BusinessFlyer JC1685: Haneda – Okayama on JAL Express.

Having arrived on a morning flight into Tokyo International Airport (HND/RJTT), or more commonly called Haneda Airport, I spent some time in the credit-card-sponsored lounge in the South Wing of Terminal 1, where most flights to destinations south of Tokyo depart from. The simple credit card lounge is housed with sofas, massage chairs, working desks, and offers some basic amenities as well as a beverage bar. Light snacks can be purchased.

Our aircraft: Boeing 737-846(WL) JA327J still in the Arc of the Sun livery. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

These domestic lounges, eligible for use by selected gold credit card holders, are different from JAL's luxurious and peaceful Sakura Lounge, which is offered for First Class customers, Japan Mileage Bank (JMB) Diamond and Saffire flyers, and JAL Global Club (JGC) members. I was booked for Class J, JAL's domestic business class product, but that doesn't qualify.

Boarding at Gate 8 of the South Wing of Haneda's Terminal 1. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Boarding for my flight JC1685 (branded as JL1685) to Okayama (OKJ/RJOB) commenced right at the time I arrived at Gate 8 (Spot 8) at 1215, starting with handicapped persons, pregnant mothers, and children under two, followed by JMB Diamond flyers, JGC premier members, and Oneworld Emerald holders. Class J passengers are not eligible for priority boarding.

My Class J seat for the flight. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

JAL normally organizes boarding for the rest of the passengers by calling those with seats in the aft rows to get on first, however, because the flight was only half full, the gate staff decided to let everyone board at the same time. While I was getting myself seated in the fourth row, flight attendants started handing out blankets while children received toys and stickers.

Climbing over Miura Peninsula. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

At 1237 JST, the door was closed, but we had to wait for some transfer bags to be loaded. Soon after at 1242, we were pushed back, just two minutes behind scheduled departure time. The two CFM International CFM56-7B engines were started, and we were taxiing in five minutes. Here in Japan, ground handling personnel will always wave good-bye at you after push-back is finished and the airplane starts moving on its own power, so remember to look outside the window! If they notice you waved back, they might give you a bow in return.

The Class J cabin is in a five-abreast (3-2) layout. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

We taxied to the threshold of Runway 16R and took off at 1252, banking to the right heading southwest as we were climbing over Tokyo Bay and Miura Peninsula. Our aircraft for today was Boeing 737-846(WL) JA327J, which was delivered to JAL Express (JC/JEX) (JAL Express is merged into JAL.) on March 10th, 2010. All domestic-configured 737-800s seat 20 in Class J and 145 in economy. At 1258 the seat belt signs were turned off just as we passed Miura Peninsula. The crew shortly gave an announcement to advertise recommended products from the JAL Shop catalog in the seat pocket.

Inside the seat pocket: JAL's Skyward magazine, JAL Shop catalog, and safety leaflet. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Approximately 10 minutes later, the cabin crew commenced in-flight service, which consisted of just a complementary beverage selection. Having an identical product as its parent, JEX offers hot coffee (branded as JAL Cafe Lines), apple juice, consommé soup, seasonal fruit juice (branded as JAL Sky Time), which was 'shiikwaasaa' (Citrus depressa), hot and cold green tea, water, and coke. Nothing special but adequate, as most Japanese domestic flights from Tokyo don't take more than a hour and half, except for flights to Okinawa.

Flying somewhere over Aichi. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

At 1310 as the flight attendants were serving passengers, Captain Nakamura made his announcement telling us that we were cruising at 8,500 meters (28,000 feet) at 670 kph (400 mph), and that our flight would last just one hour. Weather at Okayama would be fair with temperatures at 22 degrees Celsius. After beverage service was finished, the cabin crew went through the aircraft offering JAL's in-flight shopping products.

Flying over Fukusaki, near Himeji, on descent. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

As we passed Izu Peninsula, clouds started gathering below, soon blocking our view of the landscape below us completely. We had a smooth cruise, and as we flew over Kyoto, gradual descent started and the cockpit crew informed us that the seat belt lights would be turned on in 15 minutes. At 1340, we passed by Himeji and Ako, and continued our descent over the mountains of the Chugoku Region.

On final approach to Okayama. The prefecture's countryside. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

We touched down on Runway 25 at 1353, and arrived at Spot 2 at 1355, right on schedule. The door was opened in minutes and our luggage was out by the time we reached the baggage claim. Traveling to the city of Okayama, situated southwest of the airport, is straightforward using a bus that leaves from right in front of the arrivals hall. We caught the 1415 bus, which took half an hour at a cost of 760 JPY.

Okayama Airport is well connected to major stations with buses that are timed with arrivals and departures of the flights. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Although touted as business class, Class J is more akin to a premium-economy product. For a fare difference that starts from only 1,000 JPY, you get a wider seat with a little more legroom, but that is about it and all other services are the same as in economy. However, again, considering the flight durations of the domestic flights, that might be enough. Those who want something to eat would grab one of the ubiquitous Bento boxes at the airport and have it on the airplane.

Travel Date: May 2014
Flight: JC1685 (marketed as JL1685)
Route: Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) – Okayama (OKJ/RJOB)
Carrier: JAL Express (JC/JEX) operating for Japan Airlines (JL/JAL)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-846(WL) JA327J
Class: Class J (Domestic Business)
Direct distance: 547 kilometers (340 miles)
Flight time: 1 hour 5 minutes

BusinessFlyer KL671: AMS - YUL on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' Boeing 747.

Travel date: February 2014
Flight: KL671
Route: Amsterdam/Schiphol (AMS/EHAM) - Montreal/Trudeau (YUL/CYUL)
Carrier: Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij (KL/KLM) d.b.a. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 747-406/M PH-BFT 'City of Tokyo'
Class: World Business Class (Business)
Direct distance: 5,519km (3,430 miles)
Flight time: 6 hours 58 minutes

Boeing 747-406/M PH-BFT 'City of Tokyo' at Schiphol's Gate E17. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

As a SkyTeam Elite Plus member, having access to the SkyPriority check-in lanes at Schiphol Airport (AMS/EHAM) was a big advantage. Amsterdam being the hub for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL/KLM), there were ample check-in counters, and I was immediately served. Staff told me that I might be upgraded to World Business Class since the economy cabin was overbooked. I proceeded to immigration, where a priority lane was available and again there was no line. After immigration awaits Schiphol’s seductive ‘See Buy Fly’ terminal shopping complex, which has a range of stores from top-end brand shops to gift shops and bookstores to even a division of the Rijksmuseum.

KLM Crown Lounge at Schiphol. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

I strolled over to the KLM Crown Lounge, located on the second floor, where I was informed that I indeed had received a complementary upgrade. With a spacious, quiet atmosphere, the lounge offered a variety of free newspapers to major magazines, as well as a good range of foods; for that day was Massaman curry, fried chicken, fried rice, cheese, soup, along with snacks and a variety of drinks.

My seat for the next seven hours. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

At 1430, I traveled to Gate E17, about halfway down the corridor of the E wing, and noticed that the ship had been switched from a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 to a Boeing 747-400M (Combi). I was looking forward to flying on the Long Beach-born tri-jet, but I tried to tell myself the complementary upgrade to business was in exchange for that. The aircraft was B747-406/M PH-BFT ‘City of Tokyo’, delivered back in May 15, 1997, and one of 15 'Combi' Jumbos the airline currently operates. Schiphol carries out security checks at each gate instead of the immigrations area, and they had already begun with a very long line, but again, SkyPriority made it relatively hassle-free.

Appetizer for the first meal. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Boarding began at 1500, starting with groups with handicapped persons and infants, followed by World Business Class and SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers. KLM’s B747-400Ms seat 14 World Business Class seats on the upper deck, 18 at the front of the main deck, as well as 36 Economy Comfort, and 197 Economy seats, for a total of 275. My seat on flight KL671 was at the front, and as I was seated, a welcome drink was served, from a choice of water, orange juice, or champagne. As time passed 1525, the flight’s departure time, the crew announced that we would be 15 minutes late due to some paperwork. Was it due to a last-minute ship change?

Entering England from near Sunderland. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

At 1544, the door was finally closed, and two minutes later, the aircraft was pushed back. We headed to Runway 24 ‘Kaagbaan’, named after the Kagerplassen which lies at the end of the runway, for a takeoff at 1557 CET. How quiet it can be at the front end of the ‘Queen of the Skies’! Our aircraft banked to the left, then to the right over to North Sea, where we could see a Brocken phenomenon for a short time. Eight minutes later the seat-belt signs were turned off, and the flight attendants started preparing for in-flight service.

Our main course for the first meal; a Dutch treat. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

About 20 minutes into the flight, they started out with a mix of nuts along with a drink of our choice. I chose apple juice, which was very good. As the crew was getting ready, we crossed into Great Britain below us, south of Sunderland, about 35 minutes into the flight. As we were passing through Scotland, just south of Glasgow, we started encountering some rough air.

Dessert: pomegranate gateau. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Meal service, produced by Michelin award winner chef Sergio Herman, was started about 70 minutes into the flight. First came the appetizer, which was smoked salmon and an apple and fennel cream garnished with citrus jelly and served with wasabi yuzu vinegarette. This became my favorite for this flight; everything on the plate seemed to harmonize with each other on the taste buds. The wine selection for tonight was Malbec, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. As we were served, light turbulence continued to bother our dining, and the seat-belt signs had to be left on.

The General Electric CF6-80C2 engines. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Half a hour after the appetizer came the main meal; I selected the braised beef tartlet accompanied by mustard sauce, Oud Sluis-style lentils, and pumpkin mash, baby potatoes, and sauteed mushrooms. It came along with a pickled vegetable salad and warmed bread buns. The seat-belt lights were finally turned off about 40 minutes after we started dining, and at that time the flight attendants were ready to serve dessert. Passing south off the coast of Iceland, I chose pomegranate gateau, and had it with black tea. I did take some time to savor the cake, but the crew seemed to have forgotten that I still had a plate with me and didn’t come until I asked them to take it away.

Front cabin of our Boeing 747-400M. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

About 30 minutes later, the cabin lights were dimmed and everyone started to doze off. About three hours into the flight came the Captain’s welcome announcement, and soon after followed duty free sales. Half a hour later, we were able to see Greenland and its icebergs which seemed to have wandered from the coast. After clouds came in and started obstructing our view, I decided to take a nap.

Greenland and its icebergs. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

About one hour and a half hours later, or two hours before arrival time, we were served a light second meal, which consisted of a marrowfat pea salad accompanied by falafel and piccalilli cream. It came with a choice of chicken pie or a basil pie served with tomato and mozzarella cheese, and finished with raspberry cheese cake with vanilla sauce. As I became full and the flight attendants collected my tray, they came around handing out 'KLM Dutch House' blue delft houses, a Dutch specialty. KLM currently offers 94 different houses, and I chose Number 25, named 'Gouda'.

Our second meal. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Soon after, about half an hour before landing, our Captain announced that we had started our descent into Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL/CYUL). Flying along the St. Lawrence River, snow-covered houses started to appear below followed by the skyline of Montreal city, and we touched down on Runway 24R at 1655 EDT, completing an almost seven-hour flight. Montreal is six hours behind Amsterdam. We taxied to Gate 55 for an on-time arrival at 1700. We were off the aircraft in minutes, but with some other European flights arriving in as well, it took another 25 minutes or so to get through immigrations, which isn't too bad in North America.

Canada's vast snow-covered land. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Having Elite Plus membership allowed me to breeze through what otherwise could have been a very stressful part of traveling. I only needed to line up at gate security, and in the end I was upgraded to business class. KLM offers efficient and consistent service, but its business class pales in comparison to top-class Asian airlines as well as the 'Big Three' in the Middle East. Except for the appetizer of the first meal, the flight left me with no particular impression; neither good nor bad. The two cabin crew serving our section were helpful, but present only when it was time to serve something, and for one of them I wasn't able to see a smile throughout the flight. The current World Business Class seats are showing their age, and KLM is in the process of refurbishing them, but if the flight attendants were smiling a little more and observant, walking around the cabin to see what each passengers is doing and think what the customer may need, it might help even more.

BusinessFlyer TG041: KKC - BKK on Thai Airways International's Airbus A300.

Travel date: November 2013

Flight: TG041

Route: Khon Kaen (KKC/VTUK) - Bangkok/Suvarnabhumi (BKK/VTBS)

Carrier: Thai Airways International (TG/THA)

Aircraft: Airbus A300B4-622R HS-TAW 'Suranaree'

Class: Royal Silk Class (Business)

Direct distance: 377 km (234 miles)

Flight time: 56 minutes

We arrived at the airport, located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the city of Khon Kaen, at around 0740. Home to 204,000 and a strategic transport hub of northeastern Thailand or 'Isan' (pronounced e-saan), Khon Kaen is a growing destination both in terms of business and tourism. Check-in with Thai Airways International (TG/THA), often referred to as simply THAI, was smooth with a dedicated counter for Royal Silk Class, their business class product, but there were also no waiting lines for economy with two lanes open. The departures hall housing the check-in counters as well as THAI and Thai AirAsia's (FD/AIQ) ticketing offices is located on the second floor, which also has Black Canyon Coffee and small souvenir shops, while the arrivals hall is located on the first floor along with two small shops, a foreign-exchange kiosk, and a handful of rental car counters. There is a restaurant with good Wi-Fi internet on the third floor.

Airbus A300B4-622R HS-TAW 'Suranaree' at Khon Kaen. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

No observation decks are there, but the adjacent parking lot provides an almost unobstructed view of the single 3,050-meter runway. Updated to accommodate international flights in 2005, Khon Kaen Airport is currently served by THAI four times daily from Bangkok/Suvarnabhumi (BKK/VTBS), including one flight operated under the THAI Smile brand, twice daily by Thai AirAsia from Bangkok/Don Mueang (DMK/VTBD), and twice weekly from Chiang Mai (CNX/VTCC) by Kannithi Aviation (dba Kan Air) (K8/KND). Lao Central Airlines (LF/LKA) runs seasonal international charters to and from Luang Prabang (LPQ/VLLB) in neighboring Laos, and rumors have it that Nok Air (DD/NOK) plans to launch a Phuket (HKT/VTSP) service.

Inside Khon Kaen Airport's terminal. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

There was only one lane for security check and no priority lane, but the line never seemed to get long. Tickets were checked and we were in the departures area within minutes. As Royal Silk Class passengers, we were invited to THAI's Royal Silk Lounge, which looked a bit dated with some furniture and the carpet worn out, but it provided free drinks and snacks, along with free Wi-Fi internet plus a variety of newspapers and magazines in both Thai and English. Staff at the entrance notified us when boarding started at 0820. Announcements were made first in Thai followed by English. Handicapped passengers were called first, followed by Royal Orchid Plus Gold and Star Alliance Gold holders. As we boarded our Airbus A300, we were greeted by THAI's cabin crew with a traditional 'wai' (Thai greeting), and a flight attendant guided us to our seats. They were handing out newspapers and blankets, along with a welcome drink, with a choice of apple juice, orange juice, or water, plus a hot towel.

THAI's Royal Silk Lounge at Khon Kaen. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

At 0843 the doors were closed and push-back started at 0845, on time. The two Pratt & Whitney PW4158 engines were started, and we taxied to the northern end of the runway. The aircraft rolled down and took off from Runway 21 at 0855, only using about two thirds or less of the total length. Only two minutes later, the seat-belt signs were turned off, and the cabin crew headed straight to the galleys to prepare for in-flight service for this 40-minute flight. For Royal Silk Class, they laid dining cloth on our tables, and we were served a pre-set tray with a meal served on real China and silverware. This was all done by 0905, when Mr. Dhanupath made the Captain's announcement welcoming passengers for what THAI calls Royal Orchid Service. The crew went through the aisle several times serving tamarind juice, orange juice, apple juice, hot tea, hot coffee, and water. Staff were smiling, but seemed to be more preoccupied with the list of tasks they had to do in such a short time.

The Royal Silk Class cabin on THAI's Airbus A300. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

THAI is one of the last few original Airbus A300 operators still flying the type on scheduled passenger services. Our aircraft for today was HS-TAW, an A300B4-622R delivered to THAI back on August 12th, 1998, and named 'Suranaree'. THAI's A300-600Rs seat 46 in Royal Silk Class and 201 in economy for a total of 247. First introduced in 1977, the airline acquired a total of 33 A300s (C4-203 x1, B4-103 x7, B4-203 x4, B4-601 x6, B4-605R x2, B4-622R x13) directly from the European manufacturer, forming the backbone of the regional fleet serving trunk intra-Asian routes. However, since the introduction of the Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s as well as the transferring of more regional routes to Nok Air and THAI Smile, their roles have gradually been relegated and the type currently serves just five domestic routes from Suvarnabhumi: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai (CEI/VTCT), Hat Yai (HDY/VTSS), Khon Kaen, and Phuket. It flies occasional international charters as well as substitutes for other aircraft when necessary. As of January 2014, THAI only had six of the example remaining: HS-TAO 'Chanthaburi', HS-TAT 'Srimuang', HS-TAW 'Suranaree', HS-TAX 'Thepsatri', HS-TAY 'Srisoonthorn', and HS-TAZ 'Srisubhan'.

Something close to a full meal for the 40-minute domestic flight. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Flight attendants started collecting dishes at 0920, and at that time descent had already been started. Seat-belt signs were turned on three minutes later. We passed over Samut Prakan province with our destination airport to the right of us, and made a sharp turn to the right above the Gulf of Thailand. Lining up for Runway 01R, gears were down at 0933. However, just a few kilometers before landing, the aircraft aborted landing and rapidly started to climb again. The Captain told us that there was a problem with the runway, but we later learned that an Oman Air (WY/OMA) Airbus A330 which was right before us was stuck on the runway after landing. So our aircraft made a final approach to Runway 01L, and with the gears down once again at 0949, we touched down at 0951 local time, for a total flight time of 56 minutes. Had we not had the go-around, it would have been exactly 40 minutes. We taxied to Suvarnabhumi's Gate B5 and blocked in at 0959, 19 minutes behind schedule. After an eight-minute walk to the domestic baggage claim hall, our suitcase was there by 1015.

Flying over Nakhon Ratchasima province. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

THAI provides efficient, relatively-consistent quality domestic services, but they have been feeling much more than pinches from the advent of LCCs, especially Thai AirAsia. June 2013 saw the government approving the spin-off of THAI's low-cost hybrid unit THAI Smile as a 100% subsidiary named Thai Smile Airways, and this should accelerate the transferring of additional domestic routes to the new child which operates only Airbus A320s, as well as the retirement of THAI's Airbus A300s and Boeing 737-400s. LCC Nok Air, 49% controlled by THAI, is also expanding and 'de facto' taking over some flights. Although no official retirement date has been set yet, the latest plan calls for the A300 to be retired in 2014 and the B737-400 in 2015. Hop on them while you can.