This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
An early start getting the airport bus at 7am from the Park Hyatt. At NRT your checked bags are screened prior to going up to the check-in desk. The priority line was clearly delineated and as soon as someone entered that area, the non-priority line was held for the priority passenger to go ahead. The woman at check-in was very nice. Check-in was quick, and she mentioned that we were in seats across from one another and wanted to make sure this was our preference, because she could change us to be side by side if we preferred. We assured her this was what we desired, but thought it was nice that she checked. MrStars and I are silly and like to watch the same comedy at the same time during flights, and we pull faces at each other during the funny parts. Sitting across from one another is ideal for this! [:D]
We were not clear if there was any sort of fast track for security, but it didnt matter as there were not really any lines. Immigration, however, had longer lines and no mention of any fast track. We then did a bit of shopping (had to bring back some Pocky sticks for MrStars office!) and of course the bookstore was at the farthest point away from our gate. We finally made our way to the CH, about 20 minutes before boarding time. The CH is right next to the gate we would be leaving from, and as we passed the gate we noticed that there were lots of people being pre-boarded. There were a number of people in wheelchairs, so this may have been a group trip of some sort. I tried to see the name of the plane as we went by the gate, but I wasnt wearing my glasses and was just a touch to far to make it out. It looked like something or other Girl!
The CH was small, but nice, and drinks were offered right away. Despite the size, there was plenty of room for everyone in the CH. The flight was called and we headed to the gate. They were only doing priority boarding at that point no scrum, no one else even allowed to line up. It was interesting to note that again there were two jet ways, so we boarded through the pointy bit, and no PE or Y passengers filtered past us. Another interesting thing I noticed after going through the gate onto the jet way there were a number of security staff on the jet way checking out everyone who walked past.
Sleep suits were available, despite this being a daytime flight. We were offered drinks right away, asked if we needed help with the suite, the FSM introduced herself (though again, no mention of Au status, but probably for same reason as noted in outbound TR) and handed out landing cards & FastTrack passes. It was soon clear why so much attention was doted on all of us the UC cabin was probably only about _ full. I could count at least 15 empty seats just out of the G and K seats. In fact, I was the only person sitting in the G row. This becomes important later on
I bought a watch in Japan, so could tell that we pushed off just about 5 minutes past 11am. Good thing I had the watch, as the flight map did not work at all the whole flight. It took us about another 25 minutes before we could take off, but I didnt pay attention to the Captains explanation of why. The airplane was freezing, and I noticed two people across from me had purple blankets they were asked to put away for take-off. I assume those were brought to them from PE.
The seatbelt sign was turned off after about 15 minutes. We had a bumpy take-off, which the Captain had forewarned us about, but a smooth flight for the rest of the flight. The IFBT came around and told us it was highly likely due to the light load that she would get to everyone in UC, but that she could not do the head & neck massage. She told me during my mini-manicure that it was due to stitches under her arms. The basket was never brought round not sure if this was also due to her stitches.
IFE was switched on right about the time the seatbelts sign was switched off, and it had the little preview thing that I didnt watch. As on the outbound flight, peanuts were served with the drink service. Meals were served pretty promptly and after some lovely warm bread I had a salad with potatoes and smoked salmon on it. It was nice. MrStars had the mushroom soup. He said it was just ok, as he doesnt really like mushrooms, but only ordered it because the cabin was so cold. For mains he had the lamb, which he said was good, and I had the sushi. I knew when I was ordering it that I should not have it. I mean, honestly, who eats sushi on a plane? So I knew I was making a bad choice, and I was not let down it was bad indeed. It was all cooked items, so I was not worried for my health, but after all the lovely fresh sushi in Japan, it really was a bad idea to order it. We split some sort of chocolate thing with raspberry sauce for dessert, and I could have eaten 4 more of them. It was really good!
I had taken a duvet down from the overhead bin after eating, as I was freezing. I forgot that the duvets are behind your seat in the middle row. A member of CC came along the G row and took the duvets out of all the other seats but mine and disappeared down the back with them not sure where they were taken. After reading a magazine as I patiently waited for MrStars to finish the book he was reading, it was movie time. I convinced MrStars that we should watch Blades of Glory. It was ridiculous, over the top, and actually pretty funny. I dont think I would ever pay money to see this film, but it was perfect for watching in-flight.
After the movie we took a walk around the plane to see if the load in the other cabins was as light as the UC load. Not so while not 100% full, they were certainly much closer to being full that UC. I noticed in Y there was a row of middle seats cordoned off with a Reserved sign. It said they were reserved for Medical issues or seat problems. Is this usual? I have not seen it before, but I also dont usually walk around the plane, so its possible its on every flight that has an empty row and I am just not aware. My other thought was that it could have to do with the large number of disabled passengers on board.
Seeing as despite the fact that it was a daytime flight, all of the lights in the cabin were shut for almost the entire flight (this annoys me), I decided to nap a little. This is where I got a little greedy When I went to convert my seat I realized I had the duvet behind it so I laid it on top of the pad, and then used the one I had already been using as a blanket. I also snagged two extra pillows. The three pillows and two duvets made for a lovely cocoon whereby I could sit up in bed and read comfortably! [}:)] [y]
MrStars got hungry at one point (like a small child, he needs to be fed every few hours!) and so I told him to go to the galley and see what they had. He spotted some sandwiches and was told they were from PE, but he was welcome to have one.
I cant remember the exact timing, but later on we were hungry again and so sat and enjoyed two cheese plates together. They were served with a lovely fig jam, and a sad and sorry looking single stick of celery. I also had a warm scone during the pre-landing snacks, which I thought was good.
Overall, the flight was good. The FSM was very visible within the cabin, and all crew was excellent. There was a small boy (about 2 years old) in the cabin and he was throwing a major fit about getting buckled into his seat for landing. He had been similarly displeased for take-off and the FSM helped the parents. During landing she stayed with the parents until the very last possible second to help them.
We landed at LHR and walked a million miles to immigration. We could see another flight had just landed at the same time, as they were mixing with us in the hallways leading to arrivals. The arrivals hall seemed to be very busy so we just avoided it all and went to Iris where there was no line whatsoever. Suddenly MrStars was praising Iris to no end! I knew hed come around eventually, as he has no patience for waiting in line. We waited for the bags to arrive, and priority baggage handling was in place as when the bags started coming out they all had UC tags on them. Ours came out in short order and it was off to the cab line to head home.
I will be putting up a review (with pictures!) of the Molecular Tapas dinner at the Mandarin Oriental, but that will probably take a few more days.
