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Airline: Japan Airlines
Flight Number: JL723
Route: NRT-KUL
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Registration: JA862J
Delivered: October 2015
Flight Duration: 7 Hours 5 Minutes
Distance: 3,357 Miles
Overall Impression:
After an unforgettable few days exploring the vibrant streets of Tokyo, it was time to continue our journey to Kuala Lumpur with Japan Airlines. Since we were departing from Tokyo, we were looking forward to spending some time at the JAL First Class Lounge.
As a fan of the Apex Suite seat, I was pleased to see JAL’s signature design still shining on their long-haul 787s and 777-300ERs. While there are newer and more modern seats available in 2025, the Apex seat remains an excellent choice for both lounging and sleeping. The in-flight service, though slightly reserved, was consistently prompt and efficient. Despite their shyness, the flight attendants provided attentive and courteous service throughout, particularly during meal times.
Speaking of meals, the catering truly stole the show—a hallmark of JAL’s premium experience. Perhaps it’s my love for Japanese cuisine talking, but every dish I ordered was a delightful blend of freshness, flavor, and artistry, presented with the precision and care Japan is well-known for.
What I liked:
The JAL First Class Lounge at Narita – Thanks to our Oneworld Emerald status, we had the privilege of accessing the JAL First Class Lounge at Narita Airport. This elegant lounge is divided into two distinct floors, each offering a unique experience.
Upstairs, the focus is on dining. The highlight here is undoubtedly the made-to-order meals available through the JAL Lounge App. Complemented by a self-serve snack and beverage bar, this floor provides a delicious and convenient way to relax before a flight. We sampled several items from the menu, and each dish impressed us with its excellent taste and presentation.
Downstairs, the ambiance shifts to a more traditional lounge experience. With dimmed lighting and plush seating, it’s perfect for unwinding. Amenities include both self-serve and staffed bars, a shoe shine area, and a smoking room. For those in need of a freshen-up, the shower suites—reservable via the JAL Lounge App—offer a fresh touch to the overall experience.
The Catering – The catering out of Narita on this flight was exceptional, offering restaurant-quality meals that were as delicious as they were beautifully presented. The service began with a full meal after takeoff and a light snack prior to landing.
The post-takeoff meal service kicked off with a beverage accompanied by packaged Japanese crackers. My companion opted for the Japanese option, starting with a beautifully arranged bento of seasonal appetizers, or Irodori Gozen. Meanwhile, I selected the international option, which began with a plate of sashimi-style scallop, crab, and shrimp salad served with warm artisan breads. Both starters were a hit, showcasing fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Next came the main courses. The Japanese meal featured grilled marinated cod, deep-fried chicken, and a flavorful Japanese curry sauce, served alongside miso soup, rice, and pickles. It was hearty, satisfying, and packed with flavor. My Western main dish was a grilled beef filet with demi-glace—it was equally impressive, cooked to a perfect medium and bursting with savory richness.
For dessert, the Japanese selection was a roasted soybean bavarois with soft mochi. It struck a perfect balance—not overly sweet but delightfully satisfying. Meanwhile, I enjoyed a strawberry and white sesame mousse, which was also light and elegant. We paired our desserts with a calming cup of hot green tea.
About 90 minutes before landing, the crew went around the cabin offering inari sushi and ice cream.
The Friendly Service – The crew members we interacted with exuded a quiet, reserved demeanor, but their friendliness and eagerness to please were unmistakable. They were attentive and proactive, consistently offering drink refills and checking in periodically to ensure we had everything we needed. Despite their shyness, their professionalism and warm hospitality shone through, adding to the overall comfort and enjoyment of the flight.
The Seats – JAL features the Apex Suite on their long-haul configured 787s, offering business class seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration. While the seating arrangement is a bit denser than some other layouts, the Apex Suite remains exceptionally comfortable for both lounging and sleeping. Each seat offers direct aisle access, ensuring convenience and privacy, making it a great choice for long-haul flights.
What I didn’t like:
The IFE – The IFE system offered a wide range of content, but I wasn’t particularly fond of navigating through it using the small remote control rather than the larger screen. As a result, I ended up opting to watch the moving map for most of the flight, which provided an engaging, albeit simpler, alternative to the traditional entertainment options. Despite the small IFE drawback, JAL offers free in-flight WiFi internet for all business class passengers, which is a nice touch.
No personal air nozzles – One of my pet peeves on long-haul flights is the absence of personal air nozzles, and unfortunately, this aircraft didn’t have them. However, the crew was considerate enough to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature throughout the flight, which made up for the lack of individual controls.
It was OK…
The Amenities – JAL offers limited amenities on their intra-Asia flights. While JAL doesn’t provide pajamas in business class, a mini-amenity kit, slippers, bottled water, and loaner cardigans were offered for added comfort. The airline also provides a full-size pillow and duvet, which make for a decent sleep experience.
The Sony noise-canceling headphones, though not the best on the market, provided acceptable sound quality for the duration of the flight. As for the lavatories, they were well-stocked with toiletries and other essentials such as toothbrushes and mouthwash, ensuring passengers had everything they needed to freshen up. JAL also features Toto washlet bidets in their lavatories in business class.
Bottom Line:
Japan Airlines delivered a consistently high-quality business class experience on our flight from Tokyo to Kuala Lumpur. The standout highlights were the exceptional catering, the tranquil and well-appointed JAL First Class Lounge at Narita, and the comfort of the Apex Suite. While the in-flight entertainment system and lack of personal air nozzles were minor drawbacks, the friendly and attentive service more than made up for them. Though amenities were modest for an intra-Asia route, the overall journey was polished, comfortable, and unmistakably Japanese in its attention to detail.
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