Review of Japan Airlines flight Tokyo → Helsinki in Economy

After a delicious hotel breakfast at the Radisson Narita ( 30 minutes from Tokyo Narita Airport ), I checked out and had got everything ready the night before ; clothes,documents,case packed,suit,shave etc etc !

I checked out and the reception staff were so nice and friendly.
The male/female bellstaff and driver of the free shuttle bus were also nice.

I just made it for the the 0730am bus !

Enroute to Tokyo Narita,my bus passed the Aeromuseum Narita and I was amazed to see this former 747 looking so glam !


I saw a VN787 landing enroute to Tokyo Narita as well as Air France,it's evil Dutch partner and a few others.

Pulling into Narita -Is this JAL's Head Office ?


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Check In

I arrived at Narita at 0805am and had checked in and cleared security by 0830am ! Now why can't all airports be like this ? ( with a sprinkling of Seoul's security ! )


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Enroute to the gate views


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After clearing security, I did souvenier shopping at the shop near to gate 63 ( where JAL was boarding for JL741 to Manila and then my Helsinki flight JL413 ).

The shop was full of Filipino passengers for the Manila flight who seemed to be rushing around in the very small space and one lady bumped into me 3 times with her baby stroller prompting me to look at her on the 3rd bump. Some people just have no concept of anyone around them.



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Washrooms - I am going to miss Tokyo and I am sure Japan's heated toilet seats and bidets !


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I saw a SWISS A340/ LO787 /PR330 and 321out the window. As well as a Malaysian A380 and AirAsiaX A330s.



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I downloaded photos to my tablet and relaxed ; until an idiot started slurping hot noodles near me which he had got from the shop/restaurant behind me near gate 63- again no concept of others.
This was then followed by a loudmouth on his mobile who was shouting on his phone whilst stood behind me - which prompted me to look round at him in amazement.
Luckily this worked as he quietened down and moved away. Manners cost nothing yet some people seem unable to show any respect or care to anyone around them.


JAL window wipers look like the letters JL ! Note Finnair's A350 landing from Helsinki. I would have originally been flying back on this very aircraft/flight !




JL413 crew walked by as I was sitting slouched so I sat up !
2 gate staff bowed as they arrived at gate and I checked that my MOML was booked.

Right let's go to the gate !



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JL413Fast Facts

JA861J
Previous flight Sydney-Tokyo Narita
787-900
Next flight Helsinki,Jakarta

Video of JA861J in the past Departing Helsinki - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5TJfjpsnVHs

On the 21st January 2018, JA861J was involved in an incident after take off from Helsinki Vantaa. I knew this before I even got today's flight !

Japan Airlines flight JL414 returned to land at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Finland after suffering unspecified problems with one of the aircraft's GEnx-1B engines.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner took off from runway 22R at 17:25 hours local time. A person on the ground reportedly observed a flame and heard a noise from one of the engines. The aircraft turned south and circled over the Gulf of Finland to dump fuel.
The aircraft landed uneventfully at 18:30 on runway 22L.

Boarding

Boarding start 1110am after gathering priorities at 1107am
Onboard at 1110am
I was greeted in a very friendly manner by the Chief Purser


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The I will be there with you music was playing and seemed beautiful - the last time I would hear this on this trip. This was kind of emotional.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2W_Wpc6x2o

I passed 4 crew and warmly said Ohayu Gozaimas ( Good Morning ) to them and they responded in the same manner.
I was the 1st to board for the rear section.

A small overhead locker was above my seat had a crew case ; I put my hand luggages in and closed it ! Luckily no one else tried to open it and there were still some overhead lockers with free space.


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The seatbelt was very comfortable to fasten.
The 2 x 4 x 2 seat configuration is amazingly comfortable and despite no one next door, I still wouldn't have intruded on anyone's space !



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After I had been in my seat for around 8 minutes, an Airhostess came to my seat regarding my MOML and introduced herself.
I could smell someone's sweaty shoes either behind or in front of me. I sincerely didn't want to endure this for 9.30 hours.
At 1125am there was a PA that we were ready for departure. The sweaty feet syndrome would evaporate soon after take off. Thank God for the 787's air filtering system !

At the start of welcome aboard announcement the crew throughout the cabin all bowed. This is so touching and respectful of a country where manners are everything.

There was warning of turbulence and we possibly had the same captain as JL414 !
The safety video played at 1130am and we pushed back at 1132am.
Whilst taxying aparanoid android kept turning around to look at me ( she was in a pair of girls ). I asked if she was ok and told her I was photographing my seat and not her. But seriously for several minutes I was really annoyed as she kept looking around at me. I know that as long as I don't take photos of people without their permission then I don't worry too much what anyone thinks.
At 1146am the Captain announced a long number of flights before us ( I saw ANA,Jetstar Japan and T'W).



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Take Off

Take off was at 1200pm and at 1215pm there was light turbulence



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At 1233pm meal choices were announced and there was a lovely smell in the cabin.
The announcement also advised that that there is no restroom in back of cabin
The engine roar since take off eased off a bit.

At 1240pm the Captain did a welcome in Japanese and English with details of the flight and advised to follow the progress on the tv screens.

Inflight Service

I had a JAL Skytime and a Coke with Ice.
My meal was brought out but I asked for it in 10 minutes.
The Airhostess smiled and said to let her know when I'm ready to eat.
The mango was not like Pakistani mangoes which are decadent and juicy and sweet ! In fact I would go as far as saying it's tastless.
An Ice cream episode again - not given with spml but its a gift for you as advised by a crewmember!
The meal trays were collected as soon as and as and when passengers finished finish rather than in one go.
The cabin was kept meticulously clean as was were the washrooms. The cutlery this time was plastic and had no chopsticks for the pack ! Luckily I had kept the 2 packs from the previous flight as gifts for loved ones.


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Inflight Entertainment

- overall great but selection of English language pop music is very limited - after creating my own playlist it showed even more how few good pop songs there are to enjoy onboard JAL !

Seatpocket Content

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At 1430pm an Airhostess was seen walking through cabin with a fastened seatbelt to indicate everyone should keep theirs fastened.
At 1500pm a gift bag was given and the chief purser was seen serving in Economy - unheard of and unseen in European carriers.

I asked for an orange juice as waste was collected and there was a Duty Free service after the meal.

SkyOasis

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The Cabin was darkened


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The Milky Lakes of Russia !



Midflight snack ! The story of this is funny. I had not opened my water bottle from the first meal. The cabin smelt of coffee so I felt I wanted some and requested one. Then suddenly the cabin lights went on and all passengers were offered a Chocolate pastry. This was placed in my hand then taken back as I had a "MOML " snack ! I chuckled and asked if I could have one anyway and one was brought to me a minute later.



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IFE and Just4Laughs

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Prelanding Meal

Other passengers received Air Yoshinoya meals ( https://www.jal.co.jp/en/newsky/kitchen_gallery/air_series.html
I checked that the vinaigrette was Halal, the Airhostess serving the meal said "dont worry,it's Halal" ! Something confirmed by the Halal logo !


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Cabin Crew

I showed my Tokyo pics and the crew loved seeing them !
I had a picture with the crew and told them I'm connecting to Manchester
I then tried to dim my window and an Airhostess said she will adjust as they have a setting……

Not quite what I imagined but it did the job ! The glare from the sun even via dimmed windows was sharp.


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I was stood by my seat stretching and an Airhostess was coming out of the galley - she went back in and went into other aisle - now that is polite although i would have moved in an instant as I am a well behaved passenger ! Other airline's crew rush past without a word or barge through. But not on JAL.

I requested some chocolates and these were delivered on a tray.

I gave thank you cards to the crew - I also did this for JL414's Crew.

1 hours 20 mins left to land and theere was an announcement that there was a Finland arrivals video available on tv screens.


I went to the washroom to freshen up


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Last refreshment on JL413 !


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Am I flying on the A380 Superjumbo or the 787 Dreamliner ?!

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Descent began at 1410pm,Finnish time.


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1 hour before landing my screen gave up on me !

An Airhostess came over and did a long press on the power button but it remained off. I reported the defect for the Cabin Log so the next passenger wouldn't be inconvenienced.

Skyoasis snacks were offered in the cabin to all passengers before descent started - i laughed and said I wanted them all !


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