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Hi all,
Here is a series of trip reports for my fall travel to Japan. The main goal is to fly the Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” on November 1, and along the way, I will take a few domestic flights, including a new airline – Air Do/Hokkaido International airlines. Let start with an interesting transpacific flight! I will apologize for the lack of interior photos on some of the flights, especially in the evening, when pictures are really difficult to get. Some of the pictures are from my Iphone so quality might be slightly compromise, especially on this first flight.
Flying a flight #1 is always special because this flight possibly has a a strong history behind it, and Japan Airlines flight 1 and 2 are no surprise. It is one of the first transpacific flights launched by the airline, and has flown by most of its flagship aircraft, such as DC-6, DC-8, and of course Boeing 747, and San Francisco has always been a golden West Coast route for Japan Airlines. Current days, JL 1 has returned to Haneda, also known as Tokyo International airport, which is the original international airport of the city anyway. When Haneda reopened for international traffic last year, Japan Airlines has shifted its San Francisco flight back to where it all started – Tokyo Haneda. Due to restriction placed on Haneda and the only busy nature oft the airport handling all the domestic flights, (and to protect Narita, in my opinion), long haul international flights can only be flown during the late night and early morning hours (10pm to 7am). JL 2 has since moved to an evening departure time and I have a feeling that this flight might be struggling a bit due to the lack of connection traffic – only to Bangkok and Singapore, as well as the lack of same-day domestic connection flights because it arrives too late. However, it is good for me, as award inventory is quite easy to find. (Unfortunately, I was not able to take advantage of 50% off award promotions, since I am flying it in October). However my flight was quite full this evening, I presume it was because of being in a weekend or all these promotions lately.
October 29, 2011
JL 1 SFO-HND Lv1840 Arr2220 the Next day Boeing 777-200ER JA710J
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It was a beautiful day here in San Francisco and sometimes I wish SFO could always be like this and no airport delay. Anyway, it was pretty cloudy and foggy the week before, and I was happy to see sunshine. My inbound American Airlines flight arrived on time, not to mention a good one with full pre-takeoff beverage and a very good F/A, Brian, working this short flight. I got more service on this flight than some of the DFW-LAX flight. Anyway, I took my time to walk over to Japan Airlines counter. (Yes I was issued the SFO-HND boarding pass at LAX, but as an avid aviation enthusiast, I would like a real Japan Airlines issued boarding pass). The international terminal was not particular busy, as most of the European flights, except BA and Virgin, had left, along with the afternoon bank of Jetblue flights. The terminal was quieter since Virgin America had moved out.
Japan Airlines uses Aisle 9 for check-in, and it is fully staffed with separate lanes for business, premium economy and regular economy class. There was no wait in all cabin classes, despite the flight was pretty full. An agent immediately greeted me by my last name and a boarding pass was issued immediately. However, they will weigh your carry on baggage, and 10 pounds is the limit, and the agent will advise you that TSA may give you issues. Anyway, pack accordingly! My carry on was two pounds over, but after a few shuffling, it was good. It was just strange to go through this process flying premium class. But I will give JAL credits for all the special recognition given to my Oneworld Emerald status.
Check-in area 9
Seasons Executive Class check-in
Very well maintained and staffed check-in area
Using plane-finder, Japan Airlines 2 from Haneda was on time and I made my way to gate to see the plane landing. However due to the position of the sun, the pictures did not come out great. Anyway, here they are!
BA 744 G-CIVG heading to LHR
JA710J coming in
Gate A7
What I called “The multicultural dream of the United States” painting (as a sociologist, it is interesting to note its placement and its symbolism. You almost feel the irony considered how our immigration staffs treat foreigners.)
Here comes the most disappointing part of the whole experience! Sakura Lounge at SFO – it is a very classic Sakura lounge, circa early eighties, and surprisingly it resembles the old Sakura lounge at Narita, as well as a number of Sakura lounges at out stations. It features row of seats facing towards the window. It’s functional, but aesthetically, it is dull and uninspiring. Snack choices include Onigiri, sandwiches, & assorted packaged snacks.
Here is a series of trip reports for my fall travel to Japan. The main goal is to fly the Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” on November 1, and along the way, I will take a few domestic flights, including a new airline – Air Do/Hokkaido International airlines. Let start with an interesting transpacific flight! I will apologize for the lack of interior photos on some of the flights, especially in the evening, when pictures are really difficult to get. Some of the pictures are from my Iphone so quality might be slightly compromise, especially on this first flight.
Flying a flight #1 is always special because this flight possibly has a a strong history behind it, and Japan Airlines flight 1 and 2 are no surprise. It is one of the first transpacific flights launched by the airline, and has flown by most of its flagship aircraft, such as DC-6, DC-8, and of course Boeing 747, and San Francisco has always been a golden West Coast route for Japan Airlines. Current days, JL 1 has returned to Haneda, also known as Tokyo International airport, which is the original international airport of the city anyway. When Haneda reopened for international traffic last year, Japan Airlines has shifted its San Francisco flight back to where it all started – Tokyo Haneda. Due to restriction placed on Haneda and the only busy nature oft the airport handling all the domestic flights, (and to protect Narita, in my opinion), long haul international flights can only be flown during the late night and early morning hours (10pm to 7am). JL 2 has since moved to an evening departure time and I have a feeling that this flight might be struggling a bit due to the lack of connection traffic – only to Bangkok and Singapore, as well as the lack of same-day domestic connection flights because it arrives too late. However, it is good for me, as award inventory is quite easy to find. (Unfortunately, I was not able to take advantage of 50% off award promotions, since I am flying it in October). However my flight was quite full this evening, I presume it was because of being in a weekend or all these promotions lately.
October 29, 2011
JL 1 SFO-HND Lv1840 Arr2220 the Next day Boeing 777-200ER JA710J
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...8QbNHDNy5bqTyA
It was a beautiful day here in San Francisco and sometimes I wish SFO could always be like this and no airport delay. Anyway, it was pretty cloudy and foggy the week before, and I was happy to see sunshine. My inbound American Airlines flight arrived on time, not to mention a good one with full pre-takeoff beverage and a very good F/A, Brian, working this short flight. I got more service on this flight than some of the DFW-LAX flight. Anyway, I took my time to walk over to Japan Airlines counter. (Yes I was issued the SFO-HND boarding pass at LAX, but as an avid aviation enthusiast, I would like a real Japan Airlines issued boarding pass). The international terminal was not particular busy, as most of the European flights, except BA and Virgin, had left, along with the afternoon bank of Jetblue flights. The terminal was quieter since Virgin America had moved out.
Japan Airlines uses Aisle 9 for check-in, and it is fully staffed with separate lanes for business, premium economy and regular economy class. There was no wait in all cabin classes, despite the flight was pretty full. An agent immediately greeted me by my last name and a boarding pass was issued immediately. However, they will weigh your carry on baggage, and 10 pounds is the limit, and the agent will advise you that TSA may give you issues. Anyway, pack accordingly! My carry on was two pounds over, but after a few shuffling, it was good. It was just strange to go through this process flying premium class. But I will give JAL credits for all the special recognition given to my Oneworld Emerald status.
Check-in area 9
Seasons Executive Class check-in
Very well maintained and staffed check-in area
Using plane-finder, Japan Airlines 2 from Haneda was on time and I made my way to gate to see the plane landing. However due to the position of the sun, the pictures did not come out great. Anyway, here they are!
BA 744 G-CIVG heading to LHR
JA710J coming in
Gate A7
What I called “The multicultural dream of the United States” painting (as a sociologist, it is interesting to note its placement and its symbolism. You almost feel the irony considered how our immigration staffs treat foreigners.)
Here comes the most disappointing part of the whole experience! Sakura Lounge at SFO – it is a very classic Sakura lounge, circa early eighties, and surprisingly it resembles the old Sakura lounge at Narita, as well as a number of Sakura lounges at out stations. It features row of seats facing towards the window. It’s functional, but aesthetically, it is dull and uninspiring. Snack choices include Onigiri, sandwiches, & assorted packaged snacks.
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