OZ & NH across the Pacific

[9V-JKL]

Got a little bored with SQ last Thanksgiving and not with my hedge on SQ2/1 not morphing into an A380, Mrs and I decided that we should try something different.
Looking at NH's lovely award availability tool, we found a a great combo for the trans-pac routing. OZ for ICN-LAX and NH for SFO-NRT. Fabulous, we'll get to try *A's 2 North Asia award-wining carriers in 1 trip.

[9V-JKL]

OZ204 ICN-LAX

The original plan was to arrive at ICN about 2hrs before so have dinner and a visit to the new OZ lounges. But due to shopping and the bus taking almost 2hrs to get there in place of its usual 70mins, we got there 45mins before departure. Check-in was smooth with no queue but the immigration and security queue was long and that meant a scant 5 mins to grab some food before boarding. That sadly also meant no pictures of the lounge.

Our bird was a re-configured 2-class 772 with only 28 seats in C. Seating was 2-3-2, 'cramped' compared to SQ's 1-2-1. Load in C was 28/28 so I would say a good day for OZ.

The seat was comfy IMO, very similar to Spacebeds. A couple of things I liked:
1) Certainly softer therefore more comfortable
2) A tad more legroom


3) Upright/lounge/sleep positions pre-set positions


4) The front storage area is way below the screen and slots inwards therefore not blocking the screen when its full.




I think the only thing I didn't like about the seat; compared to the Spacebed; was that it was a little tight at the shoulder areas. On the Spacebed, one could push the shoulder areas portion away for a bit more space

[9V-JKL]

OZ204 ICN-LAX

Dinner menu has been posted here http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpos...09&postcount=3 so I won't repeat it all.

We decided to order both the Western and Korean to compare

Appetizer of Seafood Terrine & Mango Salsa + Salad of Mixed Greens
They came together at the same time.


Bi-Bim-Bab; this came together will a small pull-out instructions on how to prepare and mix

CHALLENGE: Can you take picture while holding the instructions with both hands?

Grilled Seabream


We're weren't too impressed with the Western course, the Bi-Bim-Bap was superb (naturally of course)

Pumpkin Pie with Vanilla Sauce. This was quite nice, being a dessert person, my view is somewhat biased...

Sorry, I took a bite first...

[GoldenPigeon]

Grilled Seabream looks great!
What is bi-bim-bah? how did you manage to take the picture?

[9V-JKL]

OZ204 ICN-LAX

I was most impressed with the dessert & coffee/tea service. Trolley service where your coffee was poured at your seat.
Tea selection came from the wooden box. After selecting your tea, crew will take the tea bag, put it in the cup, pour hot water and then.... jiggle the tea bag before serving you.







Here was an incident where OZ won over us. Mrs asked for a cup of Hot-Chocolate and probably due to language issue, crew thought she meant some chocolates and duly went to the galley and brought her a small plate for pralines and chocolates. When we explained that we would like the Hot-Chocolate drink rather than Chocolates, the crew's response blew us away. Realising her mistake, she went on her knees and was so apologetic over the mistake and offered to make her anything/everything else. We both felt that this was indeed genuineness to want to correct a situation and were very very impressed. For that, we wanted to fly OZ again (which we did recently)

[9V-JKL]

About 2 hours before our arrival into LAX, we were served a snack. I'm happy that it was more lunch like (1340 arrival time) rather than the Breakfast that SQ serves on SQ2 and (SQ28 where it was around) despite the 2000ish arrival time. This time we both chose the Korean course.

Appetizer of Smoked Duck with Salad & Pumpkin Soup with Tarragon Grissini
both served at the same time


Ribeye Bul-go-gi Skewer


In conclusion:
Seatwise, I like OZ's better compared to the Spacebed. No point comparing with the new C
IFE as basic compared to Krisworld
Western food was so-so but the Korean food was ab fab....Obviously...
Service as mentioned above was real and genuine; not that SQ is not; but that service recovery puts OZ marginally ahead (our latest OZ flight cemented that point was well when they went out of the way to make the missus as comfortable as possible when they saw Mrs 9V's 'bump').

That end's the bit on OZ..... NH next...

[9V-JKL]

NH7 SFO-NRT

Having spent Thanksgiving with friends and almost with taipeiflyer in SFO the day after, it was time to go home. NH was an airline I had most looked forward to after reading many good things on them.

The 77W from the train on our way from the rental car centre to the terminal building. As we did not get to meet taipeiflyer, we did some really last minute early-morning post Thanksgiving shopping, we got to check-in again barely 45mins before departure. Check-in was smooth and empty given the time we got there. We were actually the last to check-in.....

Security was a wee bit slow. For some reason the priority queue did not exist and we got trapped for a few minutes behind a bunch of Singaporeans who probably never experience TSA before. Our TSA friends found that one of them had a mini Swiss knife and they amazingly had a mini-conference to decide whether to go back to check-in to check it or dump it. . Then a group of 8 UA crew came and we had to wait further...Not a good start.

Since VS clubhouse was out-of-bounds for a BD*G & a NH BP and neither the SKL or RCC were worth shouting about, we just strolled to the gate.

[9V-JKL]

NH7 SFO-NRT

Boarding began as we got there so no time wasted

Today's load was unusual, 18/77 in C and 1 in F. Prem Y had 50% but Y was full.

Seat pictures
The only thing I liked was the Preset positions available. (sorry for the quality, taken in dim cabin)

Legroom not comparable as we had bulkhead

What I didn't like
1) position of the IFE controller, you had to pull the armrest up to access it.



2) Screen was in the seat which one needs to fold out. I like screens in the seat-front or on the wall for bulkhead

[9V-JKL]

NH7 SFO-NRT

THE FOOD! That's what I was most looking forward to

Canapes

Too eager to try and could not get a sharp picture

Flying NH basically meant Japanese food for us.

Zensai
Simmered prawn
Golden brown scallop
Salt-grilled saury fish
Fishcake with beans
Cured persimmon

Kobachi
Braised tofu and vegetable patty in savory daikon radish soy sauce
Sunomono
Octopus and surf clam salad tossed with Tosa vinegar


Shusai
Simmered yellowtail fish and daikon radish in special soy sauce



One of the BEST fish I've ever had anywhere and for sure #1 in the air

Dessert
ANA's original parfait, mixed berries ala mode

I had TWO

[HUGE AL]

Got a little bored with SQ last Thanksgiving...

Dude, this is a late one. But I shouldn't talk.

Our bird was a re-configured 2-class 772 with only 28 seats in C. Seating was 2-3-2

Did you guys just fly on the wrong day and missed the 744?

Bi-Bim-Bab; this came together will a small pull-out instructions on how to prepare and mix

CHALLENGE: Can you take picture while holding the instructions with both hands?

Impressive picture taking!

Again, I am very sorry I got so tied up and couldn't meet you two. Glad I had the privilege in S'pore.

Come on back (guess that might be a while) and we'll party!

[9V-JKL]

NH7 SFO-NRT

After lunch, I checked out the IFE. Like OZ, it pales in comparison to SQ.

NH use Sony noise-cancelling headphones


Took a walk around the cabin thereafter

Non-bulkhead seats


Main cabin. We were in the small forward cabin


The small rear cabin between door 3 and 4


Passenger area at door 3. Very few items laid out, probably due to the low pax load.

[9V-JKL]

Dude, this is a late one. But I shouldn't talk.

Sorry....but at least its not THAT late

Did you guys just fly on the wrong day and missed the 744?

No, I chose the 772 being a 777 fan and also more time to shop in Seoul. Also I won't miss the 744s and hope it stays

Again, I am very sorry I got so tied up and couldn't meet you two. Glad I had the privilege in S'pore.

Come on back (guess that might be a while) and we'll party!

No apology needed. Glad we met in SIN. We certainly look forward to going back

[9V-JKL]

NH7 SFO-NRT

MORE FOOD! This time from the snack menu

Bowl of hot Japanese udon noodles with wild mountain vegetables and fried tofu


Toasted pork cutlet sandwich

[9V-JKL]

NH7 SFO-NRT

Just before arrival

Petite Japanese course

Bowl of rice topped with seasoned salmon flakes and salmon roe
Assortment of delicacies
Fruit Compotes



In conclusion:
Seatwise, a little bit weaker than the spacebed and OZ.
IFE as basic compared to Krisworld but comparable to OZ
Food was for sure ahead of both SQ and OZ
Crew were great as you would expect from a Japanese carrier

We're certainly glad that we had the privilege to fly these 2 carriers in 1 trip and I think for sure is that we would not hesitate to fly them again and I'll say that NH and OZ are in the same league as SQ. No doubt about that.

Thanks For Reading!

[SQJunkie]

Great TR, thanks for posting.

Congratulations - on the "bump"!