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Airline: Japan Airlines
Flight Number: JL32
Route: BKK-HND
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Registration: JA844J
Delivered: May 2016
Flight Duration: 6 hours 10 minutes
Distance: 2,855 Miles
Overall Impression:
Japan Airlines provides an impressive business class experience on the Bangkok to Tokyo route, with the Boeing 787-8 featuring the Sky Suite (Apex Suites) business class seats. With a 2-2-2 seating configuration and fully flat bed, these seats provide excellent comfort and direct aisle access.
The crew on this flight exceeded expectations, delivering attentive and refined service. They anticipated and fulfilled all our needs, making the journey hassle-free. Additionally, the catering was superb, particularly the Japanese meal which was light and fresh, and the western meal that my companion enjoyed.
Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the flight, and found the seats to be incredibly comfortable.
What I Liked:
The in-flight service – The in-flight service on this flight was exceptional, thanks to the amazing crew who attended to our needs throughout the journey. From the moment we boarded the plane, the crew was charming and polished, making us feel well looked after. Once the flight took off, the crew was attentive and responsive, regularly checking in with passengers to ensure their needs were met. The service was prompt and efficient, and the crew’s professionalism and friendly demeanor made the flight a truly enjoyable experience.
The Catering – When it comes to catering in business class, Japan Airlines never disappoints. On this flight, I had the pleasure of trying the Japanese Meal, which began with a delightful assortment of appetizers followed by a main course of simmered chicken and saikyo style salmon served with rice, pickles, and miso soup. The meal was not only delicious but beautifully presented as well. My companion opted for the western meal, which was equally impressive, starting with an hors d’oeuvres plate accompanied by bread service, followed by a grilled sea bass entrée. We concluded our meal with a matcha mousse, which was a sweet and satisfying way to wrap up our dining experience. Overall, the catering on this flight was exceptional.
The Seat – As a frequent flyer, I have come to appreciate the apex suites seat for its exceptional comfort and privacy. The JAL Sky Suite seats on the Boeing 787 did not disappoint in this regard. The seats were both comfortable and functional, with intuitively placed storage, table, and seat controls that were within easy reach. I found the seats to be spacious, with ample legroom that added to the overall comfort of the journey. All in all, the seat design and features were well thought-out and provided an excellent experience.
What I didn’t Like:
The Lack of Personal Air Nozzles – JAL has a reputation for keeping their cabin temperature quite warm, which can make it difficult to get comfortable and fall asleep. However, on this flight, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the crew had kept the temperature relatively cool, making for a more comfortable experience. If only JAL would equip their planes with air nozzles, I would be an even happier traveler. Overall, the crew’s attention to the temperature added to the positive experience on this flight.
The IFE System – The JAL Magic IFE system was available on this aircraft, and while the interface was straightforward and easy to navigate, the media content was somewhat limited compared to other carriers like AA. While there were still plenty of movies, TV shows, news, and music options available, I found the selection to be lacking in comparison. Additionally, browsing through the content using the small remote was a bit cumbersome, which was a minor inconvenience.
It’s OK, I guess…
The Sakura Lounge in Bangkok – JAL operates its own lounge in Bangkok, which provides a comfortable space for passengers to relax before their flight. The lounge is spacious and offers plenty of seating options. Additionally, there are shower rooms available for passengers who want to freshen up before their flight. While the food and beverage selection may be somewhat limited, the lounge does offer made-to-order hot food options as well as a few packaged snacks. Overall, the JAL Sakura Lounge in Bangkok provides a pleasant and comfortable space for passengers to unwind and prepare for their journey.
The Amenities – As this was a medium-haul flight, the amenities provided at our seats were somewhat limited. Passengers were provided with slippers, a pillow and duvet set, bottled water, noise-canceling headphones, and a JAL mini amenity kit. While these amenities were adequate for the length of the flight, they were relatively basic compared to what other airlines may offer on longer journeys. The business class lavatories, however, featured a toto bidet washlet as well as some toiletries.
Bottom Line:
To sum up, our JAL business class flight from Bangkok to Tokyo was a fantastic experience. The Sky Suite seats provided comfort and privacy, and the catering was delicious, with both the Japanese and Western options being impressive. The crew’s exceptional service and attentiveness throughout the flight were truly remarkable. While the amenities provided were limited, they were still sufficient for the flight’s duration. Overall, JAL provided a solid business class product that exceeded our expectations and made for a memorable journey.
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