Flights to Tokyo...

Hopefully I'm not asking a repeat question...

We're off to Tokyo in a couple of weeks time and I was wondering what the meals, etc are like on the flight...We're flying down the back, so does anyone have any idea of what sort of food is served?

As it leaves in the early afternoon(which I think I have right is around 10pm Tokyo time) what meal is served? Do you get a late lunch or an early dinner? I presume that breakfast is served prior to landing the following morning...

Are there any sensible tips/ideas that we should bear in mind? My previous longest flights have only been 8-9 hours across the Atlantic...Do you find these longer 12ish hour sectors drag or does v:port and a good book, plus a bit of sleep work ok?

I flew this route in 1999 - so sorry its a while ago but on that flight we had a choice of a "western" or "Japanese" meal - and seeing as the flight wasn't very full we were able to try both - have to say there were some weird foods on the Japanese version!!

In terms of tips and ideas - it reminded me of coming back from the west coast of the US - so leaving in the late afternoon and arriving the following morning - so the jetlag effect was the same too! So I guess using melatonin or something simlar might help this and the usual tips like moving your watch to Tokyo time when you board.

I'm sure others will be along shortly with some other great tips and info!!

Have fun anyway - I loved Tokyo and Japan and really should go back.

Try getting up earlier than usual on the day so you will hopefully be able to get to sleep earlier on the flight and therefore take up more time with sleeping.

VS.

[HighFlyer]

You will get 'lunch' on the flight out to NRT (still the same warm meal as 'dinner' really). I presume you still get the option of a Bento Box in addition to standard entrees for your meal. At least, you still did a few years ago in all classes. We are off in April so can't help you in advance i am afraid.

12 hours is a long time, but i guess it all depends on how well you fly. Do you get bored easily on board? I'd be sure to take a good book just incase anyway!

Have a super trip!

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks for the replies so far! I'm not overly concerned about the length of the flight but I will be travelling with Mr Impatient! If it wasn't for v:port I think he'd have exploded on the way to JFK last year!!! I'm happy with a couple of films and a book, plus the iPod and some sleep...

I was hoping the Bento Box would be offered in Y, will have to wait two weeks and find out - I'll try and take notes for a trip report on our return (although I said that before we went to NYC and by the time I remembered didn't think that my poor memory recall would make for particularly exciting reading!) [:I]

Hi Scott and welcome to the forum. I have flown in all 3 classes to and from Tokyo several times, but it has been more than a year since I flew in econ there.

I seem to recall that just as Sarah said, you will get "lunch/dinner" and can choose a Japanese style bento option. Breakfast is served in the morning before landing. I also believe there was a snack round in the middle as well. Have you checked out the 'Trip report' section of this website?

V:Port is great for these flights. One time I managed to catch 5 films and 2 comedies. The time just flew by and it was only when I got up to disembark that I realised I hadn't been to the loo for the whole flight!

I hope you enjoy Japan. If it is your first time you might consider getting some advice about the best method of onward travel from the airport.

Hi Scott, I last went to NRT with VS in 2002. The Bento was available then, not sure what is currently offered though.

Immigration at NRT was a nightmare when I visited so don't hang round when getting off if you get the chance...

Ok to Tokyo you will get lunch (which still includes a Bentoh Box[^] option) and then a hot breakfast before landing.

There is a snack served half way through the flight but I cannot remember what it is[:#]

I flew on this route last May. There are extra meal options available to cater to Japanese tastes; plus Japanese tea as well as coffee and regular tea. To quote from my trip reports:

We had a snack and drink first, then shortly after V:Port started they were round with the main meal. There was a choice of Bangers & mash (which I had - lovely), Japanese bento box, Vegetarian ravioli and Teriyaki chicken, which the OH had. To help out the FA's, they each had a little card with the options written in English and Japanese.

http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/topic.asp? ... hTerms=NRT

I forgot to write about the food on the return journey but again there was the Bento box, plus a different pasta dish, a chicken dish (western) and katsudon (Japanese pork cutlet in slices on top of eggy rice). I had the latter and it was pretty filling.

I'm sure you will be well catered for.

Best wishes

Paul

Thanks everyone