- Introduction
- Starting Out and American Airlines’ Flagship Lounge – Chicago
- Review: Japan Airlines First Class 777-300ER Chicago-Narita
- Review: Japan Airlines First Class Lounge – Haneda
- Review: Japan Airlines Business Class 777-200 Haneda to Bangkok
- Review: Thai Airways Orchard Spa and Royal Orchard Lounge
- Review: Thai Airways 787-8 Business Class – Bangkok to Denpasar-Bali
- Review: Grand Hyatt Bali
- Review: Denpasar-Bali Airport and Premier Lounge
- Review: Singapore A330 Business Class Denpasar-Bali to Singapore
- Review: Grand Hyatt Singapore
- Review: Singapore Airlines Private Room
- Review: Singapore Airlines A380 Suites Class Singapore to Hong Kong
- Review: Emirates Lounge – Hong Kong
- Review: Emirates A380 First Class Hong Kong to Dubai
- Review: Emirates First Class Terminal – Dubai
- Review: Emirates A380 First Class Dubai to Washington, DC (Dulles)
While we arrived into Narita, the only way we knew of (based on available award flights) to avoid an overnight in Tokyo, was to transfer to Haneda, the lesser-known–but perhaps more highly sought after–Tokyo airport. The ride there was not terribly costly and took less than 90 minutes on a limousine bus (I’m still not sure how that works).
Anyway, before we knew it we were at Haneda’s International Terminal. I had visited this lounge just over a year ago, when my wife flew ANA leading to dueling lounges and airlines, so I was excited to share the Japan Airlines First Class Lounge with her. I even wore a pair of loafers I seldom travel with, just so I could get them shined.
The Departures hall at Haneda looks much like any other true international airport.
It’s nice of JAL to provide a map of the lounge – it is that big, that it’s just nice to have an idea of what is where.
We entered the lounge and it was rather quiet, which availed us the opportunity to take a few photos.
The dining area was similarly quiet.
And, as any normal person would do, our first stop was at the spa, to schedule our 15 minute massages. Last time I was at this lounge, I had my first (and only) “side” massage, where the table had a buildup so I just laid on my side. This time, despite the lack of photos, it was a true table. I was a little disappointed, merely because the side massage approach seemed pretty relaxing, and unique. After our massages, we moved into the Red room, where we enjoyed sake and some Pierre Laurent champagne, and had my shoes shined.
The Red Room had some wonderful atmosphere, lots of #avgeek and travel related accessories. I spent some time just browsing through.
We decided after another 20-30 minutes to move back to the main area, as we were becoming a bit peckish.
We browsed the food options, and I ended up having what amounted to a hamburger with JAL’s special sauce made a la cart.
My wife enjoyed some beef curry, which she felt had the right level of spiciness. And of course, I couldn’t not utilize the beer pouring machine
At some point, my wife decided she needed a shower to wake up (likely, as I was dozing off), she found the showers to be sufficient, not overly amazing (a la Lufthansa First Class Terminal), but certainly good enough.
Wrapping Up
Overall, our layover in Haneda was kind’ve long, we had got there somewhere between 5 and 6pm, and we didn’t board until 11:35pm, for our flight to Bangkok. That said, it certainly wasn’t the worse place to spend 5 or so hours. We also felt we had the chance to experience a variety of aspects there, like the shoe shine, massage, etc. I’d say the lounge is definitely worth stopping out, but, similarly to flying Japan Airlines First Class, its hard to say whether I’d go out of my way for it.
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