If you want to know how it all started…
Flight routing
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- 5NH223 - Economy - Tokyo Haneda → Frankfurt Boeing 777-300ER
- 6LH1326 - Economy - Frankfurt → Tunis Airbus A321
I didn't intend to post a report but the refurbishment of the TU lounge in Tunis has convinced me to publish.
My final destination is Hokkaidō island (北海道), the most northerly of the four main islands of the archipelago of Japan,
and second novelty to me it will happen during the Kōyō(紅葉) period , the autumn equivalent of cherry blossom.
The choice of the company has met several criteria / constraints.
TK's fares, the company I used most frequently, became unaffordable from TUN
and with booking classes providing very few miles.
So I opted for MS for a trip to Japan in June.
The experience was very satisfying and I had two long haul flights that were among the best
that I had in eco: recognition of the status on board, correct catering,
amenity kit, hotel provided (with a buffet dinner) during a long transit, and so on …
The bad side is security check at the gate in the CAI bazaar.
Unfortunately for this trip the only availabilities were in booking classes Y and B
at prohibitive prices.
These two eliminated, the * A possibilities from TUN are limited to … LH.
I take a look without complacency but I immediately find an advantage:
unlike MS or TK that would have forced me to buy additional NH tickets costing between
170 and 200 € return to get from TYO to Hokkaido, LH rates are the same
whatever Japanese cities you are flying to and open jaws are possible without restrictions.
Only constraint the stop overs more than 24 hours at TYO are increasing the fare.
No problem for this trip the 24 hours are enough for me.
I avoid the 2 am redeye flight to stall me on the late morning one.
Then I have the choice between a LH flight and a NH codehare flight.
The LH flight will allow me to try an aircraft that I probably would not have
the opportunity to try later, the 748-i.
Moreover it arrives around 12 o'clock at HND which suits me.
I will take the codeshare NH for my inbound flight: with all the "benefits" of a codeshare, no reservation
seat, meals…
Communications with NH is a nightmare, as often with Korean or Japanese companies.
After many emails and phone calls I was able to book my seats on the domestic flights
but not for the NH flight(LH codeshare) "because it is in a LH booking" I was told.
But domestic flights too …
Let's go ahead for the description of the fifth flight of this routing entirely ***** Skyhoax:
CHECK-IN
I arrived from CTS the day before.
I had a great evening in what was the highlight of my Japanese dining experiences.
Just 2 pics to whet your appetite, more in the bonus
The next morning I leave my hotel in Kawasaki to go to Haneda International Terminal
There are direct trains and others with change but there is not much informations
I'm going to an NH Business / Star Gold counter to pick up my boarding passes
I (in principle) managed to have an aisle seat thanks to my duel of the former day with the CTS check-in agent(see previous FR)
I am actually given my boarding pass with the 24H seat for the HND-FRA but also a boarding pass with 25E
for my FRA-TUN!
I therefore ask to be able to change this middle seat on the FRA-TUN flight!
The long-awaited answer is: "It's not possible!"
To play an excellent Nô theater drama, good actors are needed : this poor agent clearly was
not going to be good enough to give me the reply ;)
Discouraged, I take my boarding passes and head to the security checkpoint.
I see a priority line guarded by no less than two female dragons.
I hand my boarding pass and my FFP TK card.
I am told: "There is no Turkish Airlines flight"
I answer: "But I'm traveling with NH"
I'm told, "Yes, but Turkish Airlines did not pay"
I know that LOT is asking his pax to pay for his spare parts plane but personally I do not want to pay for TK!
I head to the common security checkpoint and I go quickly through security, as well as the immigration check.
So I'm coming here! Clearly branded shops are highlighted
I really don't care(as Melania would have said) so I'm heading to the lounge
NH International Business Lounge
I'm welcomed by a smiling agent.
You have to go through a corridor where the NH mania is highlighted
Few steps more and I enter the lounge.
After the lack of culture a bit of culture with this press offer ;)
As in a domestic lounge it's large with a good view of the apron
The only difference (but what a difference !) is this area: there is a buffet with real food!
And so just right before the buffet this area with few tables
There are also local spirits: Sake, Shōchū, Umeshu.
It's very well highlighted and documented
Let's have a look at the buffet
Fridge with juice and chilled beer glasses
Sparkling
Spirits
And even Campari for old people who like very virile drinks
White wine, red wine etc … according to the wine list below
A look at the food offer
Salad and sandwiches
The chicken curry is a NH signature dish
What I personally prefer: the noodles bar
Danish pastries and other sweets
And a breads menu
I seat at a distance from the windows : it's not possible in this lounge to take good pictures of the aiplanes
My first selection with Shōchū
My second with Umeshu.
The fresh ginger was delicious
With a filled stomach, I'm ready to cross swords with a NH agent!
Because there is a desk with an agent in the lounge.
I greet her politely with a Japanese inclination and hand her my boarding pass FRA-TUN.
"I would like to change my seat" I said with a honeyed smile.
As soon as I finish my sentence, she answers me (without looking at the boarding pass I think): "It's impossible!"
She then looks at the boarding card and adds "In addition it is not a NH flight"
At that moment luckily (for her and even more for me) a colleague arrives to replace her.
I have the opportunity to sit down (without being offered!)
The new agent turns to me with an inquiring look on her face.
"Your colleague was going to show me the cabin map for this flight," I told her, showing him my boarding pass "so I could choose
a new seat ".
She takes the boarding pass and after a few keystrokes on her keyboard, her monitor displays the cabin map LUFTHANSA !!!!!
I ask for an aisle seat in front of the cabin: she offers me the 14D.
I agree and she prints the new boarding card and tears the old one!
I do not have much time to enjoy my victory because it's time to go to the gate
The boarding is scheduled at 10:45 am
flight nh223
I arrive at 10:35 am.
My boarding pass is checked
The wait lasts a bit, I take the opportunity to spot an OZ
My 77W of the day
a 777-300ER first flight on 29/03/2005, soon 14 years old.
TG is taxiing
The boarding is launched almost 15 minutes late! (What happened ! We're in Japan !!)
As usual, family with children, people with assistance, seniors, then Milion Milers Nh and First Class.
Finally the business and status pax.
I am among the first to enter the hold without teeth: the first row of the eco cabin.
Seats look old and comfortable
An outside view before my neighbors arrive
The other seats of the cabin
Note: all these pictures are taken in Japanese Etiquette mode!
Great legroom
A FA comes to ask me to confirm my special meal (that was impossible to book LOL) and stick a label on my seat
The pouch that, like my neighbor, I empty of its bulky magazines, to put my slippers and my headphone inside
The IFE minitor is on the left side of the seat
My neighbor with her funny harness allowing her to put her baby on
The boarding is complete : no neighbors
External views during taxi and takeoff
Connectors, remote control and seat plug (one plug per seat)
When we are airborne the curtain is closed with the Business Class but no curtain between Premium eco and eco
Shortly afterwards the service begins
Good rice crackers that unfortunately are not available in the lounge
I choose Kabosu, NH's signature drink and a much-touted sparkling wine on the NH website
I did not like this sparkling wine
The cradle has been installed but the baby will most often be on his mother's harness
The goblets are signed
Distribution of the special meals: It is difficult not knowing it's a SFML meal lol
Even the bread!
Metal Cutlery of good quality
and logoed
The tray includes a bottle of water "Innovation by Chemistry" it says it all
A salad
Salad dressing
A shrimp and salmon: by far the most qualitative element of the meal
Fruit
The hot dish: a little disappointing even if it was edible.
I had imagined that a Seafood Meal (SFML) had to be qualitative since in Japanc the sea products are extremely good.
I was disappointed by this hot dish and the hot dish of the snack: rather Western dishes while I was expecting Japanese food.
I wash all with a beer and a sparkling water
The beer was not available on the trolley : I was surprised to hear the FA saying to me in French without an accent: "I'll bring you your beer later".
It was a French FA married with a Japanese people
After clearing the tray an ice cream is offered
The flight time flows smoothly.
I watch geovision, I listen my music with my noise cancelling headphones.
A mid-flight snack is offered
A Käsebrot : cold and without much taste.
And here is the drama !!!!!
While I'm taking a bite, one hand grabs my hand to put away the infamous food!
"Do not eat !!! It's not for you !!!" says a panicked FA.
"Are not you going to be sick?" she asks me very uncomfortably, seeming to see me already suffering an anaphylactic shock.
I try to reassure her: "No, it's okay, it's only bread!"
"Are you sure ?" She insists
"Yes certain!" By showing him my best face
She still gives me the food that was intended for me and goes away with a sigh (that I hope for relief!) [/ Text]
We are here
About 1h30 before arrival a collation is offered
In fact it is the hot dish of the western menu where the sausage has been replaced by tuna with a kind of tomato sauce
The omelette is quite dry and the rest is average.
The end of the flight is without any significant event
We land more than an hour ahead of schedule
Good and detailed report! Amazing restaurant and shrine! Although I'm living in Japan but I don't usually travel around, just stick to my bed on weekends?. And, for the Haneda security fast track, it's difficult to understand, even I'm NH*G I still couldn't figure out what combinations are eligible to use the fast track. Of course first/business class passengers are eligible, but when it comes to economy class, it's confusing. [NH*G travelling NH Econ] no problem of coz, but [NH*G travelling on other *A airlines] is really case by case, even the staff standing there don't know what's going on. So I would just try and if rejected, go back to the usual lanes.
Thanks for passing by.
"even the staff standing there don't know what's going on."
That's exactly what I noticed.
It's very confusing.
"So I would just try and if rejected, go back to the usual lanes."
The best way and I did the same :)
Where’s the trip report? There is nothing about the flight.
I'm not the author but seems there are bugs :)
Just click on the header "FLIGHT NH223" and the hidden parts will pop up :)
I think there was a bug in the new publisher with some extra text boxes--I think I fixed it, it looks ok now
Lovely report and I liked the bonus section too!
Funny (and good apparently) how the FA was concerned over your potentially having an adverse reaction to the "regular" food.
Thanks for the comment
Yes, she seemed to be very concerned :)
Great report and beautiful bonus! The Haneda lounge looks really nice and the food selections seems good. I'm surprised you had such a rude agents at check in and in the lounge--so shocking in Japan! You got lucky with that shift change and you were sly, haha. It seems codeshare and through-checked interline flights can be a pain no matter which alliance it is. I've often had trouble with seats and IROPS on codeshare flights with both SkyTeam and oneworld. Bad experiences have led me to seek out a carrier's own metal (operated and marketed) to avoid issues, unless the codeshare is really advantageous for miles or just much cheaper.
I'm surprised the SFML wasn't better on a Japanese carrier. I mean it looks fine, but you just expect better. Despite the unpleasant issues with the reservation, thanks to crappy IT for codeshare, the flight experience itself looks very nice. It's always nice to see some airlines (too few) still make an effort to offer a good experience in Y.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the comment
"unless the codeshare is really advantageous for miles or just much cheaper."
I agree with you about a codeshare flight, it's always a pain.
I was earning 70% instead of 50% miles with the codeshare, so it was
worth the pain anyway.
"but you just expect better"
That was my expectation : the seafood ex-Japan had to be better than
anywhere else ;)
"to see some airlines (too few) still make an effort to offer a good experience in Y."
Yes, NH is a member of this league : a good and pleasant flight.