Welcome to my return flight on Air Do!
My ride: JA612A (Photo: Jerry Pang)
This is Air Do's Boeing 737-700
Introduction
I had a few choices on flights I like to do on this return flight from Sapporo to Tokyo Haneda which includes ANA's Boeing 777-200 and Air Do's Boeing 737-700. There wasn't a lot of options for me as the likes of Starflyer and Fuji Dream Airlines do not fly on this route so in the end I decided to stick with Air Do and the 767-300ER and taking a risk of flying back on the same aircraft. However, if I am lucky, I might get the Pokemon aircraft. Flying on the airline's 737-700 was another option but the arrival time into Tokyo Haneda was slightly too late for my liking so the decision is made. However after arriving at Chitose airport, I did a check on the Pokemon aircraft's location and I knew my chance was gone as the aircraft was flying to another city from HND but at least I was flying on a different aircraft, JA612A.
So without further ado, let's begin this trip report.
Mobile app
For this flight, I decided to to sit near the rear and also on a different side.
Fortunately for me, there were a lot of vacant seats on this flight and I was one of the lucky ones without a seat mate.
The mobile app also give you options to change seat or flight during the online check-in process. The seats are based on first come first served basis and there is no extra charges for the front rows or emergency row seat.
About Sapporo Airport
New Chitose Airport is Hokkaido's largest airport based in the south-eastern part of Chitose and Tomakomai in Japan. This airport was opened in July 1988 and was built to replace the adjacent Chitose Airport which was the previous airport that serve passenger flights since 1963. Currently, this airport host both domestic and international flights and have 4 runways in operation. They are runway 01L/19R, 01R/19L, 18R/36L and 18L/36R. In 2024, this airport was awarded the most improved airport in the world for 2024 by Skytrax.
This is the map layout of the airport (Photo: Japan Airlines)
The Flight routes of Air Do's network in 2025 (Flightconnections.com)
Pre-departure
I had about 7 hours to spend at the airport after arrival from my first flight with this airline and you can check out the trip report of my part 1 over here.
The landside
Restaurants area
There is a food court next to the observation deck.
You are able to get great views like this from the food court.
The history of Japanese aviation
This history includes the cabin crew uniform of various airlines.
At the other end of the food court, you will able to access the outdoor observation deck with operating hours and also a Super lounge to check out.
This is how this airport's observation deck looks like.
This is the scale model of Air Do's Boeing 767-300ER with the Vulpix special livery.
The real life model of the Boeing 767-300ER (ANA)
ANA's Boeing 737-800
ANA's Boeing 777-200
I always find the Boeing 777 quite a nice plane to look at from this angle.
This is ANA's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. I will be flying on this aircraft in August 2025, stay tuned for the trip report.
Peach Aviation's A320neo
ANA's A321neo with the original 4-door configuration (A321ceo).
Another ANA's 787-8 arrival.
ANA's Star Alliance Boeing 737-800
ANA's Boeing 777-200
Japan Airlines A350-900 in the Oneworld livery
Let's check out the exterior of the airport!
Nothing much has changed since my visit at this airport 10 years ago.
I had fried squid and a bowl of sashimi at a local restaurant - it was delicious.
My favourite section of the airport (land side), the smile road consists of cafes and confectionary shops.
Royal Chocolate World shows you how chocolate is being made.
There is even a Hello Kitty Flight world for fans and the young ones.
Tully's Coffee cafe
Doremon Shop
Doremon's cafe
It is like a shopping mall.
Let's head back to the departure hall. There are check-in desks for both domestic and international flights.
Relaxing area
Welcome to Hokkaido!
Among the airports in Japan, this has to be one of my favourites.
I dropped by Tully's cafe to try out the cheese hotdog and a cup of coffee.
Air Do's check-in counters.
Time passed by fast and I was at the airside around 1830 hours.
This is the domestic side of the departure hall.
Checking what aircraft was I flying on, sadly it was not JA607A. At least I was flying on a different aircraft, JA612A.
At this point, it was on final approach into New Chitose Airport.
The departure gate of my flight.
Time to board the beautiful Boeing 767.
My ride: JA612A (Photo: Kouyagi)
Boeing 767-381ER
EX ANA/Air Japan Aircraft
Delivered to Air Do in August 2019
Configuration: Y288
Engines: 2 X GE CF6-80C268F
Age: 21+ Years Old
920th Boeing 767
Built in Everett (PAE)
Flight route: CTS-HND
Miles: 509
My seat: 34G (Seatmap.com)
Date of departure: 27th November 2024
Airline: Air Do
Flight: HD36
Aircraft: Boeing 767-300ER
Registration: JA612A
Seat: 34G
Terminal: Domestic
Gate: 5
Load: 70%
Flight Time: 1 hr 28 mins
Actual Flight Time: 1 hr 27 mins
Schedule Departure: 2000 (Delayed to 2010)
Boarding: 1958
Push Back: 2018
Take Off: 2027
Schedule Arrival: 2130 (2150)
Actual Arrival: 2152
Departure Runway: 19R
Departure Weather: Cloudy
Arrival Runway: 23
Arrival Weather: Cloudy
My flight experience
Departure was once again late probably due to scheduling issues earlier on the day. Boarding took place according to zone and once again, I received a slip in regards to my seat assignment. Once on board, I was greeted by the friendly crew and I made my way to the 2nd cabin, just few rows before the last. There were many vacant seats in this section and a friendly crew and asked a few of the passengers near me whether they want to move to other seats, that's nice.
Announcement were made in both Japanese and English and that includes a reminder to us to be considerate when reclining our seats, I guess due to a lot of recent public spats among passengers. Anyway, the Captain updated us on our flight and that includes a warning of turbulence around a particular timing and so far they have been quite accurate.
We pushed back 18 minutes behind our departure time and took off 9 minutes later. The cabin lights were not turned off and this is something I don't understand. Once in the air, we flew through some light turbulence but eventually found ourselves flying in smooth air and that's when the cabin service started. It is similar to the service I received on the first flight and once again I picked the onion soup to enjoy. At exactly 2125 hrs as predicted by the captain, the seat belt sign came on and the turbulence rocked our plane quite a fair bit. Descending was also quite turbulent with gusty winds happening during our descent and approach into HND airport but luckily for us, it didn't cause any disruption to our flight (flight diversion). The landing on the other hand was not good as our aircraft touched down quite hard due to the strong winds and for that I can't fault the pilot-in-command.
Overall it was another memorable flight, slightly more exciting in terms of turbulence but I am glad to have enjoy another 767 flight, an aircraft type that plays a big role in many airlines in the past before the arrival of the 787 Dreamliner.
Photos of the Economy Class cabin
The comfortable 2-3-2 layout inside this 767-300ER. There are a few airlines that configured the 767 in a 2-4-2 configuration and trust me, you won't want to try! Thomson Airways was one of the airlines in this configuration.
Thomson Airways 2-4-2 configuration on it's Boeing 767-300ER (Photo: Lasse Kaila)
This is JA612A's cabin with a more comfortable 2-3-2 configuration.
This is the Economy Class's forward cabin.
This is the 2nd economy class cabin
The view from my seat.
Can you see the difference in angle between the fully recline and upright position of the seats?
Those seats that are unoccupied will have the seatbelt left in the X shape to indicate to the cabin crew that the seat is vacant.
View from my seat
Overview of the cabin
There are overhead TVs displaying both the inflight map and exterior camera view.
These seats are quite comfortable.
More photos of the seat
It was great to have both seats to myself as I was able to enjoy more legroom space.
Each seat will indicate the your seat assignment (in alphabet). For this case the letter G means window seat on the right side of the aircraft.
IFE audio system on the handrest.
A tiny IFE box taking up a bit of space on those sitting at the aisle seat of the window sides.
The Boeing 777 style interior is definitely popular among the 767 operators.
I watched a movie on my phone courtesy of Netflix.
What's provided for each passenger?
Drink menu
Once again, I picked the onion soup as my beverage.
Window View
We were on final approach into HND airport.
We touched down 12 minutes late.
My flight summary
Back in Tokyo!
Greeted by this beautiful Boeing 767-300ER in Star Alliance livery getting ready for push back.
The walk towards the main concourse took around 10 minutes.
This time, I decided to take the train to my accommodation.
Japan has one of the most efficient transport system but it can be confusing especially for first-timers.
This is one of the trains along the main line.
The neighbourhood near my accommodation.
I was glad the weather was good unlike the previous day.
This is my accommodation.
My ratings
Airline Website: 3/5
Airport Experience (CTS): 5/5
Inflight Service: 4/5
Seat Comfort: 5/5
Inflight Entertainment: 3/5
Cabin Ambiance: 5/5
Seat Condition: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Inflight Beverage: 4/5
Punctuality: 3/5
Overall Rating: 44/50
Percentage: 88%
Conclusion
It was a nice and pleasant experience flying with Air Do, another alternative to choose from flying on the Tokyo Haneda to Sapporo (New Chitose Airport), one of the most popular domestic routes in Japan. This airline's model I would say is considered to between low cost and full cost airline which means a hybrid airline that offers more comfort and convenience compare to the low cost carriers, quite similar to Skymark and Solaseed Air. The airfare that I paid includes cabin luggage allowance and free seat selection, the only restriction I had was it is non refundable and I had to pay to change my flight. As I booked my flight under the special discounted fare tier, I can deal with the restrictions as the fare was significantly cheaper than the higher tier fare and besides I don't see the need to get a refundable ticket. You can only get this type of special fare if you book in advance and this also works with other domestic Japanese airlines, the airfare gets more expensive when the departure date is closer so I would recommend you to book your flights in advance for cheaper airfares. The Japanese hospitality on board both flights were great and like my flight with Solaseed Air, I got to enjoy a cup of soup which you don't get from most airlines out there. Although no complimentary snack was served, at least a choice of beverage was offered and you get to use the charging ports and made use of the online streaming if it interest you. This airline does offer BOB (Buy on Board) service which you can purchase either duty-free or food/beverages items. Overall I recommend this airline and you can book your flights with ease directly with the airline as English language is available and the user interface of the website is good.
Thanks for reading, have a good one!
Charles
For my Air Do's Part 1 Trip Report, click here.
For my previous trip report (EVA Air's Boeing 787-10 HND-TSA), click here
For my next trip report, my final 2024 flight with China Airlines Y Class experience on former SAS's A350-900 (TPE-SIN), click here.
(If you are happy with my work, feel free to contribute by donating any amount over here. Greatly appreciated!
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