• SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Traveler
    The passageway leading to the upstairs dining area at the JAL First Class Lounge.
    The passageway leading to the upstairs dining area at the JAL First Class Lounge.The hallway of the JAL First Class Lounge.My sushi snack at the JAL First Class Lounge.My ramen snack at the JAL First Class Lounge.B-HNN waiting at the gate in NRT to operate as CX505.The outdated Business Class cabin on the B777. Thankfully I didn't have a seatmate on this sector.The outdated Business Class cabin on the B777 in 2-3-2 configuration.The outdated Business Class cabin on the B777.Menu for CX505.My welcome drink (Cathay Delight) and snack on CX505.Appetizers on CX505. Unlike other airlines, CX doesn't offer Japanese service ware.My main course in CX505. The halibut was overcooked and mushy. I didn't finish it.Mango ice cream for dessert on CX505. I declined the fruit and cheese courses.Routing of CX505 as recorded on FlightRadar24.

    Tokyo Narita to Hong Kong

    October 3 in Japan 🌙 18 °C

    Cathay Pacific CX505 | NRT/HKG
    Business Class
    Boeing 777-300 | B-HNN
    ATD/1908 | ATA/2251
    JAL First Class Lounge

    I went to the JAL First Class Lounge at Narita because Cathay Pacific was in the process of renovating their lounge there. American closed their lounge in NRT when they moved most of their flights to Haneda; Cathay took over that space and they are now renovating it to bring it in line with their remarkably consistent lounge network.

    A few years ago, Japanese airports stopped requiring security checks for passengers with international-to-international connections arriving from the US. Even then, I had just under an hour at the lounge before I had to head to the gate. The lounge was rather busy and I could not fit in a shower during my time there as there were 14 people ahead of me. I wolfed down some sushi and a bowl or ramen and then I made my way Gate 82. I have mixed feelings about JAL’s First Class lounges. I love the efficiency with the app ordering of meals and showers, and I especially love the fresh made to order sushi, but it lacks the personalized premium touch of other lounges. The dining area pretty much resembles a glorified school canteen. In terms of ambience, the only part of the lounge that resembles a premium experience is the JAL Salon part of the lounge.

    As I mentioned in my last entry, I decided to spice things up a bit by taking Cathay Pacific, as the reasonable Business Class fare combined with the weak yen made for an irresistable opportunity. This first leg on CX was operated by their vintage 777-300s with outdated recliner Business Class seats. Not the most premium hardware, but the flight itself was fine and the service was world class as always. The flight was delayed by about 40 minutes due to air traffic congestion. Meal service en route was also delayed due to turbulence. The flight arrived about 30 minutes late into HKG.    Read more