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 I am not a huge fan of the Apex Suite.
JAL 777-300ER Business Class Review (HND-SFO)
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.
For 70,000 AA miles, I booked a two-segment ticket:
- Malaysia Airlines Business Class Kuala Lumpur – Tokyo
- JAL Business Class Tokyo – San Francisco
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 in 2022 (and hope to do so again soon on the A350-1000) and have never flown JAL business class in my life, let alone on the 777-300ER.
Check-In
After arriving at HND, I found the found the business class check-in lines were not crowded ahead of my evening departure across the Pacific.
My oneworld emerald status allowed me to use the first class check-in counter, which was also deserted.
Security screening is so pleasant in Japan…I love that slippers are offered and floors are carpeted.
I checked out both the JAL First Class Lounge and the Sakura Sky View Lounge before presenting myself at the gate for boarding.
Boarding
Boarding commenced about 45 minutes prior to departure (which seems almost too much time for a Japanese carrier, where you can except speedy and efficient boarding).
Japan Airlines 002
Tokyo (HND) – San Francisco (SFO)
Sunday, March 16
Depart: 7:55 PM
Arrive: 1:25 PM (same day)
Duration: 9hr, 30min
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Distance: 5,160 miles
Seat: 9K (Business Class)
I knew it would be a great flight by the way the crew fawned over me as I boarded. A male flight attendant insisted on taking my bag and helping me to my seat. That service set the tone for the flight.
Seat
The business class cabin is comprised of 49 Apex Suites from Collins Aerospace. The configuration is a staggered 2-3-2, but even though there are “middle seats” each seat has direct aisle access:
I do think the cabin looks quite tired…but it helped when the mood lighting was turned on.
Seats are 20.5 inches wide and five inches wider when converted to a lie-flat bed (which measures 74 inches when fully extended).
Each seat has room for a larger carry-on bag under your feet and has a universal AC port, USB-A port, seat controls, and 23-inch screen (more on the IFE below).
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.
But the huge drawback to the Apex Suite (at least the “true” window seats) is that there is virtually no storage beyond the baggage storage area under your ottoman. There was a very small ledge on the side but no side or rear pockets or containers. The ottoman space is not at all handy for storing things like your mobile phone or tablet. For that reason, this is not one of my favorite seats.
A water bottle was waiting at each seat, but with nowhere to store it, flew off the table during takeoff and landing.
There are no air vents onboard, but the cabin never heated up to an uncomfortable level.
Bedding includes a mattress pad, pillow, and duvet. Turn-down service is available upon request.
I’m thankful I slept…after my massage-gone-bad in KL, I was really struggling on this flight. The Benadryl helped…
IFE + Wi-Fi
The 23-inch screen and noise-cancelling headphones are nice enough, but I 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 through options and it is only when you choose an option that it launches on your screen. That is an annoying and needlessly complicated system…
Wi-Fi was available for purchase at the following rates:
Lavatory
I’m almost shocked to admit I found a few splashes of water on the floor when I used the lavatory! While far cleaner than many of its Western counterparts, I appreciated the bidet and extra amenities like tootbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash.
Amenity Kit + Sweater
I quite liked the Maison Kitsuné amenity kit…the fox logo and French colors prompted me to take the kit home (something I rarely do anymore). Contents included a moisture pack, earplugs, eyeshade, tissue, and dental kit. Slippers were also offered (too small for my feet).
A sweater–for use in-flight–was later offered.
But the largest sweater they had onboard was far too small for me!
And am I the only one who finds it a little strange that JAL gives business class passengers sweaters, but collects them before landing?
Another facial mask was handed out before landing, which I applied immediately.
Food + Drink
While I always consider ordering the Japanese menu for purposes of these reviews, JAL does Western food better than most Western carriers, so I pre-ordered the filet mignon for dinner and it did not disappoint. I’m not ashamed to say that my palette does not embrace (or perhaps has not yet learned to embrace) most Japanese food. Too bad, so sad…
Before takeoff, a choice of orange juice or sparkling wine was offered. Menus were also distributed (but I love that they are also available online in .pdf format ahead of your flight).
Dinner
After takeoff, 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).
Canapes including olives and sugar-coated walnuts were served with the drink.
The appetizer was a bit strange (the smelt was something new for me on a plane), but edible. The plate included a quartet of flavors:
- Canola Flower & Chicken Breast with citrus vinaigrette flavor
- Potato & Morel Mushroom dressed with goat cheese
- “Kobashira” & Fava Bean in tomato cream
- Marinated pond smelt with basil sauce
Not my favorite appetizer, but at least a variation from the usual smoked salmon and green salad…
Warm bread was offered with the appetizer and refills were offered throughout the meal service.
The main course was almost perfect…some might argue the cow was still alive…but I greatly appreciate that I was not only asked how I wanted my meat cooked, but then they did it exactly right (well, I requested medium rare and this is clearly rare, but close enough and far better than medium well). It was served with onion, burdock, and truffle butter.
For dessert, I enjoyed a cheese plate followed by red velvet cake. Both were superb.
Pre-Arrival Meal
Before landing, I ordered breakfast…an omelet with some odd sides. Here is how it was described on the menu:
- Plain Omelette with Seaweed Vinaigrette
- Lentil & Enoki Mushroom. Tandoori Flavor
- Warm Salad of Spinach, Smoked Pickled White Radish, and Cottage Cheese
- Quinoa
- Olive & Orange tomato
- Sweet Potato Mousseline
Seaweed is perhaps the top reason I dislike Japanese food…but it did not overwhelm the omelet. It was served with smoked salmon on the side, freh fruit, a blueberry bagel, and more bread (no croissants available, though).
I also took this opportunity to try the “JAL Café Lines” with a special coffee from the San Sebastian Coffee Estate blending “Bourbon Natural” x “San Miguel Antigua.” I love Guateamlan coffee and this was a great cup of coffee to start my day.
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 a perfect flight, but certainly solid. I would not hesitate to fly JAL again.
That looks fantastic for an airplane steak. I tend to think TYO-SFO is too short. Weird to say about a TPAC route, but to me, the eastbound segment “flies like a Transatlantic.”
It is short…I prefer the other direction, though the meal service is a bit odd flying west (perhaps I’m in the minority, but I like a breakfast before landing, not another lunch after 11 hours).
JAL actually used to do this on the east bound segments as well. It was crazy landing in LA mid morning after a night flight and being offered lunch. At least they got one direction going correctly!
But that’s Narita, not Haneda in your cover photo!
By the way, awesome that you got to see all three ANA turtle A380s together…
Quite right. I did not get a picture at HND due to window glare and time of day.
The rental sweater strikes me as particularly odd as well.
You may not be a fan of Japanese food overall but as your attorney I would advise that you try either JAL or ANA’s curry, which are normally served both onboard and in the lounges. Both offer a similar curry. The curry is nothing like a Thai or Indian curry but is actually quite savory. If you visit the lounge you can smell it to determine for yourself but I’d bet money that you’d be favorably surprised.
You might recall I tried it on ANA—
https://liveandletsfly.com/ana-787-9-business-class-review/
And in the lounge—
https://liveandletsfly.com/ana-lounge-tokyo-narita-review/
I do like Japanese curry. Still not my favorite.
A little “water” on the bathroom floor? Funny.
In this case, I tend to think it was water instead of yellow water…perhaps the bidet? But who knows.
Funny how lack of storage can be such a killer. I was in the middle seat from Ord to nrt and it annoyed the hell out of me. Book, phone, charger. Where do they all go?
I always thought wouldn’t someone have tested the seat and said “hey we need somewhere to put stuff for 12 hours?” Even a storage net
With regards to the seat and food…
*I tend to think of this seat as similar to the one on Turkish on the 777, but with better privacy and aisle access for all.
*As for the food, the snack menu is a good chance to try out Japanese food for people who might be a bit apprehensive about it. I’m surprised you didn’t have the wagyu before landing but I guess it would have been too much beef?
Looks great. I take the pjs in business class knowing they won’t fit and gift them to a relative.
@Matthew, is this a recycled post? The photos seem familiar to a review you did last year. Also, in terms of storage, isn’t there some storage behind the window/middle seats? Or is that space not accessible?
I did a “teaser” right after the flight, but this is the first time I have published a review.
Relax a bit on the seaweed. I don’t like the dried stuff but fresh seaweed is tasty, available almost world wide and sustainable if harvested properly. At Assateague island (excellent water quality) I have made salad, wraps and omelets. Healthy, tasty and free! It is empowering to feed yourself from the sea.
Sadly, I find the texture, smell, and taste absolutely revolting. I wish I loved it…
I can understand.
I was on this same flight in both January and March. I have been waiting for someone to post a review about this flight, particularly about the awful, terrible, clunky entertainment interface. Having few search parameters for movies (Hollywood or world movies, that’s it?), and having to make your selection on the tiny controller rather than on the display screen is something out of pre-2000 technology. In addition, those of us who need reading glasses have to put them on to see the controller every time we want to make a change or even adjust the volume.
BTW, the same crappy system is used in JAL first class on their 787. The old controller units from 2020 are still installed in the console, but are non functional. As great as JAL is with so many aspects of their flight experience at the front of the plane, this is a step backward, when they tried to upgrade their entertainment experience.
Oh, Matthew, I do love you dearly- but seriously you are such a delicate little flower when it comes to your food tastes. Get out of that comfort zone! Keep trying things you think you dislike and eventually you’ll understand the charms. I can now eat all kinds of tiny fried fish parts that I could never have before between Japan, coastal Italy, and the Gulf Coast…. keep going until you’re eating the parts that you didn’t realize was actual food!
Although I do give you “chest hair props” for your “negroni”. Polishing off all 3 of those minis plus a welcome drink or two…. This lightweight would be too schnuckered to get out of my seat to go to the bathroom after slamming those!
What is your suitcase? It looks by some German brand but I forgot the name.
This week my top 3 travel sites have all featured JAL content ex Tokyo! I find JAL doesn’t get reviewed too often so good to see them getting some proper attention. The APEX seat is great imo, but yes storage is an issue, much like BA’s old CW seats but the privacy at the windows and the uniform sleeping surface make up for it. I just tuck my mobile in the pocket of my weekender which I leave under the ottoman, same for my laptop/books. I’d rather have a big ottoman than a console next to me and having to sleep with my feet in a small cubby hole. JAL will start offering first class again to SYD which I am excited about, even if it is the old seats. Great review as always Matt. Hopefully we’ll see a review of the new first seats on the a350 soon.
Japan Airlines’ marketing and branding is extremely dated. They brought back the crane and the old logo as they exited from bankruptcy a few years back. The brand definitely needs a refresh (as does ANA) but that’s all on the exterior. The quality and comfort aboard both carriers’ premium cabins far exceeds anything you’ll ever experience on a US carrier and some European ones as well.
It’s always steak. Steak, steak, steak, steak and steak. Literally the most boring thing on virtually any airline menu.
Boredom is subjective. So is taste.