 1 2008 on the JFK route and is based on the Venus seat manufactured by Contour, with JPA Design putting in the finishing touch.

Sadly by the time I post this trip report, the JAL Suite on the JFK route has already been replaced by the latest New JAL Suite, which is part of the SKY SUITE 777 (SS7) cabin that JAL progressively rolls out. There are not that much functional differences between the two JAL Suites given the new one is just an incremental update with a more luxurious look and bigger personal TV. Having tried both the old and new JAL Suites (Yes, I was able to try out all 4 classes of the SS7 seats recently on a short flight and there will be a trip report "soon" :P), I would be happy to fly on either of them.

A JAL Boeing 777-300ER (regiration: JA742J) parked at Terminal 1 Gate 6 on June 4 2012

JL005 flight path on June 4 2012 (Source: FlightAware)

Flight: JL005
Date: June 4 2012
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 2A (First Class)
Scheduled Departure Time: 13:25
Actual Departure Time: 13:36
Scheduled Arrival Time: 16:25+1
Actual Arrival Time: 16:03+1

While I was relaxing at the JAL First Class Lounge at New York JFK, the service manager came visited us and apologized that the boarding time will be slightly delayed for around 5 minutes. He told us he will inform us once again when it is ready for boarding. Not a big deal for me though I was eager to try out the JAL Suite for the first time but I could wait for 5 more minutes :) Finally the service manager once again came inform us that the flight is now ready for boarding. So I waited for everyone to leave the lounge, took some pictures and asked the service manager to take some pictures of me too. How often you get to have the entire First Class lounge for yourself :D

JAL Sakura Lounge at New York JFK Terminal 1

[Note: JAL has permanently closed the JFK lounges on October 31 2014. Eligible passengers are now invited to use the Air France lounge instead]

Even though I know Japan Airlines (JAL) does not offer much at the New York JFK lounges, I still went there early so I can check out the Sakura Lounge too. The Sakura Lounge is located on the right hand side and has quite an interesting layout. Most of the seats are facing the window overlooking the apron and it looks almost like a movie theatre or lecture hall :o As you can see form the picture above, the front row seats get a desk too. I would have definitely picked one of those seats if I had to stay on the Sakura side but luckily I have access to a slightly better First Class Lounge this time :)

Entrance for JAL First Class Lounge and Sakura Lounge at New York JFK Terminal 1

[Note: JAL has permanently closed the JFK lounges on October 31 2014. Eligible passengers are now invited to use the Air France lounge instead]

Finally, it's time to enjoy the Japan Airlines (JAL) First Class Lounges at New York JFK Terminal 1. JAL only operates First Class Lounges at 4 airports, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Frankfurt and New York JFK, so I was really excited to visit this lounge. However, I also didn't expect too much out of the JFK lounges, it is built long time ago and a renovation is long overdue. But then will JAL spend money on this lounge or will they just move to AA's terminal like they did at Chicago? So far nothing has been announced just speculations on some people's parts. Also Terminal 1 has a lot of state of arts technologies that helps airlines minimize delays and save on fuel.

JAL uses Terminal 1 at New York JFK Airport

Finally it's the day I have been waiting for! My first Japan Airlines (JAL) First Class flight :) I picked New York JFK because it is the longest flight in JAL's network and JFK is one of the few outports that JAL still operates its own First Class lounge (and the only one in North America). JAL uses Terminal 1 at JFK. Currently it is the only oneworld carrier that at Terminal 1. So no lounge hopping unless you qualify for other lounges with means other than your class of service and oneworld status.

June business class menu on AA32

I have never had any meals served by American Airlines (AA) before. Not even in economy as I would usually bought my food at the airport instead of paying $10 for a cold sandwich. So I am "excited" to try out their meals to see how they compared to other carriers. Oh of course, I am also excited to get my first pre-departure drink too! As you might know, Japan Airlines (JAL) still chooses not to serve pre-departure drinks in premium cabins even after a change in Japan aviation law.

AA32 on June 2 2012

AA32 flight path (Source: FlghtAware)

Flight: AA32
Date: June 2 2012
Aircraft: Boeing 767-200
Seat: 7A (Business Class)
Scheduled Departure Time: 13:45
Actual Departure Time: 13:40
Scheduled Arrival Time: 22:07
Actual Arrival Time: 21:58

The boarding time listed on my boarding pass is 13:15, 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. So I walked over to gate 46A at around 13:15 and was expecting a line and chaos around the gate. To my surprise, AA had finished boarding everyone who waited at the gate already!? There was again no line at the gate. I guess they must have started boarding much earlier. And the flight ended up departing right on time and arrived JFK a bit early! (Somehow FlightAware's departure and arrival times are different than the ones listed on AA website)

American Airlines Premium and Elite Check-In Counters at LAX

I felt a bit weird going to LAX and not to fly on Japan Airlines (JAL) as I don't travel domestically that much. American Airlines (AA) uses terminal 4 at LAX. The premium check-in counters for First and Business class passengers and Priority AAccess check-in counters for elite members are located on the left hand side of the terminal. Counters for the main cabin and self check-in kiosks are on the right hand side of the terminal. AA partitioned off the premium/elite check-in area and there was an agent there checking for your eligibility which I don't see the point as there are main doors from the curb side that anyone can use to access that check-in area LOL.

This is the first trip report that involves airlines other than Japan Airlines (JAL). It will include the following flights:

• American Airlines Business Class Los Angeles to New York JFK
• Japan Airlines First Class New York JFK to Tokyo Narita
• Japan Airlines Class J Tokyo Haneda to Okinawa Naha
• Japan Airlines Class J Okinawa Naha to Tokyo Haneda
• Japan Airlines First Class Tokyo Narita to Jakarta
• Cathay Pacific Airways First Class Jakarta to Hong Kong
• Cathay Pacific Airways First Class Hong Kong to Los Angeles