There was really no question as to how we would be flying to Shanghai. We are huge fans of JAL and decided to book premium economy seats for our flights from New York to Shanghai, China and back. The fact that there would be a couple of hour layover at Narita, an opportunity to stretch out and have a nice lunch, were an added bonus. Well, it didn't really work out that way. We were scheduled to fly out of JFK at 9:30 am, but due to a tire issue, we had a two hour delay. Here is why we love JAL and why they differ from many other airlines. They were very apologetic about the delay and gave each passenger a $20 food voucher. I have been delayed plenty of times and never have I been given food money, maybe that is normal, it has never happened to me.
We have flown in their premium economy class last December and were very pleased with the service and comfort level. The seats in the premium economy are very comfortable, the pitch is 42" and the width 19.2". The premium economy ticket allowed access to the airport lounges but not premium boarding. We boarded the flight with the economy class, other airlines board premium economy with business.
The seat slides forward so there is no discomfort of having someone recline into your lap.
After take off the flight attendant had us choose what we wanted out of a basket filled with amenities. I got "the works", toothbrush with toothpaste, mouth wash, eye refresher, moisture mask, and an eye mask. We were also given sound canceling head phones and slippers.
We were served nuts and crackers as well as a drink.
For lunch I chose the pork cutlet with rice and curry sauce. It came with cold soba noodles, salad, fruit and cold cuts with a potato salad. The pork was actually good, I wished that the salad was bigger and did not eat the cold noodles. I am a hot noodle kind of a person.
My husband got the salmon with mustard cream sauce, potatoes and vegetables.
For dessert we got vanilla ice cream.
Our mid flight snack consisted of a ham and an egg salad sandwich, a nice orange brownie and udon soup.
I am so glad that my husband gave me his sandwich as the final meal prior to landing was not my cup of tea. It was congee, a rice porridge that was tasteless, a bit sticky and it came with mushrooms and cheese. It must have been a local delicacy as everyone around us ate it all up. I felt badly giving it all back so moved stuff around a bit. I really didn't care since I knew that a delicious meal at Narita airport was just an hour away. We were told that due to the two hour delay at JFK, we were moved to the later flight to Shanghai and had 3 hours to kill. That was just fine with us.
The 14 hours flew by (haha), we slept for a few hours, watched a couple of movies and caught up on some reading.
We landed at Narita and were told that we were going to be escorted through security and taken to the gate to try to make the original Shanghai flight.
We made the flight with minutes to spare and were pleasantly surprised that, in a very short period of time, our luggage was transferred onto our plane. Very impressive.
This was a smaller airplane which did not have premium economy class so we sat in economy. It was perfectly fine, the flight was just 3 hours. The legroom was quite comfortable (I am 5'9") and the seat next to me was empty. Yay!
The lunch, or breakfast (so tired and so confused) was very good. I really enjoyed the omelette with rice and the salad.
This was the meal on our Shanghai - Tokyo flight. It was beef with sauteed onions over rice and vegetables, all very fresh and delicious.
What we really liked was this plate that the main course sat on. It was sort of a hot plate to keep the warm temperature of the lunch. Ingenious.
The flight back home to JFK from Tokyo left at 6:25pm. As I checked in, the JAL representative, once again, apologized about the delay at JFK. That was 10 days before!
I watched a couple of movies, strangely both with space travel theme. The monitor was a totally sufficient 12.1", and the headphones worked very well. The movie would pause with each pilot/flight attendant announcement. There was also a power outlet and a USB port on the side of the seat. I was able to fully recharge my phone after a full day of photographing Tokyo.
The chicken teriyaki, rice and vegetable were just delicious. It wasn't that I was starving, I ate at the airport, this was a really tasty dinner.
We got a box with two sponge cakes and a cup of ice cream.
A couple of hours prior to landing we were served beef sukiyaki with rice. It was delicious and the almond jelly and mango pudding were so excellent I wanted to go back for seconds but we were getting ready to land.
Before I go, I must mention my ALL time favorite airplane meal. It was on JAL this last December. We were given dipping noodles which were not only a great airplane food but were so delicious, I still think about them!
Following our three round trip JFK - Tokyo flights, I have become a loyal JAL customer. What made a huge and lasting impression on me were: attention to every, even the tiniest of details, the accommodating, efficient and kind crew and the cleanliness of the airplane. I noticed that the flight attendants would occasionally check the bathrooms and spray deodorizer when needed. Once, while standing to stretch out my legs, I saw one of the flight attendants wrap some tape around her hand and use it to pick up lint from the carpet in the isle. This was the most hard working crew I have ever seen.
The food was decent, except for the dipping noodles which blew my mind.
(I pay for all my travel expenses. I am not compensated for anything that I write about)
Joanna
Comments
Post a Comment