I guess you could say that it’s review trip season here at OMAAT. I just recently returned from a review trip to Latin America, where I flew airlines like LATAM, Delta, Aeromexico, Boliviana de Aviacion (swoon!), and Copa.
Now I’m headed in the other direction, as I just planned a last minute review trip to Asia, which includes some products that I think will interest many of you. Let me share what I have booked.
Let me also quickly mention my plan to actually publish the full trip reports for these journeys. My intent is to take this upcoming review trip and share my initial thoughts, then I’ll publish the full Latin America review trip once back, and then I’ll publish the full Asia review trip once that’s complete.
In this post:
I’m heading to Asia for my upcoming review trip
My review trip is motivated primarily by wanting to try two long haul business class products. However, I’ll be reviewing several other experiences as well, which I’m quite looking forward to. Let me share what I’ve booked, in chronological order…
Alaska 737 MAX 9 & Embraer E175 first class
To start, I’m flying from Miami to Seattle to Vancouver on Alaska Airlines. I found a reasonable cash first class fare and also had an Alaska voucher that was expiring soon. I plan to review both of these segments, and my hope is that Alaska actually flies the 737 MAX 9 on my flight between Miami and Seattle.
The problem is that Alaska uses the 737-900ER and 737 MAX 9 interchangeably, and I’ve had swaps to the 737-900ER on my two last flights on the aircraft type. So here’s to hoping that the third time is the charm, so that I don’t review Alaska’s 737-900ER first class yet again.
Korean Air 787-10 business class
Korean Air recently took delivery of its first 787-10. Not only is this a new type of plane for the airline, but it features an all-new business class product. For that matter, it’s Korean Air’s first wide body jet to have Wi-Fi. The first long haul route to get this product is Vancouver to Seoul Incheon, so I’ll be flying the plane on that route.
I managed to redeem Korean Air SkyPass miles for this flight, so I’m happy to finally have an opportunity to redeem those miles. I’m excited to experience this product, as Korean Air selected the Collins Aerospace Horizon seat in business class, which I’ve otherwise flown on Turkish’s A350-900. This will be my first time experiencing it on a 787.
Korean Air A321neo business class
From Seoul Incheon, I’ll be connecting to Sapporo. This route is operated by the A321neo, which is Korean Air’s newest narrow body jet. While not as exciting as the long haul flight, it’s Korean Air’s first narrow body jet with flat beds in business class, and it also has updated branding.
The cabin looks basically identical to Starlux’s A321neo business class, as there are eight Collins Aerospace Diamond seats, in a 2-2 configuration.
Japan Airlines A350-900 business class
From Sapporo I’ll be flying to Tokyo, on an aircraft I’m oddly excited to fly. I’ll be one of Japan Airlines’ A350-900s, as this fleet is intended exclusively for domestic flights. I’ll booked in business class, which is in a 2-4-2 configuration. It has been some time since I’ve flown domestically within Japan, and it should be a good ride.
It’s my understanding that Japan Airlines allows day of departure upgrades on domestic flights at a reasonable cost, so my hope is to be able to upgrade. Does anyone have any recent experience with this?
Japan Airlines A350-1000 business class
Last but most certainly not least, I’ll be flying Japan Airlines’ new flagship A350-1000 business class from Tokyo to New York. I’ve reviewed first class on this jet, but am excited to see how business class compares to the competition.
Even beyond the specific Japan Airlines experience, I’m just looking forward to experiencing the Safran Unity seat, for which Japan Airlines is the launch customer. This is quickly becoming a popular business class seat, as we’ll also find it on the newly delivered A350s of Air India and Qantas, among other airlines.
By the way, I booked this flight using 60,000 American AAdvantage miles. Award availability is virtually non-existent if just booking between Tokyo and New York, while if you originate in Sapporo, availability is wide open. So my side trip to Sapporo serves lots of useful purposes. You’ve gotta love married segment logic!
I’m trying to figure out hotels/capsules…
While I have all my flights locked in, I’m still trying to finalize my overnight stays, as I have one night in Vancouver Airport, one night at Incheon Airport, and one night at Haneda Airport.
In Vancouver, should I stay at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport? I’ve heard it’s a great airport hotel, Accor has a loyalty program, and the convenience can’t be beaten, so it seems like the best bet, but I’m open to other convenient options as well.
At Seoul Incheon Airport it’s a bit trickier. I’m flying into and out of Terminal 2, so I was hoping to stay at the transit hotel in the terminal (since I try to review lounges when they open, and that’s easier to do if you’re staying in the terminal). However, the transit hotel in Terminal 2 is sold out. Best I can tell, there’s only one, so I guess the next best option is to book the Grand Hyatt Incheon?
Lastly, at Haneda Airport I just have a quick overnight, as I’ll be arriving on a domestic flight at Terminal 1, and am departing on an international flight from Terminal 3. I recently reviewed Hotel Villa Fontaine, which is the main hotel at the airport. It’s honestly quite expensive for what it offers, so I was considering mixing things up, and staying in the First Cabin capsule hotel at Terminal 1.
I just can’t figure out to what extent I’m going to regret that. Do you hear snoring, and other peoples’ alarms going off? How bad is the shared bathroom situation? 
Bottom line
I’m looking forward to checking out the two Asian business class products that are most on my horizon — Korean Air’s 787-10 business class and Japan Airlines’ A350-1000 business class. On top of that, I’ll be reviewing Korean Air’s A321neo business class, Japan Airlines’ A350-900 business class, and hopefully Alaska’s 737 MAX 9 business class.
This will be a whirlwind trip, so I’m excited. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!
Any predictions or thoughts for this trip?
For Haneda, do one of these! :)
1) Mercure Tokyo Haneda
2) Hotel Metropolitan Haneda
3) Henn na Hotel Tokyo Haneda
But why would you fly 787-10 or A350?
As VT-CIE wisdom advice would suggest just fly a 737, "visualise yourself flying Qsuites or Air France or JAL or something of that kind! ;)"
There are so many 737 products yet to be reviewed in the world. Then you can start moving to the A320.
A bit off topic maybe. As these were recently booked did you find much flexibility for flights to/from Asia? I’ve been having really poor results to find any reasonable availability to/from Europe this month. Not even finding availability on LH/LX to Miami at less than 200k UA miles each way. Last year 80k awards regularly were available within 2 weeks. Stingier availability? Full flights? What are you seeing Ben?
Now this is what we've been waiting for!
KE's hard product improvement seems really substantial both on the 787-10 and A321neos.
787-10 is NOT the first widebody of Korean Air to have connectivity. It is 777-300ER. They've installing Wi-Fi on 777-300ER since earlier this year and they're flying.
It's not written on Korean Air's website because the retrofit's not completed yet, but it'll soon be listed on the website once the whole fleet gets Wi-Fi.
For posh people like you Ben...first capsule is likely not for you. The capsules are sound proof so you will get a fair amount of snoring noises throughout the night.
My partner slept in the female only area and the next morning she messaged me and told me she'd checked into the villa Fontaine midway through the night.
I didn't know because I always sleep with headphones on and phone away from me.
If I'm not mistaken your int'l J ticket should get you "first class" on the domestic A350 flight. "Class J" is not a business class product from my understanding, it's more of extra-legroom-economy plus. Premium economy seat and room, but same economy service. "Class J" actually boards last, if I remember correctly.
As of a few months ago, domestic JAL upgrades are available up until boarding. From Osaka to Haneda was ~$20 for the last seat in "Class J" on a 767 with the old style recliners.
Grand Hyatt Incheon is a great hotel with reasonable rates. Given the proximity I think it would be a useful review.
For the airport hotel in Haneda, you might want to check-out the Hyatt Regency Yokohama. It's only a 15 minute drive from HND.
This trip is going to be epic.
It may be worth noting in the post that you are fortunate there is no Korean ETA required for EU/US for 2024 which makes the stopover in S Korea a bit easier if you want to leave the airport.
Yes, staying at that on-airport hotel in YVR is an excellent idea. There is good sound-proofing on the rooms and the glass is very thick. It is a great plane-spotting room. Much like the Sheraton at CDG.
Not sure if you're a traingeek, but I would've loved to see a Shinkansen review for a change. I would've also loved to see an ANA A380 review as I've been asking for months lol.
The first class upgrade on the domestic leg is a very recommended experience. On the day of departure it’s only around 60 usd and for that price it’s a steal. For solely domestic tickets you can purchase it on the checkin kiosk, but the staff is also very helpful. You can see on the departure monitor if first class seats are available on your flight and walk right to the first class check in for...
The first class upgrade on the domestic leg is a very recommended experience. On the day of departure it’s only around 60 usd and for that price it’s a steal. For solely domestic tickets you can purchase it on the checkin kiosk, but the staff is also very helpful. You can see on the departure monitor if first class seats are available on your flight and walk right to the first class check in for the purchase.
It includes the (simple, but) much nicer lounge in Sapporo, and a very pleasant onboard experience, they even had little champagne bottles so you can recoup the 60$.
I‘d love to read your review.
While “ class J“ is a great and very cheap upgrade from economy for taller people, it’s not really a business class product.
Hi Ben. Definitely stay at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport! It's a great hotel - preferably on the "Gold" floor for the included lounge with great plane watching.
No need to re-review JAL first lounge. Was there last weekend and exactly as you describe. One thing to note is the sushi menu is available at the main dining area in the evenings, even though the sushi restaurant is closed.
Hopefully you have time for a quick morning stop at Tsukiji.
@ Sel, D. — This time I plan to review the JL business lounge, since I didn’t have the chance to last time. :-)
Ben you work to hard to stay in a capsule hotel , Treat yourself to the Janu, I think a lot of your readers would love a review of that brand and how it compares to AMAN and FS
The capsule hotel sounds like fun. But if it's not your cup of tea, you could try the Royal Park Hotel, whose entrance is in the T3 departure area.
If you’re not super limited in time at HND, would be great to see a review of the recently opened Yokohama Westin… not too far by bus or taxi.
@ Roberto — Hopefully next time with a longer layover, but in this case I’ll literally have around six hours in the room, so probably not the ideal time to review.
Hotel Metropolitan Haneda is a nice aviation-themed alternative
Grand Hyatt Incheon is a great hotel and by far the most convenient
I agree. Stayed there in May 2023, and getting from/to the airport was easy.
I'm beyond excited for this trip!
Would love you to review the Janu in Tokyo that would do really well I think
It’s not to far from Handea too