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

View Large View Medium

Photo © Jens Breuer

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

View Large View Medium

Photo © K.Dennis


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.

Sultanils

I am so jealous! This price is amazing! I really must visit airline websites sometimes...

Great TR... Thanks for sharing!
Rgds,
LO231

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 !

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): And indeed, pea soup al around:

Lucky there were no delays or diversions

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

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I believe this might be Lake Chuzenji:

Great photos of the Japanese Alps

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

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!  

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

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

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.

Cheers, LXM83

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.

How much did they charge?

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): It seems convenience comes at a price...

Sure it does.

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.


PH

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 sultanils (Thread starter): And some more visitors from other parts of the world:

Now that one looks familiar.

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   

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!

Robert

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): The IFE box is huge

- Your not kidding!

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!

Cheers

Mark

Hi all, many thanks for this huge amount of comments already. Now let me get back to you:

Quoting LO231 (Reply 1): I am so jealous! This price is amazing! I really must visit airline websites sometimes...

Hello LO231. Yeah, the price was really amazing, too good to let it slip away. And there are plenty of sources to look for them, good luck  

Quoting LO231 (Reply 1): Great TR... Thanks for sharing!

No problem.

Quoting a (Reply 2): Great report, Nils !

Hello MEA-707, thank your for your reply.

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.

Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 3): What about me? I believe I was last!

Oh yes, I remember, you got to the lounge as the last person. Credits to you then!

Quoting airbuseric (Reply 4): Hi Nils, ah, the man in the green pants is first.

Yes I’m guilty!

Quoting airbuseric (Reply 4): and the small camera you took with you produced some good pics, with some editing I see

Thanks, I did my uttermost best since I know you are critical to photos   And yes, as per your advice I edited my photos.

Quoting airbuseric (Reply 4): There were amazing light and views that morning. Same for me on my from AMS, luckily I had good views from 1F

I’m curious to see your pics as well.

Quoting airbuseric (Reply 4): Man, we didn't fly on Virgin

I know but you get my point  

Quoting airbuseric (Reply 4): Outstanding crew on that outbound journey for sure!

The crew indeed was really good.

Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 5): And indeed, someone in green, and someone in pink...not a great combo!

As far as colour combos are concerned: I’m in for every combination 

Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 6): Hey Nils, 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.

Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 6): Waiting eagerly for the rest

It’s on the way, sooner or later.

Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 7): Hola Nils! 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...

Quoting LXM83 (Reply 8): Hello Sultanils 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): Hi Nils, very nice report about this crazy trip!

Hello PH, thank you for your reply.

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  

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 9): How much did they charge?

€ 114, the cheapest I could get. Still way overpriced for just a bed but what do you do...

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 9): What a monster. They could have replaced these microwaves when they switched to 3-4-3.

They could’ve. I had a window seat on the way back as well with the middle seat empty. That was perfectly doable.

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 9): The portion looks a bit small. Btw - how did the coffee taste?

Yes, the portions were limited indeed. I can’t tell about the coffee, I’m a tea man  

Quoting infodesk (Reply 10): Hi Nils, 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): I felt cheated!

You should’ve asked for a refund!

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...

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 11): Hello Nils, Great report!

Hello Robert, thanks!

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 11): I almost regret only going on the SIN run with AF.

And I regret doing only the NRT one...

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 11): Oh well, hopefully AZ will screw up again soon so perhaps I will get a second chance.

I’m sure they will sooner or later. I still have a MIA and AUH ticket in my drawer, worth € 37  

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 11): you must have been pretty exhausted by then!

I was rather OK to be honest. One night without sleep is doable.

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): Nice read and pictures Nils, most enjoyable!

Hi Mark, good to hear from you!

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): it's frigging superb!

Is that how they say it in the UK? Indeed, superb fare and no match for any other fare from Europe to Japan.

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): Great start to a trip!

We were in the mood instantly  

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): Good move, as much as I love window seats, being in in one in a 3 seat section is not my idea of fun.

It is frightening to see how territorial people can become when they have their eyes on a certain seat in the plane. Look at me lol!

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): one of the reasons is to clean the windows!

Same here, to sneeze my nose and afterwards clean the window   

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): they have great food yet it does not seem to make it aboard their planes

You hit the nail on the head here. Portions were small as well.

Sultanils

I guess I'll never understand how some of you people can fly across continents, just to go back the same day! 

But still a great trip report, I've thought about flying with Alitalia long haul some day. Perhaps I shoud try them out  

Ps. Great work with the limoncello!

Nils, Nils, Nils,

You'll have to excuse my rushed reply today on this nice little report  

Nice work in uploading your report rather quickly. Let's just say that I was expecting that 

Yeah, your experience seems to mirror mine so far. Of course, I didn't go back to Europe on the next flight over.

Also, it seems you didn't board by bus... what a shame!

Good to hear you enjoyed (most?) aspects of AZ. Of course, for the price you shouldn't complain!

Enjoyed the picture of the green pants as well.

Cheers,

And, of course, looking forward to the next part!

Alex

Hi Nils!

Thanks for letting me enjoy that flight once again. It was a great flight that went very fast with the nice company that I had. Great report!

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...

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.

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 12): Quoting sultanils,reply=0: 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!

I wondered what the best thing was to use to clean the windows but I guess that doesn't get rid of the scratches.

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.


PH

Hello all, thank you for some more comments!

Quoting Fallap (Reply 14): I guess I'll never understand how some of you people can fly across continents, just to go back the same day!

Well, let’s just say that some a.netters are a bit more crazy than others (amongst other reasons).

Quoting Fallap (Reply 14): But still a great trip report

Thanks!

Quoting Fallap (Reply 14): Perhaps I shoud try them out

You really should. While they are certainly no match to other ‘established quality carriers’ they can certainly provide you with an enjoyable alternative.

Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 15): Nils, Nils, Nils, You'll have to excuse my rushed reply today on this nice little report

No worries Alex, thank you for commenting here anyway!

Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 15): Of course, I didn't go back to Europe on the next flight over.

I indeed saw that and to be honest, I envy you for that.

Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 15): Also, it seems you didn't board by bus... what a shame!

Let’s say the meteorological situation that day wasn’t ideal for a bus boarding procedure. It was fine like that.

Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 15): Enjoyed the picture of the green pants as well.

Lol!

Quoting tobbry (Reply 16): Hi Nils! Thanks for letting me enjoy that flight once again.

Hi tobbry, no worries.

Quoting tobbry (Reply 16): t was a great flight that went very fast with the nice company that I had.

It was nice to see you again. I saw afterwards that you had a great time on board of some other nice flights as well?

Quoting allrite (Reply 17): And I thought that flying to Japan for only 3 days was crazy...

Hello allrite, It’s clearly just a thought  

Quoting allrite (Reply 17): Great mountain photos.

Thanks!

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!

Sultanils

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): price € 68 all incl. A real steal.

Simply amazing, this fare.

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   ...

CaptainRed

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!

Thanks again!

signol

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!

Looking forward to the next part,

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

Hello everyone, I’m glad to see some more commentary, thank you very much!

Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21): Hi Nils, cool report here

Aye Captain, thanks!

Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21): Simply amazing, this fare.

It was simply too good to let it slip... 

Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21): Hmm, would be interesting to work there, directly on the apron.

Indeed but nowadays there’s not much to see on this part of the airport. Landings on 25L, yes but they mostly take the high speed exit and are out of sight very quick.

Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 21): and nice pants btw

Thanks lol!

Quoting signol (Reply 22): Hi Nils, great report, a shame I missed that promo!

Hello signol, good to hear from you! And don’t worry, with AZ you’ll have plenty more possibilities for good fares  

Quoting signol (Reply 22): 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!

True. While these fares are of course a real steal, you still have to get to the airportand departure and back home on feeder flights. In my case, I could’ve done easyJet back and forth bit the ‘established’ carriers were similarly prices se the choice was obvious. And still in total, € 190 for the flights I took is still a very good deal.

Quoting signol (Reply 22): 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?

It’s actualy called ‘Plusgrade’ (www.plusgrade.com) and is more or less a same kind of thing as Optiontown. And the legroom upfront indeed was a lot better than in the back.

Quoting signol (Reply 22): And to enforce darkness at 5pm is rather strict, especially on a route over such interesting country.

Yes, that is kinda annoying to shut the blinds in full daylight but they want to adhere to the Tokyo time asap.

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 23): Hi Nils, good to read what no doubt is the first of a few reports from the few hours in NRT!

Hi James, thanks for stopping by. Yes, I guess this will not be the last report on this trip  

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 23): That weather landing into MXP

Happens regularly at MXP I guess. The valley behind the Alps, ask any meteorologist  

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 23): 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

Hey come on, I thought you were more hardcore?

Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): Hi Nils ! Thanks for a great report with great pictures !

Hi Lars, thanks!

Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): 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.

AZ was well above expectations. Not many bad things to say about them on this stretch. And yes, I remember that report of yours a while ago.

Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): I'm glad you slept at least three hours.

Sleep is a big word, call it more a doze  

Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): It seems you had a lot of fun.

It was great to team up with some likeminded. I had a lot of fun yes!

Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): Food looks good but I never choose pasta on a flight; it almost always come out bad.

Funny as I always think it’s the other way round: you can never go wrong with some pasta lol!

Sultanils

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 Avro. There was a time when I flew with LX's Avros quite a bit, so I've got a bit of a soft spot for those little machines.

As for Alitalia, I think your report shows very well just what a mixed bag the airline really is. All in all, from the pictures you took they don't actually even look that bad. And I think they deserve at least one Brownie Point for operating the lovely triple seven.

I must say though, despite the excellent fare, I'm not sure I would have wanted to take that trip with you. Weren't you completely exhausted by the time you reached Narita?

Thanks for posting.

Cheers,
William

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 report as usual! I hope you will be able to visit Japan once on a proper visit, it is a very interesting country.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): This view is rather new to me (I’m usually in the back of the bus):

I like sitting in the last rows, but the front usually offers some interesting views of the engine that you don't get at the back of the bus.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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:

Beautiful shots of the alps! Stunning stuff.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Everyone has performed OLCI and has handluggage only so there’s no need to stand in line.

Would you even have enough time to pick up you're suitcase and use anything from it during the short stay?  

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): In the meantime, user LXM83 joins me in the aisle seat and we have a nice talk over a beer:

Sounds like a perfect a.nett meeting, drinking beer and talking on a long haul flight to the other side of the world.

Thanks for sharing, I look forward to the next part!

Blaž

Hi Nils!

Great to see this adventure in trip report format. Nicely done, it was a great read with great photos.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I was the proud owner of a MXP-NRT-FCO-BRI ticket, price € 68 all incl. A real steal.

Pretty impressive steal!

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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

Nice itinerary, with a good mix of small, medium and big airliners.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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:

Love those photos of the Alps! I always enjoy crossing those mountains, especially when the views are good.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Off we go towards the gate for boarding, through the dingy corridors of Malpensa airport:

Dingy corridors indeed. Reminds me of my one experience at MXP in 2006. Flew STR-MXP-JFK on Alitalia, and was not too impressed with the MXP facilities.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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

Again, great shots of the mountains!

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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.

Seems like decent service, with fairly attentive FAs. I remember not being too impressed with the crew on my MXP-JFK leg in '06.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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:

That's a nice experience, as the cabin comes to life and the coffee smell comes though the cabin. Even if airplane coffee isn't exactly gourmet, I always like it.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): And just like that, I’m in Japan... for an hour of 3

Cool! Flying all that way for 3 hours is something that only an aviation lover could understand.  

Thanks again, Nils, for the excellent report.

BZNPilot (John)

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  

Hi folks, good to see some more replies here, thanks!

Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 26): Hi Nils Thanks for the great trip report.

Hi William, my pleasure  

Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 26): And what a cool trip. It sounds rather insane actually, but I like it.

Insane? No, not at all  I liked it too, it was a crazy yet cool thing to do and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again (in good company).

Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 26): There was a time when I flew with LX's Avros quite a bit, so I've got a bit of a soft spot for those little machines.

I also flew an LX Avro on the way home. To be honest, I find the LX examples more pleasant than the SN ones. They have a slightly better cabin comfort. Pics to follow if I ever have the time to finish part II...

Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 26): All in all, from the pictures you took they don't actually even look that bad. And I think they deserve at least one Brownie Point for operating the lovely triple seven.

Aliltalia definitely exceeded my expectations. They no way mirror their lousy websites and IT and ground service experience in the sky. Worth a try!

Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 26): I must say though, despite the excellent fare, I'm not sure I would have wanted to take that trip with you. Weren't you completely exhausted by the time you reached Narita?

Hey come on Will, you do some crazy flying yourself? I wasn't that much exhausted, it was only night without sleep and I didn't have to adjust to the Japan time. And I booked a well deserved bed in FCO!

Quoting SloAir (Reply 27): Hey Nils,

Hi SloAir, thank you for replying.

Quoting SloAir (Reply 27): Very interesting and entertaining trip report as usual! I hope you will be able to visit Japan once on a proper visit, it is a very interesting country.

Thanks and I hope to come back indeed, but when...?

Quoting SloAir (Reply 27): I like sitting in the last rows, but the front usually offers some interesting views of the engine that you don't get at the back of the bus.

I usually sit in the back not to have the wing or engine or whatever thing obstructing the view. And you also have a good cabin view from the back.

Quoting SloAir (Reply 27): Would you even have enough time to pick up you're suitcase and use anything from it during the short stay?

Yes, everything went very smooth. You know very well that Japan is an organised country.

Quoting BZNPilot (Reply 28): Hi Nils! Great to see this adventure in trip report format. Nicely done, it was a great read with great photos.

Hello BZNPilot, good to hear from you! My pleasure for the report!

Quoting BZNPilot (Reply 28): Nice itinerary, with a good mix of small, medium and big airliners.

Thanks, although I wouldn't have minded a bit more variety in types.

Quoting BZNPilot (Reply 28): Flew STR-MXP-JFK on Alitalia, and was not too impressed with the MXP facilities.

You were not? As a matter of fact, the MXP-NRT crew was really excellent: talkative, smiling, efficient service.

Quoting BZNPilot (Reply 28): Seems like decent service, with fairly attentive FAs.

Indeed, the crew was really excellent!

Quoting BZNPilot (Reply 28): Cool! Flying all that way for 3 hours is something that only an aviation lover could understand.

I'm glad you do 

Quoting OA260 (Reply 29): Hey Nils

Hey Philip, how are you?

Quoting OA260 (Reply 29): Great report. Shame I couldnt go but at least AZ got a EUR70 profit from my no show LOL..

Thanks. I decided to put this one together quickly for your viewing plseasure. You missed out on the fun but I'm sure we'll get to do a joint flight somewhere in the future. Hope you feel better now!

Sultanils

Hi Nils

Quoting Sultanils (Reply 30): Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 26): I must say though, despite the excellent fare, I'm not sure I would have wanted to take that trip with you. Weren't you completely exhausted by the time you reached Narita? Hey come on Will, you do some crazy flying yourself? I wasn't that much exhausted, it was only night without sleep and I didn't have to adjust to the Japan time. And I booked a well deserved bed in FCO!

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 looking forward to the next part for sure!

Cheers,
William

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 pictures.
Looking for the next port now.

Greetings,
Markus(FLIEGER67)

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 personally I would not pay 50 EURs more to get one panini, nice to see a different angle however. I see you had a nice pic of OO-SFN at the gate! The plane that brought me from BRU to JFK last month!

Surprised to see about the AZ flight. Looks like a lor of fun at high altitude, plus the good company makes it unforgetablle. I just don't like when the 777s are 3-4-3 configed. Besides that great aircraft, have another 77W coming up in july.

Greetings
Marc

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, so here I am again.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): It’s no B787 but nevertheless an interesting machine:

I am aging myself but I do like those "old-style" liveries.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): she was borderline rude here

At the risk of censure, did she speak to them in Italian?   But you get the same problem all the time: some people are impatient but don't want to pay for the "perks". I commend the staff who are forced to deal with it everyday and have to keep their cool. It is very difficult to say "step back, pleb" with a smile.  

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): thou shall not complain!

EU Rights of Professional Grumblers, Paragraph 357, Section 917, sub section 17... Are you sure?

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Some research learns that ‘Pacific Scientific’ actually is a brand of fire extinguishers:

What exactly is an "extinguisher relief"? Does it mean that it is empty?

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): And I deliberately chose a seat on the right hand side in anticipation for a view on MXP

How disappointing after all your effort. I drove "through the area" about seven years ago and was surprised how far from Milan the airport actually is.

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!

Good stuff, as they say. It is nice to have a bit of extra space.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Night or not, we a.netters don’t sleep yet, we talk and laugh and have an occasional drink.

Generally that has been possible, but I could mention one flight where the crew suggested (very politely) that we might want to pipe down.  

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The IFE box is huge but actually not that bothersome

Oh for the days when a cost-effective way of replacing them arrives. Will cheap (but not add-on) wifi be the answer?

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): but the audio through the cabin is barely audible.

Despite many people ignoring it altogether, that is a worry.

Now, I must confess to a certain confusion. Has the flying finn made two trips to Japan? Was El Said on this journey (and what has happened to him?) or is this another one? My apologies, but I have lost track.

Thank you Sultanils for sharing your experience on this journey. I look forward to many more.

Best wishes,

Roy / Quokka

Hi folks, another set of warm welcomed comments. Here goes:

Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 31): The key to avoiding jet lag is to not stay in a place long enough to start adapting to the time zone!

I remember asking me the same question in one of your latest reports (to YUL I believe it was). And you answered the very same thing there   So I got this tip form you actually, thanks!

Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 32): Hi, Nils,

Hello Markus, thanks for your reply.

Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 32): Really well done, now that´s an A.net style adventure. Also nice pictures.

Thanks, you know what’s it’s like to travel in style and in good company  

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 33): Hello Nils Great trip report, thanks for sharing it with us today. Well-written as usual

Hi Marc, thanks for your comments. I’m glad you liked it!

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 33): but to be honest personally I would not pay 50 EURs more to get one panini, nice to see a different angle however.

I wouldn’t either (anymore) but still the total cost for this flight was much less than when I should’ve booked a oneway b.flex from the start.

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 33): I see you had a nice pic of OO-SFN at the gate! The plane that brought me from BRU to JFK last month!

Aha, an interesting trivium! Let me dedicate it to you then  

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 33): I just don't like when the 777s are 3-4-3 configed. Besides that great aircraft, have another 77W coming up in july.

No, me neither but what can you do? The back section where we were seated and where it was 3-3-3 was a little roomier.

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): Hi Nils,

Hello Roy, good to hear from you!

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): I am aging myself but I do like those "old-style" liveries.

Me too, gives you a nice blast from the past. But I don’t recall any of those liveries from my youth. Must be not so old then 

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): At the risk of censure, did she speak to them in Italian?

She did not but can you blame her? Boarding announcements were made in 3 languages: Dutch, French and English and it was clearly stated which pax had the privilege to board first. Also the waiting lines were clearly marked. She was just borderline rude and that’s not acceptable imo.

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): I commend the staff who are forced to deal with it everyday

Yeah me too, I guess they see all sorts...

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): Are you sure?

  

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): What exactly is an "extinguisher relief"? Does it mean that it is empty?

I believe it has something to do with a releasing pressure at some point? Don’t really know, I’m no aircraft engineer  

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): Good stuff, as they say. It is nice to have a bit of extra space.

Indeed and it was a ‘grab while you can’. Whole different story on the way back though...

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): Generally that has been possible, but I could mention one flight where the crew suggested (very politely) that we might want to pipe down.

At some point I also thought that the crew would ask us to tone down but in the end, we did that ourselves 

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): Will cheap (but not add-on) wifi be the answer?

Maybe so? If you see what technology can do for you nowadays, one should think that there would be a proper solution to this. Money money money...

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): Has the flying finn made two trips to Japan?

He has. But he’s ‘on an indefinite writer’s block’ so he said.

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): Was El Said on this journey (and what has happened to him?) or is this another one?

He was not on this one but on a previous one. He’s still around but to a lesser extent.

Quoting Quokkas (Reply 34): Thank you Sultanils for sharing your experience on this journey. I look forward to many more.

No problem Roy, the pleasure was mine!

Sultanils

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 amazing fare you manage to find for this trip. A real adventure, I can only imagine how tired you must have been when you come back home again!

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 2 of SN’s leased Dash8’s. I need to get on one of those asap

Wonder if SN will get some of their own in the future? Do you know if their is FlyBe´s F/A´s on these flights or have SN trained some of their F/A´s on the Q400?

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Austrian Airlines to VIE and onwards to KUL in

That looks like a cool building and OS to KUL sounds cool. On the MD and A340 maybe?

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): We get a hot Monty’s wrap filled with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese

Looks good.

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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:

Interesting. I´ve never experienced that

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): most of us a.netters have a row of 3 for ourselves in the back section of this 777. Good stuff!

Lucky you  Really great on such a long flight

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Skyteam CSA landing on

You manage to catch two of OK´s special liveries that day  

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): ‘Would you recommend Alitalia to X or Y’, on a scale from 1 to 10. This was a quick and informative survey for sure.

AZ wants to keep it simple:D

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The crew works hard and efficient again

Many F/A´s! When I flew on BA´s 772 it was two F/A´s serving the rear economy section

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): A nice visitor from Mexico here with a B762

Oh, that´s must be a long flight for the 762!

Again really nice report. AZ looks good! Also nice to see SN´s B flex product.

Looking forward to your next report!

Btw, love your green trousers!  

Greetings
Robert

Quoting Parton87 (Reply 36): Hoi Nils! Thanks for the great story!

Hi Robert, good to hear from you and thanks for your reply!

Quoting Parton87 (Reply 36): You´re quick with your report too as always

Nah, this one was only online some week after the flight. I'm not so fast anymore as I used to be 

Quoting Parton87 (Reply 36): I can only imagine how tired you must have been when you come back home again!

I was feeling quite OK really. I had a good night sleep in the way too expensive FCO Hilton - a hotel you are most familiar with   - so no problem there.

Quoting Parton87 (Reply 36): Do you know if their is FlyBe´s F/A´s on these flights or have SN trained some of their F/A´s on the Q400?

I believe it is FlyBE crew on those ones but I'm not sure.

Quoting Parton87 (Reply 36): That looks like a cool building and OS to KUL sounds cool. On the MD and A340 maybe?

Iirc it was on an BRU-VIE on an A320 and VIE-KUL on a Lauda Air B772.

Quoting Parton87 (Reply 36): You manage to catch two of OK´s special liveries that day

Now you say so, yes indeed. I didn't yet notice that.

Quoting Parton87 (Reply 36): Oh, that´s must be a long flight for the 762!

For sure. But a nice one probably in such a classic widebody plane.

Quoting Parton87 (Reply 36): Btw, love your green trousers!

Ha ha thanks, you're not the only one  

Sultanils

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 was too late once finally able to book the flight, as it got cancelled shortly after.
Anyway, fantastic report with many great pictures, definetely enjoyed them   AZ looks quite OK here, much better than my flight with them back in January for sure  

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The WAW flight this morning shows some nice equipment

You mean PRG? It looks like the CSA retro scheme to me

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): (am I repeating myself here?).

No?

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): the Itialian option looks like this

Exact the same meal that I had during my FCO-JFK flight. It was quite bland..

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): On a positive note: I gained an Alitalia branded pen, woohoo

That must have made your day  

Thanks once again for this great report!

cheers,

Brendan

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 seating arrangement.

By the way, this was not a fuel drop error fare, but the routing was wrong. It was a domestic MXP-BRI fare, which was loaded "TRANSFER MUST -NOT- BE IN ITALY" instead of "MUST BE IN ITALY" which allowed tons of interntional connections, i.e. KWI/DOH/DXB/MLE etc...

I can confirm your impressions with AZ longhaul. While they are a pain when it comes to call center and guest realtion, their longhaul prduct to Japan is great, the crew was always friendly, we were fed all the time and got drinks all the time.

@ adamspotter:

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 38): Finally found time to read this report on your short trip to Japan.

Hallo Brendan, thank you for your comments my friend, appreciated!

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 38): Anyway, fantastic report with many great pictures, definetely enjoyed them

Thanks, my pleasure.

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 38): much better than my flight with them back in January for sure

Was that short or long haul. I can't remember reading any AZ report from you - but I might be wrong as I read quite some 

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 38): You mean PRG? It looks like the CSA retro scheme to me

You're right, what was I smoking  

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 38): That must have made your day

It did although I'm not into pencils that much, I already have a vast amount of them lol!

@ reifel:

Quoting reifel (Reply 39): 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 seating arrangement.

I read something in the lines of you going to Osaka, yes. I'm glad you got the A330 as well, I think concerning overall cabin comfort, this type may be the better choice.

Quoting reifel (Reply 39): By the way, this was not a fuel drop error fare, but the routing was wrong. It was a domestic MXP-BRI fare, which was loaded "TRANSFER MUST -NOT- BE IN ITALY" instead of "MUST BE IN ITALY" which allowed tons of interntional connections, i.e. KWI/DOH/DXB/MLE etc...

Thanks for clarifying. You're at the source of these things of course  

Quoting reifel (Reply 39): I can confirm your impressions with AZ longhaul.

  

Sultanils

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 good AZ experiences in my life.

Thanks for taking us on board.

Saludos,
Alex

@ abrelosojos:

Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 41): I am envious you guys have time to do this stuff.

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  

Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 41): AZ seems good enough - poor bread notwithstanding.

Indeed, good enough, not outstanding but certainly worth another try. And the bread, well yes, I saw one of the FA's tearing a plastic bag with a lot of them and placing it on the trolley. Says enough.

Sultanils

[Edited 2013-02-26 12:24:09]

Nice for you to be back on long haul, especially at this incredible fare, all of your pictures are beautiful. Well done

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): A new month brings a new edition of the magazine:

I know that my English is poor, but Marseille is without S at the end  

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.

Did you tell them why did you flew with AZ?
Did you rate according to the price paid?

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): An ‘OTIS elevators’ test facility:

Nice, never seen something like that  

Thanks for this report

EAS/Leonard

@ eastafspot:

Quoting eastafspot (Reply 43): Nice for you to be back on long haul, especially at this incredible fare, all of your pictures are beautiful. Well done

Thanks Léonard, I'm glad you enjoyed the report.

Quoting eastafspot (Reply 43): but Marseille is without S at the end

You're definitely right but I believe it is meant here in a more cultural meaning, hence the 'freedom of spelling' maybe?

Quoting eastafspot (Reply 43): Did you tell them why did you flew with AZ? Did you rate according to the price paid?

We told them briefly and they were happily surprised and declared us a bit crazy. No problem with that  And no, I rated exactly the same way as I would when paying a 'normal' fare.

Sultanils

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!!

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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.

I know it's been explained before but just what is a fuel dump fare?

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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

You flew back on the flight that brought you in!!

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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.

3 hours 30 minutes in Narita...huh!!

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. The seat itself is comfortable enough: the width is fine and the recline and legroom are good enough as well.

I like your green pants lol

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I give the window a good clean and luckily it is not scratched either:

Have you had weird looks from others while cleaning the windows lol

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): We are all glued to our windows and snapping away

Click, click!!

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): 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’.

Must have been a light load

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): A quiet cabin as everyone is happily munching away:

  

Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): As such this is the end of my first longhaul flight in 5 years.

Heck this was more than just a longhaul flight it was a double whammy longhaul flight!! But glad you could do something like this. I don't know if I could do, as one longhaul usually +12 hours is enough for one way. I would need to be in a position to enjoy the return flight too!

@ flightsimboy:

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 45): Hi Nils,

Hello flightsimboy, thanks again for your comments on this report of mine!

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 45): I'm still in a bit of shock regarding the itinerary!!

How's that? It isn't the most complicated or extensive of routes? It is a bit crazy, yes I admit  

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 45): I know it's been explained before but just what is a fuel dump fare?

Kinda diificult to explain and I don't know the whole story as well but basically you try to remove the YQ component of the fare (which is the fuel surcharge - one that costs you an arm and a leg at times), thus leaving only the base fare and some change in other taxes. There are quite some interesting fora around where the tricks are laid out - mind you in cryptic code language. But actually this fare wasn't a fuel dump, as pointed out by fellow a.netter reifel, a few comments up north here  

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 45): You flew back on the flight that brought you in!!

Not the same flight actually, the same aircraft.

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 45): 3 hours 30 minutes in Narita...huh!!

Yes, they were very enjoyable! But next time I might stay longer.

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 45): I like your green pants lol

Thanks, you're not the only one   By now I call them my Alitalia pants lol!

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 45): Have you had weird looks from others while cleaning the windows lol

Not from the a.netters on board no   

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 45): Must have been a light load

No it wasn a near full house but the crew did the drinks service in this casual way. A nice experience for sure.

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 45): I don't know if I could do, as one longhaul usually +12 hours is enough for one way. I would need to be in a position to enjoy the return flight too!

You sure could do! It was very nice and I wasn't that tired. Granted, the lounge access made made the whole thing more bearable.

Sultanils

Quoting sultanils (Reply 46): Not the same flight actually, the same aircraft.

Yes that is what I meant...the flight number had changed lol

Quoting sultanils (Reply 46): How's that? It isn't the most complicated or extensive of routes? It is a bit crazy, yes I admit

Well I've seen a.netters take an flight out and return on the flight back in and do this for inaugural flights or where a new aircraft type is being christened  

@ flightsimboy:

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 47): Yes that is what I meant...the flight number had changed lol

Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 47): Well I've seen a.netters take an flight out and return on the flight back in and do this for inaugural flights or where a new aircraft type is being christened

  

Sultanils