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| JAL uses Terminal 1 at New York JFK Airport |
Finally it's the day I have been waiting for! My first Japan Airlines (JAL) First Class flight :) I picked New York JFK because it is the longest flight in JAL's network and JFK is one of the few outports that JAL still operates its own First Class lounge (and the only one in North America). JAL uses Terminal 1 at JFK. Currently it is the only oneworld carrier that at Terminal 1. So no lounge hopping unless you qualify for other lounges with means other than your class of service and oneworld status.
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| JAL ticketing counter at New York JFK |
The departure area at JFK Terminal 1 has a similar layout to Tokyo Haneda's new international terminal. The main security check point is located in the center of the terminal. There are 8 aisles of check-in counters, 4 on each side. JAL counters are located in aisle F. There's a big JAL sign above the check-in counters so you won't miss that!
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| Sign telling JAL passengers with e-ticket to proceed to counters located in Aisle F at New York JFK |
In front fo the ticketing counter, there's an interesting sign telling passengers with e-ticket should proceed to F counter. I wonder if I am holding a paper ticket (yes I believe paper tickets still exist these days because some itineraries aren't eligible for e-tickets) do I need to go to the ticketing counter first or can I just proceed to the check-in counters anyway. But I believe this sign is probably for those who want to fly on JAL but not have a ticket :P
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| JAL check-in counters at New York JFK |
There were a total of 12 check-in counters, 2 for First Class passengers, 1 for JAL Global Club (JGC) members, 3 for Business Class passengers, Premium Economy passengers also get a dedicated counter (not sure if it's 1 or more. I didn't pay attention :P) and the rest are for Economy passengers. This is actually the first time I saw a dedicated check-in counters for the JGC members at an outport. Usually JGC members just use the First Class check-in counters (not complaining as I don't usually fly in First Class :P)
Note that not all counters were staffed when I was there. There were a couple at the First Class counter when i was there and the staff invited me to use the Business Class counter instead (JGC was occupied too) so I don't have to wait. It's a nice gesture but I should have said no :( I have read online that JAL will prepare special hand carry luggage tags for its First Class passengers at JFK and I didn't get that when I used the Business Class counter :( Later on I saw they are luggage tags in red with JAL First Class logo on it. That would make a cool collectible item...too bad I don't have that :(
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| Security line at New York JFK Terminal 1 |
The security lines are divided lines for premium passengers, passengers with special assistance, and 2 main lines for the rest of the passengers. There was a TSA lady checking your eligibility at the premium passenger lines. When it was my turn, she asked "Flying Business Class? Economy Class line is over there". So I smiled and answered no, I am flying First Class. She looked a bit surprised (I didn't really dress or look like a First Class passenger to be honest :P) and let me in to the premium line. There were a little bit of a wait but at least it was nothing like the long LAX security line for premium passengers which end up merging with the rest of the passengers at some point LOL.
Next will be the part for the JAL First Class Lounge and Sakura Lounge at JFK. Sorry I have to break up the trip report into two parts because it turns out there are quite a lot of pictures I took for the lounges :)
To read other parts of this "Sampling oneworld Premium Services Trip Report", you can find the complete index from the Introduction post. There's also a Trip Report Index page which contains indices to all of my trip reports.
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