Transpac787 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3143 posts, RR: 14 Posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 25685 times:
Hey all,
Well, first TR of 2009 for me. Given the seemingly really light transpac loads from the US in January I figured it was time for the first trip of the year. My M.O. seems to usually be the international 'quick turn' but the loads to MNL were really light, a flight that most typically runs at 100% load-factors, more than nearly any other flight in the NW NRT hub. So I figured it was best to stay a couple days. I also was able to successfully talk a.net member KingAir200 into going along too after quite a few rounds of browbeating and convincing.
23 January 2009
NW71, DTW-NGO
Block Time: 13 hours, 30 minutes
747-451, N676NW, Ship# 6316
Seat: 77K, Top Deck World Business Class
The trip started out pretty hectic. My original plan was to fly LAX-NRT on NW1, continuing on NRT-MNL on NW1. However, at the last second a ton of nonrevs listed on NRT-MNL, a flight which was rather full anyway. Then when I saw that ship 6305 (N665US), the Delta-painted 747-400 would be operating NW1 on LAX-NRT, that sealed the deal for me to find another route to MNL as I most definitely want to avoid getting on that plane at all costs, haha.
So, my final itinerary for the trip ended up being:
Given the relatively light winter load factors I got to DTW really easy with plenty of time before the long flight to NGO. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures inside the terminal of the Detroit World Gateway, but it is easily one of the finest terminal buildings there is. Well.... save for those dots on all the windows preventing you from taking any half-decent pictures outside. *grumbles*
Anyhow, prior to boarding my and KingAir200's names were called to get our seats. 77J and 77K on the top deck, the exit row. While the legroom on the top deck exit row is huge, a major downside is a pretty poor view of the outside as you only have one window.
Looking forward toward the cockpit from 77K
Looking out the window before pushback. A330-300 ship# 3309 (N809NW) next door.
The FA's handed out menu's, amenity kits, and headsets on the ground prior to takeoff. As I typically do, I chose the chicken entree. Unfortunately, I don't have the exact menu description of that as I forgot/lost my menus in the hotel in MNL
Anyhow, while I really like NW's IFE system overall, I hate the intro thing they do after takeoff. The "airobics" followed by a bunch of other commercials like duty free home delivery.
Moving map, taken immediately after takeoff
Salad & bread. I don't have pics of the entree for this flight, unfortunately.
The meal was quite good, followed by a great dessert of an ice cream cake. They must have been kept ultra-chilled in the galley as it was impossible to eat with a spoon, almost requiring a fork & knife.
After the meal service was over, I tried to go to sleep as soon as possible. However, I was a bit perplexed by the peculiar sunrise/sunset that happened mid-flight. I took a picture of the global moving map to help me describe:
Globe view, route of flight, and day/night plot
Soon after takeoff it began to get rather dark outside. Soon after though, it became more light again, almost a 'twilight', which we seemed to fly at for several hours. Finally though night caught up to us and we were in the pitch dark, but for awhile the twilight outside was pretty cool.
Twilight, enroute DTW-NGO. Approx 3 hours into the 13:30 blocktime flight.
Arrival in NGO went smoothly. Upon landing when I was looking outside, I was extremely surprised to have seen the Dreamlifter sitting on a remote ramp. It must have been ready to depart in a few hours as the tail was open and it was being loaded with what I guess were 787 components. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of it as it was pitch dark outside and the camera was unable to get any good shots of it.
24 January 2009
NW71, NGO-MNL
Block Time: 04 hours, 15 minutes
747-451, N676NW, Ship# 6316
Seat: 77J, Top Deck World Business Class
Given the extreme headwinds across the Pacific for our transpac flight - sometimes in excess of 100+ knots - we arrived a few minutes late into NGO, about 10-15. Since we were continuing on NW71 to MNL we had to clear security in NGO, which went fairly smoothly but not as easy or efficiently as the security checkpoints in NRT.
For a relatively short 1.5 hour layover, my first impression of NGO was quite good, I liked it more than KIX. I suppose it makes sense in the current economy, but too bad NW/DL is reducing service to NGO to 4x weekly.
Our gate for NW71 continuing onto MNL. Sorry about the blur.
Terminal of NGO. Somewhat a ghost town at this hour, only a few flights left to depart for the night. CO to GUM, NW to MNL, and 2-3 others.
KingAir200 and myself got the exact same seats again, 77J and 77K on the top deck. As we got to board early, we went up and talked with the pilots for a bit before departure. Very nice crew, both cockpit and cabin. The cabin crew was comprised of the two US-based FA's, the purser and the "chaser". In addition to them were 12x MNL-based FA's.
Globe view of our route of flight.
Dinner orders were taken on the ground again, and again I ordered the chicken entree. On the NW "south" flights out of NRT, NGO, and KIX, the appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert are all served on the same tray given the rather limited time for service as compared to the full transpac flights.
Dinner, enroute NGO-MNL
After dinner I fell asleep for the duration of the flight as our scheduled arrival was 1155p and I didn't want to feel too jetlagged in the morning.
Despite the short stay in MNL, it is a very cool place to visit. Even in January it was 80-85 degrees (25-30 celsius). I can't imagine what that place is like in July or August. Here are a couple pictures of the stay:
Our hotel, the InterContinental.
Havana Club. A popular NW crew hangout while on layover. While we didn't stay for it I'm told it's quite the popular night club as well.
Greenbelt mall. A half-indoor / half-outdoor mall. Reminded me a lot of the HNL airport in that regard.
On Corregidor, the site of several battles during WW2. To history buffs like me it was a very cool place to visit. In the background are several islands at the mouth of Manila Bay.
27 January 2009
NW72, MNL-NGO
Block Time: 03 hours, 35 minutes
747-451, N676NW, Ship# 6316
Seat: 12B, Main Deck World Business Class
While I had a great time in MNL, it was time to head back.... the hotel and food bills add up pretty quickly!! We had to get up extremely early, about 300a so we could get to the airport by 400a. Both the NW flights to NGO and NRT depart fairly close to eachother so we wanted to try to beat huge check-in lines by arriving 2.5 hours early. Check-in went very smoothly, and we were immediately given seats in J-class, even as nonrevs.
MNL terminal. Our plane, ship# 6316, seen in the background out the window.
I was somewhat disappointed to get on ship# 6316 again as I had been on the plane 3 times previously - twice just a few days prior on NW71 DTW-NGO-MNL. But hey, at least it wasn't the DL 744
Aft main deck World Business Class cabin, just forward of doors 2L/R
Looking aft toward the top deck staircase and the coach cabin.
World Business Class seats rows 1-4, forward of doors 1L/R
The boarding process took quite awhile as the coach cabin was at near 100% load-factor. Once the doors were shut, we were on our way. As we taxied out I was able to get a picture of the 744 bound to NRT on NW2:
Ship 6303 (N663US) operating NW2, MNL-NRT.
The takeoff was quite strong and fast, given our short duration of flight, at least compared to the transpac flights. I'm not sure about MNL departure procedures, but we maneuvered around quite a bit - either because of the SID or ATC vectors, I guess.
Steep turn on climbout from MNL. Already at flaps 1 (outboard slats retracted).
Flaps up, climbing to cruise.
After takeoff and climb, the breakfast service began. While the 'traditional' options of eggs, cereal, and other western meals were available, I decided to try the shrimp and seafood over japanese noodles. Ended up being a fantastic choice, it was great food!!
Japanese breakfast. Never have I had better mango, offered with the fruit dish.
After the breakfast, KingAir200 and myself decided to try our hand at the trivia game offered in the NW IFE. For the purposes of the TR we decided to use some ridiculous pseudonyms.
I started out winning but lost in the end (note humiliatingly low scores )
Globe view of MNL-NGO. Actually got to see where we were going this time!!
Compared to our other flights, MNL-NGO seemed to go quite fast. Approach into NGO had very cool scenery that we didn't see on our DTW-NGO flight. Quite the mountainous terrain.
Initial descent into NGO.
Ship 6316 at the gate in NGO. Have been on that plane 4 times to date, now.
27 January 2009
NW78, NGO-NRT
Block Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
757-251, N543US, Ship# 5643
Seat: 4B, World Business Class
In order to get a flight on one of NW's 75X's - the NRT-based 757 - we decided to fly NGO-NRT, and then NRT-DTW back across the Pacific. Our connection time in NGO was not very long, just slightly over an hour. When we deplaned the 744 on arrival in NGO, we heard our names paged saying we need to see the agents at the connection counter. To our extreme surprised, the agents gave us boarding passes for the NGO-NRT flight prior to the gate, as well as bringing us to the employee security checkpoint for expedited connection screening. What a huge help!!
Our 757 for the short flight to NRT, ship# 5643 (N543US).
Boarding began a short 25 minutes prior to departure given the atypical low load factor for the flight.
One last picture of ship 6316, taken from the jetbridge for our NGO-NRT flight.
Doors closed in NGO about 5 minutes early and we were off for our short flight to NRT.
View out the window during pushback.
Takeoff out of NGO was very impressively strong and quick. 757's have a ton of power anyway, and when the total load is about 80 people, it's even more impressive. Climbout was very fast too, allowing us a bird's eye view of the NGO airport as we turned back towards NRT:
Nagoya Chubu. Nice airport, I like it better than Osaka Kansai.
Given the very short duration of the flight, only a drink service was offered in both cabins.
World Business Class cabin on the beach-market 75X. South routes to PUS, CAN, and TPE use the 75A in the 16J/144Y configuration, while beach-market flights to GUM and SPN use the 20J/162Y configuration 75X.
NW is able to use several 757's out of NRT without slot restrictions as they are able to use the shorter runway 34R/16L. NW77/78 must be one of these flights as we did land on the short runway, 34R. One of the major down-sides to using this runway, it seems, is a very long taxi time - at least to the NW terminal.
Ship 5643 (N543US) at the gate after arrival in NRT from NGO.
27 January 2009
NW26, NRT-DTW
Block Time: 11 hours, 40 minutes
747-451, N672US, Ship# 6312
Seat: 10A, Main Deck World Business Class
Well, time for the final flight of the trip. I was excited to see we were on ship# 6312 as I had not yet been on that plane. And for anyone who may have seen the short move "Tokyo Run" about a NW 744 captain's final flight, it's the same plane from that movie.
Again, we had a relatively short layover in NRT, just under two hours if my memory serves correctly. So, to kill the time, we walked around NRT and took some pictures of what was once the red-tail empire, soon to become DL's. I'll be genuinely sad when the day comes that I go to NRT and there will no longer be any NW red-tails among the lineup.
Ship 6311 (N671US) to LAX as NW2. Flight went at 100% LF in both cabins.
The gate sign for our flight NW26 to DTW. On the current schedule, NW26 is the 2nd of 2x daily NRT-DTW flights.
Given another atypically light load factor for a transpac flight, we were given seats long before boarding, 10A and 10B. These seats are usually untouchable to nonrevs given the extreme legroom at the bulkhead and the elites always pre-reserving them. But somehow we had a stroke of good luck and were able to get both together.
View out the window just prior to pushback. Ship 6311 to LAX as NW2 taxiing behind us.
We departed NRT about 15 minutes early because of the low load-factor and completion of boarding in an extremely fast time.
Sharp turn to the east after departing runway 34L.
Feet wet, coast of Japan below.
After takeoff, a great dinner service began. Starter of nuts and round 1 of drinks, followed by the salad & appetizer, the entree, then dessert of a tart with cheese, crackers, and fruit.
PTV just after takeoff. The "Airobics" video playing.
Very soon after takeoff, maybe only an hour, we were already flying into the sunset. I always love the view out the window at that time:
Sunset over the Pacific. While overcast, nothing but water below.
As usual, I chose the chicken entree for dinner. The whole service was remarkably good, I loved the appetizer.
Oriental salad, wheat bread, and seafood appetizer.
Main course with California white wine.
Dessert. Raspberry tart with fruit, cheese, and crackers.
After dinner I decided to sleep for the rest of the flight. Given my three previous flights on NW in the preceding few days, I had explored just about everything on the AVOD so I figured I wasn't missing anything in just sleeping for the duration - waking up only for the breakfast service.
Globe view of NRT-DTW at night.
The crew of NW26 NRT-DTW was absolutely fantastic. Very nice and very talkative. When we said that we were collectors of aviation memorabilia, they gave us tons of stuff to take home. Dinner menu & breakfast menu (yes, NW gives out two separate menus on transpac flights), wine lists, safety cards, and playing cards. Just overall a great crew and made for a very enjoyable final flight for the trip.
Pre-arrival breakfast. Hot meal options were available but I decided to get the cereal, fruit, and yogurt.
Initial descent down into DTW. The cold & winter of Michigan seen below, in sharp contrast to the tropical heat of MNL.
For the flights home I had planned on flying DTW-MSP-DEN as the DTW-DEN nonstop was full. However, after clearing customs I saw that my DTW-MSP had canceled. So in some last-second planning I decided to fly DTW-ORD on a NW D95 and then ORD-DEN on an AA S80. Despite an hour departure delay out of ORD I got home fine.
All the collectables obtained over the trip. Arrival menu, dinner menu, red wine & white wine lists, 747-400 safety card, 757-200 (5600 series) Overwater safety card, and four packs of unopened playing cards. Thanks to all the FA's who were extremely nice & generous in getting everything for me!!
In a final self-gloss moment, after having flown DTW-NGO I've now flown every current NW transpac city pair, DTW-NRT, DTW-NGO, DTW-KIX, SEA-NRT, PDX-NRT, SFO-NRT, and LAX-NRT.
Well, thanks for reading!! All comments & feedback appreciated!!
Phileet92 From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 292 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 25582 times:
I'm sure going to miss those red tails especially in tokyo. my final flight on NW (i guess) will be in april and i sure hope i dont get any delta planes. WBC looks great! i cant wait to try them out for the first and possibly last time! =(
Travelling is not all about the destination. its about how you get from point A to point B and everything in between.
Atrude777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 5623 posts, RR: 54 Reply 2, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 25299 times:
Good Lord in Heaven, you are ridic! LOL
Getting me excited to fly the Red Tails just once more too!
How many 747's you up to now at this point?! I think you have FAR surpassed the 737-300's, that you can touch a WN -300 once again! *clears throat*
Lots of legs to add up too as well.
Counting down the days to hopefully MY first 744 flight too in March then finally I can add the Queen of Skies-747 to my flight memory page, woo hoo!
Great pictures, thanks for taking the food pics! ahaha. As for tray tables, that is the first I have seen come down from the back of the seat, every F Class I have seen comes from the arm rest, is this a NWA feature or aircraft feature?
I wonder if I can get some playing cards too on any of my NW segments next week?
Alex
Good things come to those who wait, better things come to those who go AFTER it!
Cap2008 From United States of America, joined May 2007, 255 posts, RR: 3 Reply 3, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 25183 times:
Hey Matt, great report. Man, you guys got lucky, getting J for every leg. Looks like being the newest in the fleet, ship 6316 has the new style bins on the upper deck, didn't notice those when I was on 6306.
It would have been bad ass to go along with you guys for this one, but sometimes college intervenes
And I shall rest comfortably tonight knowing that my "inflight trivia challenge" scores are far superior to yours.
The mother of the last KC-135 pilot has yet to be born.
N104UA From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 889 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 25146 times:
Great TR Matt you always try to get on as many flights as you can during each of your trips
"Learn the rules, so you know how to break them properly." -H.H. The Dalai Lama
Super80DFW From United States of America, joined Oct 2007, 1642 posts, RR: 11 Reply 5, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 25035 times:
Wow, good job scoring J class the whole way! How long were you in MNL? Less than 24 hours? Also, I didn't know NW had MNL based crews. I thought they just had NRT in Asia. I guess I'm just a little behind. It's time for you to go to Europe! I would be getting tired of Asia! Especially NRT! Great pictures too!
Chad
Super80DFW
Right now there is an AA MD-80 flying over my house.
SXDFC From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 2041 posts, RR: 19 Reply 6, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 24759 times:
Another great TR done by Matt! Your trips are always amazing to read ! Your pictures say more then a 1000 words my friend!
Look forward to seeing more from you!
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
Triple7man From Thailand, joined May 2005, 683 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 24438 times:
Quoting Transpac787 (Thread starter): After the meal service was over, I tried to go to sleep as soon as possible. However, I was a bit perplexed by the peculiar sunrise/sunset that happened mid-flight. I took a picture of the global moving map to help me describe:
Probably the northerly route you took and the time of year was the reason for this.
Quoting Transpac787 (Thread starter): The takeoff was quite strong and fast, given our short duration of flight, at least compared to the transpac flights. I'm not sure about MNL departure procedures, but we maneuvered around quite a bit - either because of the SID or ATC vectors, I guess.
Your light fuel load would make this a short takeoff in comparison with a heavy 744 flying DTW-NGO
Quoting Transpac787 (Thread starter): NW is able to use several 757's out of NRT without slot restrictions as they are able to use the shorter runway 34R/16L. NW77/78 must be one of these flights as we did land on the short runway, 34R. One of the major down-sides to using this runway, it seems, is a very long taxi time - at least to the NW terminal.
Reminds me of when AA flew in/out of Terminal 1 and we had to use the shorter runway because of slot restrictions. It was a 20 minute taxi especially if we landed to the north.
Great trip report. And I'm downloading Tokyo Run and looking forward to seeing it.
KingAir200 From United States of America, joined May 2006, 1587 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 24426 times:
Quoting Cap2008 (Reply 3): It would have been bad ass to go along with you guys for this one, but sometimes college intervenes
College? Pfft.
Quoting Transpac787 (Thread starter): To our extreme surprised, the agents gave us boarding passes for the NGO-NRT flight prior to the gate, as well as bringing us to the employee security checkpoint for expedited connection screening. What a huge help!!
"You want to go fast?"
Quoting Atrude777 (Reply 2): As for tray tables, that is the first I have seen come down from the back of the seat, every F Class I have seen comes from the arm rest, is this a NWA feature or aircraft feature?
It's a mix on NWA. Some seats have armrest tray tables, some have seatback.
Quoting Super80DFW (Reply 5): How long were you in MNL? Less than 24 hours?
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4664 posts, RR: 27 Reply 9, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days ago) and read 24362 times:
Great report. It is always good to be able to enjoy the benefits of being an airline employee.
Quoting Transpac787 (Thread starter): On the NW "south" flights out of NRT, NGO, and KIX, the appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert are all served on the same tray given the rather limited time for service as compared to the full transpac flights.
I have to disagree with you on this point. On a short flight to Bangkok from Singapore (2hrs chock to chock) I am able to have a multi-course meal in Business Class, what's more NGO-MNL with a block time substantially more than that.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Transpac787 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3143 posts, RR: 14 Reply 10, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 24282 times:
Quoting Phileet92 (Reply 1): and i sure hope i dont get any delta planes.
Yea, join the club!!
Quoting Atrude777 (Reply 2): How many 747's you up to now at this point?!
19x 747-400, 1x 747-200
Quoting Atrude777 (Reply 2): I think you have FAR surpassed the 737-300's
But my other fave widebodies haven't!! 763 and 777 need to get ahead, then 733 moves off the FlightMemory 'blacklist'
Quoting Atrude777 (Reply 2): Counting down the days to hopefully MY first 744 flight too in March
Yea!! I still think you should take it on the return flight too!!
Quoting Cap2008 (Reply 3): Looks like being the newest in the fleet, ship 6316 has the new style bins on the upper deck, didn't notice those when I was on 6306.
Yea. Some of the block-1 birds (6301-6310) had the old style but all should be reconfigured to have the new style bins upstairs now.
Quoting Cap2008 (Reply 3): "inflight trivia challenge" scores are far superior to yours.
Haha oh it was bad. I finished with like 3000 and that was it.
Quoting N104UA (Reply 4): Matt you always try to get on as many flights as you can during each of your trips
Heck yea!! Go long or go home!
Quoting Super80DFW (Reply 5): Also, I didn't know NW had MNL based crews.
Quite a few foreign bases. NRT, KIX, PVG, BKK, MNL
Quoting SXDFC (Reply 6): Another great TR done by Matt!
Thanks Bobby. You have any trips coming up??
Quoting Triple7man (Reply 7): Great trip report. And I'm downloading Tokyo Run and looking forward to seeing it.
It's a bit of a satire off of Top Gun. It also plays on a lot of stereotypes and industry inside-jokes. Here is a youtube trailer for it (sorry, tags not allowed):
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 9): On a short flight to Bangkok from Singapore (2hrs chock to chock) I am able to have a multi-course meal in Business Class,
Well, SQ does have undeniably better onboard service. For NW though, doing a meal service like that on a 4 hour flight is pretty good for international. I'm told that on UA's shorter routes out of NRT (ICN and TPE) they only do a half meal service.
SNCntry32 From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 1511 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 24213 times:
You are missing MSP NRT..
Did you get any extra 747 saftey cards?! I am missing the 747 from the collection...
KingAir200 From United States of America, joined May 2006, 1587 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 24176 times:
Lostmoon744 From Philippines, joined Aug 2006, 170 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 24135 times:
Glad you had a great time in MNL. I was just there for 5 weeks and did NOT want to return to this dreary N.E. weather. The weather in December/January was superb: amazingly dry and cool around 25C.
As for the Philippine mangoes... MAN, aren't they the juiciest sweetest things ever?! Glad to know you had a great time again. Cafe Havana is just too crowded for my taste. Have you gone to The Fort yet?
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4664 posts, RR: 27 Reply 14, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 23853 times:
Quoting Transpac787 (Reply 10): Well, SQ does have undeniably better onboard service. For NW though, doing a meal service like that on a 4 hour flight is pretty good for international. I'm told that on UA's shorter routes out of NRT (ICN and TPE) they only do a half meal service.
Ah one must not assume I am referring to SQ.
I flew Swiss and BKK-SIN is a 5th freedom tag on for their ZRH flight.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8276 posts, RR: 56 Reply 15, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 23336 times:
Nice report and pictures, thanks for taking this mad trip
I love seeing all the NW tails @ NRT, will be suhch a shame to have them replaced with the DL tail, that said, hope to see a NW 744 in DL c/s next week whilst spotting in NRT.
Transpac787 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3143 posts, RR: 14 Reply 16, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 22991 times:
Quoting SNCntry32 (Reply 11): Did you get any extra 747 saftey cards?!
I have several extra 744 safety cards but no extra 742 or 742 HD. What type you need?
Quoting KingAir200 (Reply 12): Creepy that I know this, but he's done that one.
Stalker
Didn't you have quit the ordeal nonrevving home that day??
Quoting Lostmoon744 (Reply 13): MAN, aren't they the juiciest sweetest things ever?!
Yea they were fantastic, I'd love to go back and get some.
Quoting Lostmoon744 (Reply 13): Cafe Havana is just too crowded for my taste.
We went around lunch time and it wasn't too bad. I hear at night though it's quite the hopping place.
StarAlliance38 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 1445 posts, RR: 4 Reply 17, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 22047 times:
Nice TR! Last I flew to MNL, I took NW to KIX. It's a pity its going to become Delta.
My family is planning to go back in 2010. NGO seems to be the only option since my mom wants to stick with NW/DL. Looks like a nice airport.
KingAir200 From United States of America, joined May 2006, 1587 posts, RR: 2 Reply 18, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 21975 times:
Quoting StarAlliance38 (Reply 17): My family is planning to go back in 2010. NGO seems to be the only option since my mom wants to stick with NW/DL. Looks like a nice airport.
N751PR From United States of America, joined May 2002, 1247 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 21842 times:
Awesome report, Transpac787! Reading it brought nostalgia of when I did the MNL-NGO/NRT flights.
Speaking of which, I ROFLed when I saw the meals...it appears that we have had the same choices, a two year gap notwithstanding.
Transpac787 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3143 posts, RR: 14 Reply 20, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 21529 times:
StarAlliance38 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 1445 posts, RR: 4 Reply 21, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 21280 times:
I went back in 98. I was in the Philippines for 2 weeks.
When I go back, I might stay for three weeks. Also, since I have yet to fly a foreign jet, I might try to venture out for a day trip to HKG, KUL, or just take the PAL Express to Baguio
Quoting N751PR (Reply 19): I do hope you find your way back to MNL again--and indeed hopefully not during July or August!
MNL is hot in the summer, but in Luzon, in the mountains, its nice and cool (despite wet).
Transpac787 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3143 posts, RR: 14 Reply 23, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 20712 times:
M11Stephen From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 1208 posts, RR: 1 Reply 24, posted (4 years 4 months 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 19984 times:
Great report! That airobics video drives me absolutely crazy! I don't know if the 747's have the same annoying jazz music as the A330s but if I hear that for more than 10 minutes I want to scream!!!
My opinions, statements, etc. are my own and do not have any association with those of any employer.
KaiGywer From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 12043 posts, RR: 42 Reply 25, posted (4 years 4 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 19897 times:
In a final self-gloss moment, after having flown DTW-NGO I've now flown every current NW transpac city pair, DTW-NRT, DTW-NGO, DTW-KIX, SEA-NRT, PDX-NRT, SFO-NRT, and LAX-NRT. sly
Hmph! Missing the most important one
Quoting SNCntry32 (Reply 11): I am missing the 747 from the collection...
So list on DTW-NRT and go get it
Quoting Transpac787 (Reply 16): If you want you can PM me a day or two ahead of your spotting trip and I can let you know if ship 6305 (the DL 744) will be around in NRT on that day.
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