Japan Airlines » User reviews

FlyingChemist flew Japan Airlines Premium Economy, on a B777-300ER (W73) (21/10/2011 05:06)

Check in was swift and professional. Narita lounge (First class) was very clean and offered curry rice and other foods. Drinks included Champagne Mailly Grand Cru and great selection of wine (Bourgogne and Italian) and whiskeys. The coffee maker is the WMF Bistro easy.

Boarding was on time, 11:45; door closed on time at 12:15
I was very friendly greeted by the PA by name even before I sat down. The premium economy was ca 40% occupied and economy ca. 50 (by the way, at the gate JAL offered upgrade from economy to premium economy, because seats were available for 30.000 yen (ca. 250 USD), which is definitely an option for a 12 hour flight.)

We had a very swift service after seat belt signs were off. The lunch (Teriyaki chicken) was accompanied by a small (250 ml?) bottle champagne and Hagen Dazs ice cream for dessert.

Five hours in the flight, PA went around and offered chocolate and Danish pastry. Three hours before landing, we got a freshly made hamburger from Mosburger (actually, you can make it yourself in your seat!)

The video screen is quite large and offers a wide variety of videos (recent release as well as long-run hits), and a good selection of music (classic, jazz, 1960ies to 80ies pop, modern rock, etc)
The German PA commented that they only shuttle between FRA and NRT. No other legs anymore, with which employee may be dissatisfied.

benjigco flew Japan Airlines Executive Class Seasons (business), on a B767-300ER (A41) (26/09/2011 00:43)

I flew into Osaka via Narita together with typhoon Roke. While it was not a pleasant flight because of the storm, it was understandable that the crew tried to make it as comfortable as possible. The two hours of circling in the air prior to landing at Narita from Manila and the two hours of shaking in the runway waiting for the plane to take off from Narita to Osaka was nerve wracking in itself. But the cabin crew provided smiles, comfort and apologies to all on board the flight.

The old 767 of JALs short haul was unfortunately the downside of the trip. The seats would need some push and shove while touching the ancient manual buttons to recline or bring up the foot rest. There is an apparent lack in appropriate translation to the English language for many of the instructions and features of the plane. Even the entertainment had much to be desired with very limited choices of the movies and no AVOD in this day and age where AVOD is standard even in economy class of most airlines.

The upside, however, is the excellent Japanese meals on the flights. Drinks and food flowed freely and the Japanese meals served were as authentic as it gets.

While JAL (and perhaps other airlines) attempt to leave the tarmac ON TIME, Narita airport is one busy, congested airport. More often than not, it is my experience flying out of Narita, that while we leave the gates on time we remain waiting in the runway for several minutes due to the traffic conditions.

Wingtips flew Japan Airlines (23/01/2011 04:24)

I was hoping the seat next to my 17A by the window on this B767-300 would be unoccupied, but a gentleman came by shortly and settled in. But to my delight, just before the plane took off, he moved two rows up as the flight was not full.

Seats in this economy cabin all feature seatback videos except for the front rows. It was possible to store belongings under them as there were no IFE boxes (at least not for those seats by the window). My wheeled laptop bag is the bulky kind so I chose to store it in the overhead compartment. As there are no washrooms in the forward section of the cabin, one was to walk several rows back to get to them.

Size-wise, the seats felt rather narrow but I discovered during the journey that I could raise the right arm rest, which allowed some space. I had to lower this of course before landing.

The meal was a big disappointment. It was a choice between curry pork rice and spicy beef rice. I went for the latter not being a fan of the Japanese curry style cuisine. Though the meat was tender, the flavour was neither here nor there. And the presentation – the beef and rice came in a flimsy tinfoil box – was not up to the standards that I have come to expect of a Japanese travel provider. It was a good thing friends were taking me out for dinner in a popular Japanese restaurant. This service blip made me somewhat grumpy.

Then, I remembered the airline is continuing to go through restructuring and cost cutting because of previous mismanagement. So this is probably the reason for the poor-looking meal. The flight attendants, however, were as gracious as ever, serving liquids at regular intervals during the flight.

MasanoriKatsura flew Japan Airlines First, on a B777-300ER (W82) (06/11/2009 05:40)

Old solo seats(B777-300ER/W73) are not bad however I recommend new JAL suite(B777-300ER/W82) much better, especially privacy, seat comfort. Especially if you have travel companion, you can reserve middle seats which enable you to talk with your companion which was impossible in Old solo configulation.

Basically food are always better than any other airlines if you like Japanese food. Aslo long hauls second meal "anything anytime" is also recommended. I always order salad with curry sauce which is not listed in menu.

EricYuDysanco flew Japan Airlines Economy, on a B747-400 (K13) (05/11/2009 15:08)

Flew with JAL (JL 9/JL 745) on Sept. 20 and JAL (JL 10/742) on Oct. 23.

On all 4 occasions, I was extremely satisfied with the services offered by JAL. The flight crew all provided top notch services unmatched by any airline. And the ease in which I was able to transfer between JAL and American Airlines was very much appreciated!

They are simply in my opinion the best airline in the world and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

Great job JAL!

WorldTraveller79 flew Japan Airlines , on a B767-300ER (A41) (03/10/2009 14:11)

The service was excellent, and the AVOD IFE was great for medium range flight. However, the seats were a little bit narrow, since there is only one less seat in a row than economy class. It has the old Skyluxe Seats, but they have reduced width. This business class would be uncomfortable for a flight longer than 6 hours.

J.AKIMOTO flew Japan Airlines First, on a B777-300ER (W73) (23/10/2008 02:20)

I got my flight from Tokyo Nartia to Singapore by JAL's B777-300ER First Class, JL719. First, Boarding at Narita, I disappointed because this flight do not use boarding Bridge, so I ride on bus to my ship B777-300ER. I think from Tokyo to Singapore, this route is JAL's main route East Asia, so I want to use boarding Bridge this route and my next flight. In aircraft, B777-300ER, I think JAL's Flag Ship now. My flight, First Class Passenger my only, so cabin crew was perfect service and very kindly. First Class seat, JAL new Skysleeper Solo, now rename JAL Skysleeper solo, is good seat, but I feel small size about seat screen. In flight service, I could meal choice western style or Japanese style, I choose Japanese style meal, because JAL is Japanese Flag Airlines. This meal taste is good, in particular, Japanese Sashimi. Many airlines served Japanese style meal now, but I think JAL's First Class Japanese style meal is high quality. And drink menu is also good. I enjoy drinking two another Champagnes. After seven hours, I arrived at Singapore Changi Airport just on time, and after 20 times, I leave Changi Airport to Singapore City. I feel very good flight.