Hi and welcome to my new season of American Travel Story!
The Law of Inevitability: UA/NH/NQ to ??? (to be revealed)
New year, new season! This series will cover my business trip to the US in Feb 2017. If you have read my previous reports, you will find they are all connected^^ To make the series not so boring, I will reveal the itinerary as we go on.
The report will be broken down as follows (all in Y): Chapter 1 - NQ812 HKG-NRT B767-300ER [You are here!] Chapter 2 - UA804 NRT-IAD B777-200ER [Here] Chapter 3 - UA6238 IAD-IAH ERJ-195 [Here] Chapter 4 - [Please wait] Chapter 5 - [Sorry I am very busy! I will try my best lol]
This is my 2nd time on this flight which I had flown on it a year ago. In the second part of this report there will be bonus of HKG during the Chinese New Year.
BTW, where did I go?
Background
As mentioned before I am not allowed to take CX for my business trip (!). Being an UA Premier member, it is inevitable for me choosing UA/NH for this trip in order to complete the at-least-4-UA-flights requirement. Again this time I took the flight with the series recurring, the Head of another department^^ Being a small fry, I would be in Y while the Head would be in J deservedly.
This flight is marketed as NH while operated by Air Japan (NQ), an ANA subsidiary which its fleet is solely made up of B763. NQ operates the intra-Asia (plus to HNL) flights under the NH brand thus its product and services are mostly identical to NH, nevertheless it has slightly differences such as NQ has HK based crews. To better reflect the operating carrier I code this flight report as NQ instead of NH ;)
Pre-Flight
Unfortunately due to the flu season in HK both the Head and I had fever before the trip lol Luckily our fevers were gone the day before departure. During online check-in, only few seats were unoccupied and I chose the right side window seat 26K.
On the day of departure the Head and I met at the Tsing Yi Station around 7:45 and took the Airport Express together to the airport
25 minutes later we arrived at the airport. Our first priority was having some fresh air
Air Japan uses the ANA check-in counter located at aisle E on the departure level. The Head went to the J line while I queued at the Y line. My line was bustling because it was still travel season after CNY. Several family groups were checking-in while one of them was dealing with their cancelled flight to CTS. But the efficient agents made me not wait too long
My turn. The counter agent greeted me, checked my passport, and passed the relevant immigration form for me to fill. The agent tagged my bag all the way to my destination and handed me the boarding passes.
Immigration and security is always quick and we passed it with no wait. The airside
Being the sick persons, the Head and I believed sobering up was more important than stuffing our faces in the airline lounges. Therefore we direct headed to the farther but less people smoking lounge near Gate 61.
Although the smoking lounge is small compared to the others, it still has good ventilation. Knowing that we flew Air Japan, the Lounge also broadcasted the Japan TV shows^^
Still have time after the break we parted ways. The Head went to the gate and sat aside to kill the emails while I did some plane spotting. A SK A330 was pushing back between 2 CX A359s to ARN.
The new CX A359
A SQ B772 was about to park adjacent to the JL B788
An UA B772 preparing to ORD
UA prefers to befriend CX rather than its *A co-founder TG
A beautiful AA B77W was taking rest after flying from LAX^^
Returned my Gate 34. Boarding already commenced
My bird today. A Boeing 763 (JA627A) delivered in Mar 2012.
Flight Report
Boarding was in organized and orderly manner with priorities respected
Embarking. A FA warmly welcomed me on board and I repliedこんにちは.
Passing the 2-1-2 configured business cabin where I spotted the Head was in a right side windows seat. Japanese businessmen occupied half of the cabin
My economy cabin in 2-3-2 configuration
My seat. NQ's seat pitch is generous.
Oh Jeez the airport staff did not clean the space here again!
Besides, some wears and tears of my windows (I took this picture after landing)
The middle-generation IFE along with the remote and a USB port
Later my seatmate arrived. She was a backpacker who was returning home to Denver.
View from the wing. A CX A330 is next to us
The seatback materials
Captain Sully got a new job after his retirement from aviation
The headphone
The blanket
Our route today
Boarding finished earlier than expected and we pushed back at 9:52. Safety video was played together with live demonstration
The FAs came through and handed out the immigration form. It was not surprising that today flight would be full load
Passing the control tower
We were ready…
And took off, a DL A330 was following us to SEA
Take on me… Take me on…
Flying over the artificial island of HKZM Bridge
A lot of passengers felt tired for this early flight :P
Beautiful sky outside
Aperitif service began once we leveled off. Oshibori and otsumami were provided. I requested water and my seatmate took the green tea.
I browsed the IFE. It is responsive and contains adequate selection of programs. I listened to some Japanese music
Around 30 minutes later lunch services started while we flew over Taiwan
One awkward thing was the FA did not give us the meal card but verbally took our orders with 2 options: fried chicken rice or seafood pasta. I chose the pasta while my neighbor ordered chicken. I ordered Kabosu for drinks
My tray. Catering cannot be bad for the Japanese carriers^^ The appetizer (salad and ham) tasted good. The pasta and soba noodles were fantastic.
After the lunch I went to toilet. The FAs in the rear galley
Inside the toilet, it was clean
Changing the diaper is the woman job on this plane
Cabin shot outside the rear toilet
Then I took rest until we started descending. The Captain announced that we would expect arrive at 14:40 thanks to the strong tailwind. Breaking through the clouds
Entering the Japan soil
Eventually we landed on the north runway at 2:23pm which was 45 minutes ahead of schedule
We were welcomed by the avgeeks from the observation deck^^
Passing a NH B787
A MM A320
Unlike last time where I deplaned on the remote stand, we parked at Gate 34
Deplaning
The FAs thanked us at the door
The Head was waiting for me at the gate. We kept moving upward
Following the signs for connecting flights
I love Narita using the color zones for guiding passengers
We reached the transfer security checkpoint. Unlike transiting in Narita last year, there were no passengers in the security thus made the *A Gold Track worthless at that moment.
There are several FIDSs at the entrance. Both our next flights were already on the list. Could you figure them out? ^^
The friendly custom staff greeted us. They checked our boarding passes and bags. We cleared the security within 10 minutes after disembarking!
Exited the security and last view of my bird
We took the escalator down to the departure level
I’ll leave off this series here and please stop by the rest of this series!
Bonus: HKG in CNY 2017
As you know every year I have part-time job in HKG during Chinese New Year. The HK Airport Authority dumps a lot of $$$ to promote CNY.
CEOs of KA, HX, UO, HKAA and ex-CEO of CX attended the CNY opening ceremony
Performance by the real CX crews
Following was the HX crews
It is CNY. Having lions dancing in the airport is necessary
The passengers seemed really like the lions^^
There was also dancing cappella performance. I am so respectful to the performers as they had to sing and dance the same song 36 times in 6 hours each day lol
Gods of Money strolled around the airside to give red pockets (chocolate inside)!
The airport was giving the fortune cookies to travelers
The QF crews with a happy rooster^^ (2017 is the year of rooster)
This year Marriott was the main sponsor of airport's CNY decoration
Peach blossom in the airside
The Gate FIDS with CNY decoration
There is an educational installation that we should not waste food
Plane spotting was necessary for time killing
A330’s time. A PR A330
Crossing the Straits: a CI A330 passing behind a CA A330
Long live the KA A330 with old livery. Sad to see them phased out
A QF A330
Dr NGO85's OZ A321 to ICN
An AY A359
Triple 7’s Time. The old and new livery of NZ B772
A JL B772
A BR B77W
A SU B77W
Mr Numero_2’s LX B77W from ZRH
An AC B77W just arrived from YVR
Dreamliner’s time. A QR B788
An AI B788
A NH B788 to HND
A VS B789 from LHR
Giant's time. An EK A380
A dirty BA A380
A TG A380
Queen’s time. A KE B748
2 QF B744s with 1 having the Rio Olympic Wunala livery
In the end this report concludes by the legendary UA Queen to Mr Jetsetpanda’s home which I saw her the last time
Here is the glimpse of next report: It is a story between the friendly FAs and the passengers
Thanks for your reading!
See more
Verdict
Air Japan
8.3/10
Cabin7.5
Cabin crew8.5
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Meal/catering9.0
Hong Kong - HKG
8.5/10
Efficiency8.5
Access9.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.5
Tokyo - NRT
9.0/10
Efficiency9.5
Access9.0
Services8.5
Cleanliness9.0
Conclusion
My second time flying this route and another pleasant experience on Air Japan. For this regional flight, NQ maintains its usual standard with good catering and professional crews, but dirty cabin.
Cabin: Average. A 5.5-year-old B763 which the cabin and seat are not very clean with broken windows. Yet the seat is comfort with good seat pitch. Toilets are clean.
Cabin Crew: Good. There are HK crews so no language problems. The FAs are nice, attentive and hardworking.
Entertainment: Good. Standard seatback materials. The IFE is not the newest model but responsive and functional. Adequate programs and language choices as usual.
Meal and catering: Very good. Both quantity and quality are very good. I would be happier if they had real desserts i.e. ice-cream on regional routes.
For NRT, clearing transfer security is a breeze since no people at the time of arrival. The airport is very clean and has distinct signs for passengers.
4 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Merci pour votre commentaire Clement! Bonnes Fêtes^^ Sorry for late reply lol
“Although the flight is operated by NQ, the service onboard looks truly NH.” - The differences between NQ and NH are mostly on the aircraft and crew arrangement. For the services level they are mostly identical. “A 2-2-1 layout would have been better I think.” - For more exposure to aisle^^ Or 1-3-1 layout should also work :P “The non-cleaning down the lateral panels is absolutely disgusting.” - Totally agree. As a subsidiary of Skytrax’s 5-star Japanese airline, I am a bit disappointed with it. It was even dirtier than my last time flight! “I like the winglet design on this 767 !” - I think NQ/NH has one of the most beautiful B767 winglet in the industry. “Thanks to have recognized my private jet among the LX 77Ws fleet. :P” - HAHA every time when I see that bird, I immediately think about you^^
Merci pour votre commentaire Etienne! Bonnes Fêtes^^ Sorry for late reply lol Yes it is always a joyful experience when flying on NH/NQ. I never get tired and bored with their top services level! The design of HKG terminal is excellent which is plane spotting friendly. Besides it has a variety of wide-bodies all over the world^^
"Hi and welcome to my new season of American Travel Story!" - As long as it is not American "Horror" Story. :P
"Our first priority was having some fresh air" - Sounds like a smoke break to me. ;)
"The new CX A359" - A beautiful plane indeed.
"Passing the 2-1-2 configured business cabin" - It's a strange configuration. I think AM used to have that arrangement on their 767's too.
"My seat. NQ's seat pitch is generous." - Looks pretty comfortable.
"Oh Jeez the airport staff did not clean the space here again!" - Maybe things will change after this FR. ;)
"My tray. Catering cannot be bad for the Japanese carriers^^" - Well presented and appetizing. A decent meal is always an expectation when flying with a Japanese carrier. The only minus is the chocolate instead of a true dessert. A cost cutting measure perhaps?
Gorgeous plane spotting with a great variety of liveries. Good thing you were able to see UA's Queen of the Skies for the last time. I rode in another Queen recently as you know and it was a phenomenal experience. ;)
Excellent bonus of CNY at HKG. It's exciting to be a part of such a festive celebration. Thank you for your hard work and sharing it with us.
Thanks for your comment Adan! Happy Holidays! “Sounds like a smoke break to me. ;)” - You know several elements are feature prominently in my reports and cigarette is one of them ;) “A beautiful plane indeed.” - with all broken toilet’s mirrors lol “It's a strange configuration. I think AM used to have that arrangement on their 767's too.” - Not strange at all. The UA’s ex-CO B767 J seats is also in this arrangement “Maybe things will change after this FR. ;)” - I had flown this route 2 times and 2/2 are dirty. I don’t think they would clean it in the future… “A cost cutting measure perhaps?” - Not sure. But NH had changed its tableware in mid-2017 which features all-in-blue color. The size looks a bit smaller than before. “Excellent bonus of CNY at HKG. It's exciting to be a part of such a festive celebration.” - I think one of the fantastic things for HKG is the Airport Authority is willing to dump $$$ for tons of promotional activities. It is seldom happened in the US at least. BTW I will work at the HKG again during 2018 CNY^^
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6 Comments
Although the flight is operated by NQ, the service onboard looks truly NH.
The J cabin is quite weird with this 2-1-2 configuration… A 2-2-1 layout would have been better I think.
The non-cleaning down the lateral panels is absolutely disgusting.
I like the winglet design on this 767 !
"Mr Numero_2’s LX B77W from ZRH" -> Thanks to have recognized my private jet among the LX 77Ws fleet. :P
“Although the flight is operated by NQ, the service onboard looks truly NH.”
- The differences between NQ and NH are mostly on the aircraft and crew arrangement. For the services level they are mostly identical.
“A 2-2-1 layout would have been better I think.” - For more exposure to aisle^^ Or 1-3-1 layout should also work :P
“The non-cleaning down the lateral panels is absolutely disgusting.”
- Totally agree. As a subsidiary of Skytrax’s 5-star Japanese airline, I am a bit disappointed with it. It was even dirtier than my last time flight!
“I like the winglet design on this 767 !” - I think NQ/NH has one of the most beautiful B767 winglet in the industry.
“Thanks to have recognized my private jet among the LX 77Ws fleet. :P” - HAHA every time when I see that bird, I immediately think about you^^
Again a great service onboard ANA.
HKG looks like avgeek heaven in terms of spotting opportunity.
Yes it is always a joyful experience when flying on NH/NQ. I never get tired and bored with their top services level!
The design of HKG terminal is excellent which is plane spotting friendly. Besides it has a variety of wide-bodies all over the world^^
"Hi and welcome to my new season of American Travel Story!"
- As long as it is not American "Horror" Story. :P
"Our first priority was having some fresh air"
- Sounds like a smoke break to me. ;)
"The new CX A359"
- A beautiful plane indeed.
"Passing the 2-1-2 configured business cabin"
- It's a strange configuration. I think AM used to have that arrangement on their 767's too.
"My seat. NQ's seat pitch is generous."
- Looks pretty comfortable.
"Oh Jeez the airport staff did not clean the space here again!"
- Maybe things will change after this FR. ;)
"My tray. Catering cannot be bad for the Japanese carriers^^"
- Well presented and appetizing. A decent meal is always an expectation when flying with a Japanese carrier. The only minus is the chocolate instead of a true dessert. A cost cutting measure perhaps?
Gorgeous plane spotting with a great variety of liveries. Good thing you were able to see UA's Queen of the Skies for the last time. I rode in another Queen recently as you know and it was a phenomenal experience. ;)
Excellent bonus of CNY at HKG. It's exciting to be a part of such a festive celebration. Thank you for your hard work and sharing it with us.
See you soon.
“Sounds like a smoke break to me. ;)” - You know several elements are feature prominently in my reports and cigarette is one of them ;)
“A beautiful plane indeed.” - with all broken toilet’s mirrors lol
“It's a strange configuration. I think AM used to have that arrangement on their 767's too.” - Not strange at all. The UA’s ex-CO B767 J seats is also in this arrangement
“Maybe things will change after this FR. ;)” - I had flown this route 2 times and 2/2 are dirty. I don’t think they would clean it in the future…
“A cost cutting measure perhaps?”
- Not sure. But NH had changed its tableware in mid-2017 which features all-in-blue color. The size looks a bit smaller than before.
“Excellent bonus of CNY at HKG. It's exciting to be a part of such a festive celebration.”
- I think one of the fantastic things for HKG is the Airport Authority is willing to dump $$$ for tons of promotional activities. It is seldom happened in the US at least. BTW I will work at the HKG again during 2018 CNY^^
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