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Airline: Japan Airlines
Flight Number: JL2
Route: HND-SFO
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Registration: JA735J
Delivered: July 2006
Flight Duration: 8 Hours 35 Minutes
Distance: 5,160 Miles
Overall impression:
Overall, our experiences flying with Japan Airlines (JAL) have been consistently positive, especially when traveling in business class. We particularly enjoy JAL’s Sky Suite product (Apex Suite seat), which is available on their 787s and 777-300ERs for long-haul flights. While these seats may not be revolutionary, they are incredibly comfortable and perfect for lounging, relaxing, and getting some rest.
During our recent flight, we noticed some new staff members who were still in training, both on the ground and in-flight. However, despite this, the service level remained exceptional. The flight attendants were charming and provided attentive service during meal times, which made our journey all the more enjoyable.
In my opinion, the standout feature of flying with JAL is the catering. As a lover of Japanese cuisine, I may be biased, but I found everything I ordered during the flight to be fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. From start to finish, the culinary experience was a highlight of our journey with JAL.
What I liked:
The JAL First Class Lounge in Haneda – Thanks to our Oneworld Emerald status, we had the opportunity to visit the JAL First Class Lounge at Haneda Airport. It’s one of my personal favorites, and we always make it a priority to stop by when flying through Haneda. The lounge boasts plenty of comfortable seating options, including luxurious massage chairs, and the Japanese cuisine is absolutely delicious – every dish is freshly prepared and scrumptious.
The In-flight Dining Experience – The dining experience on our flight from Tokyo was truly exceptional. The meals served were of restaurant quality and tasted absolutely delicious. One thing I particularly appreciated was the dine-on-demand service, which allowed us to order food whenever we wanted. The Japanese meal I ordered was not only fresh and delicious, but also elegantly presented. My companion’s wagyu sirloin was equally impressive, expertly prepared and bursting with flavor. As a finale to the flight, we opted for the Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Curry for our pre-landing meal. It was a perfect choice – the dish was hearty, flavorful, and a great way to conclude our journey.
The Exceptional Service – The service we received from the flight attendants on our JAL flight was exceptional. From the moment we boarded the plane, the attendants were warm, welcoming, and eager to accommodate our needs. Throughout the flight, they consistently went above and beyond to ensure that we were comfortable and had everything we needed.
The Business Class Seats – JAL’s Apex Suite seats in business class are arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, which can feel slightly dense on the 777 aircraft. However, the seats themselves are incredibly comfortable for both lounging and sleeping, and each seat offers direct aisle access, which is a major plus.The adjustable seat functions, including a fully-flat bed mode, are easy to use and make it possible to get a good night’s sleep on the flight.
What I didn’t like:
The In-flight Entertainment – The in-flight entertainment on our JAL flight offered a decent selection of content, with a variety of movies, TV shows, and music to choose from. However, one downside was that the interface was operated by a small remote control rather than a larger screen. This made browsing through the options less enjoyable and somewhat difficult. While the content itself was good, the overall experience of using the in-flight entertainment system could have been improved.
Lack of Individual Air Nozzles – The JAL flight did not have individual air nozzles, which was a personal preference issue for me. However, the flight crew maintained a comfortable cabin temperature throughout the flight. Overall, the lack of air nozzles was a minor inconvenience, but the attentive service helped make for an enjoyable flight.
It’s fine, I guess…
The Amenities – While JAL did not provide pajamas in their business class, they did offer slippers and cardigans for loan. The Sony noise-cancelling headphones provided had decent sound quality, but were not exceptional. The Maison Kitsune amenity kit was basic and minimal, and while the duvet and pillow were acceptable, the Airweave mattress pads provided an extra layer of comfort for sleeping. The lavatories on the JAL flight were impressively clean, stocked with toiletries, and even equipped with Toto washlets. Overall, while the amenities provided by JAL were not the most luxurious, they were functional and added to the overall comfort of the flight.
Bottom Line:
As always, Japan Airlines left us wanting more with our most recent flight. We almost didn’t want the journey to end. Overall, our JAL flight was a positive experience with exceptional service, delicious dining options, and comfortable seating. Although there were minor inconveniences such as the lack of individual air nozzles and less-than-stellar in-flight entertainment, the attentive flight crew and overall comfort of the cabin helped make for an enjoyable journey. JAL remains one of our top choices when traveling to Japan and beyond.
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