2011 wasn't a banner year for Japan, not to mention for any industry in the country. We saw the ripple effects of natural disasters throughout the aviation world with the Japanese earthquake and resulting tsunami topping the list. What can be more indicative of Japanese pride, but to quickly rebuild stronger and better? Fortunately for us, airlines are towards the top of the progress.

· Peachy Keen
Last year we talked about the introduction of ANA's budget carrier based out of Osaka, Peach. With only 3 destinations, the airline will draw business passengers, eventually moving into the leisure market. Flights are taking off in March and tickets are already to purchase.

Happy Peach Fares have no baggage allowance or advanced seat selection but are quite affordable at around $175 return to Sapporo. If you need the sweet little perks, cough up about $75 more. Happy Peach Plus fares allow you to pick where you park yourself on the plane and some space in the belly for your luggage. With a bright purple livery and cabin, Peach is on our short list! ]]> jetflyboy 2012-01-03T11:26:57-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/1/12012/3831

Just because Thanksgiving has passed doesn't mean that travel will dwindle much; Christmas and other holidays are now less than one month away, and of course travel to wherever you're heading for them will start sooner. If you're heading home or on vacation, and you can't convince someone to come pick you up from the airport, we might be able to help.

Throughout December, we'll be adding more guides on how to reach airports around the world via both public and private transportation, but for now, here are six guides we've already got for you:

· New York-JFK

· Paris-Charles de Gaulle

· Rome-Fiumicino/Leonardo da Vinci

· Tokyo-Narita

· London-Heathrow

· London-Gatwick (just the Express train featured)

[Photo: pro-zak]]]> JetSetCD 2011-12-01T09:00:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/11/10/93959/844
Our shot of a JAL 787 being built at Boeing's HQ. Notice the lack of engines

It feels like just yesterday we were freaking out over the launch of the very first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, by Japanese airline ANA. Well, their rival JAL wants everyone to know that they've got some Dreamliners coming as well, and they're taking them overseas to the US of A, and soon.

Like April 22, 2012 soon. If you've been dying to try the new plane and have been waiting for a oneworld airline to fly it, or just to experience it in the spring, then JAL has some airfares that may work for you. It's not a "sale" so much since the prices aren't cheap: from $1,500 roundtrip in economy between Boston and Tokyo-Narita or $6,500 in business class. Buy it before January 31, 2012 for travel between April 22 and September 30, 2012. We're thinking it would make an awesome holiday gift...!

Here's all the details to make it happen.

{Photo: Jaunted]]]> JetSetCD 2011-11-10T15:14:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/10/28/02254/613

Everybody's talking Tokyo, and with good reason. The country is psyched to begin restarting tourism, autumn over there is magical, and the ANA 787 Dreamliner just completed her maiden revenue flight out of the city. So when you do take that dive and head to Japan, you'll likely spend some time in Narita International Airport. If you're flying United and holding a Business Class, ticket or Star Alliance status, then you'll want to know about the United Business Lounge.

We recently spent some time here after bumping ourselves up to Biz, and gave the sizeable lounge a good once-over: ]]> JetSetCD 2011-10-28T16:27:14-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/10/21/111424/15

You've had a long flight, or maybe you're about to have a long flight, or maybe—horror of horrors—both. You've got some sizeable layover time at Tokyo-Narita Airport and you're desperate to have a shower, take a nap or work in peace and comfort—or all three things. If you're flying economy you don't have the option to crash in a lounge, but luckily Narita is a large (and awesome) enough airport to offer Shower rooms and Day Rooms, and we just tried them out!

Our story involved a long flight to NRT from Bangkok, an 8-hour layover and another long flight back to the States in economy. Typically we'd enjoy the airport like an amusement park, but we were under the weather and sleepy. Although the day rooms may be reserved online up to one month in advance, we just walked in and plonked down our credit card for five hours in a single room.]]> JetSetCD 2011-10-21T12:05:13-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/10/5/111214/006

Last week we found ourselves way in the back of a United 777 flying direct from Tokyo-Narita to Seattle-Tacoma in economy class. Yes, believe it. Thankfully we scored an aisle seat, but that was about the only positive. Here's a little review of our experience:

What we liked:
· Seatback TVs! Holy crap, we weren't expecting that considering the United 777 on the way over (from SFO to NRT) didn't have them.
· Two square meals were served. Granted, the turbulence during the first one didn't allow for us to get up and grab our camera from the overhead bin, but it wasn't too bad. Chicken over rice.
· The flight left and arrived on time, so there's that.]]> JetSetCD 2011-10-05T12:33:50-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/9/20/917/09703

Following a harrowing last-minute upgrade and 11.5 hours in so-so Biz Class from SFO to NRT, we were finally ready to experience the updated seats and in-flight entertainment on United's 747 from Tokyo-Narita to Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi.

That may sound like a reasonably short flight, but nu uh—that's another 6.5 hours of flying, which makes it totally worthwhile to have a nice seat and a nice TV and a nice meal for this last leg of a very long, very tiring journey.

We've already dug into the meals here, so now let's discuss the finer points of the seat and service in Biz Class on this 747: ]]> JetSetCD 2011-09-21T16:00:02-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/