Review of Japan Airlines flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles in Business

As simple as the Narita Rest House Hotel was, the sleep we had was sooo nice ! After waking up we had a nice shower and got ready to get to the airport. We went downstairs, checked out and jumped on the bus.

After reaching the terminal building, we took the many escalators up and went to check-in to see if we could change seats and get further up the front, to no avail and we would keep our seats 12H and 12K.

We then went to through security followed by immigration formalities. It all went smoothly and quickly. Just after passing immigration we went directly to the lounge which was opposite the police counters. It is rather convenient to have the Sakura lounge right there !

We were greeted by the japanese lounge attendants and were directed to the right downstairs where the main part of the lounge was located.

The lounge is of a good size, with loads of seating area and huge windows !

Huge windows overlooking JA732J in the oneworld livery which is going to operate flight… JL 62 to LAX ! YAY !!!

After settling down in two lovely and comfortable armchairs, I go to the restaurant area of the lounge, upstairs. There is a salad bar and an area where you can dish yourself some hot food or soup. Here are the different dishes available.

Not a lot and not really worthy of a Business Class lounge.
I didn't get anything as I was saving for the meal on board. I walked back downstairs and went to visit the bar and drinks area.

Here is the rather quiet selection I made ! The cookies were excellent, very buttery !

In the mean time another Boeing 777-300ER parks in front of the lounge and our oneworld liveried chariot disappears.

As I was chatting with my sister on Facebook thanks to the free wifi in the lounge, she asked that I go and check if they had dried strawberries covered with white chocolate. So off we went to see if I could find her beloved delicacies.

Unfortunately I couldn't find anything that even looked remotely like a strawberry, but that is normal as it is a seasonal thing and strawberries are most definitely not in season !
Anyway, I'll just snap a couple more pictures of our 777 and go queue to board the plane.

A few minutes after boarding time, and profuse apologies, the ground agents launch the boarding and they start by boarding passengers needing wheelchair assistance and then First Class customers and Business Class !
In the jetway leading to the airplane there are signs indicating which way you have to go to board the aircraft and a picture of the Aircraft maintenance manager for our flight !

We are greeted by 2 very kind JAL cabin attendants who show us the way towards our seats which are at the end of the Business Class cabin.

My seat, 12K, for the next 10 hours to LAX.

The huge screen. Shame they are all Off and not showing at least the Tsuru when we board the aircraft.

My screen and by partner's screen in 12H.

The seat's controls.

Quick check of our position on the airshow

Already ?! But we haven't even started !!!

Boarding is completed and the Chief Purser arms the doors, introduce herself and the crew operating the flight today. She then launches the safety video demonstrations.

JAL and oneworld, proudly flying us to California.

Night has set on Japan and we are preparing for take off.

View across from my seat to the window of 12A

After take off as soon as we are freed, I go check the restrooms. Toto is there !

Shortly after I get back to my seat the crew is offering oshibori.

The service starts with the crew offering drinks and amuse-bouche. I request what I call a Japanese Kir with Champagne and Umeshu. The stewardess serving me is surprised by the cocktail and tells all her colleagues about it… If you see it appear on the JAL menus, you know who started it !
The drinks are served with two small dishes, one containing some Marinated duck Saikyo Miso Flavor and another one containing Pickled mushrooms.

On the ground the cabin crew took the orders and I had selected the Japanese meal and my partner chose the western meal.
Here are the nine seasonal colorful delicacies in Kobachi bowls. From top to bottom from left to right :
Smoked Pacific Saury with Buckwheat Seeds and Spinach
Raw Ham, Persimmon and Eggplant with Sesame Sauce
Pumpkin Jelly and Minced Meat with Japanese Sauce
Scallop and Eringi Mushroom with Persimmon Vinegar
Sea-Bream Sashimi and Irizake Jelly Sweet-vinegared Papaya
Simmered Prawn, Taro and Yuba with Green Sauce.
Grilled Flounder Yuzu Miso Flavor Sweet-simmered Ayu Fish
Simmered Small Abalone Steamed, Fish Mousse with Bulbil
Barracuda Sushi, Octopus Dressed with Soy Vinegar Jelly

The western starter is a Tuna Tartare with Salad. This flight is one of the lucky flights that will have the opportunity to sample a special bread made by Maison Kayser where the bread dough is knead with Beaujolais Nouveau instead of water. Pierre Ferraud Beaujolais Nouveau 2013 is also available for tasting on board.

My selection of seasonal delicacies was excellent, only one I didn't eat was the octopus one as I do not like it.
After I was one with my starters, I was cleared of the black lacquered box and my main course was served.
Grilled Japanese Beef Sirloin Sukiyaki style, Simmered Shimeji Mushroom and Grilled Tofu
Steamed Rice
Miso Soup
Japanese Pickles

My partner's dish, Simmered Salmon Sausage in Tomato Sauce.

When the Chief Purser came around to serve dessert, I made the request to have the Japanese cheese plate available from the Order Anytime Menu. She oblidged and gave us both a Japanese cheese plate and the AMAZING dessert Maccha Mousse and Jean Paul Hévin's Macaron Amer.
The Japanese cheese selection includes Oishii Camembert, Gouda and Hayakita Blue.

I must admit that this was one of my best and most eye pleasing meal experience onboard an aircraft ! And I was full ! So full that I couldn't sleep !
After the crew cleared our tables, they gave us a bottle of water each and I reclined my seat and installed the futon mattress and I was ready for my movie. I elected to watch the latest Star Trek.

I then fell asleep and woke up 2h30 before we arrived, right on time for the last call for the Order Anytime Menu ! I took my remote and ordered a Coke and the Fumiko's Western Set Plate. Autumn Steak Salad with Walnut Dressing Kuroge Wagyu Beef with Sautéed Shallot Red Wine Flavor.
While I was waiting, I had a glance at the engine and wing… still there !

Then my meal arrived !

The beef was excellent and I really enjoyed the sweet taste of the red wine shallot sauce.
After I had finished my meal, I requested some Dean and Deluca Vanilla Madagascar Ice Cream which was promptly brought to me.

We have some more time before we land in LAX so I take some time to take pictures of the reading material in the seat pocket.

The safety card, back and front.

JAL's network, a shadow of itself !

We have 1h30 minutes left and I start to use the inflight wifi to send messages, book a car rental etc… It is also time to fill out the customs forms.

We're nearly there !!!

The sun is high above now !

We start to make a few turns to line up for landing.

A few more minutes before we land !

Cabin view.

Weather is a little overcast in Los Angeles…

We are lined up now ! after so many turns !

Closer to the runway

Reverse !

And we exit the runway to get to our parking stand.

We taxi by Air Tahiti Nui's resting Airbus 340.

Nearly at our parking stand.

We park at the very far end of the Tom Bradley International Terminal's new concourse and we have a really long trek to the immigration area.

I was dreading immigration as I heard horror stories but it went quickly and we were on the other side in no time !
I was impressed by this amazing screen that goes from the top of the building to the bottom !