Japan Airlines currently has some exceptional Premium Economy airfares available to Europe. From $2,328 return, you can fly in Premium Economy with Japan Airlines on a wide range of dates to Frankfurt, Helsinki, Paris or London. Onward connections to other European cities are also available with Oneworld partner airlines.
A member of the Oneworld alliance, Japan Airlines is a 5-star Skytrax airline with an outstanding Premium Economy product and great customer service to match. Premium Economy tickets with Japan Airlines even include airport lounge access as standard, and with these fares you can also choose to add a free stopover in Tokyo.
The Japan Airlines Premium Economy deal to Europe is available from Sydney, Canberra, Hobart and many other Australian cities.
On the outbound leg from Australia to Europe, you’ll need to stop in Tokyo en-route for at least one night due to Japan Airlines’ schedules. If you’re flying to Frankfurt or Helsinki, you won’t have to change airports in Tokyo but if you’re flying onwards to London or Paris, you’ll arrive from Sydney at Tokyo’s Narita Airport and depart the following day from Haneda Airport. On the return leg, there are good connections available from Frankfurt to Sydney.
This fare does not have a published expiry date, and is available as long as Japan Airlines is operating a Premium Economy cabin to/from Sydney, subject to availability. According to the fare rules, you are entitled to up to 3 free stopovers in each direction; one each in Australia, Japan and/or Europe.
With Japan Airlines, Premium Economy customers are entitled to lounge access. In Sydney, you’ll use the Qantas International Business Lounge and in Tokyo, you’ll have access to the JAL Sakura Lounge. (The only other airline to offer lounge access as a standard Premium Economy inclusion is ANA.)
Sample dates and routings
Here are some examples of Japan Airlines Premium Economy fares to Europe that we found…
1. Sydney to London; returning from Helsinki to Sydney
2. Sydney to Helsinki & back
3. Canberra to London; returning from Helsinki to Canberra
4. Sydney to Frankfurt & back
We’ve used ITA Matrix to find sample routings, but you can book directly on the Japan Airlines website. When booking online, you may even be able to find prices lower than those quoted above; JAL is advertising that Premium Economy seats from Australia to Europe are available for as low as $2,243 on its website.
Earning Qantas points and status credits
These JAL Premium Economy fares book into “R” class. This fare class earns Qantas points and status credits at “Economy” rates, so you’d earn 9,700 Qantas points and 90 status credits for a round-trip booking from Sydney to Helsinki.
Read more: How Qantas Punishes You for Flying Partner Airlines
If you instead credit these flights to British Airways Executive Club, American Airlines AAdvantage, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan – or pretty much any Japan Airlines partner airline – you’ll earn miles at the full “Premium Economy” rate. For example, you could earn 20,176 Avios and 360 tier points by crediting the same return flights from Sydney to Helsinki to British Airways Executive Club.
Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: JAL PE to Europe from Australia $2243
