For 2024, my goal is to review as many interesting airline experiences as possible. I kicked off the year with a review trip to Oman, and wanted to share the full details of the next trip that I’ve finalized.
Continue reading: BOOKED: An Exotic Japan Airlines A350 Adventure!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Not at Haneda airport itself, but Hyatt Regency Yokohama is an excellent nearby option to Haneda esp if you have a Category 1-4 cert! ~$5 by public transportation, or I'd estimate a ~$50 taxi? (Japan being Japan w/ private car transport costs)
Across the Atlantic, you can also check if there's any "cheap"-ish Aeroplan Business Flexible awards on Air Canada metal via Toronto? You could (finally) visit the Signature Suite lounge in Toronto, which imo has the best food/drinks of any North American lounge!
@Ben I think the best hotel near HND is the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport. It’s connected to Terminal 3, and the prices don’t seem too bad.
If you really want an adventure, maybe consider flying Avianca or Latam to Bogota, and then fly Avianca up to LHR, MAD, or BCN.
“best Haneda Airport hotel when departing Terminal 3?”
I thought the Villa Fontaine Premier was quite good. Would love to get your take on it.
I'd love to see a Club Suites review! I've flown them 4-5 times and would love to hear your thoughts.
Feels like old times at OMAAT! This is what makes you the best in the business, Ben, keep it going!
My suggestion:
Miami-São Paulo (Latam or Azul)
GRU-JNB (South African)
JNB-FRA (Ethiopian or nonstop in Condor/Lufthansa)
Aww, was hoping to see an Air Premia review on the way to Seoul. 🙂 Sounds like fun!
I’d love to read your thoughts on the new Finnair business class ‘sofa’, have only read people whose opinions I don’t trust / who don’t go into much details…
The Villa Fontaine Premier is a step up from the Grand. Both are good. The Grand is great if you are simply looking for a place to crash, but the Premier is definitely “better” IMO. In my experience the Premier was about $100 more than the Grand.
Check the Flying Blue portal for Air Europa rather than skyteam. that's how I found an award flight when I flew them in October.
Maybe for MIA-FRA you could try Aer Lingus via Dublin? Or Virgin Atlantic via LHR (dunno about LHR-FRA…) or even ITA via FCO?
Would've loved to see ANA's A380 and Air Premia thrown in there somehow. Anywho, Happy New Year to all and all the best for 2024.
I flew ZIPAIR SJC-NRT. There is a single check in line regardless of seat. Boarding from back of the plane. They charge for everything including pillow, blankets food and water! So take an empty bottle and post security fill with water at a lounge. Even if you order their food the serving size very small! Note if you don’t order their food online it’s ordering via a buggy code you have to scan on board. Given that it was 25% of the cost of ANA and JAL. The seat is designed more for Japanese so if you like turning while sleeping it will be difficult. And SJC NRT is likely better than the other way around given sleep patterns.
BTW how did you book JAL F? I never see it these days
@ Saeed -- I'd love to fly Air Algerie, but the cheapest one-way business class fare I see in the market is over $2,000, which seems a bit steep for what's being offered. Air Algerie remains on my list, I'm just waiting for the right opportunity.
@ Nelson -- That's a great idea. I should have mentioned that I have another spring trip booked (not just a review trip, but a "normal" trip) where I have the TAP A330-900neo and A321LR booked, so those reviews are coming, now that the airline finally releases a decent amount of business class award space.
@ Amit -- I'm long overdue for that. Has anyone seen any amount of transatlantic business class award space for January/February bookable at a decent mileage cost/through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club? If there's availability I'd definitely travel that way!
@ Marcus -- Thanks for sharing your experience, that's helpful! I booked Japan Airlines using AAdvantage miles, and it showed directly on aa.com. Japan Airlines typically releases one first class award seat per flight when the schedule first opens. Sometimes people book them and then later cancel, so I was able to book one of those seats.
@ Mike O. -- I was initially hoping to do a combination of ANA A380 first class and Thai 777 first class, but I couldn't find any availability. It's so tough to come by... 🙁
@ Meshi -- Aer Lingus is a great idea if availability opens up, as I haven't done the A330 in a long time. I have done both of ITA's long haul aircraft recently, so won't be flying with the airline again soon. I also did Virgin Atlantic's A330-900neo, but I should probably check out the A350-1000 again.
@ Ignoramus -- Thanks for your trust! I reviewed it some time back, you can read my thoughts and review here:
https://onemileatatime.com/reviews/finnair-business-class-a330/
https://onemileatatime.com/insights/finnair-no-recline-business-class-seat/
@ Rafa -- Hah, I'm hoping to slightly minimize my time away from home, and I think that might just be a little too circuitous. However, I have plans to travel to Africa in the coming months as well, so I think I should have some Ethiopian and South African Airways content there.
@ FE -- I appreciate it, thank you for the comments and for reading! I'm hoping to focus on the basics in the coming year, and that includes a lot of flying.
Would love to see an air Europa business review as it’s supposed to be pretty good!
According to Seats dot aero it looks like there is availability for 50,000 VS points from PDX to AMS, DTW to AMS, or JFK to DUB on 1/5, 1/23, and 2/1, respectively.
As much as I had a bad experience on Air Europa and would dissuade people from booking it, I will at least say that I used to see availability on Flying Blue, both out of Miami and New York. Delta doesn't show this availability on their website.
Otherwise, what about Iberia's "suite with doors" product?
I know you probably wouldn't want to do it, but Norse, TUI, or Neos in premium economy would all make for excellent reviews! Maybe not this time since it would have to be an overnight flight, but given their reasonable premium fares, it would be great to read what they're like!
How about CDG-MIA on Norse Atlantic? You never reviewed their premium cabin.
Second choice would be Air Europa or Icelandair.
I am thinking of other airlines you never reviewed before? Level? Play? Vorl Azul via Brazil?
Emirates A380 JFK-MXP and then MXP to FRA dare to change airports to do ITA LNT? Don’t know if service is back in time though. But there’s also the Emirates to Athens or from Mexico to Barcelona.
Or Norse Premium Eco? Most ppl assume it’s the same as Norwegian is it?
I know you reviewed Iberia somewhat recently, but would enjoy your take on the new A350 business class with doors.
Availability to Mexico City seems easy to come by, and also a pretty solid deal using avios at off-peak pricing (42.5k miles one-way for a 12hr flight).
Don’t do Royal Air Maroc if you can avoid it. Everything is bad news about the experience. They swap the 787s for derelict Wamos planes all the time, with no advance notice. So if you enjoy angle-flat, surrounded by non-rev airline staff, knock yourself out. And don’t get me started on the airport ground experience. Avoid at all cost. If you manage to get on the 787, it’s decent interior, eadible if basic food, dreadful IFE, rude flight attendants. I had to take a few of those flights, it’s a lottery basically what you will get.
@ Kevin M -- Would LOVE to do Iberia's new A350 business class. It seems seat map is the same as the old configuration. Is there a different designator code used for it, and/or is this consistently flown to MEX? That's an option I'm definitely into...
Sounds like a great trip!
Having just been through the new UBN this summer, it's nice and clean, but the lounge is outside of security, and the airport is so far out of the city, it can take 2-3 hours to get in during rush hour. Will you be leaving the airport or just transiting through? I can't imagine they have a lot of transiting customers since MIAT has so few planes and routes! Looking forward to your report!
I should add a few more details. I am 5’10” 165 pounds. The seat was quite snug for me and whilst barely acceptable sleeping on my back no way to move or turn around! I should add do not use their blanket. I something awful which sticks to your clothes and generally creates a mess. As a regular on the SFO NRT route (8 times a year) it’s astonishing how much the cash costs and points has gone up. I do wish point.me offered a service where they alerted you of F availability regardless of date and direction as I can generally work around those dates! Where is the NH and JL F availability gone?!
Ben,
How about a rail and air trip report?
Brightline MIA to MCO followed by Eurowings business class nonstop to FRA?
Although no one would fault you if you flew the 747 on LH nonstop 😉
Awesome, looking forward to the trip reports. Have a happy New Year and hopefully we get to hear from Tiffany in the New Year...Hi Tiffany, I/we miss your reviews
Use the onsen at Haneda if you get the chance! It's pretty fun and might be good to do a quick review to inform readers. Though photos would have to be quite limited for obvious reasons...
Zip Air boards the plane from the back rows to the front. Flew from SFO-NRT on their flat bed seat. Good value for money!!
Please stay at the hotel "Villa Fontaine Haneda Premier" at Haneda Airport.
You can see planes at Haneda Airport from the open-air bath. There's nothing like watching airplanes while taking a warm bath outside in the cold winter.
Welcome to visit Japan!
I'm Japanese and I use Google Translate, so I'm sorry if my English is bad.
Will you stay in Mongolia for 1-2 nights? If not, seems like a waste as it's a unique destination that could led to interesting blog content.
My first ever business class redemption was in Air Europa, JFK -> MAD 15 months ago, I was able to find availability for 4 people via Flying Blue, I sure hope that option hasn't become more limited as I'd love to fly them again in 2024 to get to Europe.
My prediction ; Ben’s review of the new JAL First will be 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I’m making a couple of quick turns between LAX and HND in February. I plan on being in the JAL Sakura First lounge at HND 1030a-noon on 2/13 and 2/15 but I’m flying AA. The business class lounge was horrible last time I was there ; now I have OWE.
yep I am a Tiffany fan also. Her Romanian and Jordanian roads trips from several years ago were superb both in content and writing style.
To be fair Ben only sleeps a couple of hours on flights (especially shortish ones like transatlantic)… I don’t even know if the lay flat seat is that important. I fly Norwegian from ord to BCN in the premium economy type big seat and actually slept better than a lot of flat bed seats I’ve been on.
Just got back from Tokyo, flew few different business class in Asia (China air, Thai, D1, Hink Kong) - as far as a hotel close to Haneda, while not an airport hotel per se, I can’t recommend enough The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo. It’s a simple 25 min train ride from terminal 3, but the hotel has amazing gardens, spa, sauna, restaurants…highly highly recommend it! Try to get a room on the 14th floor facing the city (Tokyo tower) as well as the gardens.
why not try flying with elal 788 from miami via TLV available for 100k alaska miles
Just got off Aer Europa 787-9 business class yesterday. It was fine. Seat was nice, but the crew was more interested in serving their friends that they bumped from economy then me. Ran out of food options twice.
Great! I‘m really interested in all three reviews, MIAT, ZIPAIR and JAL.
For the transatlantic, I love daytime flights. There is a new one: YHZ-LHR by AC. It‘s operated with a 737 MAX8, so don‘t expect any flat beds … but fair enough, they sell their business class as premium eco, which I find a good deal for a day time flight.
Air France’s Caribbean island hopper
Then Air Caraibes to Orly ( or AF to CDG)
I flew Zipair lie-flat from SFO-NRT. Like Vinoo said, they board back to front. Those of us flying lie-flat were the last to get called.
I agree!
I also thought the Villa Fontaine Premier’s restaurants were quite good for an airport hotel. I’m not sure if the Permier and the Grand share the same restaurants.
Looks like a great trip! I’d advocate for the AeroMexico or Air France if availability arises.
I wonder, could you by any chance do an update post on what luggage you’re currently using? I’d find that hugely helpful.
The Sakura First lounge is nice. Better than the biz lounge, but not quite on par with CX (cabanas, dining, bar) or QF (dining) lounges, IMO. The Red Suite is an enjoyable room in which to relax and sip a glass of champagne or wine. The Salon (up one floor) is also worth a visit. It hasn’t been open on all of my visits! Enjoy - would love to know what you think of it….
Looking forward to the reviews! AF is imo one of the better European airlines, but do manage your expectations for HOP, and plan enough transfer time as their Embraer flights leave from Terminal 2G..
@ Chris W -- They look very similar, but it's not the same product. The 777 has the Safran Versa seats, while the A350 has the STELIA Opera seat. Funny how they're so similar and even have the same bulkhead seat designs, but are different seats, eh?
I can't believe you managed to find award space on JAL. I've been scouring for months now, including when the schedule first opened for the dates I need, and nada. J or F...
JAL J on the A350 isn't that difficult if you have a flexible schedule. I have seen a few awards from July to December.
Ben, you left out a very important part here - how did you book the JL FC? I have been looking almost daily to find award ticket in either direction but nothing shows up.
FWIW, I flew just a couple of weeks ago in 1A on Air France's A350-900. Headrest was broken, armrest was broken, and all the IFE remotes in the entire plane were inoperative.
I talked to the purser, and he told me most of the FAs are gutted because it's a brand new plane and they keep having issue upon issue upon issue with the new suites (I also flew in the new suites on the 777 back in September, also in a bulkhead seat but in the middle, and the privacy partition was broken). They were very apologetic, and we chatted for a while. They said Safran is really struggling to keep these seats working and many parts can't be ordered on time, etc. And it's a bummer because it otherwise is an amazing seat and the cabin looks stunning!
Ended up getting a very nice compensation for those issues.
Also I'm not sure you will be able to access terminal 1 at CDG, since both your flights arrive and leave from terminal 2. I believe there are conflicting reports on that, but if you don't have a flight ticketed to depart from T1 you may have issues.
JAL cabins were so bad on the way to Tokyo..cancelled F class going back to DFW and taking AA business.
It is REALLY BAD on JAL right now. They are pumping heat into the cabin for 14 hours and the Japanese are in jackets and blankets. It is a major cultural difference. I wish you good luck on that A350. I do not care if it was a private 4 bedroom suite with hookers and a chef.... I will avoid JAL forever after that sweatbox.
80k AA miles- as he mentioned it was speculatively booked months ago. ever since the new cabin was officially announced the seats get snatched up incredibly quickly.
14 days is the general rule. Once in a while on ORD routes they will release earlier. I am warning everyone on here... two JAL flights this month were over 80 F in the cabin... major sweatbox. Dress in layers and be prepared to not sleep.
Agree best place near Shingawa and much better than the HND airport hotels but its very mediocre for Ben's taste :).
Very exciting I am really looking forward.
Is the A350 product different from the one you reviewed out of YYZ?
I was able to book AF new A350 PPT-LAX bulkhead seats without FB elite status. I'm hearing conflict reports if this elite status is required. Do you know if there is a clear policy?
If there is a next time, try asking a flight attendant to turn down the temperature. In my experience, they happily obliged.
I flew JL F DFW-HND in August. I really hate hot stuffy environments too but I remember being comfortable the whole flight. Maybe it comes down to the personal preference of the head FA.
Not surprised by Hop! opting against blocking any seats in J... I flew last week IB J on an Air Nostrum CRJ (first regional jet flight in many years) and was shocked by the fact they also don't even bother blocking any seats. Back in 2017/18 I recall taking another flight on an IB CRJ (albeit Y) where there were only 5 J pax and despite that the first three rows were J (a pair of seats for each passenger).
Would like to hear about your ground experience in FRA. I used their JAL First Class Lounge. I’ll be in Tokyo HND twice next month and have JAL First Class lounge access there.
Hope all the flights work out and it’s an amazing review trip.
Please share the backend booking process for these flights! Miles? travel agent? airline website?
Remember HOP departs from CDG T2G which is a wonderful terminal if originating in Paris but a pain if you're coming from another terminal since it sits away from the rest of T2 which is all around the oval. Forget bus gate, its a BUS TERMINAL! The public departures area post security in T2G is beautiful and arguably nicer than the AF lounge in T2G although obv the AF lounge has food and drink included. 🙂
Lucky - if you’re planing to try for a bulkhead on the AorFrance A350, just beware that Delta seems to play games with reassigning those in this seats at the last minute. Happened to my wife and I in December flying from Detroit. We had blocked the seats as part of an award booking and Delta gate agents reassigned them at the last minute (15 minutes prior to boarding) with zero notice. When questioned at the gate, they claimed it was due to an aircraft swap but that was 100% a lie. The aircraft had always been the newly configured A350, and not a previous Joon configuration.
Either way - good luck and enjoy. It’s a nice product!
I just flew to Haneda from ORD on JAL 787-9 with Apex Suites. Found a very different experience from you. Quite honestly, one of the best flights I’ve ever taken. Service was amazing and cabin temperature was very comfortable.
I had an awards flight booked with miles via FlyingBlue and for some reason, the bulkhead seats opened for me to book, I think maybe 3 weeks prior. I have no status with AF so I thought it odd. They had been previously blocked for selection.
Ben stated a few weeks back that he proactively booked at F reward on the JFK flight when it was showing a 773 in the hope that it would switch to 350 (since JL restricted sale to only 6 of the 8 seats). I assume this change occurred and he arranged this trip around that.
Otherwise - I expect it will be hard to find F space on the 350.
I flew JL11 in F last week, and the temp was fine (as an old fat texan). Perhaps I just haven’t run into a crew that keeps it steaming.
I am booked in February to fly JAL from JFK to HND in J
Checking daily to see if anything opens up in F
Hi Ben,
Assuming you’re aware of the VIPOne service at JFK terminal 1 Avoids you having to use TSA PreCheck lite, and is free for Priority Pass (May be dependent on PP benefit source). A real timesaver.
Usually they do block the seat next to you in Business on HOP! Embraer E190's when the cabin is not full.
I took one of these last month.
Anyway, its a waste of money to pay for Business on these planes
At least you avoided LH 350-900 crap business class! BONUS!
On our 10 hour flight SFO-MUN the FA's were around for about 3 hours at start and 2 hours at the end. Rest of the time either asleep upstairs or in the kitchen.
Any idea re the HND-DFW route starting to use the new planes? I happen to have a fc booking early October.