Back to the US with SQ A388 [Singapore Airlines] SQ 012 NRT-LAX (Tokyo/Narita->Los Angeles) trip report

 

SQ 012 NRT-LAX (Tokyo/Narita->Los Angeles)

DEP NRT 06 SEP 1915
ARR LAX 06 SEP 1315

Flight Duration: 09:00

Aircraft: A380-800

 

Courtesy of www.flightaware.com

 After my long break in Asia, it was finally time to go back to USA. I had originally booked USA-Asia roundtrip with SQ, with outbound on SFO-HKG flight segment and inbound on NRT-LAX segment. On flights within Asia, I used up a mileage on Korean Air to book those flights (flight reports to follow)!

It was a rainy morning in Tokyo on 06 SEP 2015. I arrived into Terminal 1 of Narita Airport around 1500 local time.

After arriving at Terminal 1 via Airport Limousine, I headed toward the departures section.

 Interior of Terminal 1.

I had some time left so I checked out a restaurant pre-securities side of Terminal 1. I had some soba and katsu-don.

At around 1600 the SQ counter desks opened up.

 ANA ground staff was setting up the SQ counter desks.

Each counter desks were set up with pictures and names of each check-in assistants, which I thought was cool.

Check-in commenced at around 1615. The tall guy on the left is a magician, and performed some magic on the ground staff members. Overall, the ANA ground staff members were very polite and professional.

Towards the departures.

 I like how the departures section was set up in the airport. After clearing the securities the ticketed passengers have one last chance to see their loved ones before heading down to Immigrations & Customs.

A view on tarmac after clearing the securities. My flight tonight would be departing next to that Thai A380 over there.

Walking toward escalators that would take me down to Immigrations & Customs.

Escalators toward Immigrations & Customs and the glass wall where people usually say their last byes before departing.

 Immigrations & Customs on airport 2nd floor.

There were many passengers bound for North America and Southeast Asia at this time. Mostly ANA flights.

I had some time to kill so I walked around the airside Terminal for a bit.

Here's my boarding pass for tonight's flight.

Walking toward my gate, Gate 45.

I stopped by a McDonald's along the way.

I would've ordered that Mega Mac, but I wasn't too hungry. I'm surprised that's not offered in the US!

Departures status for tonight's flights.

I grabbed some Tokyo Banana and Green Tea goodies along my walk toward the gate.

I sat adjacent to Gate 46, which had passengers lined up for San Jose-bound ANA flight. The Thai A380 flight was all boarded up and ready to push back when I arrived.

Vancouver-bound Air Canada B787.

SQ 12 had arrived from Singapore at around 1700 local time.

The SQ flight attendants were already at the gate when the aircraft arrived.

 

At around 1830 the ground staff members were setting up the boarding area.

 It was dark already outside by the time we started boarding.

One last shot of this beauty before boarding.

 The first class section.

The front economy class section.

The middle economy class section.

 The rear economy class section.

 Should've done more research on seatguru... My seat had no window..

I took advantage of the fact that I was one of the first to board this aircraft. This flight would be a full flight.

Next to my flight was SQ 11, which had arrived from LAX.

By 1915, the aircraft was ready to push back.

Flight attendants were distributing hot towels during push back.

Menus were also passed during taxiing.

There were variety of selections for the beverages. Also in the menu were SQ 12 SIN-NRT offerings.

For dinner international selection was sautéed cod with basil cream sauce.

For Japanese selection was Yakiniku (beef) Domburi with Japanese Soba (cold noodles). Both offerings had Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream and bread rolls.
The delectable selections were offered between services and offered cold sandwiches, assorted nuts, chocolate bars, and fruits.

Breakfast choices were also split into international and Japanese choices. The international selection was a cheese omelette. The Japanese selection was grilled salmon with Japanese-style eggroll.

The take-off was behind schedule at 1830. We spent quite a bit of time taxiing.

The airplane wasn't showing up on the route map, but the route was nevertheless updated throughout the flight duration.

Cabin lights brightened for the first meal service.

Cabin lights brightened for the first meal service.

I always go for Singapore Sling, probably my favorite cocktail in the world.

For dinner, I chose the yakiniku (beef) dish.

The set up is impressive, and there were surely a lot of food to be eaten!



Close up on the Yakiniku. The meat was delicious and seasoned perfectly.

Japanese Salad.

Soba noodle.

Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream was served at the end to compliment the meal service.



After 6-hour long sleep, I woke up somewhere above San Francisco, just in time for second meal service. 

I went with the Japanese breakfast choice, which contained Salmon and Japanese style eggroll.

Close-up on the salmon. It was cooked nicely and the sauce that accompanied it was delicious.

Flying over Ventura.

Cabin Attendants were getting the passengers ready for arrival.

The aircraft took the usually final descent/approach route into LAX (visible on the photo above).

The famous In-N-Out!

Touch down was on time at 1300 local time.

CX flight departing for HKG.

 

Since it was a full flight, it took some time for me to disembark.

One last look at this beauty.

Thanks for reading my trip report!