About this flight
I flew from Haneda to Shanghai on JAL Economy Class. From Shanghai, I would transfer to Cathay Pacific and continue on to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam via Hong Kong.
Shanghai has two international airports: Hongqiao and Pudong. This time, my flight arrived at Hongqiao.
- ＊ Hongqiao (SHA)
- An older airport, mainly serving domestic flights in China.
- International flights are mostly to nearby East Asian destinations.
- Located closer to central Shanghai, about 30 minutes by high-speed train.
- ＊ Pudong (PVG)
- A newer airport.
- Handles most long-haul international flights to the U.S., Europe, and beyond.
Thanks to the "frequent flying" I did in 2019, I had attained JAL Diamond status by the end of that year. So even though I was flying Economy Class to Shanghai on this trip, I was able to use the JAL First Class Lounge at Haneda.
At the time, however, the regular First Class Lounge was under renovation in preparation for the expected increase in traffic during the Tokyo Olympics originally scheduled for late July 2020. Instead, I was directed to use the Sakura Lounge on the 5th floor, which was temporarily operating as the First Class Lounge. (Today, this 5th floor facility is known as the “Sakura Lounge Sky View.”)
Since it was just after the New Year holidays, the lounge was even serving traditional Japanese New Year dishes (osechi ryori).
Table of Contents
Lounge
Top
Sunrise Over Haneda Airport
After arriving at Haneda Airport and clearing immigration, I headed to JAL’s temporary First Class Lounge. From there, I enjoyed a beautiful view of the sunrise over the airport.
Airport View
This is another view outside from a different angle in the lounge.
Temporary First Class Lounge
This was the temporary First Class Lounge located on the 5th floor of the main terminal at the time. It has since been renamed the “Sakura Lounge Sky View.”
Champagne and Wine
Although temporary, this was still a First Class Lounge, so champagne was available, chilled in an ice bucket. The wine selection included First Class offerings like Damian Hugo wines, as well as bottles from Georgia in Eastern Europe.
New Year Osechi Cuisine
Since this visit was in early January 2020, the lounge was serving traditional Japanese New Year foods (*osechi ryori*). Everything looked absolutely delicious.
- ・ Red and white kamaboko (fish cakes)
- ・ Kelp rolls (kombumaki)
- ・ Sweet rolled omelet (datemaki)
- ・ Sweet black soybeans (kuromame)
- ・ Spicy konjac (devil’s tongue jelly)
My Meal
This is what I enjoyed in the lounge, along with some wine.
- ・ JAL’s signature beef curry
- ・ Shrimp bisque (a rich soup made with strained shellfish, cream, and tomato sauce)
- ・ Clam chowder
- ・ Fresh spring rolls with shrimp – a personal favorite
- ・ Datemaki, red and white kamaboko, kombumaki – a full osechi set
- ・ Fresh fruits
- ＊ Just a little champagne, white wine, and two types of red wine
Second Helping
I couldn’t resist and went back for another plate.
- ・ Datemaki
- ・ A small piece of cake
The view from the 5th floor is truly stunning—it made for a luxurious and relaxing start to the day.
