• SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | Sept 2025Traveler
    JA616J at the gate in HNL.
    JA616J at the gate in HNL.My legroom at the emergency exit on JL783.JL783 on pushback at HNL.JL783 taxiing to Runway 08R.JL783 takeoff roll from Runway 08R.My chicken yakitori meal on JL783.My prearrival snack on JL783.Inflight views on JL783.Inflight views on JL783.Inflight views on JL783 during the approach into NRT.Inflight views on JL783 during the approach into NRT.Inflight views on JL783 during the approach into NRT.JL783 landing at NRT.The A350 model Ben gifted me.Flight path of JL783 as captured on FlightRadar24.

    Honolulu to Tokyo Narita

    August 30 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Japan Airlines JL783 | HNL/NRT
    Economy Class
    Boeing 767-300ER | JA616J
    STD/1335 | ATA/1633+1
    Sakura Lounge

    I was originally booked to depart a day earlier via Haneda, but I got advance notice from JAL that my flight had been delayed a day due to crew scheduling; I presumed this is because a pilot on layover was unable to operate the flight and they had to fly one in and give them minimum rest before they could operate. I contacted JAL and asked to be rerouted via Narita as this flight would get me in to Singapore earlier and I can have a few hours sleep after arriving at 1am on Monday.

    When I arrived at the Sakura Lounge, I asked the lounge attendant about compensation for the delay. After confirming I did not go to the airport yesterday, she requested authorization before handing me $90 cash to cover meals and incidentals. A few days later, I discovered that the delay occurred because one of the pilots rostered to operate to Nagoya had drunk three beers. This caused a ripple effect.

    The flight itself was pleasant. I was surprised to learn that Na, the flight attendant serving my aisle, is Bangkok-based. We exchanged plesantries in Thai. I don't think I have enountered any flight attendants based outside Japan on the Japan-Hawaii runs. During the flight, I heard her conversing in Thai with another flight attendant, Ben, who later approached me inflight and presented me with an A350 model.    Read more