NH223 - Economy - Tokyo Haneda → Frankfurt Boeing 777-300ERYou are here
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Hello,
I didn't intend to post a report but the refurbishment of the TU lounge in Tunis has convinced me to publish.
My final destination is Hokkaidō island (北海道), the most northerly of the four main islands of the archipelago of Japan, and second novelty to me it will happen during the Kōyō(紅葉) period , the autumn equivalent of cherry blossom.
The choice of the company has met several criteria / constraints. TK's fares, the company I used most frequently, became unaffordable from TUN and with booking classes providing very few miles.
So I opted for MS for a trip to Japan in June. The experience was very satisfying and I had two long haul flights that were among the best that I had in eco: recognition of the status on board, correct catering, amenity kit, hotel provided (with a buffet dinner) during a long transit, and so on … The bad side is security check at the gate in the CAI bazaar. Unfortunately for this trip the only availabilities were in booking classes Y and B at prohibitive prices.
These two eliminated, the * A possibilities from TUN are limited to … LH. I take a look without complacency but I immediately find an advantage: unlike MS or TK that would have forced me to buy additional NH tickets costing between 170 and 200 € return to get from TYO to Hokkaido, LH rates are the same whatever Japanese cities you are flying to and open jaws are possible without restrictions. Only constraint the stop overs more than 24 hours at TYO are increasing the fare. No problem for this trip the 24 hours are enough for me.
I avoid the 2 am redeye flight to stall me on the late morning one. Then I have the choice between a LH flight and a NH codehare flight. The LH flight will allow me to try an aircraft that I probably would not have the opportunity to try later, the 748-i. Moreover it arrives around 12 o'clock at HND which suits me. I will take the codeshare NH for my inbound flight: with all the "benefits" of a codeshare, no reservation seat, meals… Communications with NH is a nightmare, as often with Korean or Japanese companies. After many emails and phone calls I was able to book my seats on the domestic flights but not for the NH flight(LH codeshare) "because it is in a LH booking" I was told. But domestic flights too …
Let's go ahead for the description of the fifth flight of this routing entirely ***** Skyhoax:
CHECK-IN
I arrived from CTS the day before. I had a great evening in what was the highlight of my Japanese dining experiences. Just 2 pics to whet your appetite, more in the bonus
The next morning I leave my hotel in Kawasaki to go to Haneda International Terminal There are direct trains and others with change but there is not much informations
I'm going to an NH Business / Star Gold counter to pick up my boarding passes I (in principle) managed to have an aisle seat thanks to my duel of the former day with the CTS check-in agent(see previous FR) I am actually given my boarding pass with the 24H seat for the HND-FRA but also a boarding pass with 25E for my FRA-TUN! I therefore ask to be able to change this middle seat on the FRA-TUN flight! The long-awaited answer is: "It's not possible!" To play an excellent Nô theater drama, good actors are needed : this poor agent clearly was not going to be good enough to give me the reply ;) Discouraged, I take my boarding passes and head to the security checkpoint.
I see a priority line guarded by no less than two female dragons. I hand my boarding pass and my FFP TK card. I am told: "There is no Turkish Airlines flight" I answer: "But I'm traveling with NH" I'm told, "Yes, but Turkish Airlines did not pay" I know that LOT is asking his pax to pay for his spare parts plane but personally I do not want to pay for TK! I head to the common security checkpoint and I go quickly through security, as well as the immigration check.
So I'm coming here! Clearly branded shops are highlighted
I really don't care(as Melania would have said) so I'm heading to the lounge
NH International Business Lounge
I'm welcomed by a smiling agent. You have to go through a corridor where the NH mania is highlighted
Few steps more and I enter the lounge. After the lack of culture a bit of culture with this press offer ;)
As in a domestic lounge it's large with a good view of the apron
The only difference (but what a difference !) is this area: there is a buffet with real food!
And so just right before the buffet this area with few tables
There are also local spirits: Sake, Shōchū, Umeshu. It's very well highlighted and documented
Let's have a look at the buffet Fridge with juice and chilled beer glasses
Sparkling
Spirits
And even Campari for old people who like very virile drinks
White wine, red wine etc … according to the wine list below
A look at the food offer
Salad and sandwiches
The chicken curry is a NH signature dish
What I personally prefer: the noodles bar
Danish pastries and other sweets
And a breads menu
I seat at a distance from the windows : it's not possible in this lounge to take good pictures of the aiplanes
My first selection with Shōchū
My second with Umeshu. The fresh ginger was delicious
With a filled stomach, I'm ready to cross swords with a NH agent! Because there is a desk with an agent in the lounge.
I greet her politely with a Japanese inclination and hand her my boarding pass FRA-TUN. "I would like to change my seat" I said with a honeyed smile. As soon as I finish my sentence, she answers me (without looking at the boarding pass I think): "It's impossible!" She then looks at the boarding card and adds "In addition it is not a NH flight" At that moment luckily (for her and even more for me) a colleague arrives to replace her. I have the opportunity to sit down (without being offered!) The new agent turns to me with an inquiring look on her face. "Your colleague was going to show me the cabin map for this flight," I told her, showing him my boarding pass "so I could choose a new seat ". She takes the boarding pass and after a few keystrokes on her keyboard, her monitor displays the cabin map LUFTHANSA !!!!! I ask for an aisle seat in front of the cabin: she offers me the 14D. I agree and she prints the new boarding card and tears the old one!
I do not have much time to enjoy my victory because it's time to go to the gate
The boarding is scheduled at 10:45 am
flight nh223
I arrive at 10:35 am. My boarding pass is checked
The wait lasts a bit, I take the opportunity to spot an OZ
My 77W of the day
a 777-300ER first flight on 29/03/2005, soon 14 years old.
TG is taxiing
The boarding is launched almost 15 minutes late! (What happened ! We're in Japan !!) As usual, family with children, people with assistance, seniors, then Milion Milers Nh and First Class. Finally the business and status pax. I am among the first to enter the hold without teeth: the first row of the eco cabin.
Seats look old and comfortable
An outside view before my neighbors arrive
The other seats of the cabin Note: all these pictures are taken in Japanese Etiquette mode!
Great legroom
A FA comes to ask me to confirm my special meal (that was impossible to book LOL) and stick a label on my seat
The pouch that, like my neighbor, I empty of its bulky magazines, to put my slippers and my headphone inside
The IFE minitor is on the left side of the seat
My neighbor with her funny harness allowing her to put her baby on
The boarding is complete : no neighbors
External views during taxi and takeoff
Connectors, remote control and seat plug (one plug per seat)
When we are airborne the curtain is closed with the Business Class but no curtain between Premium eco and eco
Shortly afterwards the service begins Good rice crackers that unfortunately are not available in the lounge
I choose Kabosu, NH's signature drink and a much-touted sparkling wine on the NH website
I did not like this sparkling wine
The cradle has been installed but the baby will most often be on his mother's harness
The goblets are signed
Distribution of the special meals: It is difficult not knowing it's a SFML meal lol Even the bread!
Metal Cutlery of good quality
and logoed
The tray includes a bottle of water "Innovation by Chemistry" it says it all
A salad
Salad dressing
A shrimp and salmon: by far the most qualitative element of the meal
Fruit
The hot dish: a little disappointing even if it was edible. I had imagined that a Seafood Meal (SFML) had to be qualitative since in Japanc the sea products are extremely good. I was disappointed by this hot dish and the hot dish of the snack: rather Western dishes while I was expecting Japanese food.
I wash all with a beer and a sparkling water
The beer was not available on the trolley : I was surprised to hear the FA saying to me in French without an accent: "I'll bring you your beer later". It was a French FA married with a Japanese people
After clearing the tray an ice cream is offered
The flight time flows smoothly. I watch geovision, I listen my music with my noise cancelling headphones. A mid-flight snack is offered
A Käsebrot : cold and without much taste.
And here is the drama !!!!! While I'm taking a bite, one hand grabs my hand to put away the infamous food!
"Do not eat !!! It's not for you !!!" says a panicked FA. "Are not you going to be sick?" she asks me very uncomfortably, seeming to see me already suffering an anaphylactic shock. I try to reassure her: "No, it's okay, it's only bread!" "Are you sure ?" She insists "Yes certain!" By showing him my best face She still gives me the food that was intended for me and goes away with a sigh (that I hope for relief!) [/ Text]
We are here
About 1h30 before arrival a collation is offered
In fact it is the hot dish of the western menu where the sausage has been replaced by tuna with a kind of tomato sauce
The omelette is quite dry and the rest is average.
The end of the flight is without any significant event We land more than an hour ahead of schedule
Gourmet and Spiritual Bonus
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Excellent evening and a favorite for the creativity of Hideki-San in his Shirosaka. This restaurant with very discreet entrance has a capacity of 9 seats and a private room of 4 to 6 seats.
There is no menu, the courses focuses on showcasing seasonal Japanese flavors with a creative contemporary twist. There is however a rather eclectic wine list or a pairing courses/sake wine that I chose. The dishes are prepared in front of you by the chef and his brigade.
Welcome drink with a glass of champagne and an oshibori, before taking off for the 7th culinary heaven.
Appetizer with this warm mackerel, accompanied by a refill of champagne. I find that mackerel in Japan is a delight and this one obviously was delicious.
Then a fish tempura covered with eggs. Perfect frying, the fish, although rather big, is eaten entirely
Perfectly accompanied by a sake from Saga Prefecture, located in the northwestern part of Kyūshū
Then it will be lightly cooked tuna with two slices of daikon
A wonder that the perfectly named "Water of Desire" can transcend. This "Water of Desire" of Aichi from Nagoya Prefecture does not hesitate to appeal to elegance, sweetness and nostalgia.
Then to titillate my taste buds, some dashi jelly serves as a haven for caviar, sea urchin, cubes of tuna, accompanied with seaweed in a rice leaf and an egg.
A sake of Hokkaido to water this equipped with iodine!
It will be served in a small pot and a small metal container
We continue this fireworks of flavor with unagi accompanied by truffle
The wedding is as surprising as it is happy and the sake of Hokkaido will also water this wedding worthily.
Then it will be a fish with mashed daikon, green onions and ginkgo nuts
A Sancerre will keep company with this beautiful assortment of flavors
Then it will be very small very crisp shrimps on fine wheat sōmen.
With a California pinot noir to value them.
The chef finishes before my eyes the next dish
A wagyu marinated in dashi before being barely cooked, accompanied with mushrooms
No surprise with a delicious meat perfectly cooked but rather for his companion: a Yamanashi, Japanese red wine of 2004. A curiosity that deserves to be known and that marries divinely with the meat served
The room emptied, the other guests left.
The chef will serve me what traditionally marks the end of a Japanese meal A bowl of rice with fish roe, Japanese pickles and miso soup.
Another oshibori. Then desserts time. First an apple sorbet washed down with a 12-year-old Yamazaki
Then a biscuit containing a caramel ice cream
Accompanied by an ultimate sake
Tea or coffee ? It will be a green tea for me
I can only warmly congratulate Chef Hideki-San, his sommelier Kota-San and the whole brigade. A photo with the entire brigade taken by Kota-San to conclude an exceptional evening
An address that I advise you obviously
Before these feasts I went to visit a temple at nightfall Not a cat (even black) in this district of Tokyo yet close to the residence of the Prime Minister
Tradition … and modernity as a backdrop
Finally for those who want to venture into Hokkaido, in some places it is necessary to know how to persevere like you can be notified when making hotel reservations
See more
Verdict
ANA
9.0/10
Cabin10.0
Cabin crew9.5
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Meal/catering8.5
ANA Lounge Haneda - International
8.6/10
Comfort8.0
Meal/catering9.0
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Services9.5
Tokyo - HND
8.6/10
Efficiency9.5
Access7.5
Services7.5
Cleanliness10.0
Frankfurt - FRA
8.1/10
Efficiency7.5
Access7.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness10.0
Conclusion
An excellent flight with NH. A very comfortable seat, an infinite legroom and no neighbor : the maximum comfort FAs were available and smiling. The IFE seemed to have good selections. The catering disappointed me because I had high expectations but it remains satisfactory
The lounge has a satisfying offer, the best for me is the noodles bar. The negative aspect is that it's overcrowded even but I was able to find a seat.
Haneda airport is much faster to reach than Narita.
Frankfurt is not the most pleasant airport but certainly not the worst either. I do not understand why it is necessary to pass through the security coming from Japan to go to another non Schengen zone. I was able to use the fast lane (without knowing if I was entitled to, since its access was not checked) but at this time of the day it leads to the normal lane so not really interesting and it gives rather the impression of queue jumping.
3 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Good and detailed report! Amazing restaurant and shrine! Although I'm living in Japan but I don't usually travel around, just stick to my bed on weekends?. And, for the Haneda security fast track, it's difficult to understand, even I'm NH*G I still couldn't figure out what combinations are eligible to use the fast track. Of course first/business class passengers are eligible, but when it comes to economy class, it's confusing. [NH*G travelling NH Econ] no problem of coz, but [NH*G travelling on other *A airlines] is really case by case, even the staff standing there don't know what's going on. So I would just try and if rejected, go back to the usual lanes.
Great report and beautiful bonus! The Haneda lounge looks really nice and the food selections seems good. I'm surprised you had such a rude agents at check in and in the lounge--so shocking in Japan! You got lucky with that shift change and you were sly, haha. It seems codeshare and through-checked interline flights can be a pain no matter which alliance it is. I've often had trouble with seats and IROPS on codeshare flights with both SkyTeam and oneworld. Bad experiences have led me to seek out a carrier's own metal (operated and marketed) to avoid issues, unless the codeshare is really advantageous for miles or just much cheaper.
I'm surprised the SFML wasn't better on a Japanese carrier. I mean it looks fine, but you just expect better. Despite the unpleasant issues with the reservation, thanks to crappy IT for codeshare, the flight experience itself looks very nice. It's always nice to see some airlines (too few) still make an effort to offer a good experience in Y.
"unless the codeshare is really advantageous for miles or just much cheaper." I agree with you about a codeshare flight, it's always a pain. I was earning 70% instead of 50% miles with the codeshare, so it was worth the pain anyway.
"but you just expect better" That was my expectation : the seafood ex-Japan had to be better than anywhere else ;)
"to see some airlines (too few) still make an effort to offer a good experience in Y." Yes, NH is a member of this league : a good and pleasant flight.
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9 Comments
"even the staff standing there don't know what's going on."
That's exactly what I noticed.
It's very confusing.
"So I would just try and if rejected, go back to the usual lanes."
The best way and I did the same :)
Just click on the header "FLIGHT NH223" and the hidden parts will pop up :)
Funny (and good apparently) how the FA was concerned over your potentially having an adverse reaction to the "regular" food.
Yes, she seemed to be very concerned :)
I'm surprised the SFML wasn't better on a Japanese carrier. I mean it looks fine, but you just expect better. Despite the unpleasant issues with the reservation, thanks to crappy IT for codeshare, the flight experience itself looks very nice. It's always nice to see some airlines (too few) still make an effort to offer a good experience in Y.
Thanks for sharing!
"unless the codeshare is really advantageous for miles or just much cheaper."
I agree with you about a codeshare flight, it's always a pain.
I was earning 70% instead of 50% miles with the codeshare, so it was
worth the pain anyway.
"but you just expect better"
That was my expectation : the seafood ex-Japan had to be better than
anywhere else ;)
"to see some airlines (too few) still make an effort to offer a good experience in Y."
Yes, NH is a member of this league : a good and pleasant flight.
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