This report will have reviews of another 3 smoking lounges in the South Wing of NRT Terminal 1. And the bonus of SF will be at the end of this report.
Narita Airport
Precedently on last report, I was at the transfer checkpoint. But…
(conversations in Chinese)
The wife: SHAME! You make me cannot transfer! I don't have BP now how come I transfer! You left me alone in Japan!!! I don't want to be repatriated!
The husband: It was the agent’s fault! I also don’t know why you cannot…
The wife: SHUT YOUR F UP! I had told you should be careful at the airport but you did nothing! YOU ARE A BS! AH!… (tons of bad words)
The husband: Don't blame me OK? Be clam, we must clear the transfer first! I am finding the counter now! Why don't you listen to me…
A middle-aged couple behind me suddenly had a fierce quarrel. When I turned around, they started fighting!!! OMG lol
The security staff immediately rushed to the couple and separated them.
The woman screamed (in very limited English): NNNOOO! We not bad! Good people! We travel! We fly!
The husband pointed at his itinerary printout (also in very limited English): NO NO NO! We this! This! Sorry! Sorry!
The security ordered them to be quiet and queue for the checking. They queued behind me. At that moment I really wanted to switch to another line, but you know it was too obvious and awkward to do this lol
Hence I acted nothing happened and I cleared my security as quickly as possible and took the escalator downstairs. A NH Lounge is at the end of the escalator.
Unexpectedly the couple patted me on the back. The husband asked: Hey! Fly here? (I guessed they wanted to ask if this floor is for departure)
"AAAAHHHH! You are Chinese! You can hear Putonghua?" Unfortunately within second the couple spotted I was holding a HKSAR passport! I looked around. All the nearby people instantly went away and believed I was the couple’s son lol
"We really need your help!!" The couple looked like winning a big lottery and yelled. At that point I really wanted to escape but it was impossible lol
As it became a fait accompli, I told myself to be calm and politely asked the couple what happened.
The couple was travelling to visit their son who studies in Omaha and this was their 1st time travel abroad and on plane. Their son purchased the tickets through Expedia in CTU-NRT-DEN-OMA routing. When they checked-in at CTU, the NH agents could not find the wife's NRT-DEN-OMA segment in the system and only issued the CTU-NRT BP to her while the husband had no issues. They decided to go to the NH counter for help. Since their English were very basic, they hoped I could help them for translation.
I suggested them to go to the UA counter because their next flight is operated by UA. For buying time, we parted ways: the husband headed to the NH counter while the wife followed me to the UA counter.
The wife and I headed to the UA ticketing counter. I approached one of the UA agents and told her the wife's situation in English. I passed the wife’s Expedia confirmation and passport to the agent. She typed in the system and proceeded it for a while. The wife was extreme anxious and kept looking at the agent. Fortunately the agent could issue the subsequent BPs for the wife. Knowing I was assisting the wife, the agent informed me to tell the wife that her seat assignments for subsequent flights could not be done at this moment and she needed to ask at the gate during boarding.
I translated what the agent said to the wife and she immediately relieved a lot. She called her husband came back and I brought the couple to their Gate (located in Central Building). They knew I just arrived from SF so they asked a lot how to transit in the US. They thanked me so much and we bade farewell.
After handling the couple, I immediately rushed to do the most important task after a long haul flight…
I walked to the nearest smoking lounge in the Central Building (I visited it before) to relieve myself.
The FIDS outside the smoking lounge. My flight was showing a 18:30 departure with Gate changed to 52 in the bottom of the lower right FIDS.
I wandered around inside the Terminal 1. The UA line up in the South Wing
Some UA planes spotting. An UA B737 with scimitar winglets to GUM
An UA B789 to LAX
An UA B772 to SIN
An UA B737 to ICN while a UA B772 was taxiing
An UA B772 with *A livery to ORD
An UA B747 to SFO!
Satellite 4
Time to examine the smoking lounge in Satellite 4^^
Inside the smoking lounge. Not very big, but it was bright and clean.
I took the elevator downstairs.
Walking through the tunnel connected to Satellite 5.
I reached my Gate which was not ready yet. Boarding in process for the NH flight to BKK.
The airport was broadcasting the fund raising campaign for Kumamoto (熊本) Earthquake, hometown of Kumamon (くまモン)
Next I took escalator downstairs to Gate 59 (remote gates). Ground view of my Gate 52. NH uses a B787 to BKK
We see it again: A NH B77W backed from IAD at the adjunct gate
In order to increase my chance of getting promoted or better salary pay raise, buying omiyage for my colleagues was necessary. For the time being the HK hit was the Kawaii Hiyoko Sable (ひよ子サブレー) chick-shape cookies^^
I returned to my gate. The NH flight to BKK had departed and the gate FIDS now displayed my flight info. The NH agents were preparing.
My bird was coming to the gate now. It was delivered in Nov 2010 (JA620A).
Main hall of Satellite 5. If you look closer, you should aware I passed through the mezzanine level previously on last report.
There was a cultural workshop which you could transform yourself as shogun.
I then had another recharge near Gate 57 in Satellite 5.
Inside the smoking lounge. It is spacious and glad to know they started adding the lighters to the lounge.
Still have time I headed to the new Terminal 1 extension (for Gate 58A & B)
A NH B787 to SEA
There is also a smoking room.
It should be the smallest in Terminal 1 but clean.
After the final break it is time to return to my Gate. Even boarding had not announced, passengers already queued and waited at the Gate. I grabbed a seat near the counter and waited.
Flight Report
Boarding started 30 minutes before departure.
My boarding pass (I took it on the previous flight). It was operated by NQ.
Japan Video Topics (日本ビデオトピック) was played during boarding. It reported about 11,500 people at Mt. Hakodate (函館山) waited for the famous night view.
Embarking.
A NH B787 at adjunct gate
The FA welcomed me at the door and I saidこんにちは.
Passing the business class cabin. So many Japanese businessmen
The economy seat in 2-3-2 configuration
I found my seat 27A and settled down. View of the Y cabin.
My seat. Seat pitch is generous.
Same with my last outbound flight in Jan, the cabin was dirty.
View of the wing.
The IFE along with coat hanger, an USB plug and the IFE control
Our route today
Oh the airshow supports Japanese and English only
The armrest with headphone jack and recline button.
My seatmate came. It was a lady whom her Japan vacation ended while her friends sat right across the aisle.
The seatback materials
Safety card
The headphone
Today the Y cabin was full (as expected). The FA asked passengers if they need the pillow
I kept studying the inner beauty of a blanket
We pushed back at 18:45.
Safety video was played
We had a long taxi to the South Runway while the FA made on board announcement regarding today flight information.
An AA B772 took off to DFW
We were ready
Took off!
We then turned right bypassing the Mt. Fuji. Immigration forms were distributed once seatbelt sign off. Was Obama visiting Obama (小浜) now?^^
Aperitif service started when we were approaching NGO.
Regional oshibori and otsumami was provided. Kabosu time for drinks.
Time to browse the IFE. Not the newest model but responsive. Same selection of movies and music with my previous flight.
Dinner services started when we were over Shikoku (四国). It was slow because we experienced a heavy turbulence over there.
The FA passed the meal card: beef rice or paella.
As a no-beef person, only one choice for me. I opted for paella and requested another Kabosu for drinks. My tray.
Aw jeez the appetizers (shumai) were ice cold and the salad was too industrial (pieces of vegetables). The bread and cake were ok, nothing special. The only good was the entrée which was hot and tasty. Overall the meal was just average.
After the dinner my seatmate got out to toilet and I did the same. Trip to the rear toilet. It was so-so.
Cabin shot after the toilet. There was a Westerner complaining to the FA that the cabin was too hot and requested turning down the AC to make cooler. The FA kept apologizing that they cannot adjust the temperature because it was central air conditioning.
The woman was very angry “It is very hot! I want to cry. You see, my kids also want to cry!” And the kids immediately cried under their mother's order lol I could only say she should be the 1st time on Asian carrier…
I did not know how this farce ended because I was very sleepy and napped once I returned to seat. When I woke up the plane was about to land.
We landed from the East. Tsing Ma Bridge
Our plane touched down on the North runway.
Eventually we parked at a remote stand near the North Satellite Concourse.
Passengers were picking up their belongings.
Deplaning.
The galley
Passing the J cabin
The FA gave warm goodbyes at the door. Walking downstairs to the shuttle
The fuselage shot.
The tarmac staff were waiting for cleaning our plane. Kudos to those help keeping the aircrafts clean!
We took the shuttle back to Terminal and were dropped off at the East Concourse. I took the escalator up to the custom. I followed the signs and proceeded to the immigration.
Cleared the immigration within minute, I headed to the baggage claim. But I had waited nearly half an hour for my baggage.
Again I took the Airport Express to back home. And my Nexus phone was certified on the Express train :(
1 month later, UA sent me the much anticipated Premier Welcome Pack. I finally achieved UA (*A) Sliver Status! Thank you my company so much to help me on this^^
Bonus: Stroll in San Francisco
After the morning meeting it was my free time in SF. Knowing that I did not have time exploring SF last time, my US colleague (he had been appeared before^^) brought me to stroll through the SF streets.
Chinatown
Tin How Temple (天后古廟) on the top (the god of sea in Southern China)
View from the Tin How Temple
Even in SF, you can also see the lion dance performance anywhere.
The Cable Car Turnaround at Taylor Street (we did not take it)
Houses in SF
A lovely dog was sleeping inside a Gallery
We went to eat the famous bread
We went to see the famous orchestra performance
We went to visit the famous street
We hiked on Russian Hill
It is very easy to spot the Alcatraz Island from Russian Hill
This is the end of my 2nd trip to SF and it should be my last flight report published in 2016. See you next year!
Thank you for your reading! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
See more
Verdict
ANA
7.8/10
Cabin7.0
Cabin crew8.5
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Meal/catering7.5
Tokyo - NRT
8.6/10
Efficiency9.0
Access8.5
Services8.5
Cleanliness8.5
Hong Kong - HKG
8.1/10
Efficiency7.5
Access8.5
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.5
Conclusion
An OK experience on NH. Not bad, but neither impressive. I was a bit disappointed that the food quality is not as good as ex-HKG. The ANA crews are professional and friendly as usual.
Cabin: Average. A 6 year-old B763 which the cabin and seat are not very clean. Yet the seat is comfort with good seat pitch. Toilets are clean.
Cabin Crew: Good. The FAs are conscientious (meal services) even we are in heavy turbulence. Although their English are not the best, they are friendly and smile towards passengers.
Entertainment: Good. Standard seatback materials. The IFE is not the newest model but responsive and functional. It has adequate programs and language choices.
Meal and catering: Not so good. Consider it is ex-NRT food, quality is not on par with its usual standard. The entrée is very good but the appetizers are very average. I don’t know if it is because of the Western option. Size is enough.
For NRT, it is easily accessible with information centers everywhere. The airport is smoker-friendly as it has a lot of smoking lounges which are clean with good ventilation.
4 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Thanks for this FR. A good action on your part to have helped the chinese couple. Nice looking seats in Y, once again I really want to fly on a Japanese airline when I see the service, even if the meal wasn't the best this time.
Thanks for your comment KL651! Happy New Year 2017^^ At that moment I just tried to make the couple feel comfort in an unfamiliar environment. I understand their anxieties. This is the older generation Y seats which the seat width is better than NH’s 3-4-3 configured B77W. Apart from food, the in-flight services are still excellent and I would like to fly with NH in the future.
So nice of you to help the couple. I cannot say I agree with how the wife treated her husband (based on your story) but that is their own problem.
I keep on hearing that ANA keeps the cabin temperature high and many passengers think it is quite warm. Is it true that in general FA keeps it warm? And how was your interaction with the flight attendants? are they comfortable communicating with you in English?
Anyway, I am looking forward for my own ANA experience thanks to your flight report :)
Thanks for your comment BombieFlyer! Happy New Year 2017^^ No comment on the couple interactions. As per my reply to KL651 I just tried to make them not so anxious in NRT. If compare to the US carriers, the NH’s cabin is warmer but acceptable. The temperature is similar to CX/KE (in Asian carriers’ standard). I also had good interactions with the FAs. IME if you speak slowly to them, they would be more confident and pleasant to talk with.
Sorry to hear your foot injury at Maldives! BTW I look forward to your NH reports!
Thanks for your comment Chibcha! A late Happy New Year 2017^^ The motive of helping the lost couple is that I could communicate with them and I think I am able to find the solutions. I would also be grateful if someone help me in that situation^^
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6 Comments
A good action on your part to have helped the chinese couple.
Nice looking seats in Y, once again I really want to fly on a Japanese airline when I see the service, even if the meal wasn't the best this time.
At that moment I just tried to make the couple feel comfort in an unfamiliar environment. I understand their anxieties.
This is the older generation Y seats which the seat width is better than NH’s 3-4-3 configured B77W. Apart from food, the in-flight services are still excellent and I would like to fly with NH in the future.
So nice of you to help the couple. I cannot say I agree with how the wife treated her husband (based on your story) but that is their own problem.
I keep on hearing that ANA keeps the cabin temperature high and many passengers think it is quite warm. Is it true that in general FA keeps it warm? And how was your interaction with the flight attendants? are they comfortable communicating with you in English?
Anyway, I am looking forward for my own ANA experience thanks to your flight report :)
No comment on the couple interactions. As per my reply to KL651 I just tried to make them not so anxious in NRT.
If compare to the US carriers, the NH’s cabin is warmer but acceptable. The temperature is similar to CX/KE (in Asian carriers’ standard). I also had good interactions with the FAs. IME if you speak slowly to them, they would be more confident and pleasant to talk with.
Sorry to hear your foot injury at Maldives! BTW I look forward to your NH reports!
BTW, you're too kind to help the lost couple in NRT!
The motive of helping the lost couple is that I could communicate with them and I think I am able to find the solutions. I would also be grateful if someone help me in that situation^^
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