57 reviews
Flight Details:
Airlines: Aircalin
Flight: SB800 NOU to NRT
Reg: F-ONET "Luengöni"
Aircraft: Airbus 330-941NEO
Class: Business
Departure Noumea La Tontouta Gate 1: 01.00am
Arrival Tokyo Narita Terminal 1N: 07.55am
Flight time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Distance: 6945 km or 4315 miles
This is the trip report from Sept 2023. Trip report continue, read previous flight here - Qantas QF91 Sydney to Noumea.
My first flight on a Airbus A330-900NEO. First report in Business for this airline on this website.
Flight route below:
When booking the ticket, I had booked economy class.
I had received an email from Aircalin to upgrade to business. Initially I didn't want to bid. After thinking over, I decided to bid for the business seat and was successful.
I tried to check-in for the flight while in Sydney, was unable to complete the process due to upgrade and flying on Qantas.
Seat selection - all seats were occupied except 5D or E.
Noumea Airport flight schedule
I arrived at the airport early, Parked the car in rentals parking. Took some pictures of the vehicle.
I dropped the key in the box and then walked towards the Terminal.
Terminal was quiet except security there was no one else.
La Tontouta Airport - Noumea
Flight Schedule
Arrivals area
There was no one except a group of Japanese students. They were seated near the cafe area.
Car promotion
I had come back early as seen from the time on the display. I wanted to be back before dark, being familiar with the roads. While returning, I missed the airport sign and drove past for half an hour. The airport sign was in French and I realised I had missed when there was no traffic on the road. As I was not having a phone or GPS relied on instincts to navigate.
Airport was closed, I did not have enough sleep the previous night and was feeling tired. Slept on the bench till it started getting busy.
Immigration was closed, it had two entrance - separate for business and economy.
Check-in counters
Airport Information
Flight information
Aircraft rotation
Passengers and their families started to arrive around 9.30-10pm. Terminal started to fill and there was activity.
Flight check-in opened 3 hours before departure.
New Caledonia currency
Pacific Franc
I had printed the boarding pass in Sydney. I didn't have to join the queue. I had some pacific francs, I spend them on souvenirs.
After shopping, which is next to the security area. I joined the security check queue. Line was divided into economy and business passengers. It was not enforced as there were some Japanese girl students and an American guy who had jumped in the business queue. When they were asked to join the other queue. I heard the American say, How is he [me] in the other queue [business].
Anyway they had messed the queue, which delayed the security check as the girls were not organised and wasted some time in removing stuff for x-ray.
Security must have taken about 15 mins.
I had no issue, cleared security and then entered the immigration which is upstairs. There were two counters open as security check was slow. I had one person ahead. I handed my passport to the lady officer. She stamped and I was cleared to enter the departure area.
In the departure area, there is 1 shop and two boarding gates. You can see the Hibiscus lounge, pink on the lift. Lounge is on 2nd level.
I checked the boarding gate 2 where the flight would board.
Gate 1 was for Singapore bound flight.
Gate area
Aircalin F-ONET "Luengöni" operating SB800 NOU to NRT
I asked ground staff how to access the lounge. He showed the lift and scanned card to use the lift. Lounge entrance.
There were 3 people when I entered the lounge.
Food counter
As I didn't have dinner, thinking I would eat at the Lounge. I was hungry and picked what was available.
Food was mostly dessert.
Feeling hungry. more packed food as the items had runout.
Counter was refilled, had another round.
Relaxing with red wine.
Time passed, soon it was boarding time. Exited the Lounge and took stairs to the departure level.
Aircalin Hibiscus Lounge lift and stairs are behind it on the right.
Boarding was called soon for business passengers.
Passport and boarding pass was checked.
After scanning the boarding pass, I was cleared to enter the aerobridge.
My co-seat mate ahead, I didn't know before boarding.
I took a photo of the boarding pass and passport to fill the Japan immigration form.
Business class was full on this flight.
Seat was comfortable, amenity kit and bottle was places on the armrest. I was asked if I would like champagne. I said Yes and was served immediately.
Seat adjustment
Amenity kit and small locker.
Crew serving drinks
Locker to keep small items.
Blanket, safety card and inflight magazine was stored in the space under the IFE screen.
Pushback commenced on time. Safety demonstration conducted on the personal screen. Business seat has slash belt with two hooks, one on the side and other around the waist.
Cabin lights dimmed for takeoff.
After a short taxi, aircraft departed towards the North.
Moonlighting was switch on after departure.
Attaining cruising altitude.
Distance from Noumea to Tokyo
Seat 5D as the business was full, I couldn't select the window seat.
Crew had handed the menu after boarding.
Drinks information
Menu was in French and English.
In Japanese
Last page
Crew handed the Japan immigration form.
Headphone and seat controls for lighting and crew call.
I filled the immigration and customs form.
Dinner service started half hour after departure.
Meal presentation
I chose the chicken option
Food was good and I washed it with champagne.
After dinner, I was ready to sleep. Slippers were provided.
Cabin view
Light was turned off. I set the seat to bed mode.
I was already tired and with the alcohol I had earlier, fell asleep immediately.
I woke an hour and half before arrival. I had good sleep. Bed was comfortable, I was feeling lazy to get up as I like to wake late.
Flight information
I checked the amenity kit
Took brush to the toilet.
Toilet was stocked
Clean toilet
Stocked for use.
I returned to the seat and cabin crew checked if I would like to have breakfast.
Safety card and inflight magazine - Altitude
Back
Aircalin safety card
Aircalin Airbus A330-900NEO safety card
I chose the cold plate for breakfast with tea. Crew recommended me to have New Caledonia honey. It tasted good. I was very full after eating the few pieces of chicken and cheese. Breakfast enough to keep me going till evening.
1 and half hours for arrival
Tray ready for collection.
I checked the WiFi setting but didn't use.
Crew announced Mount Fiji was visible to the passengers on the left. Descend had commenced.
Downward looking camera
Cabin setting
Forward facing camera - Pilots view of the runway. Seated in front of the aircraft. Landing felt smooth.
A long taxi followed after landing. Aircraft had landed on B runway close to Terminal 2.
Business passengers disembarked first. Most passengers in the business section were transiting to through Tokyo connecting with Air France to Paris. I was probably one of the few who was heading for immigration.
Aircalin Airbus 330-941NEO F-ONET "Luengöni"
Aircraft headon view
After a short walk and then escalator to lower level arrived at immigration.
Being my 1st trip to Japan, my fingerprint was collected and iris scanned. Immigration queue was short but took me 15 mins as I did not fill the form online and didn't have QR code.
My bag had arrived by the time I entered the baggage claim area. I was able to walk out after handing the customs form.
After exiting customs, I was in the arrivals area.
There is a Visitor Center just outside the arrivals for sim card and other services.
As I had work to complete, I took an expensive Data plan with 6GB download every 2 days. I was informed that to insert sim would cost JPY 500 in additional charge. I did it myself and then contacted family.
Sim counters
Sign are clear
Free wifi is available in airport.
Departure schedule
My hotel check-in was at 2p.m. I stored my check-in bag in locker for JPY 600.
I had plenty of time and decided to explore the airport.
I checked the checked the location of the bus counters.
South Wing
Narita Airport Station, I got the Suica card from the station.
I had taken my DSLR for this trip as Japanese airport having excellent spotting spots. Checked the location of observation deck.
I took lift to departure area
Terminal 1- North Wing Departure area
Terminal 1- North Wing Departure
Terminal 1 - South Wing
Flight Schedule
Escalator to observation deck
Directions
I bought the Limousine bus ticket which cost JPY 32000 [AUD$34 approx.]
I got the ticket and receipt.
Inter Terminal Free shuttle
Bus platform
Joined the bus queue
Bus arrives
Inside view. Bus took about 70 mins to Shinjuku from Tokyo - Narita airport
This concludes the trip report.
I hope you enjoyed reading this trip report.
Thanks for reading the report and watching the video.
:)
Aircalin on board experience was excellent, Crew serving my aisle was friendly and proactive. I was served breakfast immediately after I was ready, He suggest me to try the New Caledonia honey. Being a red-eye flight, I didn't check the entertainment. I had a good sleep and work an hour and half before arrival.
La Tontouta security was quick but line separation was not followed. There was 1 x-ray machine which slowed down the process as some passengers were not organised for the check.
Immigration was quick as there were two counter open and no rush as I was among the first to reach.
Hibiscus Lounge was comfortable, but did not have enough food when I reached. I did not have dinner thinking I would eat in lounge as I arrived early.
Tokyo - Narita immigration was quick. I was out within few minutes and my bag also arrived quickly.
Overall I had a excellent experience with Aircalin.
3 Comments
AirCalin really is a cool little airline and they have a very solid product in all cabins, which rivals much bigger carriers! The catering looks good and very-well presented.
Thanks for sharing!
Login to post a comment.