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Airline: Japan Airlines
Flight Number: JL723
Route: NRT-KUL
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Registration: JA866J
Delivered: December 2016
Flight Duration: 6 Hours 55 Minutes
Distance: 3,357 Miles
Overall Impression:
As some of you might know, Japan Airlines is one of our favorite airlines. Our recent flight with the Japanese carrier in Business Class on the 787 was a smooth blend of comfort, style, and thoughtful details. The Apex Suite, with its direct aisle access and lie-flat design, made settling in easy—perfect for a long-haul overnight journey. JAL’s reputation for excellent food held true, with a beautifully presented Japanese meals that hit all the right notes. Thanks to our Oneworld Emerald status, we also kicked things off with some quiet time in Malaysia Airlines’ First Class Golden Lounge in Kuala Lumpur—a nice pre-flight perk before the main event in the sky.
What I liked:
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge First Class – Kuala Lumpur
Thanks to our Oneworld Emerald status, we had access to the First Class section of Malaysia Airlines’ Golden Lounge at KUL. The lounge is laid out as a long corridor with seating areas scattered throughout, offering a quiet space to relax.
Amenities include showers for freshening up and a nap room at the far end—great for longer layovers.
While the self-serve buffet was somewhat limited, there’s a dedicated dining area with a made-to-order à la carte menu, which added a nice touch of refinement.
The Seats – JAL Apex Suite on the 787
Japan Airlines’ Apex Suite on the 787 (configured in a 2-2-2 layout) strikes a great balance between density and comfort. Despite the tighter configuration, the design ensures each seat has direct aisle access and a high level of privacy. Whether lounging or sleeping, the seat was genuinely comfortable and well-suited for a long-haul flight.
The Food – Thoughtful and Delicious
As expected from a Japanese carrier, the onboard catering was excellent. Since our flight departed late at night from Kuala Lumpur, the initial service was kept light, with just drinks and a snack offered after takeoff—perfect for passengers wanting to maximize sleep.
A full breakfast was served two hours before landing. I opted for the Japanese breakfast set, which was beautifully presented and delicious. My companion chose the international breakfast, which was also very well-executed.
What I didn’t like:
The In-Flight Entertainment (IFE)
While the IFE system offered a solid variety of content, navigating it using the small handheld remote felt clunky and outdated—especially when a touchscreen interface was available but underutilized. In the end, I found myself defaulting to the moving map for most of the flight, which, while interesting in its own way, wasn’t quite the immersive experience I’d hoped for. Thankfully JAL offers its business class passengers with complimentary in-flight WiFi as a consolation.
Cabin Temperature
JAL has a bit of a reputation for keeping their cabins warm, and this flight was no exception. Personally, I prefer a cooler environment for sleeping, so the heat made it a bit tough to fully relax. The lack of individual air vents didn’t help either—something that would have gone a long way in improving personal comfort.
It was OK…I guess:
The Onboard Service
The cabin crew delivered polished and efficient service throughout the flight. While it wasn’t the warm, ultra-personalized hospitality you sometimes find on other top Asian carriers, the crew was attentive and professional. Drink refills were offered proactively, and my “please” and “thank yous” were always met with a kind acknowledgment. It didn’t blow me away, but it was still a pleasant and respectful experience.
The Amenities
JAL offers a modest but thoughtful set of amenities on their intra-Asia Business Class flights. While pajamas aren’t provided, passengers receive a mini amenity kit, slippers, bottled water, and the option to borrow a cardigan for added comfort. A full-size pillow and duvet are also provided, which made for a fairly restful sleep—though the absence of a mattress pad was noticeable. The Sony noise-canceling headphones were decent and worked well with the in-flight entertainment system.
The lavatories were clean and well-stocked with essentials like toothbrushes, mouthwash, and other toiletries. As a bonus, they’re equipped with Toto Washlet bidet
Bottom Line:
Overall, this was a solid premium experience with standout elements like lounge access, comfortable Apex Suite seating, and exceptional onboard catering—especially the beautifully presented Japanese breakfast. However, the warm cabin temperature and clunky IFE interface detracted from full comfort. While JAL’s service was polished and efficient, it lacked a bit of the warmth seen on some other Asian carriers. Still, it was a smooth and mostly enjoyable way to fly.
TravelingFoody.com 