This series covered a day trip down to KMI to see Miyazaki and Aoshima. As a reminder, the routing was:
Part 1 – NGO-KMI [NH 341, Bombardier DHC-8-400, Economy] – Here Part 2 – KMI-ITM [NH 512, Boeing B737-800, Premium] – Here
This report will cover the flight from KMI to ITM. There will be an Aoshima tourism bonus at the end of this report and there was a Miyazaki tourism bonus at the end of Part 1.
Pre-flight:
After spending the afternoon in Aoshima (青島), I took the train back to the airport.
Reaching the airport, I went down towards the check-in area.
The NH check-in counters. I already had my boarding pass since it was issued to me at NGO so I skipped this area.
Up into the main lobby.
FIDS.
The main lobby at KMI. It’s decked out in NPB stuff since Miyazaki is the Spring Training site for most of the baseball teams.
I went up to the observation deck.
There is a list of the all of the arrival/departures into KMI.
A number of people are out enjoying the views.
Route maps into KMI highlighting the different carriers and routes.
Airport sign.
FW CRJ-700.
NH Dash8.
6J B738. KMI is technically the hub for 6J since it is where the HQ is.
OZ B763 arriving.
NH Dash8 in the Eco livery.
It was getting cold, so I went back inside. The restroom at the observation deck is super kawaii^^ Love how they have the kids toilets and sinks.
Last chance to buy some omiyage and souvenirs to bring back.
They also had some local artwork, which was a little out of my price range… (~$6,000)
FIDS outside of the security checkpoint. My flight is now showing a delay from 18:50 to 19:05.
Airside is crowded with not much to see.
The single international gate, which is used by OZ tonight.
Turns out there is a lounge at KMI, but it is a 3rd party lounge so wasn’t sure if I was able to use it or not. It wasn’t listed on the *A website, so I didn’t try to go in.
————————-
All Nippon Airways, NH 512 Equipment: Boeing B737-800 [JA80AN, delivered December 2014] Departure: 18:50 (ATD: 19:13) Arrival: 19:55 (ATA: 20:08) Flight time: 0:55
Boarding started promptly at 18:50.
My plane waiting outside.
Boarding with priority passengers.
Entering the plane, 2 FAs welcome me on board in Japanese and ask me if I want a newspaper as they check my boarding pass and direct me to my seat.
The new Premium class seats on NH.
The FA put my backpack up in the overhead bin and offered a pillow. The blanket was pre-placed on the seat.
Slippers and headphones were pre-placed in the seatback pocket.
Seat pitch is around 50”.
The tray table comes out of the side compartment.
Seat controls and audio controls were located in the other armrest.
Coat hooks on the seatbacks.
Adjustable headrest.
Power outlets on the front of the center console.
Reading light and storage compartment at shoulder level.
The window seats offer plenty of elbow room since the seats are 6” from the wall.
This plane is only a year old, but NH decides not to accept them with BSI. They have the standard rectangular windows and older overheads.
Seatback contents.
Safety card for this B738.
Premium class service guide.
Since this flight leaves after 17:00, we get Premium Gozen service (dinner).
NH B738 in *A special livery (I flew this plane NGO-ISG).
The safety video plays as boarding wraps up.
We taxied out and took off quickly. As is standard protocol, no PDBs are offered on domestic flights since the goal is to board the plane in less than 10 minutes. After leveling off, the FAs quickly snap into action to get service done on this 55-minute flight (306 miles).
The seat notification dial on the armrest indicated to the FA if you want service or not.
The tray table.
My Premium Gozen meal is laid out and my drink order it taken. The cup is miso soup.
My shochu is brought out along with a packet of otsumami.
The overhead monitors had the normal travel programs playing with the moving map in between.
As on the outbound flight in the morning, the FAs came through and handed out chocolates to all passengers in honor of Valentine’s Day.
After I finished my food, my tray table was cleared and more drinks were offered. I took another shochu and coffee. They were served with a chocolate for the coffee and mixed nuts for the shochu.
The cabin as we prepared for arrival on this short hop.
Descent over downtown Osaka.
We landed and taxied into our gate quickly.
The FAs thanked me for flying as I deplaned. Fuselage shot on arrival.
Heading out towards the bus.
I went to Stop 13 to catch the bus to Shin-Osaka Station to catch the Shinkansen back to Nagoya. You have to buy a ticket before boarding the bus. We landed at 20:08 and I was on the bus at 20:23 so arrivals at ITM are very easy.
Thanks for stopping by this series. Maybe a couple more retro-series exist on my memory cards.
***BONUS***: Aoshima tourism bonus.
Aoshima Station.
Map of Aoshima.
Aoshima is not a happening place, but if you make it all the way to the coast you are rewarded.
Aoshima Beach.
The road to the island.
A little background on the island.
The main site on the island is the temple: Aoshima Jinja.
Minor shrine.
You can make donations to buy clay dishes to throw.
Prayer cards seen at all shrines.
The “sand” on the island is really something special.
The best part of Aoshima is what is known as “Devil’s Washboard.”
If you go all the way out, you can meet some local fishermen.
See more
Verdict
ANA
8.1/10
Cabin9.0
Cabin crew9.5
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Meal/catering8.0
Miyazaki - KMI
8.4/10
Efficiency9.5
Access8.0
Services6.0
Cleanliness10.0
Osaka - ITM
8.3/10
Efficiency9.0
Access6.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness10.0
Conclusion
NH Premium Class is overkill on most domestic routes, but the service improvement is significant over Economy. This was a rare delayed flight occurrence, but the rest of the flight experience was as one expects on NH.
Cabin comfort: I don't know why NH still opts for non-BSI B737s for their current deliveries. The Premium class seats are a good narrow-body hard-product that offers so much more privacy than any US domestic F product.
Crew: The crews vary between NH Wings and NH. NH Wings is usually brand new FAs, whereas NH has the more experienced FAs who are far more polished in their service standards. English ability was a miss on this crew.
Meal and catering: Some would criticize the Premium Gozen service for lack of presentation and choice, but for most domestic flights being less than 300-miles, NH has a decent standardized catering offering. Drink menu is not the best.
Entertainment: Newspaper offered. Standard seatback literature. The overhead monitors played travel programs and alternated with the moving map.
4 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
"There was no signage in front of the lounge which shows who's eligible to step in ?" - The sign in the photo was only talking about credit card and membership card access. I didn't see any NH or JL signage.
"Still not tempted to drink Orion on board ? ^^" - I've had Orion in OKA, no need to drink it again ;) The Shochu is from Miyazaki, I must indulge in local pleasures :P
Thanks for this FR. Given the usually cheap price of upgrades to J on Japanese domestic flights it's woth it given the good seat and really improved catering.
"Given the usually cheap price of upgrades to J on Japanese domestic flights it's woth it given the good seat and really improved catering." - That is very true, the fare difference is rarely more then $50 if bought more than 28 days in advance. The lounge access is also a plus since it has ample alcohol (although no food). Shame there was no NH Lounge at KMI.
Nice shot of the train in the beginning, how long was the train ride?
“The main lobby at KMI. It’s decked out in NPB stuff since Miyazaki is the Spring Training site for most of the baseball teams.” - Looks interesting.
Fantastic spotting shots at KMI, nice to get the B763 from OZ that day instead of the A321. The 763 does operate to KMI a few times a month but KMI is mostly operated by A321 aircraft.
The seat looks great for a flight of this length, that notification function is something I have not seen before.
Catering looks very good for a quickie like this one IMO, not bad at all.
Absolutely fantastic aerial shots, stunning pictures of Osaka before arrival.
A quick arrival is always nice :).
Wonderful bonus at the end showing us a lot of interesting sights, thanks for sharing!
"Nice shot of the train in the beginning, how long was the train ride?" - Trick question. From Miyazaki, maybe 15 minutes. I think from Aoshima where I was returning from it is closer to 30-35 minutes.
“Looks interesting." - Miyazaki as a whole looks like it is trying to replicate Florida...
"Nice to get the B763 from OZ that day instead of the A321. The 763 does operate to KMI a few times a month but KMI is mostly operated by A321 aircraft." - You'd be surprised where OZ sends B763s during peak tourism season. I've seen them at small airports like MMY. KMI is one of the most popular winter tourist destinations in Japan and gets B788s in from HND.
"That notification function is something I have not seen before." - Probably not so practical since the cabin is so small that the FA would know if you woke up midflight and would probably come offer service. Nonetheless, a very "Japanese" addition to their seats.
"Catering looks very good for a quickie like this one IMO, not bad at all." - I only wish they put the meat/rice bento box in the microwave for 30 seconds. Not a big fan of cold meats.
"Absolutely fantastic aerial shots, stunning pictures of Osaka before arrival." - Even with the rise of KIX, ITM is still quite heavy in domestic operations and probably has more aircraft movements per day than their international sibling.
ITM is quick for arrivals, but the 30 minute busride to the Shinkansen station is where it is not so convenient. The train from the Shinkansen station to KIX is not much longer (although much, much more expensive).
Thank you Michael for sharing this report! A late happy thanksgiving greeting here lol
I found that the Japanese airports generally have an observation desk^^ So good for plane spotter! The domestic J seats seems like an evolution version of regional International J on B763. The food is so generous on this flight length. They look very decent and tasty. And thanks for the beautiful travel bonus at the end. Hope Miyazaki is not seriously affected by the earthquake earlier this year.
"A late happy thanksgiving greeting here lol" - I was in HKG on Thanksgiving Day ;) Closer than you knew :P
"The domestic J seats seems like an evolution version of regional International J on B763." - This seat is now standardized on the domestic fleet, the same seats are found on the B763s (domestic) and B788s (domestic).
"And thanks for the beautiful travel bonus at the end. Hope Miyazaki is not seriously affected by the earthquake earlier this year." - Not sure what the effect was, probably won't be back anytime soon to find out either^^
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8 Comments
There was no signage in front of the lounge which shows who's eligible to step in ?
Still not tempted to drink Orion on board ? ^^
"There was no signage in front of the lounge which shows who's eligible to step in ?"
- The sign in the photo was only talking about credit card and membership card access. I didn't see any NH or JL signage.
"Still not tempted to drink Orion on board ? ^^"
- I've had Orion in OKA, no need to drink it again ;) The Shochu is from Miyazaki, I must indulge in local pleasures :P
Given the usually cheap price of upgrades to J on Japanese domestic flights it's woth it given the good seat and really improved catering.
- That is very true, the fare difference is rarely more then $50 if bought more than 28 days in advance. The lounge access is also a plus since it has ample alcohol (although no food). Shame there was no NH Lounge at KMI.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting KL651^^
Nice shot of the train in the beginning, how long was the train ride?
“The main lobby at KMI. It’s decked out in NPB stuff since Miyazaki is the Spring Training site for most of the baseball teams.”
- Looks interesting.
Fantastic spotting shots at KMI, nice to get the B763 from OZ that day instead of the A321. The 763 does operate to KMI a few times a month but KMI is mostly operated by A321 aircraft.
The seat looks great for a flight of this length, that notification function is something I have not seen before.
Catering looks very good for a quickie like this one IMO, not bad at all.
Absolutely fantastic aerial shots, stunning pictures of Osaka before arrival.
A quick arrival is always nice :).
Wonderful bonus at the end showing us a lot of interesting sights, thanks for sharing!
Have a good one, see you later.
- Trick question. From Miyazaki, maybe 15 minutes. I think from Aoshima where I was returning from it is closer to 30-35 minutes.
“Looks interesting."
- Miyazaki as a whole looks like it is trying to replicate Florida...
"Nice to get the B763 from OZ that day instead of the A321. The 763 does operate to KMI a few times a month but KMI is mostly operated by A321 aircraft."
- You'd be surprised where OZ sends B763s during peak tourism season. I've seen them at small airports like MMY. KMI is one of the most popular winter tourist destinations in Japan and gets B788s in from HND.
"That notification function is something I have not seen before."
- Probably not so practical since the cabin is so small that the FA would know if you woke up midflight and would probably come offer service. Nonetheless, a very "Japanese" addition to their seats.
"Catering looks very good for a quickie like this one IMO, not bad at all."
- I only wish they put the meat/rice bento box in the microwave for 30 seconds. Not a big fan of cold meats.
"Absolutely fantastic aerial shots, stunning pictures of Osaka before arrival."
- Even with the rise of KIX, ITM is still quite heavy in domestic operations and probably has more aircraft movements per day than their international sibling.
ITM is quick for arrivals, but the 30 minute busride to the Shinkansen station is where it is not so convenient. The train from the Shinkansen station to KIX is not much longer (although much, much more expensive).
Thanks for stopping by!
I found that the Japanese airports generally have an observation desk^^ So good for plane spotter!
The domestic J seats seems like an evolution version of regional International J on B763. The food is so generous on this flight length. They look very decent and tasty.
And thanks for the beautiful travel bonus at the end. Hope Miyazaki is not seriously affected by the earthquake earlier this year.
"A late happy thanksgiving greeting here lol"
- I was in HKG on Thanksgiving Day ;) Closer than you knew :P
"The domestic J seats seems like an evolution version of regional International J on B763."
- This seat is now standardized on the domestic fleet, the same seats are found on the B763s (domestic) and B788s (domestic).
"And thanks for the beautiful travel bonus at the end. Hope Miyazaki is not seriously affected by the earthquake earlier this year."
- Not sure what the effect was, probably won't be back anytime soon to find out either^^
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