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 thought of them as the “premium” Japanese airline. I was curious if my impressions changed after flying Japan Airlines’ new first class.
Japan Airlines 726
Jakarta (CGK) – Tokyo Narita (NRT)
Sunday, February 15
Depart: 9:25PM
Arrive: 6:35AM (+1 day)
Duration: 7hr10min
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 2A (First Class)
At the door I was welcomed aboard with a triple bow by the senior cabin attendant and two of the first class crew, who immediately directed me to my seat.
Japan Airlines’ new first class cabin consists of a total of eight seats, spread across two rows in a 1-2-1 configuration. While they’re not fully enclosed suites, each seat is spacious with a good amount of privacy.
I found the color palate in the cabin to be nice as well, with cream-colored finishes and dark brown leather. Certainly a bit less puke-inducing than how Asiana and Korean Air deck out their cabins.
Japan Airlines first class cabin 777-300ER
Japan Airlines first class cabin 777-300ER
I had been assigned seat 2D, which was a center-aisle seat on the left side of the plane. That’s what the agent assigned me in transit, and I figured I’d take care of a seat change once onboard.
Japan Airlines first class 777-300ER, seat 2A
Each seat has a large ottoman, which was great for resting your feet even when the seat was in the upright position. Beyond that, there was a large tray table which was immediately below the personal television. It could be extended out as much as you like, so was very versatile.
Japan Airlines first class 777-300ER, seat 2A
The seat controls were located along the side of the seat, and were simple to use. While I’m all for technology, personally I prefer “old fashion” buttons you can push to control your seat functions, rather than overly complicated computer screens.
Japan Airlines first class seat controls
There were also simple seat pre-set functions, whereby you could turn the seat into “bed,” “relax,” or “upright” mode.
Japan Airlines first class seat controls
Also to the side of the seat was a compartment with a handheld controller.
Japan Airlines first class entertainment controls
Behind that was a large storage unit, which could easily fit headphones, glasses, a phone, etc.
Japan Airlines first class storage compartment
Japan Airlines first class cabin view
Japan Airlines first class cabin view
Japan Airlines first class ottoman
Once settled in the senior cabin attendant came by to introduce herself and wish me a pleasant flight. As is customary, there were no fewer than a dozen bows throughout the minute-long conversation. She also explained that the flight time would be 6hr30min, and that we were expecting some turbulence as we approached Japan, so breakfast would be served earlier than normal.
Literally within a minute the two other first class cabin attendants came to introduce themselves in a similar fashion.
This crew was fantastic. They couldn’t have been more friendly and… Japanese!
As a pre-departure beverage I was quite looking forward to a glass of champagne after the “exciting” transit. Good thing JAL serves Salon Blanc de Blancs 2002 in first class, which retails for $300+ per bottle. That’s roughly twice as much as Krug, for anyone that’s counting.
Japan Airlines first class Salon 2002 champagne
The flight attendant poured the glass so delicately, it was actually kind of fun to watch, as it was a 30 second process. I don’t think I’ve ever seen champagne poured with such care.
So I’ll say the Salon was good, but I still prefer Krug. The Salon was a bit overbearing and not as well rounded as Krug, in my opinion… but it was still delicious. 😉
Japan Airlines first class Salon 2002 champagne
After a glass of champagne I was offered some pajamas. Japan Airlines’ pajamas are awesome. They’re extremely high quality, have the JAL logo on them, and I love that the top and bottom are different colors.
Japan Airlines first class pajamas
I was also offered some really sturdy slippers.
Japan Airlines first class slippers
I was then presented with a Loewe amenity kit, Shiseido toiletries, the menu, wine list, and a bottle of water. Goodness, boarding JAL is like Christmas for an airline/amenity kit geek.
Japan Airlines first class amenity kit & menu
The crew asked if I wanted to change into pajamas, which I said I did. A flight attendant “prepared” the lavatory for me, escorted me to it, and locked the door from the outside before I could even lock it from the inside. As I changed, she stood outside the lavatory waiting for me to emerge so she could hang my clothes. Now that’s service.
At around 9:15PM the captain came on the PA to add his welcome aboard. At least I assume that’s what he was saying. I couldn’t understand a word, but he seemed like a pleasant enough guy. 😉
At 9:20PM the door closed, and there were only two other passengers — an older Japanese couple — in first class.
At 9:25PM we commenced our pushback, at which point the show/safety video began to play. I say “show” because throughout the plane the cabin crew lined up for a bow.
There were three first class passengers and four crew allocated to bowing for the cabin. You know you’re in for a good flight when the bow to passenger ratio is more than 1:1.
Our taxi to the runway was quick, and at 9:35PM we were airborne.
As we passed through 10,000 feet the seatbelt sign was turned off and I logged onto JAL’s Wi-Fi network. Their Wi-Fi is offered by T-Mobile, and a 24 hour pass cost just $18.80. That’s extremely reasonable, especially since it was a 24 hour pass, meaning it was valid for my flight to New York as well. Woot!
Japan Airlines Wi-Fi
Shortly thereafter the senior cabin attendant came by to explain the menu in greater detail. She explained that breakfast would be served before landing, and asked if I wanted anything to eat in the meantime, as there was an a la carte menu.
The menu read as follows:
And the wine/drink menu read as follows:
I was quite hungry since I didn’t eat much on my Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong, so I decided to have a full meal.
The service began with a hot towel.
Japan Airlines first class hot towel
I was then offered some snack mix (it was served in a bag… and they didn’t turn the plane back to Jakarta over it). 😉
Japan Airlines first class snacks
Japan Airlines first class snacks
Then to start I had the sushi and steamed savory egg custard along with a glass of champagne. The sushi was perfect.
Japan Airlines first class dinner — sushi and steamed savory egg custard
Then I had some caviar. Even though this was technically only a “snack” service, I love that JAL still offers caviar. I mean, if you just want a snack before sleeping, does it get better than caviar and a glass of champagne?
Japan Airlines first class dinner — caviar
Japan Airlines first class dinner — caviar
Japan Airlines first class dinner — caviar
Then I had the vegetable curry with rice. It was simple and delicious… or simply delicious, I suppose!
Japan Airlines first class dinner — Japanese vegetable curry
Japan Airlines first class dinner — Japanese vegetable curry
To finish off the meal I had a cappuccino.
Japan Airlines first class cappuccino
Absolutely perfect catering for a nighttime departure, and the service was impeccable. The two Japanese passengers went to sleep after takeoff, so it was literally three crew looking after me.
After the snack I headed to the lavatory, and noticed something that I missed the first time around. The toilet was a Japanese bidet toilet! Now, I’ve seen these a million times in airports and hotels, but have never actually tried to use the bidet function. I’m not sure why, exactly.
A few glasses in seemed like a good time to test it out (just out of intellectual curiosity, and not because there was a need). Goodness gracious was it fun — I don’t think my rear has ever felt that good! Unfortunately I giggled uncontrollably, much as I did the first time I flew Emirates A380 first class. Hopefully the crew didn’t hear.
Japan Airlines first class toilet
As I went into the lavatory the cabin senior asked if she could make my bed for me in 2A — perfect! She also asked whether I wanted a soft or hard mattress. That’s the first time I’ve been asked if I have a mattress preference.
When I emerged from the lavatory I quickly tried out the bed, which was super comfortable. The bedding is provided by Tempur-Pedic, which is pretty awesome.
Japan Airlines first class bed
Japan Airlines first class bed
Now, while I tested out the bed, my strategy was to stay up on this flight. That’s because I was connecting to a Tokyo to New York flight which would land in the morning. If I slept on this flight I wouldn’t be able to sleep on the connection, and then would arrive in New York tired.
Instead I decided to get some work done. The Wi-Fi was super fast, among the fastest I’ve had on any airline. That’s probably because everyone else was asleep.
So I ordered some coffee with milk, which was served in the most beautiful coffee mug I’ve ever seen.
Japan Airlines first class coffee mug
Seriously, is that gorgeous or what? I told the senior cabin attendant how much I loved the mug.
Japan Airlines first class coffee mug
For the next couple of hours a crew member was through the cabin literally every five minutes to refill my coffee. I don’t even want to think how much coffee I had during that time.
Japan Airlines airshow
About two hours before landing it was already breakfast time. While I wasn’t especially hungry, I figured I’d take one for the team. 😉
The breakfast menu read as follows:
I ordered the western breakfast, which consisted of a fruit plate to start. I was also offered a selection from the bread basket, and I chose a croissant.
Japan Airlines first class breakfast
Japan Airlines first class breakfast — fruit starter
For the main course I had the pancakes with vanilla sauce.
Japan Airlines first class breakfast — pancakes with vanilla sauce
The pancakes were in an interesting scone-like shape, and tasted delicious.
Japan Airlines first class breakfast — pancakes with vanilla sauce
They were also served with a side of plain yogurt and honey, and a vegetable salad.
Japan Airlines first class breakfast — yogurt and vegetable salad
I got some more work done after breakfast, and eventually we began our descent into Narita Airport. As we did, all three cabin crew came by to say thank you and goodbye, and the senior cabin attendant even presented me with a beautifully wrapped mug to take home, given how I commented about how much I loved the mug. Incredibly thoughtful!
Japan Airlines airshow
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!
Japan Airlines airshow
While I returned to my seat on the left side of the plane, the senior cabin attendant thoughtfully asked me if I wanted to switch to a seat on the right side of the airplane so that I could best enjoy the sunrise.
The views as we approached the coast were breathtaking.
View approaching Japan
While the flight was mostly very smooth, we hit some pretty substantial chop on our final approach, as it seemed to be a windy morning. At 6:10AM we had a very firm touchdown on runway 34R.
Approach into Tokyo Narita
Touchdown Tokyo Narita
Taxiing to gate Tokyo Narita
As we taxied to the gate the senior cabin attendant came on the PA to make her goodbye announcement, including my favorite quote — “please refrain from talking on your phone, because it may bother your neighbors.”
Taxiing to gate Tokyo Narita
We had a super-long taxi to the gate, though the captain taxied with urgency.
Taxiing to gate Tokyo Narita
We finally arrived at our gate at 6:25AM.
Gate Tokyo Narita
I was really sad to say bye to the crew, as they were beyond lovely. I was hoping I’d have a crew half as awesome as them to New York.
Japan Airlines first class bottom line
This flight was perfect. Japan Airlines’ new first class hard product is top notch. The the crew on this flight was the highlight, though. They couldn’t have been friendlier or more sincere.
Add in the fact that JAL has fast and reasonably priced Wi-Fi, and they might just be my new favorite airline for flying to/from Asia (I love Cathay Pacific, but they don’t have Wi-Fi… grrr!).
What’s interesting is that on my Cathay Pacific flight from Chicago to Hong Kong I had an equally amazing crew, though ultimately the service culture between a Japanese airline and a Hong Kong-based airline are completely different. The JAL crew was friendly, reserved, and quietly observant, while the Cathay crew was talkative, attentive, and personable.
Two completely different styles, but I loved both of them.
If you’ve flown JAL’s new first class, what was your experience like?
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