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Airline: Japan Airlines
Flight Number: JL77
Route: HND-MNL
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Registration: JA842J
Delivered: May 2015
Flight Duration: 4 Hours 5 Minutes
Distance: 1,859 Miles
Overall impression:
For this regional hop out of Tokyo, we had the opportunity to fly business class with Japan Airlines aboard their Boeing 787-8. While JAL’s Apex Suite isn’t the newest business class product in the sky, it has built a strong reputation over the years for comfort and smart design—so we were curious to see how it holds up today.
Paired with access to one of the best lounges in Tokyo and JAL’s consistently strong service and catering, this flight offered a great opportunity to experience the airline’s premium product on a shorter route.
What I liked:
The JAL First Class Lounge in Haneda – Thanks to our oneworld Emerald status, we had access to the JAL First Class Lounge Haneda—and it continues to be one of my favorite lounges anywhere. The space strikes a perfect balance between comfort and functionality, with ample of comfortable seating through out the lounge.
The freshly prepared Japanese dishes are a highlight, offering a level of quality that easily rivals many inflight meals. It’s a must-visit whenever passing through Haneda.
The seats – While not the newest product on the market, Japan Airlines’ Apex Suite remains one of the most comfortable business class seats out there. On this Boeing 787-8, the cabin features 30 seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. Although this layout may appear dense at first glance, the clever design ensures that every passenger still enjoys direct aisle access.
In practice, the seat performs exceptionally well. It offers a generous amount of space, excellent privacy for a non-suite product, and a comfortable sleeping surface, making it well-suited even for longer flights. It’s a great example of a design that continues to hold up despite its age.
The in-flight catering – Catering out of Tokyo was very good, as expected from Japan Airlines. Given that this was a regional flight, both the starter and main were served together on a single tray rather than in separate courses.
Service began with a beverage and hot towel, setting the tone for the meal.
I opted for the washoku Japanese set, which started with a selection of seasonal appetizers presented in small kobachi bowls. The main featured Pacific ocean perch with mushroom sauce alongside pork-stuffed shiitake mushrooms, served with steamed rice and miso soup. The dishes were fresh, well-balanced, and beautifully presented.
My companion chose the Western option, which included a starter platter of sautéed prawns, smoked duck, and a mushroom and bacon quiche, accompanied by onion consommé. Artisan breads from Maison Kayser added a nice touch to the meal as well. The main was a black pork and wagyu beef hamburg steak in mushroom sauce, served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. My companion mentioned that the beef was moist, tender and flavorful. Dessert consisted of ice cream and fresh fruit, a simple yet sweet way to end the meal.
The Exceptional Service – Service is where Japan Airlines truly shines. From boarding to arrival, the crew delivered a level of attentiveness and warmth that felt genuine rather than scripted. They were consistently proactive, detail-oriented, and always seemed one step ahead, ensuring that the entire journey felt seamless and comfortable. Also, kudos to the cabin crew for setting up a snack basket near the galley for those late night munchies. The crew also did an amazing job keeping the lavatories spotlessly clean and stocked with amenities.
What I didn’t like:
The In-flight Entertainment – While the content selection was decent, the usability of the system left something to be desired. Navigating through the interface using the small handheld remote felt a bit clunky, especially compared to more modern touchscreen systems. It works, but it doesn’t feel particularly refined.
Lack of Individual Air Nozzles – The absence of personal air vents was a minor drawback. Although the crew maintained a comfortable cabin temperature, having individual airflow control would have allowed for a more personalized level of comfort.
It’s OK, I guess…
Business Class Amenities – Business Class amenities included noise canceling headphones, full size pillow, blanket, botlled water, and slippers. During boarding the crew also came around and offered us a basket of amenities, in which I chose the ear plugs and eye shades.
Free Wi-Fi – Business class passengers are provided with complimentary, uncapped Panasonic Wi-Fi for the duration of the flight. In practice, speeds were sufficient for casual browsing and social media, but not quite fast enough for streaming—especially when compared to newer systems like Viasat or Starlink. Still, having free connectivity is a welcome addition.
Bottom Line:
This flight with Japan Airlines is a great reminder that a product doesn’t need to be brand new to still deliver an excellent experience. The Apex Suite continues to impress with its comfort and clever design, while the outstanding service and high-quality catering elevate the journey even further. Minor drawbacks like the dated IFE controls and lack of air vents are noticeable, but far from deal-breakers. Overall, this is a polished, comfortable, and reliably premium regional business class experience.
TravelingFoody.com 