Date: 2016/11/08
Flight: JL414
Aircraft/Registration: 787-8/JA844J
Class: Business (award travel)
Seat: JAL SKY SUITE 787
DEP/Actual Push Back/Full Throttle: 1725EET/1811EET/1856EET
ARR/Touch Down: 1010JST/1101JST
Prologue
Pre-boarding
Check-in, Security
The only business class check-in counter was helping economy class passengers when I got there. The main cabin seemed to be full on this flight. Upon seeing me, a Finnair personnel opened up an counter for me and check in was completed shortly.As a first time visitor a took me a few minutes to figure out where to go to clear security. When I found it, there was a long line. But it kept moving and didn't take long to clear.
It was rush hour in Vantaa, around 16:00.
There were long lines at the automated immigration lines as people had difficulties getting their passports scanned. I went to the empty manned-immigration counters where there were close to zero wait-time.
Lounge
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| Finnair Lounge Coffee Machine |
JAL passengers were directed to the Finnair lounge. It was spacious though busy. Plenty of hot food, salads, soft drinks, and alcohol were on offer. Napkins, and ceramic tableware were by Marimekko. Knowing that passengers are tempted to steal those Marimekko, there was a sign on the wall informing customers that those items are for sale can be purchased online.
 |
| Finnair Lounge Dinner Menu |
Boarding
According to historical data from flightaware.com, this flight had used a bus-gate for the last few days. Today, it was at gate 34. Boarding was scheduled to start at 1655, but for whatever reason, was delayed till 1700.
On Board
Before Takeoff
Doors were closed by 17:19 for our scheduled 17:25 departure. We were still at the gate when the captain announced at 17:50 that according to ATC, he had permission to depart at 18:10. At 18:05, Japanese green tea were offered in paper cups.
Push-back was at 18:11. Taxied to the queue for de-icing. De-icing started at 18:30 and was completed at 18:41. We rolled onto RWY04R Snow was falling horizontally by this time. We were on the runway for a minute or two and nothing happened. At 18:48, the captain announced that wind-shear was detected and we rolled off the runway.
At 18:55, we were back on the runway and full-throttle was at 18:56. The captain could have explained the initial delay, i.e. there was a back-log of aircraft getting de-iced, and thus we were stuck at the gate for 50 minutes.
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| Deicing |
Push-back was at 18:11. Taxied to the queue for de-icing. De-icing started at 18:30 and was completed at 18:41. We rolled onto RWY04R Snow was falling horizontally by this time. We were on the runway for a minute or two and nothing happened. At 18:48, the captain announced that wind-shear was detected and we rolled off the runway.
At 18:55, we were back on the runway and full-throttle was at 18:56. The captain could have explained the initial delay, i.e. there was a back-log of aircraft getting de-iced, and thus we were stuck at the gate for 50 minutes.
Meals
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| Western Menu |
Dinner
Tried the western meal, with "Beef Tenderloin with Morel Mushroom Cream Sauce" as the main course. Though bread was supplied, I asked for, and got steamed rice to go with the meal. The beef was OK, not as good as the beef on the flight over from Narita.
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| Beef Tenderlion |
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| Anytime Japanese Meal |
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| Finlan Don |
After the first meal, one can order "Anytime Meal" from the IFE controller. I'd tried the Japanese meal, with the main dish being Simmered Halibut with Soy Starch Sauce.
Later, I had the the Finlan Don: Finnish Pork & Vegetable Mini Bowl Both of these very tasty and satisfying.
Service
Epilogue
Total flight time was 9 hours and 5 minutes. Time flew by. I wish the captain had explained about the initial delay, why we were stuck at the gate for so long.Bibliography
https://www.finavia.fi/en/helsinki-airport/services/lounges/long-haul-lounge-finnair/
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/service/business/seat/skysuite.html
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/service/business/seat/skysuite.html
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