sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1211 posts, RR: 29 Posted (4 months 4 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 10214 times:
Introduction
Note: I will split this report in 2 parts for your reading comfort This part contains the first 2 of 5 flights taken on that trip.
About half a year ago, the Italian airline that goes by the name of Alitalia shot itself in her own foot by allowing some of us a.netters - and the public in general - to book a fuel dump fare to one of the carrier’s longhaul destinations, namely Tokyo NRT. The deal spread quickly over the internet and before Alitalia and I even knew, I was the proud owner of a MXP-NRT-FCO-BRI ticket, price € 68 all incl. A real steal.
Of course I wasn’t the only one Fellow a.netters FlyingFinn76, gabrielchew, airbuseric, tobbry, LXM83 and I ‘accidentally’ booked this flight combo for the same weekend somewhere in Jan. Timings were as follows:
MXP-NRT 14:35-10:40(+1) on Fri,
NRT-FCO 14:10-19:00 on Sat (next day!),
FCO-BRI 21:30-22:35 on the same Sat
So theoretically we would have a layover in NRT for 3h30, enough for some (airport) sightseeing, a bite to eat and possibly a lounge visit.
Of course there was still the challenge to find suitable connection flights. As I didn’t fancy any long winded itineraries in and out of Italy and added to the fact that I wanted to be home on Sun before noon, I decided to drop the FCO-BRI segment and fill in the rest of the flights with an SN BRU-MXP on Fri and a LX FCO-ZRH-BRU on Sun, total cost about € 130. Added to that I booked the horribly overpriced FCO Hilton to allow myself to crash after the 24h longhaul endeavour. It seems convenience comes at a price...
So, to sum it up
BRU-MXP on Brussels Airlines RJ100
MXP-NRT on Alitalia B777-200ER
NRT-FCO on Alitalia B777-200ER
FCO-ZRH on Swiss A319
ZRH-BRU on Swiss RJ100
And on a map (thanks to the excellent www.gcmap.com, copyright Karl L Schwartz):
On a sidenote, I afterwards applied for an upgrade to b.flex via the ‘Plusgrade’ system that SN uses. It is somekind of an auction where you basically choose an amount you are willing to pay for an upgrade to another travel class. The likelihood that your offer might be accepted is shown through the use of colours, ranging from red to green and all in between. This was a chance for me to be able to sample the b.flex cabin service without paying the original high price.
As luck may have it, my offer got accepted and I was looking forward to start this trip ‘in style’ on my home carrier.
Brussels Airport - BRU
I catch the 7:21 direct train from where I live to the airport. As the ride takes only 25 mins nowadays, I arrive at BRU with plenty of time on my hands. One of the perks of b.flex is that you are allowed to use the ‘fast lane’ through security. The lines for the ‘normal security’ are equally short but I since I paid for this benefit, I of course use it:
A general feeling of morning tranquility reigns in the terminal:
My gate is not yet displayed so I have my stroll, a chocolate bread and a cup of tea. The WAW flight this morning shows some nice equipment. It’s no B787 but nevertheless an interesting machine:
My plane arrives inbound from BMA and is serviced well. OO-DWB is a new addition to the log as well so definitely a good start here:
Gate A46 this morning:
As boarding is called, the ground agent first invites status holders, b.business and b.flex passengers to board first. A general scrum follows and the agent has a hard time explaining the non-English speaking Italians that they are not allowed to go there yet. They are sent back quite firmly. To be honest, she was borderline rude here but I do appreciate the effort that is made to enforce priority boarding (especially since I’m in that group today, yay!).
BRU to MXP
SN3155
BAE Systems Avro RJ100 (RJ1H) OO-DWB
STD-STA 09h50-11h20
Y class
seat 3F
I settle down in 3F, the b.flex cabin is pretty empty - as expected. b.light is more full - as expected but not as full as expected (am I repeating myself here?). Not good business on this Friday morning for SN but I don’t care. As long as the views and the food are good, thou shall not complain!
This view is rather new to me (I’m usually in the back of the bus):
The legroom is noticeable better up front. Complimentary newspapers are handed out, another perk of this upgrade thing so of course I take one. The Belgian prime minister Di Rupo is on the front page featuring an article on the dotations to the Belgian Royals:
We push back and make a beeline for 25R, which is quite a taxi to the other end of the airport.
2 of SN’s leased Dash8’s. I need to get on one of those asap.
Leaving the parking spot:
SN’s and Jet’s:
And the usual other interesting stuff at apron positions by the B terminal:
This is the old satellite terminal. I remember myself leaving here on Austrian Airlines to VIE and onwards to KUL in 2000. Ahhh, good times! Nowadays this is an office building and once it was destined to be a low cost terminal but these intentions are put to rest.
An SN 330 being serviced in front of the maintenance hangar:
We are 2nd in line for takeoff so it’s not long before we lift off into the murky Brussels skies:
As luck may have it, the upper side of the clouds is always a better place to be!
The cabin crew is 2 people, one of each sex. The male one distributes the snacks and drinks for the front part of the cabin. We get a hot Monty’s wrap filled with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese (at 10h30 in the morning and for drinks I go for tea with lemon and a glass of mineral water. As said many times before: it hits the spot nicely
A new month brings a new edition of the magazine:
But the cabin views stay more or less the same:
And I wouldn’t dare to put my bag in there:
The skies are overcast with an occasional hole in them:
Some research learns that ‘Pacific Scientific’ actually is a brand of fire extinguishers:
With cloudy skies nearly all of the way, I fear I might not be able to feast my eyes on the Alps but luckily the clouds make way for some decent enough views of those Alps. We must be nearing Milan Malpensa now:
After the Alps comes the ‘Lago Maggiore’:
Unfortunately the views into the valley don’t predict anything good. Low clouds hang around and the announcement of ‘landing in 15 minutes in a foggy MXP’ doesn’t predict anything good. And I deliberately chose a seat on the right hand side in anticipation for a view on MXP
At this point, the gear is already out and we’re still above the cloud base. Gives you an idea of how low we are at this moment:
And indeed, pea soup al around:
My guess is we land on 35L but I’m not too sure with this fog. We taxi around some...
... and make a halt at a remote parking spot:
Disembarkation is swift with this light load and a bus takes us to the terminal.
Meanwhile I get a text message of fellow user FlyingFinn76 informing me of their whereabouts in the terminal. I’m the last of the pack to arrive at MXP prior to the grand transcontinental voyage to NRT.
Milan Malpensa Airport - MXP
A short walk later I meet up with my fellow travel partners in the checkin hall. Everyone has performed OLCI and has handluggage only so there’s no need to stand in line. We decide for a visit to the ‘Clementi Lounge’ to get ourselves fed and hydrated for the long flight.
The views from the lounge are rather limited:
As I have no lounge access I’m kindly guested in by one of my companions (thanks again!). It takes forever to get connected to the free wifi - why do they always have to overcomplicate these things? - and when I do the boarding time has come so it is time to go. We do manage to get ourselves in the mood by emptying their stock of Prosecco
Off we go towards the gate for boarding, through the dingy corridors of Malpensa airport:
Our plane is barely visible behind all the gate structures but later on it turns out to be EI-DBM:
Once on board I’m greeted by a welcoming bunch of FA’s, the first impression of the cabin and crew is definitely above my expectations! 2 female Japanese crew members are present to assist the almost all Japanse passenger load.
I’m one of the last ones to board and make my way through the very back of the aircraft.
MXP to NRT
AZ786
B777-200ER EI-DBM
STD-STA 14h35-10h40(+1)
Y class
seat 43A
My window seat is located at the penultimate row. Upon arriving there, the middle seat and the aisle seat are already occupied by a Japanese couple. As there are still quite some empty seats and rows I decide to wait until the ‘boarding complete’ is announced. Some minutes later this is indeed the case and people start to redistribute themselves among the empty rows. As the last row is free as well, I dump my stuff there to give a sign to my fellow passengers that this one is mine As a matter of fact, most of us a.netters have a row of 3 for ourselves in the back section of this 777. Good stuff!
Some cabin impressions:
The IFE box is huge but actually not that bothersome when you have no seatmate(s) and the PTV screens are teeny weeny. The seat itself is comfortable enough: the width is fine and the recline and legroom are good enough as well.
The IFE is AVOD:
Still a long long way to fly:
I give the window a good clean and luckily it is not scratched either:
We push back bang on time:
As we taxi out, a safety demo is played but the audio through the cabin is barely audible. You would guess that the crew would turn up the volume but no, it’s not done.
We start a long trek all around the airfield, direction 35R:
Skyteam CSA landing on 35L:
Ah, here we are finally. The engines rev up and we blast away into the foggy Milanese skies:
The views on the climbout are quite good, the clouds above the Alps have cleared some. We are all glued to our windows and snapping away
After some time, it is game over with the views. Time for something else: drinks! The crew comes round for the first drinks service. No carts are rolled out but instead they go by row and ask you your drink of preference after which they bring it to your seat, together with a pack of ‘rosemary flavoured grissini’. In the meantime, user LXM83 joins me in the aisle seat and we have a nice talk over a beer:
Not long after the drinks comes the food. There’s a Japanese and an Italian option available. The Japanese has something to do with chicken and rice and the Itialian option looks like this:
Lasagna, you guessed it. It’s good while not outstanding, the bun is hardly edible (why didn’t they heat it up just a little?), but the dessert (some kind of tiramisu cake) is really good. Drinks of choice are offered as well with the meal service together with coffee and tea. The service is quite efficient and the trash is collected not long thereafter. All in all, well done here.
A quiet cabin as everyone is happily munching away:
After the meal, the crew asks us to lower the blinds and dims the cabin lighting. An announcement is made that drinks and snacks are available in the galley. However I do see the crew coming round with drinks every now and then as well.
The ‘night’ has begun. Although I wouldn’t exactly call it a night as I’m wide awake, heck, it’s only 5pm where I came from!
Night or not, we a.netters don’t sleep yet, we talk and laugh and have an occasional drink. We even manage to sweettalk the crew into some limoncello (which is normally only for upper class passengers). Cheers to that!
Time sure goes fast if you’re having a good time on board and before I even know, we are already halfway through the journey:
At some point, I do decide to take advantage of the available space in my row and have little rest. I doze off for about an hour or 3 and when I open the window blinds, the next day is already dawning:
We are somewhere over far eastern Russia here:
The cabin however is still all peace and quiet:
Being wide awake again, I listen to some music, watch a movie and read some in the inflight magazine ‘Ulisse’:
The large back galley:
This sign is hung right opposite the toilet in the back, showing the aircraft’s layout and whereabout’s of the emergency equipment on board:
The FlyingFinn76, who sits in front of me in my orginally assigned seat, has opened his window blinds as well:
The morning views are already pretty nice:
About 1,5h prior to arrival, the cabin lights are switched on and breakfast service starts:
Once again 2 of those nasty buns and that other bread thing doesn’t have much taste either. The yoghurt is nice and the meat and cheese as well. Coffee and tea accompanies this disappointing breakfast.
One good thing about this breakfast is the view:
The crew works hard and efficient again:
As the cabin is gradually waking up with the taste or the smell of coffee, we slowly turn south and enter the Sea of Japan in an almost final stage of this flight:
A crew member comes around to ask to fill out a survey. The only sensible question in there was (more or less): ‘Would you recommend Alitalia to X or Y’, on a scale from 1 to 10. This was a quick and informative survey for sure. On a positive note: I gained an Alitalia branded pen, woohoo
We make landfall on the Japanese west coast and the broad daylight ensures for some excellent first views of the country.
Mountains galore:
I believe this might be Lake Chuzenji:
As we reach the east coast of Japan, the seat belt sign is turned on - in fact it has been turned on almost the whole flight for no apparent reason - and the cabin is prepared for landing:
This is also Japan for you:
We follow the coast for a short while and eventually turn in land for a landing on NRT’s 34L:
Chōshi, the easternmost city in the greater Tokyo area:
An ‘OTIS elevators’ test facility:
Landing is 10 minutes ahead of schedule into an overcast Tokyo Narita:
A well known sign to most NRT visitors:
We do a short taxi to the gate. A nice visitor from Mexico here with a B762:
And some more visitors from other parts of the world:
Nearly there, satellite terminal 1:
Disembarkation is swift and orderly, the Japanese way. It gives me a fast opportunity for some more cabin shots.
Economy or ‘Classica’, mid section:
Premium economy or ‘Classica Plus’:
The crew is there to say their goodbyes, all friendly. I thank them for the nice flight and exit the aircraft. As such this is the end of my first longhaul flight in 5 years.
EI-DBM at the gate:
This should’ve been the FCO flight but it seemed to be departing so I’m not quite sure about that:
My fellow travellers have also made it out of the aircraft and all of us but 1 continue our way through immigration - which is a fast and efficient process - and bagage claim:
And just like that, I’m in Japan... for an hour of 3
The first part ends here. The 2nd installment will follow in due time, reporting about my trip back to FCO and onwards to ZRH and BRU, together with some conclusions.
Feel free to leave your comments - if you have some - down below, they are very much appreciated.
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4124 posts, RR: 37 Reply 2, posted (4 months 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 9864 times:
Great report, Nils !
Yeah also wish I'd came along, sounds and looks like you had a fun weekend out.
Is Alitalia's 777 10-abreast? Would you think it would be tight if the flight was full?
Did you get mileage on this flight?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): As such this is the end of my first longhaul flight in 5 years.
I'd imagine you'd travel more??? There is so much more to see in the world !
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 3, posted (4 months 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 9858 times:
Great report Nils! Good to see someone post their report quickly...i'm still uploading and sorting my photos very slowly. It was great to catch up with you again, and to take our first flights together!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The lines for the ‘normal security’ are equally short but I since I paid for this benefit, I of course use it:
Well of course, if you've paid for it, you must use it!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The WAW flight this morning shows some nice equipment. It’s no B787 but nevertheless an interesting machine:
Um, I think you've got OK and LO mixed up....
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): We get a hot Monty’s wrap filled with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese (at 10h30 in the morning and for drinks I go for tea with lemon and a glass of mineral water. As said many times before: it hits the spot nicely
Hmm, looks reasonable. Just for the record, do ou know what alcohol is included in Y+? Can you get a G&T?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I’m the last of the pack to arrive at MXP prior to the grand transcontinental voyage to NRT.
What about me? I believe I was last!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Lasagna, you guessed it. It’s good while not outstanding
I'm glad I went with the Japanese
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): We even manage to sweettalk the crew into some limoncello (which is normally only for upper class passengers). Cheers to that!
Yes, great crew! Cheers to the limoncello!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter):
A crew member comes around to ask to fill out a survey. The only sensible question in there was (more or less): ‘Would you recommend Alitalia to X or Y’, on a scale from 1 to 10. This was a quick and informative survey for sure. On a positive note: I gained an Alitalia branded pen, woohoo
Yes, it was a rather useless survey. Nice to get the pen though
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4068 posts, RR: 51 Reply 4, posted (4 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 9808 times:
Hi Nils,
ah, the man in the green pants is first. Gladly I was not in pink this time, it would've been too much of a coloursquash.
Nice to see your story, and the small camera you took with you produced some good pics, with some editing I see
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I fear I might not be able to feast my eyes on the Alps but luckily the clouds make way for some decent enough views of those Alps.
There were amazing light and views that morning. Same for me on my from AMS, luckily I had good views from 1F
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): We even manage to sweettalk the crew into some limoncello (which is normally only for upper class passengers).
Upper Class? Man, we didn't fly on Virgin
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Lasagna, you guessed it. It’s good while not outstanding,
Did good as extra midnight snack lol. Outstanding crew on that outbound journey for sure!
Regards
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 5, posted (4 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 9753 times:
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 4): ah, the man in the green pants is first. Gladly I was not in pink this time, it would've been too much of a coloursquash.
Ha, a coloursquash...i'm not sure it's a real word, but i like it! And indeed, someone in green, and someone in pink...not a great combo!
Widebodyroga From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 492 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (4 months 4 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 9598 times:
Hey Nils,
A nice first installment to your Japan uber-flash trip series. Lovely photos I must say!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The WAW flight this morning shows some nice equipment. It’s no B787 but nevertheless an interesting machine:
Are you sure this is a flight to WAW and not PRG?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): As there are still quite some empty seats and rows I decide to wait until the ‘boarding complete’ is announced. Some minutes later this is indeed the case and people start to redistribute themselves among the empty rows. As the last row is free as well, I dump my stuff there to give a sign to my fellow passengers that this one is mine As a matter of fact, most of us a.netters have a row of 3 for ourselves in the back section of this 777. Good stuff!
So it seems that not enough people took advantage of this mistake fare. Good for you guys that did!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The IFE box is huge but actually not that bothersome when you have no seatmate(s)
Holly molly, that’s huge. How can you survive in a seat like this if you have seatmates and assuming you can’t recline your seat given that you’re in the last row? Terrible.
Waiting eagerly for the rest
Widebodyroga
Visit my aviation page: http://widebodyroga.weebly.com/
rogerbcn From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1140 posts, RR: 19 Reply 7, posted (4 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 9337 times:
Hola Nils!
Great read... really nice to see such a trip online already.
Great pictures and very sensible of you to choose b.felx upgrade and drop the last part of your trip, with such an enormous amount of flying you really deserve to travel in comfort, at least, for the short hops.
AZ seems to offer a nice product, especially if you the whole row of seats to yourself, now is when the NZ Economy Skycouch would come in handy
The food seems to be nice for these segments, hope the lasagna was not burnt or overcooked as with so much pasta it is a disaster when it is bland.
I have never flown to Japan myself, but I would like to know if Mount Fuji is visible at all when landing / taking off from NRT, I guess HND is much better located for that view, isn't it?
Looking forward to reading the second part.
Salut!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
LXM83 From Switzerland, joined May 2005, 569 posts, RR: 5 Reply 8, posted (4 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 9282 times:
Hello Sultanils
Very nice report. Why is it everything about that AZ flight looks so familiar to me?
.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): In the meantime, user LXM83 joins me in the aisle seat and we have a nice talk over a beer
Hey, that's my leg there! It was indeed very nice to chat with you!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Lasagna, you guessed it. It’s good while not outstanding
My lasagna was inedible to be honest. Some of the pasta sheets were too hard to chew and tasted like plastic. I should have gone for the other option.
Crew was nice except the one Japanese FA who told me in no unclear terms to close my window shade 30 minutes before breakfast.
"Sir, could you please close the window shade."
"No thanks, I'm fine enjoying the view."
"Sir, I order you to close the window now."
I'm really surprised to get an "order" from a crew member in her second sentence of this discussion already. Giving "orders" should really be the very last resort. Has only happened once before in my 1400+ flights (for taking pictures out of the window). And mind you, it was just 30 minutes before they woke up the passengers for breakfast with a PA announcement. Isn't it better to wake up a bit more slowly by feeling some sunrays?
Looking forward now to reading about your return journey.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 9, posted (4 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 9221 times:
Hi Nils,
very nice report about this crazy trip! Honestly, I wouldn't go on such a trip with only 3 hours between two long-haul sectors.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Added to that I booked the horribly overpriced FCO Hilton to allow myself to crash after the 24h longhaul endeavour.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): My guess is we land on 35L but I’m not too sure with this fog. We taxi around some...
That's indeed foggy!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The IFE box is huge but actually not that bothersome when you have no seatmate(s) and the PTV screens are teeny weeny.
What a monster. They could have replaced these microwaves when they switched to 3-4-3.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter):
The views on the climbout are quite good, the clouds above the Alps have cleared some.
Very nice views!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Lasagna, you guessed it. It’s good while not outstanding, the bun is hardly edible (why didn’t they heat it up just a little?), but the dessert (some kind of tiramisu cake) is really good. Drinks of choice are offered as well with the meal service together with coffee and tea. The service is quite efficient and the trash is collected not long thereafter. All in all, well done here.
The portion looks a bit small. Btw - how did the coffee taste? I remember it was very tasty on my JFK-FCO-MUC trip some years ago.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1256 posts, RR: 33 Reply 10, posted (4 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 9126 times:
Hi Nils,
Great to read about this crazy trip for a crazy price to Japan. I admire you all for doing taking advantage of the offer, but I think it would be too much for me. I’d need a proper bed and a stretch of legs before flying back to Europe.
You have some excellent photos as always: glad the Alps put in an appearance for you and I also really like the ones of Japan.
Food doesn’t look too inspiring though, think I’d have been rather hungry after that flight.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): rest of the flights with an SN BRU-MXP on Fri and a LX FCO-ZRH-BRU on Sun, total
Just out of interest, were the Swiss legs booked as one-ways?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The lines for the ‘normal security’ are equally short but I since I paid for this benefit, I of course use it:
I know the feeling. On one of my few C-Class legs I asked at MAN about the fast lane at security, to which the staff member replied that the fast lane wasn’t in operation as there were no queues. I felt cheated!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): As I have no lounge access I’m kindly guested in by one of my companions (thanks again!
It’s good having friends with gold cards, isn’t it?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): As a matter of fact, most of us a.netters have a row of 3 for ourselves in the back section of this 777. Good stuff!
Excellent, just the way it should be.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): We even manage to sweettalk the crew into some limoncello (which is normally only for upper class passengers). Cheers
I’m guessing you didn’t tell them how much you paid for your fare?!
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 4): ah, the man in the green pants is first. Gladly I was not in pink this time, it would've been too much of a coloursquash.
Congrats on being the first to post your report and looking forward to part 2,
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 675 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (4 months 4 weeks ago) and read 8955 times:
Hello Nils,
Great report! Glad you guys had fun on this crazy litte trip. AZ seems okay indeed. I almost regret only going on the SIN run with AF. Oh well, hopefully AZ will screw up again soon so perhaps I will get a second chance. Look forward to reading about the return part, you must have been pretty exhausted by then!
ba319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8276 posts, RR: 56 Reply 12, posted (4 months 4 weeks ago) and read 8862 times:
Nice read and pictures Nils, most enjoyable!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I was the proud owner of a MXP-NRT-FCO-BRI ticket, price € 68 all incl. A real steal.
- It's more than a steal, it's frigging superb!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): We do manage to get ourselves in the mood by emptying their stock of Prosecco
- Great start to a trip!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): My window seat is located at the penultimate row. Upon arriving there, the middle seat and the aisle seat are already occupied by a Japanese couple. As there are still quite some empty seats and rows I decide to wait until the ‘boarding complete’ is announced. Some minutes later this is indeed the case and people start to redistribute themselves among the empty rows. As the last row is free as well, I dump my stuff there to give a sign to my fellow passengers that this one is mine As a matter of fact, most of us a.netters have a row of 3 for ourselves in the back section of this 777. Good stuff!
- Good move, as much as I love window seats, being in in one in a 3 seat section is not my idea of fun.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): give the window a good clean and luckily it is not scratched either
- I carry a packet of tissues when I travel, one of the reasons is to clean the windows!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Not long after the drinks comes the food. There’s a Japanese and an Italian option available. The Japanese has something to do with chicken and rice and the Itialian option looks like this:
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Lasagna, you guessed it. It’s good while not outstanding, the bun is hardly edible (why didn’t they heat it up just a little?), but the dessert (some kind of tiramisu cake) is really good. Drinks of choice are offered as well with the meal service together with coffee and tea. The service is quite efficient and the trash is collected not long thereafter. All in all, well done here.
- Hmm, I guess it's food, one expects so much from the Italians, they have great food yet it does not seem to make it aboard their planes
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Once again 2 of those nasty buns and that other bread thing doesn’t have much taste either. The yoghurt is nice and the meat and cheese as well. Coffee and tea accompanies this disappointing breakfast.
- At least you have butter, BA seem to have stopped providing it down back!
Quoting a (Reply 2): Is Alitalia's 777 10-abreast? Would you think it would be tight if the flight was full?
Did you get mileage on this flight?
10 abreast, yes. And on the tight side when full, yes as well. The personal space is industry standard by the fact that everything is so packed togther makes it feel claustrophobic indeed. Pick a seat in the back section on the left side where the 3-4-3 becomes 3-3-3, much better there. And yes, I got mileage, but only 50% since I have no status and this ticket was obviously in a low booking class.
Quoting a (Reply 2): I'd imagine you'd travel more??? There is so much more to see in the world !
My wife and I have travelled extensively in the past. But there’s life (and children) beyond aviation as well
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 3): Great report Nils! Good to see someone post their report quickly
Hi Gabs, good to hear from you. I’m not as fast as I used too but still fast enough
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 3): It was great to catch up with you again, and to take our first flights together!
Indeed good to see you again and share the flight. Shall we make it an annual event
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 3): Well of course, if you've paid for it, you must use it!
I didn’t think I was ever going to say that, but now I’ve said it.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 3): Um, I think you've got OK and LO mixed up....
I did apparently, thanks for correcting me.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 3): Just for the record, do ou know what alcohol is included in Y+? Can you get a G&T?
I haven’t a clue. As far as I know SN, I’d say no G&T but perhaps only red or white wine? No clue to be honest.
A nice first installment to your Japan uber-flash trip series. Lovely photos I must say!
Hello Stojan, good to hear from you! Thanks, and I only used my teeny weeny Lumix this time! Some editing done though...
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 6): Are you sure this is a flight to WAW and not PRG?
No I’m not
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 6): So it seems that not enough people took advantage of this mistake fare. Good for you guys that did!
Well, the fare was not only valid for that weekend of course so not everyone who booked it was on our flight.
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 6): Holly molly, that’s huge. How can you survive in a seat like this if you have seatmates and assuming you can’t recline your seat given that you’re in the last row? Terrible.
You simply can’t. When I arrived at my seat row initially, there was this Japanese couple already in the aisle and middle seat and I thought: omg... But lucky for me, it all turned out for the better.
Great read... really nice to see such a trip online already.
Hello Roger, thanks for your reply, I’m glad you liked it.
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 7): Great pictures and very sensible of you to choose b.felx upgrade and drop the last part of your trip, with such an enormous amount of flying you really deserve to travel in comfort, at least, for the short hops.
To be honest, I don’t think the upgrade was good value. But I’m running ahead to my conclusions here
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 7): now is when the NZ Economy Skycouch would come in handy
Indeed, but alas I had to do with an eco seat...
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 7): The food seems to be nice for these segments
It was certainly no * cuisine but good enough for me. And some of us even scored and extra lasagne in the middle of the night lol!
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 7): but I would like to know if Mount Fuji is visible at all when landing / taking off from NRT, I guess HND is much better located for that view, isn't it?
Mt Fuji was visible on the left side but it was too far away and too hazy to get a decent shot. I don’t know with HND, not familiar with that...
Very nice report. Why is it everything about that AZ flight looks so familiar to me?
Hello LXM83, thanks for your comments. Familiar, how come
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 8): Hey, that's my leg there! It was indeed very nice to chat with you!
Oops, sorry I should’ve asked for your permission! Thanks for the talk indeed, we should do that again sooner or later.
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 8): I should have gone for the other option.
You should’ve. Or take both options like tobbry?
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 8): Crew was nice except the one Japanese FA who told me in no unclear terms to close my window shade 30 minutes before breakfast.
"Sir, could you please close the window shade."
"No thanks, I'm fine enjoying the view."
"Sir, I order you to close the window now."
I'm really surprised to get an "order" from a crew member in her second sentence of this discussion already. Giving "orders" should really be the very last resort. Has only happened once before in my 1400+ flights (for taking pictures out of the window). And mind you, it was just 30 minutes before they woke up the passengers for breakfast with a PA announcement. Isn't it better to wake up a bit more slowly by feeling some sunrays?
Ouch that’s really painful. Indeed ordering it that way is ‘not done’ imo.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 9): Honestly, I wouldn't go on such a trip with only 3 hours between two long-haul sectors.
It can be considered as taking a long haul from Europe to Australia where you usually have a stop in SE Asia (or the Middle East), those are also 2 long flights after one another. And the flights were all on 1 ticket so there was not much to fear imo. But yes, it was a bit exhausting, just a but
Great to read about this crazy trip for a crazy price to Japan.
Hi Hannah, how are you?
Quoting infodesk (Reply 10): I admire you all for doing taking advantage of the offer, but I think it would be too much for me. I’d need a proper bed and a stretch of legs before flying back to Europe.
Nah, don’t doubt next time, do come along. It was a lot of fun in good company. And it was exhausting yes, but perfectly doable. I would do it again sure!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 10): You have some excellent photos as always: glad the Alps put in an appearance for you and I also really like the ones of Japan.
Thanks, my little camera doesn’t let me down. The Japan Alps looked great as well in the morning light.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 10): Food doesn’t look too inspiring though, think I’d have been rather hungry after that flight.
Agreed. But pasta on an Italian airline is a bit of a must, no?
Quoting infodesk (Reply 10): Just out of interest, were the Swiss legs booked as one-ways?
No, the SN and LX flights were on a combined ticket: BRU-MXP/FCO-ZRH-BRU. That made the price reasonable. You know very well that oneways on LX are not affordable
Quoting infodesk (Reply 10): It’s good having friends with gold cards, isn’t it?
True and to be honest, it made the trip a whole lot easier and more bearable. Especially the shower possibilty in NRT but I’m running ahead of things now.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 10): I’m guessing you didn’t tell them how much you paid for your fare?!
They asked and we replied ‘less than € 100’. They were amazed but I think for the rest they couldn’t care less...
allrite From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 1427 posts, RR: 3 Reply 17, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 7371 times:
And I thought that flying to Japan for only 3 days was crazy... Great mountain photos.
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 7): I have never flown to Japan myself, but I would like to know if Mount Fuji is visible at all when landing / taking off from NRT, I guess HND is much better located for that view, isn't it?
Quoting sultanils (Reply 13): Mt Fuji was visible on the left side but it was too far away and too hazy to get a decent shot. I don’t know with HND, not familiar with that...
Yes, Mt Fuji is visible on approach to NRT and probably to HND, but is often obscured. You have to remember that it lies outside of Tokyo and doesn't loom over the city. I think this is the only photo out of an aircraft that I've got of it during our many trips...
BNE From Australia, joined Mar 2000, 3156 posts, RR: 13 Reply 18, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 7286 times:
Thanks for posting the trip report,
In Japan for 3 hours, at least you wouldn't have a problem with jetlag.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I thank them for the nice flight and exit the aircraft. As such this is the end of my first longhaul flight in 5 years.
You need to get out more, although I think you mentioned wife and children can put a dampener on your flying.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 19, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 7280 times:
Quoting sultanils (Reply 13): It can be considered as taking a long haul from Europe to Australia where you usually have a stop in SE Asia (or the Middle East), those are also 2 long flights after one another.
Sure, but I try to avoid such trips as well. When I flew to Australia and and back to Europe from New Zealand in 2010, I had some 10 hour layovers between the long-haul flights.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 13): And the flights were all on 1 ticket so there was not much to fear imo.
Of course, that's what I wouldn't be worried about either.
You really should. While they are certainly no match to other ‘established quality carriers’ they can certainly provide you with an enjoyable alternative.
Quoting B (Reply 18): Thanks for posting the trip report,
Hi BNE, no problem, the pleasure was mine.
Quoting B (Reply 18): In Japan for 3 hours, at least you wouldn't have a problem with jetlag.
No jetlag experienced whatsoever and that was good
Quoting B (Reply 18): You need to get out more, although I think you mentioned wife and children can put a dampener on your flying.
I get out enough thank you It’s just that I have a family life indeed and combining that with travelling to far away places is not done at the moment. It’s a choice you make but no regrets at all
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 19): Sure, but I try to avoid such trips as well. When I flew to Australia and and back to Europe from New Zealand in 2010, I had some 10 hour layovers between the long-haul flights.
That’s indeed more comfortable and it gives you some time to rest. I get your point!
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 588 posts, RR: 19 Reply 21, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 6941 times:
Hi Nils,
cool report here, I was looking forward to read about this crazy trip. And looks like it was an enjoyable flight here with AZ. Good pictures as well, especially with the mountains around MXP.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): my offer got accepted and I was looking forward to start this trip ‘in style’ on my home carrier.
Nice, certainly a great way to start such a trip.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Nowadays this is an office building and once it was destined to be a low cost terminal but these intentions are put to rest.
Hmm, would be interesting to work there, directly on the apron. But then I would be stuck to the windows most of the time and not be able to work ...
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): As a matter of fact, most of us a.netters have a row of 3 for ourselves in the back section of this 777
Well done, always nice to have some space around you on a long-haul.
Now looking forward to read about your return experience, and nice pants btw ...
signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2953 posts, RR: 7 Reply 22, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 6911 times:
Hi Nils,
great report, a shame I missed that promo!
I do hate though how a bargain EUR68 fare still racks up to a lot more. All worth it though for a great weekend's flying!
Lucky to get the upgrade, is it a kind of Optiontown that SN run themselves? The big issue for me would be legroom, I trust it was an improvement over b.light?
Nice long flight. Shame about the meals, my only Alitalia flights to date were much shorter and I don't recall at all what I ate! (LHR-MXP-CAI, TLV-FCO-LHR). And to enforce darkness at 5pm is rather strict, especially on a route over such interesting country.
I'm not getting much chance to read many reports lately, but I'm looking forward to your return!
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 746 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 6601 times:
Hi Nils, good to read what no doubt is the first of a few reports from the few hours in NRT! That weather landing into MXP was similar to when I arrived in MUC late last year - also en route to MXP funnily enough. First time I had experienced the landing gear being lowered whilst still above the clouds.
Despite the good price, I'm not sure I'd fancy going on a long haul flight just to turn round and come straight back again - although I guess the good company helps!
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6115 posts, RR: 56 Reply 24, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 6458 times:
Hi Nils !
Thanks for a great report with great pictures !
Very good to see you do a long haul flight for the first time in a while.
It looks like you had a great flight with AZ on the 777, just like I did when I flew them in late May last year LAX-FCO.
It makes a huge difference comfort wise to have empty seats next to your. I'm glad you slept at least three hours.
Great that you had some fellow a.netters with you on the flight. It seems you had a lot of fun.
Food looks good but I never choose pasta on a flight; it almost always come out bad.
Too bad you were only in Japan for three hours. It's an amazing country and definitely worth visiting AND it's not that expensive to visit.
Looking forward to part 2.
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
25 sultanils: Hello everyone, I’m glad to see some more commentary, thank you very much! Aye Captain, thanks! It was simply too good to let it slip... Indeed but
26 knightsofmalta: Hi Nils Thanks for the great trip report. And what a cool trip. It sounds rather insane actually, but I like it. I really enjoyed the pictures of SN's
27 SloAir: Hey Nils, hats off to all of you who did this Alitalia trip, sounds crazy but also sounds like a lot of fun Very interesting and entertaining trip rep
28 BZNPilot: Hi Nils! Great to see this adventure in trip report format. Nicely done, it was a great read with great photos. Pretty impressive steal! Nice itinerar
29 OA260: Hey Nils Great report. Shame I couldnt go but at least AZ got a EUR70 profit from my no show LOL.. Looking forward to the return part. Regards Philip
30 Sultanils: Hi folks, good to see some more replies here, thanks! Hi William, my pleasure Insane? No, not at all I liked it too, it was a crazy yet cool thing to
31 knightsofmalta: Hi Nils I suppose you do have a point there. The key to avoiding jet lag is to not stay in a place long enough to start adapting to the time zone! I'm
32 FLIEGER67: Hi, Nils, finally time enough, courtesy of AF at CDG, to read you´re story. Really well done, now that´s an A.net style adventure. Also nice picture
33 MSS658: Hello Nils Great trip report, thanks for sharing it with us today. Well-written as usual Nice to see you got the upgrade to b.flex, but to be honest p
34 Quokkas: Hi Nils, I tried to read your report a couple of days ago but my Internet download speed was so slow I gave up. Not your fault, more a problem my end,
35 Sultanils: Hi folks, another set of warm welcomed comments. Here goes: I remember asking me the same question in one of your latest reports (to YUL I believe it
36 Parton87: Hoi Nils! Thanks for the great story! Interesting read and good pictures just as expected! You´re quick with your report too as always Really an amaz
37 Sultanils: Hi Robert, good to hear from you and thanks for your reply! Nah, this one was only online some week after the flight. I'm not so fast anymore as I us
38 adamspotter: Hi there Nils! Finally found time to read this report on your short trip to Japan. Shame I was on a trip when this great mistake offer came out and I
39 reifel: Great trip! I had the chance to do it on another day and to KIX on the A330. It seems the A330 is a better choice due to higher quality IFE and seatin
40 Sultanils: @ adamspotter: Hallo Brendan, thank you for your comments my friend, appreciated! Thanks, my pleasure. Was that short or long haul. I can't remember r
41 abrelosojos: I am envious you guys have time to do this stuff. AZ seems good enough - poor bread notwithstanding. It is funny actually, but I have had relatively g
42 sultanils: @ abrelosojos: It was probably a one off opportunity to do this. Time had to be taken to be a part of this and I don't regret, it was great Indeed, go
43 eastafspot: Nice for you to be back on long haul, especially at this incredible fare, all of your pictures are beautiful. Well done I know that my English is poor
44 Sultanils: @ eastafspot: Thanks Léonard, I'm glad you enjoyed the report. You're definitely right but I believe it is meant here in a more cultural meaning, hen
45 flightsimboy: Hi Nils, So here it is, the first part of your NRT trip report. I'm still in a bit of shock regarding the itinerary!! I know it's been explained befor
46 sultanils: @ flightsimboy: Hello flightsimboy, thanks again for your comments on this report of mine! How's that? It isn't the most complicated or extensive of r
47 flightsimboy: Yes that is what I meant...the flight number had changed lol Well I've seen a.netters take an flight out and return on the flight back in and do this
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This part contains the first 2 of 5 flights taken on that trip.
Sultanils
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although I think you mentioned wife and children can put a dampener on your flying. 
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