Lost in Translation: Japan Airlines Business Class Tokyo Narita to Nagoya

Is it common in Japan to use 777's on domestic flights? I have never flown 777's domestically in the US. I know there are few but they tend to be going on, or returning from overseas.

@ sam -- Yes, very common. There are a few high density routes that are mostly operated by 777s/747s.

Even though it was so rough, they still jumped up and did service?

@Sam: Very common. But they are usually configured in a high density seating arrangement. ANA also uses specially designed 747-400s for such service.

@Lucky: The trains are expensive, but that is what insane punctuality costs. In 2007 the train was on average 18 seconds late!

@ Nick -- I've found that outside the US, turbulence rarely impacts the service on flights.

Those first class seats are truly odd but great looking! I imagine if Disney ever did an "age of flying" theme restaurant at somewhere like Epcot, the seats would look exactly like that!

You'll get an upgrade and YOU WILL LIKE IT MISTER!!

For a longer trip, look into the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass). It's not cheap (starts at ~$300) but allows unlimited travel for 7 days on all JR trains, including local, regional and some but not all shin-kan-sen lines. Definitely worth it if you're spending a few days in Japan and you can see a lot of the country by bullet train at a much lower cost than paying per ride. You have to buy it in the US before you leave, I believe.

I apologize for my confusion but if Business Class was practically empty why did they need to upgrade you?

Yeah, I wonder why they upgraded you. Also? That looks like a huge business class cabin.

@ Despina -- It would seem it was the most apologetic complimentary upgrade ever (I assume on account of my OneWorld Emerald status).

Just back from Japan myself. The current rate for JR unlimited pass is ~$350 for 7 days. And yes must be obtained before you go to Japan. Widebodies are very common in asia for short routes. TPE-HKG has 777 or 747s almost every hour i believe

What compensation did they give you for the upgrade?

Regarding lack of snacks in the Sakura lounge, I recall there is a second floor, where most of the food offerings are kept.

I believe the apology is for not upgrading to First Class until the day of departure 🙂

I wonder if Executive Compensation in Asian airlines is as much as US airlines.

*Shinkansen* in Japan are outrageously expensive.

FTFY.

Outside of the shinkansen and other "special" service, train travel in Japan is relatively cheap, especially when taking into account the efficiency and reach of the train network.

You rode the Nozomi service Bullet Train... the most expensive JR train service... Don't complain, you could have caught a slower train to Kyoto from Nagoya at half the price 😉

Turbulence and Service: I was on a Qantas flight from DRW to SIN and we had mild turbulence for the first 1.5 hours. The cabin crew in business stayed seating the whole time. Same thing on a DRW to CNS; mild turbulence and the crew sat seated most of the time. So, not all overseas airlines follow the pattern of service during turbulence-even mild turbulence. Then again, this lack of service over any excuse, maybe one of the reasons Qantas is in financial trouble.

Is there any particular reason you didn't fly into Osaka? Was it an availability issue? Itami to Kyoto is a much easier transition than the one you took.

@ Willy -- The fare I booked was only valid to Narita or Nagoya, unfortunately.

@Lucky: "Trains in Japan are outrageously expensive, and our 30 minute bullet train ride alone cost ~$75USD per person."

Outrageously expensive?

Compared to what, exactly?

In Japan the Shinkansen ("bullet train") are often priced similarly to airfare. The primary benefit being that you are traveling from city center to city center or whichever train station serves the area closest to your true destination. If you're only traveling a short distance and/or want something cheaper you pick a slower train and/or a train with more stops to make. The options are there for people who people who think nothing of a $75 breakfast or $7,500 airline seat but still suffer "outrageous" sticker shock at seeing a $75 train ticket.

-Dax

Great view of Mt. Fuji!

If you will kyoto again,Do not take an Nagoya.Take a Osaka(ITM) than ride bus around 60min.ITM is best way to Kyoto,also cheeper than Shinkansen train.

this looks like it was not a true 'upgrade' but rather the seating of class 'J' passengers in the forward first class cabin - due to flight loads (as you can see the class J cabin is completely empty). You can see that the blanket is still marked with 'class J' on it. The catering is the same for class J suggesting that while it was a seat upgrade, it was not a class of service upgrade. But good score!! 🙂 (True F service in Japan on JL is something very different, with a proper meal service and glassware)

Premium seat on NH do serve a meal at meal times and soup for the other times. Class J on JL only have drink service ? Not very competitive in my opinion.

ORDnHKG - there is a difference in offering between JL's 'class J' and NH's premium cabin. Class J on JL is a premium economy offering for about $12 over the regular fare (you can pay this at check-in - NH's business premium fare is a regular business class price much higher than a few bucks). All class 'J' entitles you too is a wider seat and more leg-room (in a separate cabin). If you want premium service on JL domestic you need to take one of their First class cabins (only on selected routes).