Hi

just want to share some of my flights with you here, so I try to make a tripreport of those 2 flights on Japan Airlines back in October 2003. As I work for this airline   , my collegue and I managed to obtain 2 3-day tickets for the Formula 1 races at the Suzuka-circuit. We only used 2 days of them, including the race itself. My collegue flew some days in advance, and we should met again at NRT for the second flight.

AMS-NRT
09 OCT 2003
Flightno.: JL412
JA8901 B747-446

After being dropped at Amsterdam Schiphol terminal 3 (also called Terminal West), I went straight to the JAL checkin counters. It was about 3 hours before departure, so the desks were just open. I was the only one that moment, so all ladies behind the counters wanted to help me  But, I waived to my collegue on duty that day, and he came to me. After some talking about Japan and that stuff, he wanted to give me seats in Seasons Class (JALs Business Class). He offered seat 12A (with seat 12C blocked), but as this is the last row on business class on this aircraft, I preferred a seat more in the nose section. So, finally I got my blue boardingpass and seat 5A  

As I only went for a few days, I didn't have any luggage to check-in, and I quickly passed through security. Pfff... a big 2 hours waiting in the Sakura Lounge. I read some magazines and a newspaper. Had some Bacardi-Cokes and snacks they offer. A really good start of this trip.

Boarding was at gate F9 which is a long way walk down the F-gates. The aircraft was ready for boarding at 7.45pm and I took the priority lane for C-class passengers. After taking my seat, the purser came to collect my jacket and greeted my by name   Very personal, way to go JAL!

Boarding was all on time, and we departed at 8.17pm, which is 2 minutes late. This was most probably caused by ATC reasons. At this time, some heavies depart (JL,RG,CZ,KE,and some KL). We had to taxi to runway 24. Takeoff run was as usual on those 747s, and after some seconds in the air we turned right > we had a so called 'Spykerboor'-departure.

Dinner was served from 9.00pm, I took the healthy menu, which contained some kind of fish, together with mashed potatoes. It was a great meal, and I was lucky to get my choice, as I still was a nonrev on this flight!

Now, the long boring flight began, I took some red wine and listened to the music channels. I easily felt asleep   .

From time to time I had some glimps out of the window, very quickly as other people don't like it to see daylight in a dark cabin  Ohhh,... it was already next day! We flew above Siberia   This landscape below me was simply amazing as it always is! I can't imagine people live there. For hours, there is nothing around.

About 2 hours before arrival, windows were opened by the cabin crew, and the smell of breakfast came through the cabin. I went to the lavatory to shave myself (shavers offered by JL). When you wait too long, you may have to queue before you can enter the lavatory. You may better be the first 

Breakfast contained a croissant, yoghurt, potatoes, some vegetables... not really my usual breakfast, but ok it was eatable.

Little later, we started decending for NRT. We still flew of the Sea of Japan, but soon I saw the land of the rising sun coming towards us. We passed over the city of Niigata.

A flight attendant returned my jacket to me, and 20 minutes later this flight came to an end on runway 34L. Arrival was beyond schedule, so well done!

I went to immigration. It didn't take much time. I was luckt we arrived early. Normally most European JAL flights arrive around the same time and it may be very busy at immigration. Today, we were the first to arrive from Europe   After getting my visa, the customs agent downstairs asked were I came from. I said 'Amsterdam'   and as you can imagine he replied: Open your bag please   He took a quick look, he asked me business of holiday. I said I'm staff and showed my IDcard. He said ok, and I walked to the arrival hall.

Now, I had to proceed to departures again, as we listed us for the domestic flight from NRT to NGO (the old Komaki airport that days). In the corner of the departure hall, you will find domestic departures. I was called by a JAL ground staff and she asked if I was from AMS. She already seated me, as my collegue already checked in himself. I got 7C, shit an aisle seat   The groundstaff told me the flight was completely full...

I went to security again and there I met my collegue. He was already drinking Asahi beer, and he gave me one as well   We had some talking about his stay in downtown Tokyo the days before, and soon we were called for boarding.



NRT-NGO (Komaki airport)
10 OCT 2003
Flightno.: JL157
JA203J CRJ-200

We were greeted by the flight attendant of which was only one on board this flight. Boarding finished quickly and the engines started. We had a ride to the short runway 34R at NRT. We were airborne a few seconds later.

The seatbelt sign turned off, and the flight attendant came down the aisle with candy. Everybody took one. I expected some drinks, but as this flight was operated by partner airline J-AIR, it seems they offer a different service level. No drinks, only the candy!



On the right Mount Fuji was clearly visible. Bad luck with the weather, but never mind! 40 minutes after departure we were decending into NGO airport. The flight was very uneventful.

After landing, we parked on a remote stand and buses came to bring us to the terminal building. From the bus, I saw Japanese ground mechanics cleaning the windows of our aircraft!



No immigration here, as we already did that in NRT, this report comes to an end. We had 2 great days in Nagoya, which is really a nice city! Also the F1 race was great.

I hope you all enjoy reading this report.

Thanks!
Eric