- Introduction: A Quick Trip To Japan & Korea
- Review: Alaska First Class Boeing 737 MAX (FLL-SEA)
- Review: Fairmont Vancouver Airport (YVR)
- Review: SkyTeam Lounge Vancouver Airport (YVR)
- Review: Korean Air Business Class Boeing 787-10 (YVR-ICN)
- Review: Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport (ICN)
- Review: Korean Air Prestige Business Lounge Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN)
- Review: Korean Air Business Class Airbus A321neo (ICN-CTS)
- Review: Japan Airlines Diamond Premier Lounge Sapporo Airport (CTS)
- Review: Japan Airlines Domestic First Class Airbus A350 (CTS-HND)
- Review: First Cabin Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Review: Japan Airlines Business Lounge Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Review: Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Review: Japan Airlines Business Class Airbus A350-1000 (HND-JFK)
Welcome to my next trip report series, covering the recent review trip that I took to North Asia, to check out two of the newest business class products there are.
This wasn’t anywhere close to the wildest review trip I’ve taken, and by my standards it was even kind of tame. I flew a total of six segments, and covered just over 16,000 miles.
In this series you can expect flight reviews of Alaska’s 737 MAX 9 first class, Korean Air’s 787-10 business class, Korean Air’s A321neo business class, Japan Airlines’ A350-900 first class, and Japan Airlines’ A350-1000 business class. There will also be reviews of several lounges, plus some hotel reviews.
In this post I’ll outline all the basics of the trip, and then I’ll publish the entire trip report series in the coming days and weeks.
In this post:
Why I took this trip
This was a pure review trip, plain and simple. That’s to say that I took this trip exclusively to be able to review certain premium airline products, all while being away from home for as little time as possible. My motivation for taking this trip was pretty straightforward, as there were two new business class products in Asia that I really wanted to review:
- Japan Airlines is the launch customer of the new Safran Unity business class seat, and offers this on newly delivered Airbus A350-1000s
- Korean Air recently started installing the Collins Aerospace Horizon business class seat, and offers this on newly delivered Boeing 787-10s
I decided to just book a quick trip to Asia and back, given that I found good award availability.
The airlines I flew on this trip
I booked this itinerary as three separate tickets, so let me share the details of the tickets in the chronological order that I traveled.
To kick off the trip, I flew Alaska’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 first class from Fort Lauderdale to Seattle to Vancouver, in order to position for the rest of my trip. I found a reasonably priced first class fare, so booked the following for $674.98 (I credited the flight to American AAdvantage, to earn Loyalty Points):
10/05 AS517 Fort Lauderdale to Seattle departing 10:15AM arriving 1:59PM
10/05 AS1305 Seattle to Vancouver departing 2:59PM arriving 3:59PM
Next up, I flew Korean Air’s Boeing 787-10 business class and Airbus A321neo business class from Vancouver to Seoul Incheon to Sapporo. I booked this using Korean Air SkyPass miles, as I still have a sizable balance of those miles from back in the day, when the program partnered with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
I booked the following for 62,500 Korean Air SkyPass miles plus $308.10 in taxes & fees:
10/06 KE72 Vancouver to Seoul Incheon departing 2:30PM arriving 5:50PM (+1 day)
10/08 KE769 Seoul Incheon to Sapporo departing 12:35PM arriving 3:20PM
Lastly, I flew Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350-900 first class and Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000 business class from Sapporo to Tokyo Haneda to New York. I booked this using American AAdvantage miles, though I should mention that I upgraded that first segment to first class with cash, as Japan Airlines has a lucrative domestic upgrade program.
I booked the following for 60,000 American AAdvantage miles plus $45.41 in taxes & fees:
10/08 JL526 Sapporo to Tokyo Haneda departing 8:05PM arriving 9:45PM
10/09 JL6 Tokyo Haneda to New York departing 11:05AM arriving 11:00AM
I’ll be ending the review with the transpacific flight, as I had some domestic travel I had to do upon returning to the United States, before going back home to Miami.
You might be wondering why I flew to Sapporo, since that’s a random turnaround point on a transpacific trip, since I didn’t stay there for more than several hours. There were a few reasons for this:
- Japan Airlines uses married segment logic for award availability, and there was only business class award availability on the flight from Tokyo to New York if I was connecting from Sapporo
- Korean Air flies its A321neos to Sapporo, which worked out great, since that is also a new aircraft for the airline, allowing me another fun review
- I’ve long wanted to fly Japan Airlines’ A350-900s, which are the carrier’s dedicated domestic aircraft, totally different than what you’d find on international flights
In addition to flight reviews, you can expect reviews of the following lounges:
- The SkyTeam Lounge Vancouver (YVR)
- The Korean Air Prestige Business Lounge Seoul Incheon (ICN)
- The Japan Airlines Diamond Premier Lounge Sapporo (CTS)
- The Japan Airlines Business Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND)
- The Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND)
The hotels I stayed at on this trip
On these review trips, I spend most of my time in the air, and not in hotels. On this trip I had overnight(ish) stays in Vancouver, Seoul Incheon, and Tokyo Haneda.
In Vancouver, I decided to stay at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. This is a convenient airport hotel, as it’s connected directly to the terminal. Not only that, but the property is legitimately nice, and I’m happy I had the opportunity to once again review a Fairmont property, since I don’t get to stay at many Accor hotels.
I then had a quick overnight at Incheon Airport, and decided to stay at the Grand Hyatt Incheon, which is quite convenient. This is a solid hotel, with a unique club lounge setup that I look forward to writing about.
Last (and also least), I had an overnight at Tokyo Haneda Airport. Last time I had an overnight at Haneda Airport, I stayed at the Hotel Villa Fontaine, which is the mega-hotel connected to the terminal. I’m always looking to review something new, so this time I decided to stay at the First Cabin Haneda, which is a cabin hotel. As much as I love Japan, I quickly learned that this concept isn’t for me, and it was a very short night. 😉
Bottom line
I had a fast but great trip to Korea and Japan, as I was able to check out two of Asia’s newest business class products — one exceeded my expectations, while the other left a bit to be desired. I’ll also have a review of Alaska first class, plus of several lounges and a few hotels.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!
Not much beef in these reviews, I predict :) LOL
Ben, next time you travel to Korea, please try Seoul Station City Airport Terminal. I write this comment everytime you post about Korea. Please!!!! I don't want you to keep suffering from the ridiculously long waiting line for security check at ICN.
You can check-in and check your luggage at Seoul City Train Station, take AREX train to ICN, then clear security checkpoint dedicated to City Airport Terminal users, crews, diplomats and Passengers with...
Ben, next time you travel to Korea, please try Seoul Station City Airport Terminal. I write this comment everytime you post about Korea. Please!!!! I don't want you to keep suffering from the ridiculously long waiting line for security check at ICN.
You can check-in and check your luggage at Seoul City Train Station, take AREX train to ICN, then clear security checkpoint dedicated to City Airport Terminal users, crews, diplomats and Passengers with reduced mobility.
This is the only way at ICN to clear security check in 5 minutes.
Not many foreigners know about this trick. Once you experience it, you can never check-in at ICN. This is as convenient as TSA Pre.
FYI:
https://www.airport.kr/ap_en/1420/subview.do
I agree, City Terminal works great for the lines, but there are some caveats. You have to arrive at least 30-40 minutes before your train because of the inconsistent lines(You also have to board immediately after check-in). Also to note is that hours are limited and that only Korean carriers plus LH are available.
Hello! You're right that the AREX is super convenient and saves a lot of time, but based on my countless journeys flying out of the airport I've never stood in security long enough to be annoyed. It usually takes around 5 minutes or shorter.
It could be that I'm always lucky, or maybe it's because I fly out of T2 all the time but I did use T1 last June flying Malaysia, and I was...
Hello! You're right that the AREX is super convenient and saves a lot of time, but based on my countless journeys flying out of the airport I've never stood in security long enough to be annoyed. It usually takes around 5 minutes or shorter.
It could be that I'm always lucky, or maybe it's because I fly out of T2 all the time but I did use T1 last June flying Malaysia, and I was out of security in like 3 minutes.
But yeah, the AREX is definitely awesome if your hotel happens to be in that area(which I assume is the case for many foreigners, but not Ben since he will probably stay at the Park Hyatt or JW Marriott if staying downtown). Other than that, it usually takes the same or longer to go to Seoul Station than waiting for check in and security.
Looking forward to the details review of these segments. Especially the one you mentioned "from Sapporo to Tokyo Haneda to New York. I booked this using American AAdvantage miles, though I should mention that I upgraded that first segment to first class with cash, as Japan Airlines has a lucrative domestic upgrade program."
Could you briefly talk about this lucrative first class upgrade of an award ticket, as we are flying a few business segments...
Looking forward to the details review of these segments. Especially the one you mentioned "from Sapporo to Tokyo Haneda to New York. I booked this using American AAdvantage miles, though I should mention that I upgraded that first segment to first class with cash, as Japan Airlines has a lucrative domestic upgrade program."
Could you briefly talk about this lucrative first class upgrade of an award ticket, as we are flying a few business segments in March, April and would like to explore this facility.
Thanks
I take it you’ve been to Seoul many times. The nut rage incident is one of my favorite stories. I hope they make an ACI episode.
Ben do you ever hop into a taxi and go stay in Seoul ? Incheon seems to be a long ways from the city. I’m going to Seoul next month and there are some
hip neighborhoods . I’m looking at staying at the Pacific hotel or the Plaza lol.
Take the A'rex (airport train) instead, they take you to the Seoul Station in 30-45 minutes (bit longer for local train) and they're on the cheaper side too. Riding a cab from there to all the way to the Seoul downtown would be pretty expensive.
@NS
Ok. I will pick up a T money card at ICN and also try to use the KAKAO app and try ridesharing.
I really love the Mondrian Hotel in Seoul. Nice rooms, great breakfast and the best gym and pool in any hotel I have been to. No clue what a hip neighborhood is supposed to be. I have been traveling to Seoul for work for the last 30 years and never thought that any neighborhood is "hip".
I wish an everyday person could find a F flight for 60000 AA miles without having to know about things like 'married segments'. The bloggers make all of this seem so easy.
This was a J flight not F. But you just try a bunch of different things and usually can find something.
I’m hoping whatever you do daily for work, you make seem easy.
Maybe be thankful for the effort they put forth and be thankful we have the ability to learn and research based off of their exhausting work…I sure have!
Wasn't a shot at Ben...if it weren't for Ben, I'd never have known about married segments in this particular case. Like I said, the everyday user just isn't easily aware of the tricks.
Unfortunately plane tickets are limited in inventory, which means in so far as there’s more demand than supply, it will always either be easy to figure out (which means more people fighting for the available spots, hence hard to find), or less people figure out how to find the relevant tickets and there are more available spots for those that do know.
Tl;dr: there is no free lunch.
The JAL lounges are called the Sakura Lounge and the Sakura Lounge Skyview. There are no "Business Lounge" by name.
They are of course both lounges for business class passengers.
Because one man couldn't stand Ben reviewing what he found to be most convenient or logical, Ben had to took two trips in a short time period.
And he still thinks that he's right and considers himself a long-time loyal reader.
Looking forward for this series anyways. This series will cover the products I've been looking for the most.
He messed it up but at least it's here now.
I've been really impressed by luggage forwarding services in Japan
Tried Yamato myself, shipping a big 48pounds piece of luggage from HND airport to my hotel in Kyoto for just 17 USD.
why can't we have something like that in America?
We don't have a labor force at that salary range who would care to provide 75% of the services let alone strive for 100% like the Japanese. Our labor force can't be bothered to even come close to working their 40 hr weeks or refrain from stealing other people's properties or fling peoples bags because the employee had a bad night with the baby momma of his 9th child.
Flying domestically in Japan is such a pleasure.
Compared to the US domestic flights it definitely is.
But sometimes, or at least in economy it isn't always a "pleasure".
For eg, if you fly ANA btwn Tokyo and Okinawa, then good luck - flying with 500 people on a 25 y/o 777-300, with a lot of crying babies and toddlers for 2.5 hours wouldn't be so fun.
Of course still better than the mess of the US domestic flights and...
Compared to the US domestic flights it definitely is.
But sometimes, or at least in economy it isn't always a "pleasure".
For eg, if you fly ANA btwn Tokyo and Okinawa, then good luck - flying with 500 people on a 25 y/o 777-300, with a lot of crying babies and toddlers for 2.5 hours wouldn't be so fun.
Of course still better than the mess of the US domestic flights and might even seem like a silly b*tching.
But this is not what they or even their neighbors used to be. Just sad.
Or at least it becomes better with JAL.
Their domestic fleet is better than ANA imo.
It’s a 45 minute flight. Harden up Mason.
@UncleRonnie
It's not. Harden up UncleRonnie.
While Mason is usually taking everything too far, actually he's correct this time. HND-OKA usually takes 2hr30min-2hr40min.
Did you not go to the First Class lounge in HND despite your Oneworld Emerald status?
He could have visited but since he recently already visited/reviewed it, did the other lounges for sake of review purposes
Doing a trip around Asia next year from Europe through the same airports and likely the same airlines - can’t wait for your full reviews, Ben :)