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Airline: Japan Airlines
Flight Number: JL62
Route: NRT-LAX
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Registration: JA881J
Delivered: April 2021
Flight Duration: 9 hours 10 minutes
Distance: 5,451 Miles
Overall impression:
For this long-haul journey, we flew business class with Japan Airlines aboard their Boeing 787, eager to revisit one of the most unique business class seats in the sky—the Apex Suite. While newer products with doors have taken the spotlight in recent years, JAL’s hard product has long been praised for its clever design and comfort.
Combined with access to one of the best lounges in Tokyo and JAL’s reputation for exceptional service and catering, this flight offered a great opportunity to see how the airline’s business class experience holds up today.
What I liked:
The JAL First Class Lounge in Narita – Thanks to our oneworld Emerald status, we had access to the JAL First Class Lounge Narita—and it continues to be one of my favorite lounges anywhere. The space is expansive yet calming, with plenty of seating options including those ever-popular massage chairs.
The lounge features a self-serve beverage bar and a variety of food options, but the real highlight is the freshly prepared Japanese dishes. We ordered sushi and a bowl of JAL’s signature beef curry rice—both of which felt closer to restaurant-quality than typical lounge fare. It’s a fantastic way to dine before even stepping onboard, and easily a must-visit when transiting through Narita International Airport.
The Seats – Japan Airlines’ Apex Suite on the Boeing 787 (arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration) remains one of the most cleverly designed business class seats in the sky. While the layout may appear dense at first glance, each seat still offers direct aisle access and a surprising level of privacy.
In practice, the seat is extremely comfortable for both lounging and sleeping. There’s plenty of personal space, and the design makes it feel more private than many newer seats without doors. It’s a product that continues to hold its own, even years after its introduction.
The in-flight Dining – JAL’s business class dining continues to impress. Whether you go for the Japanese or Western option, the level of detail and presentation is consistently excellent.
Service began with drinks, accompanied by mixed nuts and sun-dried tomato pomodoro with Italian breadsticks.
I opted for the Japanese Irodori Gozen starter, which featured a selection of seasonal cold delicacies, each thoughtfully prepared. My companion chose the Western starter—an autumn seafood terrine with black truffle sauce and fresh salad—served with artisan breads from Maison Kayser.
For the mains, my Japanese set included deep-fried black cod with mushroom sauce, stewed beef cheek with turnip, and Ren’s signature curry sauce, served with miso soup, pickled vegetables, and steamed rice. My companion’s sautéed semolina-crusted salmon with puttanesca pasta was equally well executed.
Mid-flight, the crew set up a self-serve snack area near the galley, offering a variety of light bites and drinks—perfect for grazing between meals.
Before landing, we ordered from JAL’s “anytime” menu. I went with the beef curry rice and yuzu-flavored ramen, while my companion chose the pork cutlet sandwich, miso soup, and ice cream. It was a great way to round out the dining experience. Rounding up the meal, I asked for a cup of hot coffee.
The Onboard Service – Despite a slight language barrier at times, the service from the cabin crew on Japan Airlines truly embodied omotenashi—Japan’s signature hospitality. Pre-departure beverages were offered upon boarding, along with hot towels at various points throughout the flight. The crew were attentive, proactive, and meticulous in maintaining both the cabin and lavatories. The result was a calm, polished, and consistently comfortable atmosphere from start to finish.
What I didn’t like:
Cabin Temperature – One drawback was the cabin temperature. Japan Airlines tends to keep cabins on the warmer side, and this flight was no exception. While some passengers may find it comfortable, I personally prefer a cooler environment—especially on long-haul flights. Without individual air vents, it was difficult to adjust, and at times the cabin felt slightly too warm.
It was OK…I guess:
The In-Flight Entertainment – The IFE system offered a solid selection of content, but the overall experience felt a bit dated. Navigating via the small handheld remote was clunky, especially since the touchscreen wasn’t as responsive as expected. I found myself defaulting to the moving map for much of the flight—which, while enjoyable, isn’t quite enough to carry a long-haul journey. On the plus side, complimentary Wi-Fi is provided for business class passengers, which helps fill the gap.
Onboard Amenities – Japan Airlines’ business class amenities are practical and well thought out. Each seat includes an amenity kit with useful extras like a phone stand and charger. Slippers, a full-size pillow, duvet, and mattress pad are also provided, making it easy to settle in and get comfortable. Additional amenties were also available in the lavatories.
Bottom Line:
This flight with Japan Airlines is a strong reminder that thoughtful design and consistently excellent service can outweigh the lack of the latest bells and whistles. The Apex Suite remains one of the most comfortable and private business class seats without doors, while the catering and onboard service are among the best in the industry. Minor drawbacks like a warmer cabin and slightly dated IFE controls are noticeable, but don’t significantly detract from the overall experience. All things considered, this is a refined, comfortable, and highly enjoyable long-haul business class product.
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