I recently published my JAL 777-300 first class trip report. The more I think about it, the more it becomes clear that this was the best flight of my life in terms of overall onboard product.
But why? What in particular made JAL the best overall product I have ever experienced? I’ll try to answer the question below.
1. Impeccable Service
In the end, this is by far the primary reason why I would label JAL best. Service was the perfect combination of attentiveness, kindness, friendliness, diligence, and charm. Every interaction was flawless and the FAs could not have been better.
2. Exquisite Food
The food was delicious: perfectly prepared (my skirt steak was medium rare) and beautifully presented. Every course was brimming with flavor and approached fine-restaurant quality.
3. Comfortable Bedding
JAL uses a thick mattress pad and excellent bedding to maximize the sleep experience. Having a comfortable duvet and two pillows (memory foam + soft) make sleeping so much easier.
It’s really that simple. IFE and wi-fi are far less important to me in first class than in business class. I don’t really care about the sticker price of alcohol or how nice the amenity kits and pajamas are (though they are nice on JAL). I care about great service, delicious food, and comfortable bedding. JAL delivers in all three categories.
But most of all I care about great service…without that I could not care less about the food and bedding in forming an overall opinion of the product.
CONCLUSION
The best flights of my life are not just about the onboard service, but about the people I was with. For example, SWISS First Class with my uncle or family or Lufthansa First Class with my wife. But in terms of onboard product, I cannot think of a more perfect experience than my flight with JAL.
JAL has an uncompetitive ground product. Even so, its first class onboard experience more than makes up for it.
> Read More: Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Review
I totally agree with you on “In terms of on-board product, I cannot think of a more perfect experience than my flight with JAL.” I took JAL first class from Tokyo to JFK last year and by far the best product and service in the sky.
MK, every now and then I read about some far eastern carriers keeping the cabins a bit warmer than US carriers. I assume that was not the case here?
Very eager to try JAL and visit Japan.
So excited to hear this! My daughter and I will be traveling on JAL First March 2019 – JFK to NRT. It will be our first First Class international experience, and we’re super jazzed. Flying Korean First on the way back, so it will be fun to compare and contrast.
I found the JAL first class hard product to be great. But I thought the soft product service I received was worse then my first class experience flying with ANA. I’ll have to try them again and compare.
Jal will always keep a warm cabin. Every time I board in first I just tell the flight attendant please keep it cool and they do.
agreed with your assessments.
initially i’ve rated JAL F as “A-” as ANA F as “A”, both based on one way JFK-NRT.
but after a JAL F NRT-JFK flight last Nov where my body felt like it was falling apart, the flight attendants really took good care of me.
Their food and lounges essentially the same between ANA and JAL. But after the exceptional service they’ve provided (I wasn’t asking for a lot, except for things like warm water to soothe my body system), I now rate JAL F as “A+”. (this is the only F product i’ve given a personal A+ rating. My rating for CX LH SQ etc are all lower)
I flew JAL F NRT-JFK a couple weeks ago. I agree. Service was amazing. Yes, cabin was too hot. As great as CX’s F product and service are, I do think JAL was a bit better. I just wish I didn’t develop a taste for Queen of Blue tea.
I know that feeling. For me the Queen of Blue Tea is a deciding factor. Nothing else compares to its exquisite flavours. Enjoyed that they had to open a second bottle just for me on my flight 3 weeks ago. Also liked the new amenity bag from ETRO. Still prefer the contents of the Louwe, but this is rather pretty and very repurposeable.
I have in the last two years flown emirates, Etihad, Japan airlines, British airways, Cathay Pacific, and Lufthansa all in first. I have to say that it was close between jal with their perfect service and Emirates with a wonderful experience. I would and will be flying both of those products again. Emirates just on the a380 for the bar and bathroom. Jal for the slightly better but noticeable difference in soft product and flight attendants.