From Busan to Tokyo with JAL [Japan Airlines] JL 960 PUS-NRT (Busan/Gimhae->Tokyo/Narita) trip report

JL 960 PUS-NRT (Busan/Gimhae->Tokyo/Narita)

DEP PUS 15 DEC 2016 07:50
ARR NRT 15 DEC 2016 09:50

Flight Duration: 2:00

Aircraft: B737-800W

Flightmap courtesy of www.flightaware.com

After short trip to Pusan, South Korea, it was time for me to take the flights back to Los Angeles.  My outbound trip was with American Airlines 169 form LAX to NRT and Japan Airlines 969 from NRT to PUS.  This inbound trip would both be with Japan Airlines, with PUS to NRT segment being JL 960 and NRT to LAX segment being JL 62 (B777-300ER).

Since my Japan Airlines flight from Busan-Gimhae Airport would be departing at 07:50, I arrived at the airport around 05:30 to try to take advantage of the Sky Hub Lounge and other lounges in the international terminal.

Gimhae-Busan Airport International Terminal departures was pretty bustling with traffic even at the early hours.

The leftside of the international terminal was under renovation at the time.

The check-in counters for Japan Airlines were open at 05:40.

Korean Air counters were next door. Air Busan check-in counters took up most of the right side of the international departures area.

Still waiting.

Check-in process didn't take long.  I was able to get a window seat for both of my flights back to LAX.

Quick stop by at Tous les Jours bakery before heading through security.

Boarding passes for both of my flight segments.  Seat 23A on my NRT-LAX segment turned out to be one of the best economy seats on the plane, since it had no seat in front of it.

About to go through customs and securities.

International departures floor after clearing customs and securities.

View from lounges floor (Korean Air and Asiana Airlines)

Entrance to Asiana Lounge

Lounge was overall small and disappointing, with lacking food options.

Small snacks and beverages.

Only choices for food for Asiana Lounge.

Some butter bread roll and wine as well.

I decided to head over to Korean Air Lounge.

Food options were a little better than those of Asiana Lounge.

More beverage options, plus sandwiches and ramen.

Ramen/udon station.

I had some sandwiches and instant udon.

Korean Air Lounge view.

After exploring both lounges, I decided to head over to Air Hub Lounge.

Passing by my boarding gate for JL 960 flight.

Sky Hub Lounge Busan Airport Entrance.

Priority Pass cardholders and use this lounge.

Food options were definitely better than both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines lounges combined.

Mix of eastern and western cuisines were offered.

Salad bar and bibimbap (mixed rice) station.

Beverages section.

Views from inside the Air Hub lounge.

Boarding for flight to Tokyo-Narita started around 07:10.

This particular gate did not have a jet bridge; everyone were bused off to the apron where the airplane was parked.

Boarding Japan Airlines B737-800.

View inside Japan Airlines B737-800.

The flight took off for Tokyo-Narita around 0800.

Not too long after take-off, meal and beverage services began.

Simple breakfast boxes were distributed.

It contained rice snacks, yogurt, and sandwiches.

The sandwiches did not contain any meat.

Flight map to NRT.

Arrivals card for Japan.

The flight landed into NRT 30 minutes earlier than scheduled at 09:20.

NRT Terminal 2 scene.

After clearing immigrations.

Taking train to Ueno Station. I bought the train tickets one day in advance via internet (4000 JPY or about $40 roundtrip). Since I had about 7 hours of layover I decided to make time to head over to Tokyo and meet up with one of my college friends who is currently working there.

Walking to the Keisei Electrical Railway Station (located in conjunction of all of the airport rail stations) was a breeze from the terminal.

Keisei ticket counter.

I got in just in time to make the 10:02 train.

Outbound and inbound train tickets.

The skyliner train that would take me to Ueno Station.

Inside the train.

It was a quite comfortable train ride.

Upon disembarking at Ueno Station.

Scene around Ueno Station.

Ueno Park.