Review of Japan Airlines flight from Chicago to Tokyo in First

Thanks to JetSetPanda for the great help for the translation
Following my itinerary culminating with this ORD-NRT flight on JL F.
Tunis (TUN) - Istanbul (IST) Turkish Airlines (Eco, B737-800)
http://flight-report.com/en/report-6346.html
Istanbul (IST) - New York ( JFK) Turkish Airlines (Eco, A330-300)
http://flight-report.com/en/report-6497.html
New York (LGA) - Chicago (ORD) American Airlines (Eco, B737-800)
http://flight-report.com/en/report-6510.html
Chicago (ORD) - Tokyo (NRT) Japan Airlines (First, B777-300ER)
Tokyo (NRT) - Istanbul (IST) Turkish Airlines (Affaires, B777-300ER)
Istanbul (IST) - Hong Kong(HKG) Turkish Airlines (Affaires, B777-300ER)
Hong Kong (HKG) - Seoul (ICN) Asiana Airlines (Affaires, A330-300)
Seoul (ICN) - Istanbul(IST) Asiana Airlines (Affaires, A330-300)
Istanbul(IST) - Francfort(FRA) Turkish Airlines (Eco, A320)
Francfort(FRA) _ Londres(LHR) British Airways (Eco, B767)
Londres(LHR) - Paris(CDG) British Airways (Eco, B737-800)
Paris(CDG) - Istanbul(IST) Turkish Airlines (Eco, A330-300)
Istanbul(IST) - Tunis(TUN) Turkish Airlines (Eco, B737-800)
This mixture of paid and reward tickets produced in return 800 euros in revenue tickets, 106,500 Avios, 52,500 miles and 273 euros in taxes and fees for issuing award tickets.
I will travel 34,245 miles (or 55,111 km) or 1.38 times around the earth
After a pleasant evening with my host who introduced me to this excellent wine from Oregon, I am excited to be on my way to the airport.

The JL counters are located next to AA.

One counter where an employee attempts to enforce the rules with great difficulty

This would have been a quick registration if it were not for the agent who asks me how I will leave Japan since my ticket is one-way (I travel with seven different tickets).
After this minor set back I was promptly given my boarding pass along with a tag for my cabin luggage.

Heading to security where there is no fast track.

But there are only few people in line and I am in the secured side quickly.

I don’t see signs for the Flagship Lounge so I follow the ones for the Admiral's Club where they are usually found next to each other.

Some spotting along the way.

Here I am !

I am nicely greeted and told that I can go to the Flagship Lounge that is next to my gate where there is a full bar!
Upon leaving I spot this NH plane in the process of arriving.

Here I am at my gate.

My 77W in OneWorld livery, JA732J whose first flight was on 24/02/2003, was facing the opposite way where the arriving passengers disembarked.

A 772 from AA passes by regally

On the right side there is this

And the entrance to the Flagship lounge

Warm and cheerful welcome from the dragon

The rest is just like any US domestic lounge

Isn’t this a comprehensive offer of alcoholic beverages : the full bar that I’ve been promised ;)

American sparkling wine ? Nein Danke ! I like the one waiting for me onboard better ;)

I find the continental breakfast really poor.

Newspapers’ offer.

My selection

This deserved a wiping.

Like LX !

Corporate picture

It will be difficult for me to do better than these two pictures at this angle because of the position of bridge

I'm impatient and I prefer to turn around the gate rather than stay in the lounge
Boarding is announced and I head down the jetbridge.

To discover this nice but unexceptional cabin

My seat 2A

Next is 2D

In the back is Business Class

A small gesture to regain my emotions.

The control with the express seat options.

The control with more features.

Views from the seat.

The pitch

The slippers.

The Bose noise reducing headphones.

Presentation of onboard wifi.

Safety card

Seat instructions.

Seat pocket contents.

Some traces of usage.

The individual light.

Other views of the seat and cabin.

Here it sits ;)

but on a small paper napkin: not posh for two cents

Distribution of reading materials, majority in Japanese.

And a blanket!

This blanket was given to me unpacked, the door was still open, so at first I thought it was only used as a blanket during this phase of the flight but no other blankets were offered later.
I confess that I was surprised at its quality (rough and coarse to the touch) and condition.
It made me think of a blanket for animals.

Storage space.

Old Style control and telephone.

New style control.

Electrical outlet multi standard RCA video

Slippers

Comfortable size screen.

Security video.

Spinning and rolling: I'm (gently) scolded for taking pictures so it will refrain myself and switch to a hiding mode during this phase.

A private plane

Headphone details.

Take off

Distribution of pajama

Visit the toilet to put on my pajamas: nothing special to share except for the toothbrushes available and of course the Japanese toilet

Distribution of a hot towel that will stay with me for quite some time before being retrived.

And menus.

Wine menu.

Menu

Amuse bouche : I very much like the endive for its originality.
Corn Blanc Manger, Grilled Scallop with Caponata, White Meat Fish Brandade with Saffran Flavor

More champagne, Sir ? ;)

I cannot get tired of these waves.

Zatsuki
Shrimp, Scallop and Yam with miso sauce

Caviar

I'm not usually fond of these but I found this one great

Tribute to Flight- Report and especially to Leadership

Afterward the Japanese Appetizer

You will notice the still present oshibori

Kobachi
Simmered Beef with Potato Sauce

Soybean Milk Tofu with Sea Urchin Soy Sauce

Simmered Spring Vegetables

Tsubo
Wakame Seaweed & Young Sardines with Grated Radish

Shiizakana
Squid Sushi with Mashed Potato/Duck Roll with Welsh Onion/Simmered Greenland Halibut

Mukouzuke
White Meat Fish Sashimi Style

Dainomono
Grilled Sablefish Miso Flavor/Mini Beef Steak

Soup
Japan Clear Soup with Steamed Shrimp Mousse

Hanmono
Seasoned Steamed Rice with Chicken & Burdock

Japanese Pickles

In order to taste the two kinds I take the
Hanmono
Steamed Rice (Koshihakiri Rice)

All these delicacies are sublime against the landscape below

The FA then passes with a basket of snacks where I select these

She then offered me the cheese course: I'm not in the mood but to be able to take a picture for the report I accept

The corporate picture at this time during the flight.

Japanese Sweet

Which I accompany with green tea

FlyingJapans : what is this for ?

The always snowy landscapes that follow each other

Something intriguing that I really wanted to taste: Royal Blue Tea
For more information http://artandentertainme.blogspot.com/2011/01/royal-blue-tea-jewel-of-japan.html

Distribution of a bottle of water

I check if I can use this marvel of technology or if I should use my best smile for a snack;)

This will be the second option

In addition the choice of music is really restricted:(

A FA asks me if I want my bed to be turned down: I suggest that 2D is used for this purpose
At least like pititom who has a seat and a bed;)

There is a soft side and a hard side to the mattress

For the moment I am connected but there are long periods without any connection.

The price of 21.95 usd would be fine for a 13 hour flight except for the drops.

I also ask for the amenity kit which was not offered to me.
Afterwards I understand why

A plastic pouch with cheap contents : particularly the toothbrush :(

At least it has some products

We are here then

The bed which in itself is comfortable enough without too many extras and could be really emphasized.

The headphone with its specific plug. I end up using mine.

I need a little lift: let’s test the Margaux!

Rather good!

A snack basket with more conventional items are offered in comparison to the previous one.

We are not moving faster and it suits me well to have a second glass of Margaux.

By default the IFE is in German !!
Perhaps due to the brand on the glasses : Riedel

Preparing the table for my snack

Always a nice view to enjoy the snacks

Garlic bread : we are far from SQ which is always my source of reference for garlic bread

Foie Gras stuffed Chicken Breast with Morel Sauce

A big disappointment : fortunately I have chosen the Japanese option !

The meat is very dry

The sauce without any taste

And the foie gras stuffing ? what foie gras ?? The taste is overwhelmed by the herbs de provence if there was any foie gras

Fortunately a small dessert will make me forget this disappointment
Orange Curaçao Cake & Ice Cream

Always passing through beautiful landscapes

A PNC brings me a bottle of white Japanese wine : I have not asked (for once!)) but in order to not appear ungrateful I thank her with a big smile and taste the wine.

I am not a fan of white wines, except for sweet ones, so this does not excite me

Then came the PNC back and she apologized profusely, I forgive her showing great indulgence
We are almost there

I listen to my own music

The available films are always blockbusters

I do not get tired :)

But when we approach Anchorage we experience some heavy turbulence (FAs sit down !)

That last close to two hours

I console myself by listening to Ellie Goulding who wiggles along ;)

After this shaky interlude it's time to test the menu starting with snacks
Japanese Vegetable Keema Curry with Steamed Rice

Sprinkled with Salon, it is simply the best curry I've eaten

Seared Salmon & Salmon Roe with Grated Yam on Steamed Rice

We are here

I receive an email with a picture of the FR gathering in NYC

Time covered

Time is passing by slowly :(

Sensing that I was probably about to succumb to hunger, the PNC improvised a nice interlude

Attention to the baguette holder from Business class

I finished writing the first FR of the routing and publish it in stride

It is still possible to test some dishes
Portabella Mushroom Gnocchi with Vegetable Cream Sauce

This dish confirms my predilection for Japanese options when flying on JL
Japanese Hot Udon Noodles with Seaweed

And I will not leave this cabin without sampling the coffee “ceremony”
Coffee pump is supplied with an hourglass: you must press the pump when the grains have passed

In fact despite the ceremonial procedure the coffee was not that great !
And afterwards a little sweet
Ice Cream

This time we start our approach

Landing

On time arrival, disembarking and unfortunately a long wait without fast track