Japan Airlines began rolling out their new first class product a couple of years ago, and I've really wanted to try it ever since. I've flown Japan Airlines' old first class a couple of times, though was never all that impressed. My experiences in ANA first class have always been exceptional, and I've kind of…
Continue reading: Review: Japan Airlines First Class 777-300ER Jakarta To Tokyo Narita
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Nice review, Lucky. Seems like a great product.
Did you happen to wander back to business class at all, and if so, any impressions of it? We're doing HND-SFO in J in a few months, and I haven't found all that many reviews yet (though the ones I have seen are very positive).
Thanks
Do their 787 have the same first class product? I see that JAL flies a 787 between NRT and BKK.
I think the tray table design is the best in the sky - you can slide the whole thing as far forward as you like without disturbing anything - you're never "trapped" at all! and the use of the row of little vertical slats to cover the rail-way is great design.
I also thought the sevice was great -attentive (they must have brought me 10 or more hot towels during the flight) but never fawning, overbearing, or overenthusiastic - but always there to accommodate. I hope to fly JAL again soon.
Apparently they Japanese learned about curry from the English, who had learned about it from India. So things got badly distorted along the way. Japanese curry is interesting enough to east on occasion, but it's made with curry powder (or instant curry sauce) that tends to taste the same everywhere. In India no one uses pre-mixed curry powder...
I also enjoyed my recent two JAL F flight so much - amazing flight attendants, after I had some caviar as a snack they came by to fill my champagne glass and asked me whether I want another can of caviar - yeah!
When I asked about onboard wifi, she apologised that it will only be available a couple of hours after take-off and came back to bring me a complementary 24h wifi-pass.
Guess I should have asked for a mug as well^^
$18 for wifi would be reasonable.... in economy.
In first class, it's absolutely outrageous and practically robbery.
>I headed back to the lavatory to change, and once again a crew member was standing outside the door waiting for me to finish and take my pajamas. As I returned to my seat the senior cabin attendant asked if I wanted a fresh pair of pajamas. Ummm… yes please!
I like keeping airline pajamas and I've never been asked to return them. Does JL always collect pajamas and then give you a fresh pair?
This review is a perfect example of why I love reading your blogs. People can't understand how excited I get by this stuff but you most certainly do! Wonderful review. Can't wait to try it. Thanks!
F on this route is suspended after June 30th, to answer the person above about J only.
Thai F has a similar tray system. I love it.
Thanks for the JAL report and looking forward to reading the next installment on your report.
I actually have a JAL flight in December from Tokyo-Honolulu. I'm really looking forward to it even though its in Business. I'm curious though if I get the same service in Business like I would get in First. Probably not but hey, the Japanese are really friendly right?! 😛 Hopefully pj's and amenity kits will be on offer for the 8 hour hop to and from Hawaii. If not, not big deal.
Great report once again and looking forward to the rest of the report.
Cheers
Lucky: As usual, a superb, thorough review. Arigato, just in time as I'll fly JAL's F 777-300 later this year. Glad to see the non Mao-collar work camp PJ, unlike like Cathay's F. Wonder if CP will add a cap with red star (to symbolize their cynical slogan of 'First Among Equals') to complete the reactionary ensemble.
I'm wondering the same thing as Tom - is dining w a companion possible? Wife and I have the two center seats JFK-NRT this fall
Seriously can't believe that in all of those travels, you have never used a bidet! I'll seriously go out of my way in NRT to use one, and love hotels that have them. Really wish they'd become more popular in the States. Tempted to get one. So clean!
Especially since Ben has previously said he loves Japanese toilets. Did that mean he had only tried the warm seat?
We had a similar experience... but on a longer flight... and with less passengers...
http://milesdownunder.com/2015/02/review-jal-first-chicago-tokyo/
Go JAL!
To those asking about dining together - the seats are set up in such a way that it's possible (I.e. large ottoman), but that doesn't mean it's encouraged. When I asked about it two years ago, the flight attendant just gave me this dumb look, as if this was the first time they had gotten this request (and definitely not a part of their training script). Of course, they aren't going to turn down a couple of F pax their crazy request, but it definitely made the meal service a bit awkward for them - at one point the FA said "the table too small," which made us also feel pretty awkward. YMMV though - I also had a pretty mediocre crew that barely spoke any English (their demeanor was noticeably different when speaking Japanese) and forgot to include toiletries in the amenity kit.
I'm flying them again tomorrow to see if my previous experience was just a fluke.
The purser on my flight, in the reverse direction on JL725, was one helluva connoisseur and told me that she'd flown with the President of Salon, and that he told her to serve Salon only in white-wine glasses (think LH) as it is the truest way to enjoy its composition and texture. She then proceeded to serve me Salon in both the champagne flute as well as the white-wine glass so I'd see it for myself. Hot damn, I'd have to agree that she was right!
Next time you'll know better Lucky!
Salon AND Clos des Goisses!!
The best champagne offering in the air!! Trumps Krug MV and Dom 02 pairing on SQ.
Since you are such a Krug fan, you need to try vintage Krug (88 or 96!) or even more rarefied Krug air, their Clos des Mensil!
Astonishing wine list.. n alcoholic selects.. fantastic bed by tempur. Excellent amenities kit. Wow.
It must be the best 777 F product in the world now. N u hv unlimited wifi!
Btw, soft or hard tempur bedding? (Is hard too hard?)
Looking forward to ur nrt F lounge review
I checked the schedule on JAL.co.jp
The F class from NRT-CGK-NRT is removed from JUL 1 onwards to October
They haven't put up any winter schedule from October onwards but seeing how I don't see any Fs operated planes on ba.com (it's likely it's gone for good after Jul 1)
Great review. Would be nice if they served Hibiki 21 year vs the 17 year. For comparison, ANA serves 21 in first and 17 in biz. Also, Asiana decor is "puke-inducing?" I thought it looked quite nice.
Now recovered from bankruptcy, it looks like JAL is targeting ANA to become the Japanese airline of choice.
Considering how much you enjoy bidet toilet seats, you should spend some time in Tokyo this spring reviewing hotels.
Hey Lucky,
for CGK-FRA which one do you prefer in J : JL, QR or CX ?
Using AAdvantage Miles, can I book different airlines for each way ? For exampe, CGK-FRA with QR and FRA-CGK with JL ?
Thanks !
"I don’t think my rear has ever felt that good!"
This has to be Lucky's review comment/sentence of the year.
@ Ryan -- Yes, you can book different airlines in each direction. Really isn't a right answer as to which airline is best. All depends on the aircraft operating the route, in my opinion. You can't go wrong with the new products offered by any of those airlines.
@ Gardner @ Tom -- In theory it is indeed since the ottoman can double as a seat, though if you're seated in the center seats you're pretty close together anyway.
@ MJ -- Oh, she just wanted to put the pair I already had in the original pouch to give to me, in addition to a new set.
@ C Diddy -- I did briefly, though it was a redeye so I couldn't see the seats too well. But based on what I could see, they looked fantastic.
cool to see nice reviews on JL. GF is with ANA for 18 years and and i push papers for a US Carrier and our best flights are when we are on JL as revenue. Course it helps her dad is a JL pilot and her sister is also a JL Chief purser. hands down the best product coming out of japan right now. Like my GF says.. ANA is a japanese company that tries to be western. JAL is a japanese company that it proud to be Japanese. coming from a 3 cabin chief purser for ANA, it says alot.
I love these reviews - I've been avoiding JAL since a series of poor reviews in the 1990's, but now I am seriously considering taking them London-Tokyo-Sydney, in first. I think they fly to Sydney again, after dropping the destination for a decade or so. I'd love to have a stopover in Tokyo, one of my favourite places because it's so different from anywhere else.
We had an award booking booked for JFK>NRT in J for next Friday, and after reading this, I checked to see if award availability had opened up for the route in F...and low and behold, it did! Because of this review, we're now flying JAL in F from JFK to NRT!
Wow, I have to try JAL F sometime. It seems so lovely. Your enthusiasm is downright contagious!
“I don’t think my rear has ever felt that good!” May I make a suggestion? 😉
Modern vintage champagnes are crafted to be served in regular white wine stemware. Salon is $300 a bottle because of its small inventory. Market dictates prices.
Is that a plastic spoon served with the caviar? Mon Dieu! I had just finished reading an article on how antibiotic resistant shigella is spreading in the US and then I saw the picture of the keema curry served to you. Followed by all the talk about bidet toilets.
When service goes above and beyond, a handwritten thank you note or gift purchased from duty-free makes the crew feel the love in return.
I just wanted to join the chorus. This was such an exuberant review! I truly enjoyed it and am so eager to read about the next leg on JAL.
Most certainly can dine together in F -- I saw elderly Japanese couple dine together on LAX-NRT receiving perfect service of Kaiseki dining option.
Service on these flights is remarkable. Truly an extraordinary experience.
@Lucky most of Japanese toilet should have a button playing music while you are dumping shit, so people outside cannot hear that awarkward sound but just music.
Anyway, I think all ANA 787 toilets have that bidets too.
"My experiences in ANA first class have always been exceptional, and I’ve kind of thought of them as the premium Japanese airline. I was curious if my impressions changed after flying Japan Airlines’ new first class."
What's the final verdict?
(P.S. Thanks for the great review as always)
How did you end up booking this? When I try via ba.com, it tells me that the flight you were on: "Cabin not operated on this flight" for First Class. Business seems almost always available.
@Tom C - I think the product is no longer available with F class from Jul 1.
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/rosen/
Like Lucky - I managed to snag this flight pretty easily back in January - Flew CGK-NRT-ORD
Flew both ANA and JAL recently...
I'd say I like ANA's service more... JAL for it's hard products/food/amenities
I would find it hard to go wrong with either one of them
Just had to say thanks for the report. I flew JAL 1 & 2 last week and had the same wonderful experience. Loved the Salon 2002, on way back just another guy and I so I had half the cabin. loved the PJs, Haneda 1st class lounge was wonderful, plus observation deck, flight attendant insisted I take the coffee cup 🙂 along with a bag of goodies
I have to agree - 02 Salon and 04 Clos des Goisses has to rank as the best champagne selection in the sky. Like you, I actually prefer Krug to Salon but I'd take Clos des Goisses over either almost any year. Even in terrible vintages (I'm thinking 91) they make an exceptional bottle of wine. Clos des Goisses has a cult following among bubbleheads and I'm impressed that JAL has it.
@ Tom C -- Make sure you're looking before July 1, as the plane switches to a plane without first class.
@ Kneemuh -- Ultimately they're both fantastic, and I'd have a hard time choosing between them. Love them both.
Hey Lucky - it's seems like First class to/from Jakarta on JAL is only available until June 30, 2015. After this date, inventory is only showing business class. The BA site was only kicking back business availability, and it doesn't even show the "First" column anymore (just Economy, Premium Eco, and Biz). I also tried booking a revenue ticket on JAL's website and it errors out when I select First -- no issues when Biz is selected. Do you know if they're switching equipment and pulling the 777 from this route? I was going to burn Avios on a return to/Jakarta but alas I might be too late!
Follow up:
After some digging around - the 787 with a new Biz Sky Suite will operate the route beginning July 2015. https://www.jal.co.jp/en/787/ (have to read the red box to see!) -- another intra-region first class bites the dust! Was hoping to try it as well!
Hi Lucky, I'm currently seeing 2 flights daily from Jakarta to Narita operated by 787 and 777. Out of curiosity, I logged into BA.com and I was surprised to see wide open first class availability. From your previous article, you've mentioned that JAL canceled their first class on this route. Do you know whether this is just a glitch or are they once again flying 777 on this route.