This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Check-in was pretty empty - we went into the upper class lane, and a family travelling UC, obviously felt that we didn't look like UC passengers, so went down the PE lane and barged infront of us. Check-in was fairly quick, but the agent didn't mention anything about a delay. We did overhere that the other family were told that the inbound aircraft ahd arrived late as it had been diverted to Milwaklee due to the storms around and about, but that the departure was still on time. Looking at the boards, there were several flights re-routed or diverted.
Headed through security - we got sent down one lane, which didn't move at all. Eventually we were called back and sent down the business class lane (at this point we were still travelling PE). Headed off to the JAL lounge - we had been before, and so knew what to expect. Asked the nice lady on the desk about upgrading - she said we should have checked at check-in, but would ask for us....she did let us know that there were only 2 seats left (9A and 16D). Sat down for a diet coke and some nuts. Overheard the conversations at the desk about the delay - basically the flight had arrived around 1630, but had had to wait until about 1730 for a gate....so no on time departure for us! Went back to ask about upgrading, she hadn't heard back, so called again for us. Offered the last 2 seats for 20,000miles and $25 each - a bargin in our minds, so snapped up!! The updating of people on what was happening in terms of boarding and departure time was not good - basically it was what you overheard the lady telling people when they asked at the desk!
Eventually were called for boarding around 1840, although lots of people had kept on trying to leave ages before as they were keen to get on the plane. Got to the gate, to find boarding was only just starting and was a bit of a scrum. Boarded and settled into the seat - 9A is right by the bar, which was ok as this was a night flight but I wouldn't like it on a daytime flight. Offered champagne and a sleep suit (very small for a large!).
The FSM didn't come round and introduce herself, although she did bring round the tray of extras later, and nor did the CC looking after me. Eventually push-back was around 1940, with a short taxi out to the departure runway.
After take-off, drinks and nibbles offered quickly. Told that the IFE had started but was an introductory video initially.....didn't check straight away, and had missed the first 5 mins of a film when I did check (no intro film shown).
As this isn't a good night flight, there was a full meal service. The menu was:
Five-spice chicken, crispy wonton, sesame ginger dressing and leaves or butternut squash soup
Grilled flank steak, parmesan crusted cod or eggplant rollatini
Cheese
Chocolate molten lava cake or Caramel and apple cheesecake.
The salad was good (huge amount of chicken) although the wantons weren't that crispy. The cod was really good (warned off the steak by the CC as the portions are usually quite small. The bread was good apart from the garlic bread, which was very very very crispy!!
Good wine options, although did notice that the unfinished bottles from the outbound were used on the inbound....good saving on money I suppose, but hopefully they aren't kept open and unused for too long.
Watched one film - much better quality than on the outbound, and relatively ok on the bigger screen in UC.
Slept for about 3.5 hours after dinner, and awoke for some breakie...was ok but nothing to speak about really. Waited almost 20 minutes for a diet coke that I asked for.
Overall a great flight, especially with being able to get the upgrade in ORD. The food was good overall, although the quality of some bits were a bit of a let down. Crew were ok - bit rushed on boarding, which I think was a result of the delay and no introductions.
Fingers crossed that the winter cancellation of the VS39/VS40 route is only a winter cancellation - it was relatively busy in all classes, and it is a great destination (would be a shame to have to use a different airline or route to get there in the future)....the lady in the lounge suggested that restarting next year is 'only being talked about' at the moment, and isn't quaranteed.
