777ord From United States of America, joined May 2010, 355 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 10268 times:
Hello all.
As promised, here is leg 2 of my tour throughout Asia. This leg would be from NRT-MNL on JAL 741.
The time went way to fast in Japan and before I knew it, I was heading into my 2nd of 3 parts of the trip. my purpose for going to the Philippines was to visit my dad who was in the middle of his month long business trip in Manila.
Check in went smoothly except for trying to get an upgrade on a ZED fare. I thought that the upper deck would be Biz class, so I asked if I could get a seat on the upper deck. The agent quickly said yes and gave me a whole row. I figured there had to be something too perfect about this and then figured, "It's probably economy". Yup, but that's ok! I had three seats to myself and the crew were outstanding!
I had checked in 2-3 hours early so I spent some time exploring NRT and this airport is amazing! Definitely a place to go if you are a plane-spotter! (I'll be @ NRT on June 30/ July 15th!!)
Boarding was done based off airline status, then class with Economy kind of just boarding all at once. But, unlike in the US, there was plenty of common sense and within no time, everyone was seated and we left! Incredible!!
Prior to taxiing away from the gate
The pilot came onto the PA prior to push back and went over the usual route of travel etc... I was immediately shocked to hear one of THE STRONGEST Texan accents I have EVER heard. When he came out during mid-flight he had on his cowboy boots and I guess you really can't take the "country outta the boy".
My first time seeing an A380 in person!!!!
Defintely an excellent feature all airlines should have!
Shortly after departing NRT:
meal service had several options and I chose the sea food. I was definitely pleased with the meal. I topped it off with a San Miguel, which is a fantastic Phillipean beer!
Definitely good information to know!!
MNL by 777ord, ><a href=" http:="" target="_blank"/>
(On final for MNL)
Arrival into MNL was quick and bumpy. There was an incoming thunderstorm and that was the only reason I could give for our insanely fast and low approach. ( I tried looking for MNL approach plates to see if this is standard by any chance).
The hotel where he was staying is connected to the Glorieta 1,2,3,4 mall and for those who know this mall. It's incredible!! But, is nothing compared to the mall of Asia just a short drive away. I spent most of my time exploring Manila including one day I took a tour and it was literally just me, and the driver. Quite awkward, but, he gave an excellent tour and it was clear he is very proud of his country!
Jeepney:
Mall of Asia: defintely something to check out!
before I knew it, the 5 days were over and I was on my way to Bangkok, Thailand for 3 days.
AV8AJET From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1266 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (3 years 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 10024 times:
Quoting 777ord (Thread starter): Check in went smoothly except for trying to get an upgrade on a ZED fare.
Nice report! My understanding is at least at my airline, is that you can only get Y class on Zed fares. Maybe not yours but I've tried and they said no on upgrading.
AI151 From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2009, 303 posts, RR: 17 Reply 3, posted (3 years 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 8782 times:
Hey 777ord nice follow up to the first leg.
Quoting 777ord (Thread starter): The agent quickly said yes and gave me a whole row. I figured there had to be something too perfect about this and then figured, "It's probably economy". Yup, but that's ok! I had three seats to myself and the crew were outstanding!
Always good to have a row to yourself. What were the loads like in general?
Quoting 777ord (Thread starter): I was immediately shocked to hear one of THE STRONGEST Texan accents I have EVER heard. When he came out during mid-flight he had on his cowboy boots and I guess you really can't take the "country outta the boy".
Very odd but good to see different pilots from different backgrounds on international airlines. Definitely like the cowboy boots, something you don't see everyday!
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 4, posted (3 years 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 6785 times:
Hi,
nice report, some good pics also!
Quoting 777ord (Thread starter): thought that the upper deck would be Biz class, so I asked if I could get a seat on the upper deck. The agent quickly said yes and gave me a whole row. I figured there had to be something too perfect about this and then figured, "It's probably economy". Yup, but that's ok!
Indeed, don't be sure about that. Quite a few JL 744's which are still in service have upperdeck Y-class seating. JA8087/88/89/8901/8917/8920/8921 have this lay-out, and are used most frequently nowadays with JL, where the other configurations are having more time on the ground it seems, or even sold.
Quoting 777ord (Thread starter): I was definitely pleased with the meal. I topped it off with a San Miguel, which is a fantastic Phillipean beer!
I know San Miguel beer from Spain, but it seems both brands are alligned to the same company/brewery in some way. Interesting!
I wonder how long JL will be around. The meal looked good, but overall the cost base in this company is way to high to operate profitable. It seems a combination of wrong business culture and mis-management will lead this airline further down the hill. Also the goodbye wave; it's nice to look at, but who cares. These 3 people could've been somewhere else already to work. And I'm sure you noticed all the unneccesary staffs around at NRT in every place for 'assistance' which is not needed. They get all a salary, and that is wasted money which lead to JL to be grounded at some point completely.
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
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