In late August I wrote about how Japan Airlines will be launching 4x weekly nonstop flights between Dallas and Tokyo Narita as of November 30, 2015. The flight will be operated by a Boeing 787-8, featuring business class, premium economy, and economy.
American and JAL have a transpacific joint venture, so this complements American’s existing 2x daily flights between Dallas and Tokyo Narita.
Anyway, this new flight has been bookable for a couple of weeks now, though I haven’t been seeing any award space on it based on searching the British Airways award search tool. However, dantheman pointed out in the “Ask Lucky” forum that award space is actually wide open on this flight… it just doesn’t show on the British Airways website.
Japan Airlines has two business class award seats available virtually every day between Dallas and Tokyo between November 30, 2015, and the end of the schedule. If you do want to search space just to verify, you’ll want to use the Japan Airlines award search tool, which I’ve written a primer about in the past.
When you search for space, click the “Award Reservation Calendar” button so that you can see a week of award availability at a time.
As you’ll see, there’s availability virtually every day the flight operates (which is Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays in both directions).
Perhaps the most exciting news is that the flight is scheduled to be operated by the “SS8” configuration of the 787, which features JAL’s newest business class product.
It’s fully flat, so along with Japan Airlines’ excellent onboard service, is a great way to get to Asia.
American charges just 50,000 AAdvantage miles for one-way business class between the US and “Asia 1” (which includes Japan and Korea), or if you want to connect to “Asia 2” (which includes most of the rest of Asia), that’s a total of 55,000 miles one-way. There are no fuel surcharges for travel on JAL, and you shouldn’t have to pay a phone ticketing fee, given that this award can’t be booked online.
Bottom line
I love JAL’s onboard product, so I’m excited to see them expand their service to the US even further. Business class award space is wide open and American’s award rates to Japan and beyond are exceptionally good, so this is a fantastic option for redeeming miles. And that’s especially true since this route is operated by one of JAL’s reconfigured 787s, featuring their super-private new business class product.
Will you be redeeming miles on JAL between Dallas and Tokyo Narita?
On JAL, under "Seat Availability," what does the triangle/delta mean? It's not on the key.
The diamond/rhombus means waitlisted. Basically unavailable for non mileage bank users.
Thanks Ken, but I'm talking about the triangle/delta (not diamond) as shown in Step Two, under "Seat Availability."
The first Google result is a FT thread which indicates that it probably means few seats available, but it doesn't specify a number. Sorry, I don't know why I thought you said triangle/rhombus. Still drinking my coffee ;) Try calling AA to see if they can give you a number of seats for that flight.
Thanks for the heads up! Had a bunch of AA miles burning a hole in my pocket and booked a nice week in Tokyo in early December. Not to get approved for an AMEX Platinum so I can hit up the Centurion Lounge in DFW.
Can you do DFW-HKG via Tokyo on one of these J awards?
@ Lucky - I currently have an AA biz class redemption from NRT to DEN via ORD in March '16. JAL currently flies there B773 with the new biz product on that route. Is it worth it switching to the B787 via Dallas or because the products are the same, the same service should be expected?
can you hold these? any risks to holding rather than buying?
@ emf -- Yep, can hold for up to five days, and no risks associated with it, really.
@Sean - No stopovers if using AA miles for this trip. Doesn't matter what JAL allows in this case, it's the mileage program's rules you must follow.
Thanks for the heads up. Does JAL allow stopovers?
@ Sean -- If booking through JAL stopovers are allowed, while if booking using American miles, stopovers of more than 24 hours aren't allowed.
the ask lucky section is blank
can you fix it?
(pointed out in the “Ask Lucky” forum)
unrelated....but united unveiled a new domestic first seat:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2015/09/10/united-unveils-new-first-class-domestic-seats/72001902/
Nice to know. Checked with AA that there are days with 4+ Biz seats available. Booked one for my family next summer back from Asia. The only issue is that we have to stopover at NRT the night before since the return flight is too early to be connected from other Asian regions.
When i booked my award, i didn't even use BA.com to confirm availability. I just looked at JAL search tool and called AA with flight numbers and dates, and they could see the space fine. I'd just go for it and call.
Not all seat showing up on JAL website are available for partner (AA award)right?
@ Pan -- American should have access to all that space, in my experience.
Hi Lucky, as the award is only available on JAL website, is this open for JAL members only or bookable with AA miles? Thanks.
@ Sam -- Also open to AAdvantage members. :)
Which would you rather do: Fly F NRT - ORD on JAL 777 or NRT - DFW on I on the 787?
Is there any trick to book four passengers on the same flight? Maybe if I reserve two with AA then two more might open up?
Quick (OT) question: For LAX to PVG in F, JAL (via NRT) or Cathay (via KHG)? Thanks!
Is the way back from Tokyo wide open also?