Introduction: Flying to Japan to Ride the Shinkansen
Review: Japan Airlines (787-900) Premium Economy Class – Dallas to Tokyo
Review: NAA Dayroom – Narita International Airport
Review: Japan Airlines – (787-800) Economy Class – Tokyo to Bangkok
Review: Aloft Hotel – Bangkok
Review: Singapore Airlines (A330) Business Class – Bangkok to Singapore
Review: Singapore Airlines (777-300) Business Class – Singapore to Tokyo
Review: Nozomi Shinkansen – Tokyo to Fukuoka
Review: Hilton Seahawk – Fukuoka
Day Trip to Uminonakamichi Island
Review: Gyozaya Ninoni – Fukuoka
Review: All Nippon Airways Lounge – Fukuoka
Review: All Nippon Airways (767-300) Business Class – Fukuoka to Naha
Review: All Nippon Airways (737-800) Economy Class – Naha to Nagoya
Review: All Nippon Airways (Bombardier Dash 8) Economy Class – Nagoya to Tokyo
Review: 9 Hours Capsule Hotel – Narita International Airport
Review: IASS Executive Lounge – Narita International Airport
Review: TEI Lounge – Narita International Airport
Review: Japan Airlines (787-900) Economy Class – Tokyo to Dallas
JL707
NRT – BKK
Departure: 1820
Arrival: 2335
Flight Time: 7 hrs 15 mins
787-800
July 6, 2019
After the shower at the NAA Dayroom, I made my way towards the gate. A short delay was announced so I grabbed a beer at the Yoshinoya in the terminal. As I left Yoshinoya, another delay was announced so I grabbed a Chu-hi at the gate (maybe the flight attendant on the previous flight was right to cut me off).
We finally began to board, approximately 15 minutes behind schedule. Boarding was orderly and without issue. The only “problem” I had was when I asked the agent, at the gate, to upgrade me to Premium Economy since I paid for it in Dallas. She stated that there was no Premium Economy but I could upgrade to Business Class for 10,000 yen. 10,000 yen?! Ma’am?!
For those not tracking, 10,000 yen is approximately ~$100 USD. I turned my nose up and left…
It only took me four minutes to realize that the business upgrade was hella cheap. I hustled back to the gate by could not secure the seat. My conversion skills were not the great so I missed a regional business class upgrade for pennies. Serves me right. I boarded nearly last because I did not want to rush to my economy seat. This was added fuel to the fire letting me know I made a terrible mistake. Even though the cabin was in a 2-4-2 configuration, with me having and aisle seat, it felt cramped. The seats were a bit outdated as well.
There was a tray table that folded down from the seat in front, it had the same cup holder from the previous JAL 787.
Waiting at the seat were headphones, a very thin blanket, and six hours of misery. LOL. Mostly because my butt still hurt from skydiving at Spaceland Dallas.
The small inflight entertainment controller was in the center console. The paint was worn and it responded slowly. The IFE screen was OAF (Old as Fxxx). Come on man, I could not watch this while wearing my glasses.
Did mention the nonexistent legroom? You are right, why would I?
The overhead vents were awesome because they were individual nozzles, but the heat was hot throughout the flight.
I settled in my seat and dozed for a bit.
But not before I made a quick trip to the lavatory. It was about the same size as the previous flight with like amenities.
I woke up after we were airborne because the gentleman behind me decided to punch the screen because it was not as responsive as he would have liked. Talk about having rude neighbors. The service began 40 minutes after takeoff with beverages. I had an Asahi beer and it was served with rice crackers, appropriate.
Soon thereafter, my seafood preordered meal was delivered. I knew that I would not be that hungry at this point, but I wanted to see how Japan Airlines performed with the preordered meals. They did not disappoint. The salmon was in a tomato paste while the rice was steamed with baby shrimp. There were some pickled vegetables and fruit offered as well. I did not think it would beat the previous, but it was really close.
After the meal was delivered. the flight attendants were slowwwwwwww to collect the trays. I have bad never experienced this in Japan.
I slept and talked to my seat mate Michael and his girlfriend for the rest of the flight. We even had a “celebratory” gin and juice.
We had a smooth touchdown at 2250. After an eight minute taxi, we arrived at our gate.
Final Word
The flight to Bangkok was drastically different from the Dallas flight. All in all, it was not too bad, I wish that I would have upgraded for the measly $100 USD. It was time to explore Bangkok for the first time.
