Route: Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)-Miami International (MIA)
Distance: 1,201 miles
Duration: 2hrs 31min
Departure: 6:14AM
Arrival: 9:42AM
The Preflight
I arrived at Chicago O’Hare Terminal 3 at about 4:30AM in the morning for my 6AM flight to Miami International Airport. The terminal was fairly empty and the TSA PreCheck line had only a handful of passengers.
Our A321 today, registration N154AA, was delivered brand new to American airlines in Jan 2016. She was one of the newer A321s, the “Enhanced” sub-fleet, which have Sharklets on the wings.
Boarding began at 5:25AM and was very fast.
The Flight
American Airlines currently has two distinct sub-fleets of A321s. The “Classic” A321 sub-fleet is made up of legacy US Airways (LUS) A321s. These planes lack seatback entertainment and have no power at the seats. The other sub-fleet is “Enhanced” with seatback screens and power at every seat. These A321s are the legacy American Airlines (LAA) A321s. Today’s aircraft was a legacy American Airlines A321.
Luckily, I was able to select my seat for $17 (despite being basic economy) and my favorite main cabin seat aboard the LAA A321s was still available. Seat 25F is a standard main cabin seat but has the most legroom aboard.
Seat 25F
The best thing about this seat is the unlimited legroom. Arguably better than first class upfront. While 25A on the other side faces the flight attendant jump seat, 25F does not.
Unlimited Legroom
The IFE screen was in the armrest and was responsive to touch. One downside to this seat is that it is narrower at 16.3″ wide (compared to regular Main Cabin at 17.7″ wide). I loaded up the flight map for the trip down to MIA.
Our route
There was no line for takeoff and within minutes we were airborne just as the sun was rising.
Early Morning Over Chicagoland
About 25 minutes into the flight, the crew came through with a beverage service. Biscoff cookies were also distributed.
Inflight Service
Since I had woken up so early this morning to catch this flight, I napped for about an hour. I awoke to the preparation for landing. There were amazing views of the Miami coastline.
Miami
We landed 15 minutes early and taxied immediately to a gate.
A321
Thanks for the ride!
This was a perfectly fine economy flight with American Airlines. The crew was friendly, seat comfortable, and I encountered no delays.
Route: Sydney Kingsford Smith International (SYD)-Los Angeles International (LAX)
Distance: 7,618 miles
Duration: 13hrs 10min
Departure: 10:10AM
Arrival: 5:59AM
The Preflight
After spending a few lovely days on the North Island of New Zealand, it was time for my SO and I to return home. We had an early morning flight from Auckland to Sydney with Qantas on their A330 before our connecting flight to Los Angeles.
I had originally waitlisted both my SO and I for business class on this flight but alas the cabin was booked to capacity. Our flight was departing at 10:00AM from SYD which made our layover roughly two hours and 30 minutes.
We decided to check-out the AMEX International Lounge in Sydney which I had access to thanks to my AMEX Platinum card. It was very crowded but had excellent views of the apron.
With 20 minutes to boarding we left the lounge to walk towards our gate. We passed by a few widebodies including a Vietnam Airlines A350 and Cathay Pacific A330.
Boarding began on time at 9:10AM and was fairly orderly.
The B787-9 carrying us to Los Angeles, registration N820AL, was delivered brand new to American Airlines in Sept 2019. She was the very first B787-9 in the AA fleet.
The Flight
American Airlines offers 30 business, 21 premium economy, 36 Main Cabin, and 198 Main Cabin seats aboard their B787-9. Thanks to my AAdvantage status, I had managed to select two Main Cabin Extra seats in the bulkhead row for my SO and I. The Main Cabin seats were all arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration. There was 31″ of pitch. Because the tray table and IFE screen were stored in the armrest; the seat width was reduced to 16.2″.
Awaiting at the seat was a standard economy pillow and blanket.
12A Main Cabin Extra
There was ample legroom with enough space for me get into the aisle without having 12B and 12C get up from their seat.
Legroom Bulkhead
The IFE screen was fairly responsive to touch. However, the screen was tiny. The AA inflight entertainment options were excellent with a wide variety of new movies to choose from.
IFE Screen
Each seat was equipped with a USB port below the screen. There was an IFE remote stored in the armrest between the seats.
IFE remote
Directly on the bulkhead was a large screen which featured the flight map.
Airshow
Once the doors were closed, flight attendants came through the cabin handing out menus. It was a nice touch compared to what I was expecting (“chicken or beef?”)
We pushed back and began a long taxi to the runway passing by a Qantas A380 and a Jetstar 787.
Qantas A380Jetstar 787
After a smooth takeoff we passed over the gorgeous Australian coast.
Australian Coast
30 minutes after takeoff, the crew came around with huge plastic bags filled with pretzels and went down the aisle handing them out. After that a flight attendant handed out hot towelettes.
Pretzels and Hot Towel
The beverage service began shortly after the towelettes were handed out. All beverages were free of charge (including hard liquor and wine). I decided to have the prosecco… which I regretted. It tasted like sugar water and the middle was completely frozen into an ice ball.
Prosecco and Water
For the main service, I chose the chilled sesame chicken with tabbouleh salad and sesame soy dressing. It was delicious. Easily one of the best economy meals I’ve had. The chicken was tender, the salad fresh, and the soy dressing perfectly flavorful. Dessert was chocolate mousse. The bread was cold and rock hard.
Chilled Sesame Chicken with Tabbouleh Salad, Chocolate Mousse
Halfway through the flight, about 6 hours after the main service, flight attendants came through with the mid-flight snack. The “Angus Beef Pie” was toasted and smelled good. However, I could taste how many calories were in it after a few bites and decided against finishing it. The ice cream bar was frozen solid but after a few minutes was good. There was another beverage service.
Angus Beef Pie, Weis Ice Cream Bar
The arrival meal was served about 90 minutes prior to landing. Eggs were of standard economy quality. The bacon slightly chewy and potatoes cooked through. There was a side of Greek yogurt and granola and a muffin.
Traditional American Breakfast, Greek Yogurt, Granola, Apple Cinnamon Muffin
With about 60 minutes to go, flight attendants unlocked the windows and I could see the sun rise as we passed along the California coast.
Sunrise
We arrived at Gate 41 and waited about 10 minutes for a tow. The walk from Terminal 4 to Tom Bradley IT was another 10 minutes. Thanks to Global Entry we cruised through CBP. Thanks for the ride!
All in all, the 13 hours on AA72 passed by fairly quickly as I managed to get about seven hours of sleep. The Main Cabin Extra seats are an economical way to fly across the pacific (especially if the upgrades do not clear) in relative comfort. However, if I were older or wider, I would have definitely been more uncomfortable.
Route: Auckland (AKL)-Sydney Kingsford Smith International (SYD)
Distance: 1,343 miles
Duration: 3hrs 38min
Departure: 6:35AM
Arrival: 7:46AM
The Preflight
After a wonderful few days exploring the North Island of New Zealand, it was time for my SO and I to head home to the USA. We left our hotel in downtown Auckland at 3AM and had a quick bus ride to Auckland International Airport.
After checking-in we made our was past security to the Strata Lounge, which we had access to thanks to my Priority Pass card. It was excellent with a variety of hot foods and nice restrooms. With 10 minutes to boarding, we made our way to the gate area. Boarding began promptly at 5:35AM and we boarded with other Oneworld elites thanks to my AAdvantage status.
Our A330-300, registration VH-QPJ, was delivered to Qantas in 2005. She had been recently retrofitted with Qantas’ newest business and economy seats.
The Flight
Qantas offers 28 business and 369 economy class seats onboard their retrofitted A330-300s. Economy class seats have 31″ of pitch and 17″ of width. They are arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration. My SO and I were seated in 33A and 33B, the paired seats on the left side of the aircraft; right in the middle of the wing.
The new Qantas economy class seats also feature a crisp and large seatback IFE screen. Each seat also had individual power outlets.
There was a very light load on todays flight with the entire center four seats open. We pushed back at 6:30AM, 10 minutes after the scheduled departure time and had a quick taxi to the runway. Along the way we passed by some Air New Zealand B777s.
We had a very quick take-off given the light load and very soon we passed over the Tasman Sea as the sun was rising.
A breakfast was offered on this flight. The food offerings included scrambled eggs with sausage and potatoes. There was a side of fresh fruit and yoghurt as well. I had a cup of black coffee to go with breakfast.
The rest of the flight was entirely uneventful. As we approached Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport we had some cloudy views of downtown Sydney and the Opera House.
We landed at 7:46 local time at SYD and passed by two massive A380s.
We ended up parking right next to the Qantas “Yam Dreaming” livery B787-9 that showcases Indigenous culture.
Our next flight aboard American Airlines’ B787-9 to Los Angeles boarded at 9:10AM which gave us about two hours and 30 minutes at SYD. We had to clear security again and then passed into the international terminal at SYD. Along the way we had some beautiful views of a Qantas B747.
This was a perfectly fine three hour and forty minute flight from New Zealand to Sydney. I appreciated that we got to experience Qantas’ newest economy class offering and I thoroughly enjoyed the seat. I would gladly book with Qantas again aboard their A330.
Route: Sydney Kingsford Smith International (SYD)-Auckland (AKL)
Distance: 1,375 miles
Duration: 2hrs 55min
Departure: 4:19PM
Arrival: 9:00PM
The Preflight
After spending the morning exploring downtown Sydney, my SO and I made our way to Sydney Kingsford Smith International airport at 1:00PM. Our flight was scheduled to board at 3:15PM which gave us about two hours at SYD.
First, we went to check out the Qantas Club in Terminal 3 but it was terribly crowded. After spending 45 minutes in the lounge, we decided to walk around the terminal for a bit. There were some great views from the large windows.
I managed to spot two enormous A380s.
Boarding was scheduled to begin at 3:15PM and we arrived at the gate just as it was starting to begin. Our B737-800, registration VH-XZI, was delivered brand new to Qantas in March 2013.
The Flight
Qantas features 12 recliner business class seats aboard their B737s in three rows of four seats in a 2-2 configuration. Each seat had 37″ of pitch and 22″ of width. There was a pillow, blanket, and menu awaiting at the seat. The seats appeared new and were quite comfortable.
2D and 2F
The seatback entertainment screens were adjustable, great for when the person in front of me reclined. The resolution was OK.
IFE screen
The remote was stored in the armrest. This one was fairly used and the buttons had to be pressed with force.
IFE control
Under the center armrest was manual seat controls. One button controlled the leg rest. It is nice the Qantas decided to include a foot rest for their narrowbody business class seats
Seat controls
Between the seats were two USB ports and two 110V outlets.
Power Port
In the seat back pocket was a set of headphones. These were uncomfortable and one side was not working. I stuck with my own pair of Bose headphones.
Headphones
The blanket was thick.
Blanket
The pillow was comfortable and firm.
Pillow
Menus were awaiting passengers at each seat. I have to say the options were much better than on our previous Qantas flight.
Menu
Flight attendants came by during boarding and asked what we would like for a pre-departure beverage. I had an excellent glass of Australian chardonnay.
Pre-departure beverage
We had a smooth take off and within minutes were above the clouds.
Clouds above SydneySunset above Sydney
15 minutes after takeoff flight attendants came by with snacks and a drink service. I had another glass of the chardonnay.
Snacks and Chardonnay
For the appetizer I had the crab with mayonnaise, kipfler potatoes, pickled fennel, smoked paprika, and sherry vinaigrette. It was amazing. There was a bread basket and a side garden salad.
Crab with Potatoes
My SO had the Laksa broth with coriander. It was extremely flavorful.
Laksa Broth
For my main, I opted for the Butter Roasted Pork scotch fillet with smoked paprika mayonnaise, grilled zucchini and red onions. The mayonnaise sauce was delicious and the pork tender. Another excellent dish.
Roasted Pork with Paprika Mayonnaise
My SO ordered the slow braised beef, green peppercorn and brandy pie with potato puree and roasted tomatoes. The pie, despite the probably 1,000 calories, was also excellent. The crust was flaky and the beef aromatic.
Braised Beef Pie
The meal was finished with a generous cheese course.
Cheese
Throughout the flight, flight attendants passed through the cabin offering drink refills and water. My SO loves chocolate and was delighted that Qantas offers hot chocolate.
With about 30 minutes to go, the flight attendants passed out chocolate and prepared the cabin for landing. By the time we landed it was pitch black outside.
This was a truly exceptional short-haul, narrow-body flight in business class with Qantas. The seat, with footrest, is much better than what carriers in the United States offer. The food was delicious and alcohol free-flowing. I would gladly fly with Qantas aboard their B737-800 again!
Route: Tokyo Haneda (HND)-Sydney Kingsford Smith International (SYD)
Distance: 4,887 miles
Duration: 8hrs 52min
Departure: 10:21PM
Arrival: 8:04AM
The Preflight
After a lovely time in Tokyo with my SO, we left the Conrad Hilton hotel via the airport express bus. We arrived at 6PM, about four hours before our scheduled departure time so that I could do some plane spotting at the famous Haneda Terminal 1 Observation Deck.
After I was done plane spotting, my SO and I made our way to the check-in counter. Once pass security, we headed to the JAL Sakura Lounge. There was a good amount of seating with sofas and dining tables. A buffet in the center of the lounge offered a wide variety of local Japanese food options. I had a bowl of the famous JAL curry, fish soup, and some pickled sides.
Boarding began promptly at 9:20PM local time. Our beautiful B747-400ER, registration VH-OEF, was delivered brand new to Qantas on Halloween Day in 2002. Her name was fittingly “Sydney” and she was flying the Oneworld livery. Boarding began promptly at 9:20PM local time via Door 1L.
B747-400ER Longreach
The Flight
The Qantas B747-400ER features a total of 58 business class seats in both the upper deck and the main deck. Unfortunately, Qantas had blocked the entire upper deck business class seats for their elites and no seats were released. The main deck features 14 business class seats in the nose in a 2-2 configuration with row 3 being 2-2-2, and a larger main business class cabin with 32 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration (with row 5 being 1-3-1). Rows 1-2 were also blocked for elites but row three was available for selection.
747 Nose
We choose seats 3A and 3B in the nose. Our seats were already pre-fitted with a mattress pad. Waiting for us at the seat was a dense pillow, quilted blanket, amenity kit, and menu.
Seat 3A and 3B
I appreciated how Qantas had the mattress pad pre-fitted so passengers could go to sleep immediately on this red-eye flight. Each seat was 21.5″ wide and very comfortable.
Seat 3A
There was an enormous amount of legroom at the seat with a pitch of 60″. Below was a small cubby for shoes.
Legroom and Shoe Storage
There was a literature pocket in the seatback and a hand rail for getting up out of the seat. Next to the hand rail was a coat hook.
The seat controls were in the left armrest. There were options for lumbar support and a massage function.
In the center console was a literature pocket. Both the IFE screen and tray table were stored here as well.
The IFE remote was stored below the right armrest.
Between the seats was a privacy divider. There was also a reading light and headphone jack.
The IFE screen was stowed in the center armrest between our seats. It definitely felt dated and the resolution was rather poor.
IFE Screen
The IFE remote was also dated and buttons required a bit of extra push for a response.
IFE control
The cabin was definitely showing its age with panels held together with integrity seal.
Old Cabin
And despite leaving from Japan with their excellent service culture, the seat was dirty with crumbs and large food leftovers in the arm rests.
Leftover Food
The safety manual was so dated Qantas had to laminate it. Despite all of these small blemishes, I still loved the fact that I was aboard the Queen of the Skies.
The amenity kit featured a dental kit, ear plugs, eye mask, lip balm, hand cream, and moisturizer. While I wasn’t the biggest fan on the kit design, my SO loved the style.
Qantas Amenity Kit
We were each given a set of super comfortable pajamas with the big blue Roo.
Qantas Pajamas
The blanket was very comfortable and heavy.
Qantas Blanket
There was also a pair of low-quality branded headphones.
Qantas Headphones
There was a total of three lavatories on the main deck for business class. However, one was marked out of order in flight and thus there was always a line for the remaining two lavatories. Lavatories were stocked with Aspar branded hand wash and hand cream.
Aspar Bathroom Amenities
Upon taking our seats, my SO and I were offered either champagne or water. I opted for a glass of Duval Leroy brut.
Champagne
The menus is as follows.
Qantas MenuQantas Japanese MenuQantas Drink Menu
15 minutes after take-off flight attendants came through for the main meal service. I started with a bowl of excellent sweetcorn and basil soup. The sourdough croutons were particularly crunchy. The side was a basic green salad.
To accompany my soup, I had a glass of Australian chardonnay.
Sweetcorn and Basil Soup with Sourdough Croutons
For my main I opted for the fried chicken brioche with chipotle aioli. With a single romaine lettuce leaf and greasy brioche bun, it was disappointing. This sandwich felt on par with what I’d expect from a buy-on-board menu flying domestic economy in the USA.
Fried Chicken Brioche Sandwich with Chipotle Aioli
Finally, a cart was rolled through the cabin with dessert and cheese. The Japanese cheesecake was absolutely divine and had just the right amount of jiggle you’d expect. The lemon cream paired perfectly with the fluffy cheesecake.
Japanese Cheesecake with Lemon Cream
Just prior to the lights being turned off, flight attendants came through with bottled water.
Water bottles
Once the cabin lights were turned off the crew switched to a blue mood light. I quickly fell asleep before taking a picture of my bed… The seat was extremely comfortable, especially since there was no confined foot cubby.
Cabin Lights
I woke up to a gorgeous sunrise as were were cruising over Northern Australia.
Sunrise
With 90 minutes to landing, flight attendants began the breakfast service. I had all three beverage choices: orange juice, banana smoothie, and a nice cup of black coffee. I enjoyed the flavor of the coffee served aboard Qantas.
Coffee, Orange Juice, Smoothie
Flight attendants came through with warm towels to begin the breakfast service.
Warm Towel
There were three breakfast choices to choose from from a cart wheeled through the cabin. I decided to sample all three. The egg frittata was tasty, the cereal was as expected, and the chocolate croissant was a bit dry. I had another cup of coffee.
Egg Frittata, Chocolate Croissant, Cereal
We were also given Express Path passes and immigration forms.
Fast Track Immigration Pass
With about 45 minutes left in flight I managed to snap a beautiful view of the CF6 engines.
We were treated a gloomy views of downtown Sydney on our approach.
Descent into Sydney
We landed earlier than scheduled at 8:04AM had a very quick taxi to the gate. As we were deplaning, I turned around to take one last picture of the nose cabin.
Thanks for the ride!
Arrival
I’ve always loved the B747 and as these birds are slowly retired, I am trying to fly on them as much as possible. This was the first time ever that I had the opportunity to sit in the nose of a B747 and I relished every moment of it. While the cabin was dated and the food average, I still had a lovely time aboard. I would fly this aircraft again in a heart beat.
Route: Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)-Tokyo Narita International (NRT)
Distance: 6,269 miles
Duration: 12hr 55min
Departure: 12:36PM
Arrival: 3:00PM
The Preflight
I have to admit I was very excited for this flight. It was going to be the first time that my SO and I would be flying in international first class together. Naturally, we showed up a full three hours before the scheduled boarding time to get a taste of the American Flagship Lounge at Chicago O’Hare.
Check-in was easy and we were escorted to the front to the TSA PreCheck lane by JAL counter staff. We quickly made our way to the Flagship Lounge between the H and K concourses at Terminal 3.
We had a few glasses of champagne while enjoying the amazing apron views from the lounge windows.
Boarding was scheduled to begin at 11:35AM and we made our way to the gate area five minutes early. Unfortunately, there was no dedicated First class boarding lane and the first group to board was “First Class, Business Class, and Oneworld elites”. I felt as if the entire plane was boarding as the line stretched down past three other gates.
Our B777-300ER taking us to Tokyo today, registration JA733J, was delivered to Japan Airlines in June 2005.
The Flight
Japan Airlines features eight seats in the first-class cabin in a 1-2-1 configuration between rows 1-2.
We were seated in the middle two seats of row 2. Since we were travelling together in 2D and 2G we kept the privacy shield between us lowered throughout the flight. Each seat was 33″ wide and pitch was 78.5″. I found the seat itself to be extremely comfortable with an excellent amount of padding.
Each seat featured a massive IFE screen, solid hard wood tray table that slid out, and a nice large ottoman which also doubled as my SOs seat during the meal service.
I appreciated the resolution of the IFE screen and how responsive it was to touch and the remote.
Below the ottoman was a storage area perfect for small carry-ons. In addition there was a dedicated shoe storage space.
In the center armrest was the storage space for the IFE remote. There was also a tiny mirror.
The IFE remote also doubled as a second screen from which I could stream the flight map.
The seat controls offered lumbar support and had a massage function.
There was a separate storage space below the center armrest which also had a phone.
Another seat control interface had three pre-set modes.
The only downside in the seat was that the USB charger and 110V outlet was located next to the IFE screen and out of reach of the seat when fully upright.
Awaiting us at each seat was a shoe bag, Bose headphones, amenity kit, and the gender-specific toiletries.
The amenity kit was well stocked with lotion, eye mask, dental kit, moisture mask, tissues, earplugs, hair comb, and a “gentle steam eye mask”.
The Shiseido Male “skincare essentials kit” had a cleansing foam and cream.
I appreciated the quality of the Bose headphones which was as good as my own pair.
In the two forward lavatories reserved for crew and first class passengers there were toothbrushes, mouthwash, perfume, and skin lotion. The lavatories were kept immaculately clean by the flight attendants. Every time a passenger would exit the lavatory, a flight attendant would go in and tidy it up.
Both first class lavatories also featured bidets which I still do not know how to use…
Upon boarding, the cabin manager and flight attendant trainee escorted us to our seats. We were asked what we’d like to have and I ordered a glass of champagne. Once we got situated, the flight attendant trainee brought us a warm towel and a glass of bubbly. She did warn us that this was not Cristal as that was reserved for the in-flight service.
At each seat was also a nice leather bound binder containing the wine list, menu, Fast Lane pass, Free wifi voucher, and immigration forms.
Once I was comfortably situated, the cabin manager, flight attendant, and trainer came by to introduced themselves to my SO and I with a bow at the end. The cabin was completely full for this flight, and the other six seats were all filled older Japanese or Asian men, presumably all on business. We definitely stuck out as not quiet belonging to this crowd…
After boarding was completed, the cabin manager came over the intercom to announce our flying time. We pushed back exactly on time and had a very short taxi to the runway.
The meal service began with a hot towel.
Warm Towel
The canape was an interesting stinky smoked ham wrapped orange slice and goat cheese filled mushroom.
Canapes
I had a glass of lovely Cristal with the canape.
A set of butter, salt and pepper, and olive oil was brought out next.
Butter
The amuse bouche was sweet corn gazpacho with truffle and popcorn. While the truffle was flavorful, the popcorn was quiet stale.
Sweet Corn Gazpacho with Truffle and Popcorn
Once my amuse bouche was cleared the flight attendant brought out the caviar. It was presented with some rather sad looking potato blinis, two slices of smoked sturgeon, and egg-yolk mascarpone cheese cream. I appreciated that there was a mother of pearl spoon rather than metal spoon.
I enjoyed the caviar immensely, however I felt that a more traditional serving with hard-boiled egg yolk, chives, and sour cream would have been better. The smoked sturgeon was overpowering and the egg-yolk cheese cream was very grainy.
For my main dish I had the marinated balsamic lamb chop with eggplant cannelloni in tapenade butter. It was service with some brussels sprouts, potato, pearl onions, and fried cheese.
Marinated Balsamic Lamb Chop with Eggplant Cannelloni, Green Beans in Tapenade Butter
For dessert we shared the tiramisu with vanilla ice cream which was OK.
Tiramisu with Vanilla Ice Cream
We finished with a large cheese plate to share. JAL also elects not the serve crackers with the cheese plate.
Cheese Plate
The flight attendants also brought out a plate of chocolates.
Chocolate
Once the meal service was completed, I went to the lavatory to change into pajamas. I returned to my seat with it turned down into an extremely welcoming bed. The mattress pad was placed directly on the seat without a cover and there was two additional pillows provided.
Turn down Service
The blanket was extremely heavy but narrow. In addition, the cabin was kept warm and by midway through the flight I was unable to sleep anymore cause I was so sweaty.
Bed mode
Water bottles were handed out and proactively replenished throughout the flight.
Water Bottle
Once I had woken up with about five hours to go, the flight attendant trainee came by to give me a plate of chocolates.
Chocolate
I also ordered a bowel of the JAL Original Healthy ramen. It was very savory and full of umami flavor. I finished the entire bowel.
JAL Original Healthy Ramen
About 90 minutes for landing I ordered some fresh coffee which was served in with a sand timer. The flight attendant instructed me to pour it once the sand had run out. I loved this small gimmick.
Fresh Coffee
For the pre-arrival meal I had the Japanese Delicacies and Japanese set plate. The set plate consisted of freshly made rice, miso soup, some pickled vegetables, egg, and smoked fish. The delicacies consisted of salmon roe, smoked salmon, and pickled octopus. All of them were extremely authentic and delicious.
Japanese Delicacies and Japanese Set Plate
With 60 minutes left into Tokyo, the flight attendants came through the cabin preparing it for landing. All three flight attendants came by and thanked us profusely for choosing to fly with Japan Airlines. They must have bowed three of four times and were all smiles.
The final approach was relatively bumpy given the weather in Tokyo. We touched down on time and within a few minutes arrived at our gate. Thanks for the ride!
Arrival
In my opinion, JAL provides an extremely friendly and unique first class experience. The service was truly exceptional. On the other hand, the Western food options fell a bit short and the cabin was way too hot. All in all, I’d always pick JAL over any of the US3 to fly me from the continental USA to Asia. Perhaps the catering ex-Tokyo might be better than ex-Chicago. It was an extreme privilege to fly in international First with my significant other on our way to vacationing in Japan!
Route: Milwaukee Mitchell International (MKE)-Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
Distance: 854 miles
Duration: 2hrs 6min
Departure: 10:04AM
Arrival: 12:09PM
The Preflight
I decided that it was finally time for me to take a flight on the “Mad Dog” MD80s and booked this trip to originate in Milwaukee instead of Chicago O’Hare. Luckily, American Airlines was running a daily MKE-DFW flight with their MD83.
There is no Admirals Club or other lounge that I could have accessed at MKE Airport (only lounge is a Delta SkyClub) so I arrived just an hour before departure. Check-in was quick and thanks to PreCheck I was airside within 10 minutes of being dropped off.
Our MD-83 today, registration N9621A, had a very illustrious career in the aviation world. She was initially delivered to Trans World Airlines brand new in June 1998. After the TWA and AA merger, she was transferred to American in December 2001 and has been flying for AA since.
Boarding began promptly at 9:31AM via Door 1L.
The Flight
American Airlines offers 16 first, 35 Main Cabin Extra, and 89 Main Cabin seats onboard their MD-83s. They still have the vintage American Airlines seats from the early 2000s instead of the newer slimline seats. While there was no seatback entertainment screen, this aircraft was equipped with WiFi and the AA inflight entertainment could be streamed on a personal device.
The economy cabin was set in a 2-3 configuration with the left side not having a middle seat.
I actually declined to select a Main Cabin Extra seat (due to my AAdvantage status) and instead chose to sit in row 29F just so I could get a view of the JT8D engines. We pushed back at 10:04AM and had a very quick taxi to runway 1L.
Enjoy the roar of the JT8D engines!
It was a beautiful day in Milwaukee and there were excellent views of downtown.
Service began once we reached cruising altitude. The beverage cart came down the aisle and each passenger was also given a Biscoff cookie. I had a cup of hot black coffee.
I spent the entire flight completely infatuated with the aircraft and gazing out the window.
As we neared Dallas-Ft. Worth we made a close pass above the airport.
Here’s the landing!
As I disembarked, I snapped a picture of the plaque in the boarding door.
Thanks for the ride!
With about two hours until my connecting flight to San Diego, I decided to take the Skylink train a few times around the airport to plane spot. I managed to capture quiet of few of the remaining AA MD-83s.
Route: Doha Hamad International (DOH)-Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
Distance: 7,334 miles
Duration: 14hrs 51min
Departure: 8:41AM
Arrival: 1:49PM
The Preflight
After my significant other and I arrived from Colombo, we had a long 18 hour layover in Doha. Since it was my SO’s first time in Doha, we decided to take advantage of the Qatar Airways complimentary tour of Doha. It was a great opportunity for us to see downtown Doha without any out of pocket cost.
We returned to Hamad International around midnight and made our way to the dedicated check-in area for business class passengers.
Clearing security was a breeze with just one other passenger in line with us. We then made our way to the excellent Al Mourjan Business Lounge which is only accesible to passengers flying QR business class.
To the right of the entrance was a waterfall and staircase leading to the dining room.
The dining room upstairs had two open buffet tables as well as a bar.
Below the dining room was an area with comfortable blue sofas. There were also some breakfast pastries and espresso machine.
Behind these large curtains was a great view of the apron.
To the left of the entrance was a open area with a large amount of sofas.
Further into the lounge on the right was another dining area that offered made to order sandwiches.
Past the sandwich dining room was a quiet area with individual open suites that each had a large couch and TV. Unfortunately, all of the suites were taken by the time we tried to get one.
My significant other and I both decided to get a shower before trying to sleep in the lounge. The shower rooms were segregated by sex and each shower suite was very well appointed.
After showing, we managed to find a private area with individual lounge chairs available. We both tried to get some sleep as there was still about six hours until boarding.
We both managed to get some rest and I awoke to my phones vibration telling us we had 30 minutes until boarding. There was a secondary screening required for our flight to Chicago and by the time we got through, boarding had already begun at 7AM.
Our B777-300ER, registration A7-BEN, was delivered brand new to Qatar Airways in December 2017. She had a pair of enormous GE90s and was line number 1523.
The Flight
Qatar Airways features four different layouts aboard their B777-300ERs. Two B77W variants have the old B/E Aerospace MiniPod seat while the other two offer the excellent QSuites in business class. One QSuite B777 variant has 24 business and 388 economy seats while the other QSuite variant has 42 business and 312 economy seats.
Our B77W today was the premium heavy QSuite layout with a total of 42 closed suites in a 1-2-1 configuration in two separate cabins. Our seats 3E and 3F were in the forward business cabin between doors 1 and 2.
This pair was the honeymoon seat combo with a divider that could be lowered completely.
Each seat was 21.5″ wide and had a pitch and bed length of 79″.
When the divider was down completely, the two seats essentially became one as there was no barrier at all.
Each QSuite had an enormous, crisp, high definition, touchscreen IFE screen.
The tray table popped out from below the IFE screen and above the foot well. I really liked the size of the foot well which was big enough for my size 12 feet.
At our seats was a small pillow, a blanket, and the new Qatar amenity kits on the counter top space to the right of the screen. Gone are the old Brics hard-shell kits.
Below the counter top was a small shelf perfect for passport and tablets.
The seat controls, IFE remote , 110V outlet, HDMI port, headphone jack and USB port were below.
Personally, I love when the IFE remote screen can double as a second screen for streaming entertainment.
Between the aisle and the side of the seat was a small storage bin where there was a bottle of Evian water, headphones, and literature magazines. The storage bin was large enough for our amenity kit and a small purse.
The fully enclosed suite had a sliding door. I may have moved it back and forth a few times…. With the doors closed there was a distinct private feel to the suite.
To the right of the headrest was a reading light and coat hook.
Each seat had a “Do Not Disturb” function which changed the illuminated seat light to red.
The cabin was beautiful. It felt both classy and minimal.
The contents of the beautiful amenity kit included ear plugs, eye mask, socks, Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio lip balm, facial moisturizer, and hand cream. I loved the local design on the kit itself with a signature Qatari dhow.
The Oryx One branded headphones were average and I used my own Bose headphones.
Once we were situated, flight attendants came by with The White Company pajamas and slippers. The pajamas were so incredibly lightweight and comfortable, so much so that my significant other occasionally wears them around the house.
There was a nice pillow at the seat.
Additionally, there was a lighter small pillow with the inscription “Beautiful destinations often lead to everlasting memories” .
Shortly after we boarded, our lovely flight attendants came by and asked what we would like to drink. The pre-departure beverage was open bar and we could have anything from the menu. I had a flute of excellent Atair Etoile Rose. There was a also choice of hot or cold scented towel and I opted for the hot towel.
Our flight attendant also explained the concept of dine-on-demand and that we could have anything we wanted, whenever we wanted, during the flight.
While our scheduled departure was supposed to be 7:45AM, we actually pushed back around 8AM. The taxi to the runway was long as we were part of the morning departure bank from DOH. Finally at 8:41AM we were airborne.
Fifteen minutes after take-off flight attendants came through with a beverage service and warmed nuts. I switched to the Lallier Champagne which was poured at the seat.
Refills of both my champagne and ramekin of nuts were pro-actively offered.
We decided to have breakfast immediately after take-off and the cabin crew set up our tables for dining. The electric candle made the dining experience feel intimate, especially once the suite doors were closed. We were given a bread basket and a tumbler of water.
I started off with the assiette of cold cuts. There was sliced turkey, cured beef , and mature cheddar with some boiled egg. This dish was average.
For my main breakfast meal I had the Traditional Arabic Breakfast. It was amazing. The feta cheese was tangy and crumbly, the mint was fresh and aromatic. In the bowl was ful medames, which is a stew of cooked fava beans in cumin and spices. It was topped with fresh tomatoes, parsley, and lemon juice. The pita bread was toasted perfectly and dipping the pita into the ful was simply divine.
My partner had the emmental cheese omelet with chicken herb patties and Lyonnaise potatoes. They enjoyed the omelets and said the patties were flavorful.
One thing I love about the QSuite seat is that even when the tray table is fully deployed, there was enough room for me to get up out of the seat without having to move the table.
To finish, we both had a cup of saffron karak chai (my favorite warm drink aboard Qatar Airways) which was served with a chocolate cookie.
Flight attendants made another pass through the cabin with warmed towels and a mint after the meal service.
Once we finished breakfast, both of us decided it way time to get some sleep. Sleeping in the lounge had been rough the night before and we were ready to take advantage of the QSuite bed.
Qatar Airways offers an amazing turn down service for the QSuite bed which entails adding a mattress pad, padding for in between the seats to even both of them out, and an extra sleeping pillow. The end result was a beautiful and extremely comfortable fully enclosed two bed suite.
They did a fantastic job of making the bed feel welcoming.
I found the bed to feel almost like an actual bed with the cushioning from the pad and the thick velvety blanket. The foot well had ample room for me to stretch out.
I managed to sleep almost six hours on this flight which was a testament to how comfortable it was.
Upon waking up, I was slightly hungry and decided to try a sampling of the snack menu. I had the crispy blue croquettes, white chocolate covered dates, and a chicken shawarma wrap.
Once my significant other woke up, we got the afternoon tea set to share. The scones were warmed perfectly and served with genuine clotted cream. The finger sandwich were smoked salmon, cucumber, and curried chicken. All three of the sandwiches were great. The chocolate cake and fruit tart were excellent as well. She another cup of the excellent karak chai.
With two hours until landing, we opted to have lunch. Our tables were set again with a bread basket. I started with the Signature Arabic Mezze. It featured traditional hummus, fresh tabouleh, and moutabel (eggplant dip) with warmed pita. Delicious.
We both shared the cheese plate which was wonderful. I enjoyed the variety of crackers which I feel many other airlines neglect. The cheese selection consisted of an excellent Bleu d’Auvergne, Pont-I’Eveque, and provolone. Accompaniments included date paste cubes, thinly sliced carrots, and fresh grapes.
The highlight of the meal was the dessert. We shared a sticky toffee and date pudding that was warmed to a perfect temperature. It was gooey and over the top decadent. There was a crispy caramel piece a top and garnished Arabic dates. A bed of rich butterscotch sauce brought this dish to another level. This was my favorite airline dessert hands down.
I finished lunch with an Americano.
We had a smooth final into Chicago O’Hare and touched down at 1:49PM local time. The taxi to Terminal 5 was quick by O’Hare standards. Upon deplaning we were big a hearty farewell by the amazing cabin crew.
In my opinion, Qatar Airways is well deserving of their title as the Airline of the Year for 2019 and Worlds Best Business Class. The crew was incredibly warm, friendly, and ever accommodating. They were always passing through the cabin, offering drink refills, and water. The dine on demand service and expansive in-flight menu was exceptional. In addition, the comfortable bedding and the ability to cuddle with my partner made this an incredible experience; one that I will remember for a very long time.
Route: Colombo Bandaranaike International (CMB)-Doha Hamad International DOH
Distance: 2,428 miles
Duration: 5hrs 12min
Departure: 11:09AM
Arrival: 2:02PM
The Preflight
After spending a adventurous week in Sri Lanka, including a few wonderful nights in Ella, it was time for my significant other and I to return home to Chicago. Our routing was going to be CMB-DOH then DOH-ORD with an overnight layover in Doha.
We took called an Uber from the Hilton Colombo to take us to Colombo International and had a very eventful journey. Our Uber driver was pulled over by the police and we had a few tense minutes wondering if our driver was going to be arrested…
Anyways, we arrived at Bandaranaike International three and a half hour prior to departure. Check-in was via the dedicated Business class lane and we got our boarding passes after about 10 minutes in line. Once past customs and security we made our way to the Araliya Lounge. We tried to use the SriLankan Lounge but were surprisingly turned away by lounge staff.
From the terminal there were great views of the apron and remote stands. I spotted quite a few aircraft I had never seen before including an Oman Air B737 MAX.
Boarding began promptly and was done via bus. The entire process was insane and there were hundreds of people cramped in the small bus waiting area. Luckily, there was a dedicated business class bus which whisked us away from the madhouse of a gate area.
Our B777-300ER, registration A7-BEC, was delivered brand new to Qatar Airways in August 2014. She was actually leased to Royal Air Maroc for three months in 2019 before being returned to Qatar Airways in September 2019.
The Flight
Qatar Airways currently has two different versions of the B77Ws that do not have QSuites. One version has 24 business and 388 economy class seats. Our aircraft featured 42 lie-flat B/E Aerospace Minipods in a 2-2-2 configuration in two separate cabins along with 316 economy seats.
The larger business class cabin had four rows of six seats between the first two pairs of doors. There was a separate smaller cabin of three rows of business class after the second pair of doors.
We were seated in row two on this flight. Each seat was 21.8″ wide with 78″ of pitch. Awaiting us at our seats were a pillow, blanket, and amenity kit. There was an extendable privacy divider between the seats as well. Each seat also featured a reading lamp. I found the cushioning on the seat to be excellent and very comfortable.
There was a leg rest which felt flimsy when resting my legs on them.
The IFE screen was located in the seatback.
The screen itself was very dated and had poor definition.
There was a large storage bin below the IFE screen. There was also a separate storage bin for shoes and a literature pocket.
The center console had an additional literature pocket. The massive, heavy, but sturdy bi-fold tray table was also stored in the center.
Under the counter top at each seat was another storage space which when opened had a water bottle.
Below the center armrest was a USB charger and headphone jack. There was no 110V outlet for charging larger electronics.
In the left armrest were the seat controls which included options for lumbar support and massaging. The IFE remote was stored in the right armrest.
I appreciated how the IFE remote screen also allowed for separate streaming from the main screen.
The amenity kit contents were an eye mask, socks, and lip balm.
The lavatories were stocked with toothbrushes and shaving kits.
Qatar Airways also provided Oryx One branded headphones which were average.
The pillow was comfy and firm.
A plastic wrapped blanket was also at each seat. It was heavy and the cloth felt great.
After boarding, a friendly flight attendant came by and asked what we would like to drink. I had a glass of Lallier Grande Reserve while my partner had a glass of the Atair Etoile Rose. We were offered a choice between hot or cold scented towels.
Our lovely flight attendant then explained the inflight service to us and distributed the menus. She described the dine-on-demand concept and a few minutes later asked what we would like to have for lunch and when.
Our flight attendant also asked what we would like to drink with our main meal.
At 11:09 we began our pushback and taxied to the runway. Colombo airport was undergoing a massive amount of construction.
We had a smooth climb and passed over the beautiful Sri Lankan coastline.
Service began with another glass of champagne and some warmed nuts.
There was a slight mix-up with our meal service and my main was served before the appetizer. I had the slow cooked lamb with herb lemon jus. The dish was rather disappointing as the lamb was tough and dry. I picked at the slightly under-cooked carrots and the mashed potatoes. We were also given individual bread baskets.
For my appetizer I had the chicken and sweet pepper kebab served with sun-dried tomato salad and tomato chutney. Unfortunately, the chicken was also cooked dry and not very flavorful.
For dessert I had the red velvet cake. It was also dry…
After the meal flight attendants came by with another round of warm towels. My significant other had a Karak Chai.
I ordered an Americano and was also given a box of Godiva chocolates.
The meal service was over in two hours and by then we were passing above India.
I set up my bed and managed to nap for about an hour and a half. The blanket was very very comfortable.
In no time we were passing by the artificial islands of Doha on final into DOH.
We landed and quickly taxied to the main terminal. No bus for us today!
I felt that this was a fine five hour flight from Colombo to Doha. The food was not the best but I wasn’t expecting anything spectacular originating from Colombo. Otherwise, despite the small hiccup of my main being served before my appetizer the service was excellent. Qatar Airways is one carrier I will always choose before others if given the option simply due to phenomenal service and great alcohol selection.
Route: Hong Kong International (HKG)-Los Angeles International (LAX)
Distance: 7,256miles
Duration: 13hrs 11min
Departure: 1:37PM
Arrival: 11:52AM
The Preflight
I had a seven hour layover in Hong Kong after arriving from Dubai at 5:10AM in the morning. I was actually excited for the long layover as it would give me the chance to check out both of the excellent Cathay Pacific First Class lounges at HKG.
First, I went to The Wing, First Class lounge which was immediately across the hall from our arrival gate. The lounge had just opened at 5:30AM and I was among the first to enter. Immediately upon entering, I noted the elegant champagne bar.
One of the key features of The Wing lounge is the fact that first class passengers can reserve private cabanas. Each cabana had a sofa and luxurious bath tub. Cabana staff brought me a glass of rose champagne which I enjoyed with my bath!
Once I was fully bathed, I decided to check out the other first class lounge at HKG. The Pier, First Class Lounge was located near Gate 63 on the other side of the terminal building. I took the escalators down to the lounge floor.
To the left of the entrance was “The Dining Room”. I was seated promptly and the breakfast menu was given to me.
I went with the eggs benedict served with lox which was fabulous.
Once I finished breakfast, I decided to head to “The Retreat” within this lounge that offered private day suites. The sofa was comfortable and there was a great view of the apron.
There was also a very stylish bar with top shelf liquors and an espresso machine.
After a few hours in the lounge, I headed back to “The Dining Room” for lunch. The menu is as follows.
To start I had the roasted duck with asparagus, mango, and caramelized walnut. It was absolutely fantastic and one of the best duck dishes I have had.
I went with the slow braised beef cheek with potato mash and French beans for the main course. The beef was tender and cooked perfectly.
Boarding was set to begin at 12:15PM and I headed to the gate area 10 minutes beforehand. There was only one jet bridge used for boarding at 1L today and all passengers had to pass by the First class cabin to their seats.
Our beautiful B777-300ER, registration B-KPL, was delivered brand new to Cathay Pacific in October 2009. Cathay currently operates two distinct B777-300ERs sub-fleets. One sub-fleet, designated “77K”, does not have First class. There are a total of 40 business, 32 premium economy, and 296 economy seats on the “77Ks”. The other B777-300ER sub-fleet, the “77A”, is more premium heavy with a First class cabin. The “77As” features six first, 53 business, 34 premium economy, and 201 economy seats. Our B77W was a “77A”.
The Flight
Cathay Pacific offers just six seats onboard their B777-300ERs arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration across Rows 1-2.
These seats are essentially a super-sized reverse herringbone seat with more legroom and seating area.
The seat itself was enormous at 36″ wide. There was a built in pillow headrest which was very comfortable. Each seat also had two separate reading lights. On the right was a literature pocket.
Seat pitch was 81″ and there was a large ottoman with a separate seatbelt and small pillow. The large IFE screen which slid out, was to the left of the ottoman. I found the screen to be very crisp and responsive.
Below the ottoman was a large storage space perfect for shoes or personal items. Below the IFE screen was a medium sized storage space.
The IFE remote was to the left of the seat and allowed for watching shows on as well. Next to the IFE remote were the digital seat controls. There was also a smaller storage bin below the IFE remote.
Each seat also had a 110V outlet and USB port below the countertop.
I must say, the seat and cabin were simply gorgeous. The dedicated flower in the holder with hardwood finishes and the color scheme all created a very refined and classy atmosphere in the cabin.
On the countertop was a dedicated cup spot. The tray table was stored emerged from the flap in the countertop.
Upon taking my seat, the lovely purser Lee came-by and introduced herself. Lee also asked what I would like to drink from the open bar. I opted for a glass of champagne which was served with a ramekin of cold mixed nuts.
A pair of Bose headphones were also handed out afterwards.
I was also given a Aesop branded male travel kit. The contents included facial hydrating cream, lip cream, toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrush, ear plugs, comb, and cleaning cloth.
A very comfortable set of pajamas was provided along with a pair of slippers and eye mask.
A hot towel followed.
40 minutes after boarding started, the menus were distributed in a refined wooden booklet.
Boarding was completed at 1:03PM local time and the doors were closed. Unfortunately, the weather around Hong Kong had turned dark and the captain informed us that pushback would be delayed due to thunderstorms.
Evelyn, the lovely cabin crew serving me today, came by and took my lunch order. She also offered a refill on my champagne.
At 1:15PM we pushed back and had a 23 minute taxi to the runway. The climb out was fairly bumpy and the fasten seatbelt sign was kept on for a while longer than usual
Service began with an amuse-bouche and my third glass of the Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs.
The incredible Ms. Lee and Evelyn presented a nice hand written note thanking me for flying with CX.
To start, I had the Caviar course. It was served with traditional garnishes of blinis, chives, crème fraiche, and chopped eggs. There was a mother of pearl spoon provided as well.
Each passenger was also given an individual bread basket with an assortment of garlic bread and various rolls.
To follow the caviar course, I had a bowl of Cauliflower cream soup.
Then I had the Balik salmon with quail egg, white anchovies, and wasabi mayonnaise. The salmon was phenomenal and fresh.
There was actually a catering mishap and they did not cater one of the international main courses. There was instead a delicious fish course that I enjoyed. The skin on the fish was crispy and the meat very tender.
By this point I was stuffed but decided to carry on with the cheese plate. There was an excellent Blue d’Auvergne, Taleggio, and Somerset brie.
Once the table was cleaned, cabin crew passed out a box of chocolates and Evian water bottle.
I asked Evelyn to have my bed made as I went to the forward lavatory to change into my pajamas.
The bedding was incredibly comfortable and I had the best sleep on an airplane I’ve ever had. As someone who finds it hard to sleep on planes, I was surprised that I slept for more than six hours.
Upon waking up, Evelyn immediately came by and offered me either coffee or tea. I had an Americano that was served with a biscotti.
With four hours to go, I decided to watch a movie. The IFE remote was able to stream in the inflight map separately.
Breakfast was served two hours before landing in LAX. To start, there was a beautifully presented fruit plate and a bread basket.
Next was a rather disappointing apricot yoghurt.
For the main course, I went with the dim sum selection. There was a shrimp and pork dumpling, siu mai, bean curd wrap, vegetable dumping, and pork and chive dumpling. All of these were delicious.
To finish I had a glass of orange juice and another Americano.
With 30 minutes to landing, the cabin crew began preparations for landing. The IFE screen had to be pushed back into the locked position and all window shades were opened.
Ms. Lee and Evelyn came to the seat to personally thank me again for flying with Cathay Pacific.
We landed at 11:52AM local time in Los Angeles and had a quick taxi to Tom Bradley International Terminal.
I must say, this was the best flight that I have ever taken. It was a spectacular event from beginning to end and I would gladly jump at the opportunity to fly with Cathay Pacific in First again.
