On my way to Hanoi for a day I ended up in Tokyo’s Narita airport after a fantastic Japan Airlines First Class Flight. When I arrived in Narita I had 4 hour layover until my JAL Business Class flight to Hanoi. As I was trying to quickly adjust to the local time zones, I wanted to stay awake for the entire layover. So, in an effort to stay awake, I decided to do some lounge hopping.
I started with the now closed (renovations) Japan Airlines First Class Lounge in the Terminal’s Main Building. Next, I stopped by the Cathay Pacific and American Airlines lounges also in the Main Building. Neither of those lounges were particularly special, so I’ve opted not to review either.
Eventually I grew tired of the lounges in the Main Building. So, I decided to head to the Satellite Building where I found the Qantas Business Class lounge. Again, the Qantas lounge was a bit disappointing, so I ultimately ended up Japan Airlines’ other First Class lounge located in the Satellite Building of the Terminal.
Japan Airlines First Class Lounge Tokyo Narita Satellite Building
Although my connection to Hanoi was in business class, I still was able to access the First Class lounge thanks to my OneWorld Emerald elite status. Unlike other OneWorld partner airlines, JAL doesn’t display any OneWorld branding on the lounge entrance. Even so, OneWorld Emerald customers traveling on a OneWorld partner airline can access the First Class lounge.
The entrance to the First Class lounge is shared with the Sakura Lounge which makes this reception area feel a bit like a hotel lobby. After a short wait I presented my boarding pass to the lounge agent and was ushered inside the First Class area of the lounge.
As you enter the lounge you’ll immediately discover the lounge’s business center.
This area is home to a few workstations, some of which have desktop computers to share.
There are also a few phone booths and a shared copier/printer. The printer is a useful feature in the event that, maybe you happened to lose your Vietnam Visa documentation; not that I would ever do that…
JAL First Class Lounge Seating Areas
For guests looking to relax after a slight Visa scare… ok fine, I lost my Visa! In all seriousness, there are a few massage chairs for guests looking to relax before or after a long flight.
On the other side of the massage chair areas is a small seating area which is perfect for a group traveling together. Just keep in mind, if you choose to sit in this area, there are people trying to relax directly behind you.
However, if traveling along or with one other person, you might be more comfortable in one of the large leather chairs found in the lounge.
If traveling alone, I’d recommend one of the extremely comfortable leather chairs along the windows which offer fantastic views of the surrounding airport when the automatic shades are open.
If traveling with someone else, perhaps you’d be more comfortable in the large leather armchairs located in the center areas of the lounge.
Finally, if you want some privacy, there are a few cubicle seats with dividers toward the rear of the lounge.
This area of the lounge is located just beyond the enclosed dining area and is without a doubt the most secluded area of the lounge.
JAL First Class Lounge Catering
Like the other JAL First Class lounge, this lounge is home to a dining area. However, this lounge features a completely glass enclosed dining area. Personally, this enclosed dining area was my favorite part of the lounge.
The reason I appreciated the enclosed dining area so much, is that in other lounges, all you sometimes hear is the clanking of plates and silverware. So, when a lounge closes off the dining area, it tends to lead to a much quieter and more peaceful area. This particular dining area, with the glass walls, reminded me a bit of the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge in Doha.
As I had already had my fair share of food on the flight to Tokyo, I opted instead to grab a few snacks from the bar area of the lounge.
This area was home to a few snacks, cookies, chocolates, and some light plates. More importantly, this bar area is home to the self-service Champagne bar.
For those looking for something a bit stronger, there are also several wines, spirits, and sakes available. There is also a very cool self pouring beer station which pours a perfect pint every time.
Personally, I found the beverage selections a bit underwhelming for a “First Class Lounge,” but it’s hard to argue with free.
Waiting For My Flight To Depart
After a brief walk around the lounge I decided to let the machine pour me a beer and I took a seat by the windows.
The views of the surrounding airport were fantastic as the sun set over Tokyo. I don’t know if there is a better way to pass a long layover than to sit back and watch the planes arrive and depart as the sun sets.
It’s especially fun to watch since JAL’s fleet consists mostly of modern wide-bodies.
Final Thoughts
I have to admit, there’s something special about flying through an airline’s home airport (hub). I find that the lounges in an airline’s hub are far superior to anything found throughout their network. Thankfully, that theory holds up in Tokyo with Japan Airlines.
Sure, the First Class lounge in the main building is superior to this one in the satellite building, but this lounge is also a great option. Personally, if I were flying in/out of the main building, I would not make my way to the satellite building just to visit this lounge. Likewise, if I had another long layover, I’d spend most of it in the main building lounges. However, if I were flying in/out of the satellite building I would gladly stop by this lounge instead of making the walk to the main building.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that if this lounge were your only option you will not be disappointed. It’s much nicer than any American Airlines lounge I’ve ever been too. That being said, if I had the time, I’d prefer to visit the lounges in the main building. This is especially true now that JAL has opened a new First Class lounge in the main building which I’ll be reviewing soon.
