From Tokyo Haneda to San Francisco I gave JAL a try in business class for the very first time on a 777-300ER. Overall, I give the flight high marks with particular praise for the food and service onboard. But there were a couple aspects of the flight that drove me crazy.
JAL 777-300ER Business Class – My First Impressions
I had the choice to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner or the 777-300ER to San Francisco (no mileage award space to Los Angeles, where I live) and chose the 777 for the convenience of Haneda Airport (especially in relation to where I stayed in Tokyo Bay) versus Narita Airport. I may have taken the 787-9 Dreamliner had it had the JAL Sky Suite III (reverse herringbone seats), but according to the seat map it had the same Sky Suite (Apex) seat I would have on the 777.
It was tough to choose business class when first class was also available, but I resisted the urge (and modest additional amount of miles) since I reviewed JAL first class last year (and hope to do so again on the A350-1000 if JAL ever starts releasing first class space again) and have never flown JAL business class in my life, let alone on the 777-300ER.
Let’s start with what JAL does well. First, the Apex Suites provide a tremendous amount of privacy and are quite comfortable. This flight departs in the evening and I spent the majority of the flight sleeping, which is always the mission when in business class.
Second, the food onboard was excellent. I always consider ordering the Japanese menu for purposes of these reviews, but JAL does Western food better than most Western carriers, so I pre-ordered the filet mignon for dinner and it did not disappoint.
In fact, it was cooked an absolutely perfect medium rare (per my request)
But it was not just the main course that was excellent. Service began with a Negroni cocktail…I love that JAL had the ingredients (though I had to sub Vermouth for Cointreau). The ladies were so great about mixing this up. They had no idea what a Negroni was, but after I explained it (twice) they found the ingredients and brought them over to make sure they were mixing them correctly (1/3 of each).
The appetizer was a bit strange (the anchovies were something new for me on a plane), but edible.
The cheese and red velvet cake were also superb.
Great meal overall.
Before landing, I ordered breakfast…an omelet with some odd sides…
Now, let’s focus on what I really did not like about this flight: the lack of storage space. The huge drawback to the Apex Suite (at least the “true” window seats) is that there is virtually no storage. There was a very small ledge on the side but no side or rear pockets or containers. Underneath the ottoman there is limited space, but that is not at all handy for storing things like your mobile phone or tablet.
So despite the excellent privacy these seats offer, the storage space is limited.
I also found the “Magic V” IFE system annoying, to say the least. The screen in front of you does not have a menu on it: you have to use your handset to scroll though options and it is only when you choose an option that it launches on your screen. That is an annoying and needlessly complicated system.
One more minor complaint: the largest sweater they had onboard was far too small for me!
And am I the only who finds it a little strange that JAL gives business class passengers sweaters, but collects them before landing?
CONCLUSION
Excellent service, a comfortable seat (though with limited storage), and delicious food characterized my JAL 777-300ER business class flight from HND to SFO. It was not perfect, but certainly solid. In my full review, I will provide details on the amenity kit, more on the IFE and wi-fi, and many other details about the transpacific flight.
What’s with the booze. I thought you gave up drinking. Was that just for lent>
I make exceptions for Negronis.
That steak was still mooing. And also, you fail to point out the dreaded middle business class seat (unless I missed it).
That’s true – I will in the trip report. But at least (it appears) you can get out on either side. Not quite as bad as Turkish Airlines.
Yeah unlike Turkish it’s a 2-3-2 layout where everyone has aisle access.
The new Turkish seats in service seats 2019 have 1 -2-1 access.
I know that and have flown in those seats. I was referring to the comparison of Turkish’s planes with the 2-3-2 layout which do not offer aisle access to all seats the way JAL’s 2-3-2 layout which does offer aisle access to all seats.
I flew JAL business a few times last Thanksgiving. It was good, nearly all around, but there was always something that just seemed a little off to me that I couldn’t quite nail down. Is anybody aware if the catering ex-HND is better than NRT? Your steak looks fantastic. Unlike anything I was offered on 4 flights.
So funny about the PJ’s. I recall First on ANA a few years ago and they actually came by to collect the Pajamas. I was so astonished (and embarrassed) as I had packed them to use on the trip. They were equally as astonished that I would want to take them. When I said, “But, I wore them…you mean you are going to clean and reuse them?” They responded, “Yes, and you must return them, of course you can’t take the pajamas”
LOL. Such a strange quirk, I agree.
Why do you want a sweater? I love ANA business class. I usually fly SFO to NRT.
It’s not that I wanted it, I just find it a little odd to collect it.
Not sure about the sweater, but as far as PJ’s go I find when high quality that they are fantastic to have on a trip to use in hotels. I never take them home (they often shrink so much after a few washings) but serve a good purpose for when lounging in a hotel room on that particular trip.
Japanese hotels always have pyjamas or a pyjama shirt in the room that are washed and replaced each day. The cabins of Japanese carriers are often quite warm, it seems the Japanese like it that way. A cardigan or jumper for most Westerners would make things way too hot.
I don’t mind the ‘quirky’, otherwise why bother flying a non-Western carrier? It’s the quirks that make it interesting
I’l wouldn’t call that steak medium rare judging from the picture. Looks rare to me – and jummy btw
In looking more closely at the picture, I would agree with you.
The storage for me was a killer. So strange to have virtually none. I was in the middle seat last time I flew jal biz and even that was fine with aisle access but not being able to even put an iPhone somewhere was so frustrating.
As with your sweater, I have never had a pair of slippers in F or J that were large enough for my feet.
In having flown JAL business several times in the last few years, I’ve noticed that FA’s sometimes comes around to collect those cardigans at the end of the flight (and there were flights I didn’t see them collect at all, and passengers just left them on the seat). Certainly they won’t force you to take them off if you’re still donning on landing… so consequently I may have 1 or 2 in my collection of lounge wear. Earlier this year was when I noticed they started serving this strange amuse bouche of nuts and olives. I find it very off brand and clearly cost costing, for an airline that positions itself as a more premium carrier.
Maybe JAL gives out sweaters as they keep the cabin colder than what Asian Airlines normally keep the cabin temp as. I’ve only flown JAL once, from HND to SIN in 2019, and the cabin was decently cold. Me and my family were the first ones on the plane, and my mom told the Singaporean FA that it was quite cold. She was extremely apologetic and offered to turn up the cabin temp for us (and we were in Economy – she was an amazing FA, probably the best I’ve ever had in Y). I don’t know if it is standard for JAL to keep their cabins on the cooler side compared to their peers. If so, that may be why the sweaters come in handy.
Your experience is the opposite of most – in most cases JAL keeps its cabins quite warm.