Review: Japan Airlines Business Class 777 Tokyo To San Francisco

Hi; just curious... When you say you're working, is that writing and editing these reports? Or do you have other professional activities? I appreciate your reports and comments, as they've assisted me in choosing airlines and seats. Thanks

You should see the amenity kit they use going to Japan. Its a a neat hardcase.

Do you find it better than SQ? Certainly way better than CX J.

I flew in the same Business Class product in a Japan Airlines B777-300ER from London to Tokyo a couple of weeks ago, and I love the experience as well (this is my review: http://wp.me/p4d1XU-EQk). Next time, you should go for the Japanese meal (brilliantly presented & awesome taste) !

Those feet! Oh boy.

On a brighter note, this looks MUCH better than BA's configuration and provides better options for solo flyers. I have to concur with the note on their WiFi as well. Cheap and reliable!

Hi lucky! Would love to pick your brain.

I've got two trips comming up and would appreciate your advice as to what you think is the best experience.

1. Europe to Auckland - in paid business, would you prefer Singapore biz, Jal Biz, Qatar biz, or another (I would consider new zeland but they seem much more expensive)

2. Europe to Japan using miles in first (vacation next spring) I've got tons of points on AA so was thinking to go in Cathay or JAL and then I've got tons of Amex MR and TYP so was thinking to take Singapore on the way back.

Consider both itenerarys which would you take assuming points and costs where about the same? Which do you think provides the best experience. I've also heard ANA is good but was worried if I put the points to SIngapore would I realistically be able to get the tickets (also would you give up the SQ flight in return for an ANA flight) When I check KVS I find the options above match my dates. As I am planning to book in the next few days I would appreciate your advice.

I think JAL's pilots only give an announcement just once prior to landing! I flew from NRT-HNL and while we were getting rocked by strong turbulence, not a word from the flight deck!

Also the questions are open for your expert readers as well! As I normally fly skyteam inter-europe this is one time the miles are not as relevant as the ride.

May sound gross to some folks, but seeing the champagne in a plastic cup and only filled that little, reminds me of my urine sample when I go in for STI testing 🙂

"Organic blood orange juice"

That makes me conflicted between my desire to not use products that use BS pseudoscientific marketing ploys ("organic", "non-GMO", etc) and my love for all things blood orange. LOL

Re: dividers being down during take off/landing, I think it's the same reason that curtains between cabins are open: emergencies are most likely to happen during take off and landing, and the crew are supposed to evacuate the plane in 90 seconds, therefore there must be no impediment to free movement or sight. If the crew cannot see you at the window behind your partition, they cannot help to evacuate you. It takes too much time if they need to squeeze into the narrow space leading to each window seat to check that the passenger has not become incapacitated by the emergency.
Also, some airlines require that window shades be up during this time so that everyone can see outside to determine if it is safe to exit out that side (e.g. no raging fire on a wing), and so ground crew can see inside.
I don't know if the rules are airline-specific or country-specific. On an American Airlines flight during take-off from Lima, Peru, I was required to put away my iPad, which was in Flight mode. I can't remember if I had to also turn it off. The flight attendant said it was the requirement in Peru. I certainly wasn't required to do this on my earlier flight when departing from Miami for Lima.
Perhaps you will now think differently about Oman airlines.

The only problem with a public bidet is that you don't know where it's been....

More re: dividers down during take off and landing...

Here's the only official reference I could find to take off and landing requirements. It's from 2001, so outdated. See item 2-7 starting on page 2-14. It says that curtains and dividers must be open for landing:
http://flightsafety.org/files/cabin_safety_compendium.pdf

Perhaps you could ask a flight attendant on your next flight.

have they changed their F amenity kit? i flew from jfk last week and got the exact same amenity kit you got. i noticed the other F passengers got it too. when i flew JL F last year, they gave out these really nice Lowe kits.

Why is there pee on the bidet seat?

Weird photo to take...

REALLY appreciate your JAL reviews and the article about Haneda day rooms. I myself am seriously thinking about redeeming miles from a lackluster airline carrier for JAL for a similar route. Your experiences have helped me with my decision, THANK YOU!

Hey

thanks for the review
In light of your review and both JAL and OMAN air product that's it's time you try the one on KE.
It seems to me that on KE the aisle pax has a large screen on the aisle side for additional privacy.
And I don't think in KE a pax can reach with his feet until the TV screen so the pax in the window smells them.

Hope to read hour review and see who do you think did a better job with the seat

Great trip report as usual, Lucky. I flew JL2 in C last week and 3 other flights on JL in Sky Suite. Some quick comments:
- terrific seat and very private when against the window
- JL does a lot of things (IMHO and western sense of taste) that make the product feel a bit dated - ie navy table clothes, dark burgundy fabric seats that just look worn even though they're not, '80s coloured cabin tones like cream instead of more modern greys or whites
- no amenities in the toilets - nothing fancy needed, just give us a nice hand soap instead of whatever liquid comes out of the metal dispenser
- meal and drink ordering system on handset is wonderful but turned on only after the main meal service
- cabin IS WAY TOO HOT!!!!! that is really old school pumping it up after the meal to make you go to bed - just makes me angry!

Overall terrific hard product - can't be beat and of course excellent JP customer service. On any route to/from JP versus another O/W carrier (perhaps not CX) they can't be beat!

I quite like your articles and have been reading it for a while. I think sometimes you are a bit too snobbish and complain too much. Just like you complain about the divider during take off and landing. Surprise me how unprofessional you are. It's for safety reason, come on......

Just a quick update JAL 031 777-200 HND to BKK is now configured with 'apex' herringbone seating...

Hi Lucky
thanks for the comprehensive info on JAL Business class. Last time I used them, 20 years ago, I was completely hungover the day after my wedding as my brand spanking new husband and I flew into Toyko for our first expat position lol.

I would like some help. I am going to Montana from Sydney then from JFK to Sydney. Business class seems really expensive into America. I did Ethiad Airlines BC to Frankfurt last month and it was brilliant and reasonable . flat bed and length essential (I am over 5"9).
Much warmth
Martine

Love this review. I'm wondering: if no window seats were available, would a center seat or an aisle seat be the best choice for a 6'4" person of average build? It sounded like the window seats were slightly longer than the aisle seats, I couldn't tell from the review if the same was true for the center seats.

Great review. Was wondering with the Japanese set meal, was the food hot or cold. I see there are meats and different salads. Thanks!