We had a six hour layover, the first four hours of which we spent in the Japan Airlines first class lounge. I've reviewed the lounge before, so I won't get into too many details on it this time around. As usual it was pretty crowded since both first class and OneWorld Emerald passengers have access,…
Continue reading: Lost in Translation: American Airlines First Class Tokyo Narita to Los Angeles
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Ben,
I enjoy reading your post and have been reading some of your older post to. I was wondering if you have ever flown Jetblue and written about your experience? I've always heard good things about them and now that there starting service out of PVD I will hopefully be flying them. Thanks! Tim
@ Tim -- I've flown them before though don't think I've ever written a review. I'll definitely do so the next time I fly with them. Purely in terms of the flying experience I think they're tough to beat -- amazing legroom, comfortable seats, great entertainment, and generally good crews. If only they had a loyalty program that let me accrue miles towards Singapore Airlines first class. 😉
@ AUSTEX -- Worry not, I didn't forget about you. It's the same as on the outbound. 🙂
Ben, what do you do with all of those PJ sets you collect? You could offer to send me a set.
@ Dave -- They make up 90% of my wardrobe, of course, given that I work from home. 😉
I like the idea, though. Maybe I'll give them away with the trip reports in the future.
I've noticed there are a few phrases used often such as "rough air." Could you elaborate on what you mean by 1) chop 2) rough air 3) turbulence? (any others I'm forgetting?) Also, what percentage of your flights would you give at least some designation of the ride vs just a bump here or there not worth mentioning. Thanks!
@ Nick -- Great question. For me there are two categorizations of bumpiness (based on my private pilot training, which hardly qualifies me as an expert on the topic) -- turbulence (in particular moderate and severe) and then everything else (chop, rough air, etc.).
Chop/rough air/light turbulence is just annoying constant movement that's pretty common, and I use those terms interchangeably, for better of worse. Most flights have some form of chop. Moderate and severe turbulence is more serious, whereby unsecured items actually would "fly" around the cabin.
I have moderate turbulence maybe once a year, and I don't think I've ever had severe turbulence. Here's a pretty good explanation of the types of turbulence:
http://www.navyaircrew.com/blog/2009/08/30/light-moderate-or-severe-turbulencehow-are-they-defined/
Basically in my reports if I mention turbulence it's uncomfortable (stuff is flying through the cabin if unsecured), while everything else is less severe.
Hope that answers your question. 🙂
Coins, why didn't you fly upfront on a OW partner? It's a much nicer experience than AA.
@ dhammer53 -- Because I was on a cheap business class ticket upgraded to first class. If you find a premium international airline that lets you upgrade to first class on an $1,800 business class fare, please let me know.
Just as an FYI... that QANTAS lounge is nice, but it's a zoo For large chunks of the day. When the BA and Finnair flights are about to head back to Europe, you'll be pressed to find a seat.
@Lucky: "So suffice it to say the breakfast was a greasy omelet so I didn’t really have all that much of it, though the fruit and cinnamon roll were at least decent."
Just a friendly reminder that you can leave the word "it" out of "suffice it to say" whenever you're using that phrase. Thanks!
Lucky,
Speaking of PJs giveaway, are you aware of the Rimowa amenity kit (Thai Airways Royal First or Lufthansa First) aftermarket? They go for $80-100 on Ebay...if you got 1-2 per segment, and then re-sold them, that would definitely subsizdize the cost of the trip. (example http://www.ebay.com/csc/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=rimowa+lufthansa&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc)
@ David -- Funny, I've actually sold a couple on Ebay in the past, because I was convinced it was a conspiracy theory. Can't believe they go for so much. 😀