V-Flyer

The planning for this trip actually started in Jan 2008 and had been on/off since then. Following the Tsunami in early 2011 and the resultant reduction in loads, I spotted that a G ticket had dropped to a bargain of 80,000 miles + £502. Still well below the £3000+ for a Z and at 13 FC mile per mile flown, great value.

After lots of "Why am I doing this???" the day finally arrived and with a pocket full of Yen, of to LHR I trotted. Arrived at T3 around 10:45 and the Upper desks were all in use, and going by the pile of cases at one, there would be a wait. Luckily I was asked if I wouldn't mind popping up to the DTCI desk as after a quick radio call found they were clear. Into the magic lift and was buzzed through the door. Quickly processed and allocated seat 11A before breezing through security and pressing the green, smiley-faced feedback button.

Clubhouse time called and headed straight to the spa to see what was available for me. A neck and shoulders massage was booked for about 25 minutes time. Not wishing to rush last calls on the breakfast menu, I decided to settle for a glass of bubbly and peruse the lunch offerings instead.

The massage was very relaxing and I was advised to look at getting further courses done as there was a lot of tension in the shoulder areas - one has been giving me a bit of jip recently - so will follow that up at some point. lunch was ordered and the resultant burger with cheese was delicious as usual. I have noticed that there has been a subtle change in the way the flights are called. No longer is it First Call (Order-another-drink Call), Second Call, Final Call and Get-your-butt-to-the gate Call. Now it First Call and Final Call with very little time between them. As I was 'indisposed' at First Call, I had to make do with Final Call.

On arriving at gate 12, it was clear with just a few ground staff hanging around. On scanning my boarding card I received a 'BEEP' and red light. At my exclamation of "Ohh!!" trhe reply was "It's not that sort of beep". Turns out that the label had come off my case and it was sat in the gate room waiting for me to identify it and for it to be re-tagged.

Boarding was though door L1 and a a glass of champagne was soon provided. Personally I like the coupe glass and as far as I can tell, capacity is the same as the flute. Pushed back a few minutes early and Upper was very quiet with only 11 on-board and all well spread out.

FOOD:

DINE.
The outbound menu is as follows with my choice in bold.

Starters
Cream of pea soup - with pea shoots
Japanese appetiser plate - Miso-flavoured king prawn, fish cake with cod roe and grilled miso chicken.

Main Courses
Grilled fillet of beef - with Cabernet sauce, parsley mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and asparagus.
Dolcelatte cheese and walnut tortellini - pommery mustard sauce, Italian hard cheese and fresh rocket (V)
Fillet of teriyaki salmon - with rice, mushroom, carrot and French beans served with miso soup.

Warm breads

Dessert
Lemon tart - with berry compote
Warm sticky toffee pudding - served with fresh cream

Cheese and Port
Barber Cheddar
Shropshire blue cropwell bishop
Ilchester double Gloucester
Served with Carr's Table Water crackers, stilton and walnut biscuits and red onion chutney.

GRAZE
Mini beef burger - with bacon, cheese and bloody mary relish.
Chicken Caesar salad
Vegetarian sushi selection - Mixed vegetable Californian roll, sweetcorn in a Japanese mayonnaise and vegetable tempura.

RISE AND SHINE
Selection of breakfast cereals
Fresh fruit served with yogurt
Danish selection
Croissant - with butter and your choice of jam, honey or marmalade.
Bacon butty
Full English.

I have to say my choices were delicious and well presented. Being full, I skipped the graze menu.

As the flight is about 12 hours long, I needed sleep so changed and made the bed up. The new under-mattress is much thicker and feels better to lie on. One advantage of the light load was there was plenty of spare pillows to use although I do with there was more width and less hight in them. I managed about 4-5 hours sleep and this would be needed later.

One of the more regular complaints about the on-board experience is consistency. Readers of my previous TR's will have notice I've never seen any of the complaints others seem to get. In fact this trip stands out even more because the Japanese crew take things to the next level. Everything is done with masses of enthusiasm and with almost maniacal smiles. While awake I was kept supplied with an almost unending supply of hot green tea in a decent mug.

Not much use of the IFE as my iPad now fills that role, but there didn't seem any issues when I used the map.

The time did seem to go quite quickly and soon landed at NRT. Both Immigration, Baggage reclaim and Customer were handled smoothly and very efficiently and I was soon onboard the Skyliner train heading to Tokyo.

Overall, yet another excellent flight and the return will follow along with a few of my observations on travelling on Japan.

Good TR report,Im a very fussy eater and very rarely eat on board but menu looks great

sounds like a great trip, the Japanese part of the menu looks pretty darn good

Great TR. A good flight is always the best way to start a vacation.

Has the smiley face always been there? I never noticed it till last week.

Fantastic TR Darren, glad to hear of a great flight.

Look forward to the return TR!

Tinuks wrote:Has the smiley face always been there? I never noticed it till last week.

Yes, but you have to click on the Post new reply button to get it. You probably have been replying in the Quick reply pane which doesn't have access to the smilies (although they will show if you put in the correct code for them

Darren

Thanks for such a concise and precise TR

One day, yes one day, Mrs Buns and I will pick up the courage to go to Japan (if nothing else to see that massive pedestrian crossing ) and can only hope to get at G at a price like you

Good to see you were well looked after on the flight

buns

Great TR as always Darren, thank you for posting

Sounds like the CC looked after you very well and the food was awesome- a super way to kick off your trip

Sounds like a brilliant start to your trip - Japanese options on the menu look great