After a really awesome flight on JAL from Jakarta to Tokyo Narita, I was excited to see whether it was a one-off, or if JAL has really become this awesome. In this review I won't focus too much on the hard product, since I covered that pretty thoroughly in the last installment. At the door…
Continue reading: Review: Japan Airlines First Class 777-300ER Tokyo Narita To New York JFK
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Your seat choice/recommendation: for one? for two?
I don't understand the gift of food, which would make me uneasy about needing to declare and go through the ag line. I'd hate to risk losing global entry over such a thing, especially with "sniffer dogs".. Any thoughts?
Hi Lucky ... How was the temperature onboard? I want to try JAL but don't want to sweat for 14 hours.
@colleen: According to the USDA APHIS (which the CBP defers to), baked goods are generally allowed entry. You should still declare them, though.
I got my macarons right after dinner w/ dessert - must be a flight 2 flight kind of differences...
fyi: they only have 1 for each passanger (since I loved the sweet stuff - I tried getting 2 boxes to be consumed on the plane)
I think JAL blows away CX - I think CX is good, but they need some badly needed updates. For one, I think their "new" first class seat simply isn't the same when in "bed" mode as JAL - JAL is simply amazing and more comfortable - I don't like how the CX seat "forces" your feet into the corner, as opposed to JAL having an equal width throughout the bed. As you say, the WIFI is a key point and I think the entertainment and screen itself blows away CX. Keep it up JAL, very nice!
Lucky,
How was the cabin temp and IFE selection (which I hear can be lousy)?
How many snacks is one allowed to order mid-flight? As many until full>
The engine off tow is usually a pretty standard procedure for Heavy operations into JFK T1. It usually applies to almost all aircraft and gates to ensure precision docking
i am about as loyal to CX for asia trips as one can be but this review and the last really have me fiending for a JL journey soon. both F and J are phenomenal in my opinion. the only reason i don't use my AAdvantage miles for them more often is the inconsistency of their hard product across various aircraft. no way i'm going to do a longhaul in some angled flat BS. once they get skysuite across all J cabins, i might have to abandon beloved CX sniff sniff.
and man, the japanese food on JL is ridiculously good.
Great report once again. I can't wait to fly JAL once again in December from Tokyo-Honolulu. It'll be my first time with them in Business. I've flown with them before but that was years ago when they still were the largest operator of the 747.
Out of curiosity, did they have a "secondary" security check at the gate in NRT for U.S. bound flights similar to what you get at HKG? Not that I'm bothered by it, but curious to know.
In the battle of Japanese carriers, who wins now? Does NH Square still reign supreme? Or does JL now join the top tier of F products along with CX, SQ, and the likes?
Agree with others about cabin temperature. I mentioned to flight attendants but it didn't seem to change.
@John: Delta has long flown 757s between Narita and Guam, Busan, Koror, and Saipan.
Ben,
It looks like it is the Western menu that comes with caviar. If one ordered the Japanese menu but still wanted to have the caviar is that usually ok? Thanks.
They gave us a pair of those awesome coffee mugs on our flight!!
http://wp.me/p5BsH3-zy
If you liked that, you need to get on a JAL USA flight when F is empty or nearly empty. We had one of those and it was amazing...
http://milesdownunder.com/2015/02/review-jal-first-chicago-tokyo/
Lucky,
Love this review. I am trying to do the same route(NRT-JFK) in July this year but didn't find any openings. I was wondering if seats will open up close to departure?
Furthermore, if I am in Japan while trying to use AA miles to redeem, do I call the Japan AA customer service or the US one?
Thanks in advance
Love the views after takeoff from Narita, have similar pictures from my flight in February. Definitely will look into JAL for future trips after reading this report.
@Lucky -- Did you punch the FA in the teeth for serving you the soy beans and rice crackers in bags rather than in a bowl? No? See, this is why you can never be an airline executive.
Oh man, I'm heading to Japan later this year and I've been trying to decide between JAL and CX (since we might be in HK for a couple of days). Seems like either choice would be a sold one. Might just have to fly with one and then come back on the other just to try both first class options.
Can you dine across from your travel companion similar to how you can in CX F? I have an upcoming flight in JAL F with my squeeze and find being able to dine together one of the best parts about flying in first.
You really can't wait till you're such a "bigshot" hah that you get the shit bow can you? Your envy is pretty disgusting.
We're doing this same flight in reverse (JL5) in F this Friday. We cannot be more excited!
@ Ginny -- JAL is great about opening last minute award seats, which is when most seats seem to become available. You can call the US customer service number to book.
@ Forrest -- Tough to say, I'd say JAL has probably joined the top "tier" of Asian carriers in my mind, now.
@ ILDC -- I doubt they'll deny you food if they have enough. The cabin was warm at first but got cooler towards the end. IFE selection wasn't great, and I didn't partake in it.
@ Ryan -- It was quite warm towards the beginning of the flight, but cooled off nicely.
@ John -- Hah, it only flies intra-Asia, though I remember a while back they were repositioning one and flew it nonstop NRT-SEA.
@ colleen -- Alone I'd do one of the window seats in row two, while if traveling with someone I'd do the two center seats in row two.
Changed an inconvenient routing on JAL J to Tokyo to JAL F, SFO-HND 777-300ER. Only after I booked I read a trip report on this exact flight, JAL001. It's a flagship route, but F service aboard is pretty much non-existent as it's a 1:35 a.m. departure with arrival at 4:45 a.m. next day. Your report shows the full JAL F service. I used extra miles to get this routing - no J class available - so at least I'll be able to sleep in the SkySuite. This one-way flight lists for over $13,000. For a 'dinner' snack it's essentially a 75 cent box of microwaved bought-at-Safeway Top Ramen! Surprised they don't have vending machines on board. Cannot make this up or overstate this unmitigated disaster carrying flight number 001 - this for $13,000!
Have been on both Cathay and JAL first class flights across the pond....had heard how bad the JAL flights were...small seats, etc....one of the best flights I have ever been on. It was amazing..had a wine made out of sweet potatoes that I tried to find for years.....not the usual sweet potato wine you find....this was spectacular....loved that flight...
Lucky,
I just redeemed CX first ORD to SIN and return on business on JAL and I paid 125$ today. Is that correct?
Question about the pajamas - have you had a chance to wash them at home? If so, have you noticed significant shrinkage?
Our upcoming JAL F is our first intl F ever, and I'd like to hang on to the PJ's if possible, and would love to know if we should hang dry them or if a dryer is ok
Thanks!
Lucky - My husband and I are travelling to Thailand for vacation next month. We are currently in Cathay business class both ways with hopes of upgrading to first class (we are flexible as to what city and have a two day window). It looks like we may have the option of securing first class if we use japan airlines and go through Tokyo instead of cathay through hong kong. How does JA first compare to Cathay? Would you recommend doing one way each or sticking to Cathay if we can?
"I got a full round of bows before I even stepped foot on the plane."
How else should you be properly greeted? Shake hands? Wave hands and say hi? Lol. You european folks are funny.
It appears by looking on JAL's site and BA's site that they are discontinuing this flight sometime next year. I am looking all over August on both sites and the JFK-Tokyo flight does not exist. I can find the nonstop from SFO and LAX but not JFK. Do you have any insight on why they might stop this?
@Lucky - A quick advice plz, I have two options (JAL NRT-LAX and AA LAX-JFK) First Class on a saturday arrival or JAL NRT-JFK arrive Monday morning. What do you suggest. Is the AA LAX-JFK transcontinental First worth a try or 3hrs more on JAL first class to JFK direct better?
I would just do NRT-JFK nonstop if I were you and can spare the time. JAL F so much better, and without a stop.
the pre-arrival gift were macarons, not macaroons. JAL looks fantastic unlike unfortunately the poor us carriers.
I thought the main point about these reviews was so people could view the wine/champagne list? The reviewer failed miserably.