Sensational JL mixed class fares ex SYD to Europe fr. $3823 return

[MEL_Traveller]

Widely available as far as you can book (currently to June 16 2021), mixed class fares flying one way JAL premium economy and the return from Europe in business class, $3823 return. Covers many popular European destinations with code-shares via Helsinki where necessary on Finnair. Finnair intra-Europe books into economy (full Y class)

JAL's premium economy is pretty sweet with lounge access included at all airports as part of the standard offering.

Flights to/from Tokyo to Europe and Australia feature the apex suites in business.

Depending on your destination, there can be a lengthy day or overnight transit in Tokyo.

Flights out of MEL don't always offer premium economy, and at the moment the booking engine isn't showing it as an available cabin for May/June next year. Fares don't show on the website for economy/business mixed, but I'm guessing it might be the regular coach fare ($711) combined with business on the return ($2707), for a roundtrip of around $3400.

The JAL mixed class Y+/J ex SYD for $3823 compares to Qantas at $4128 return premium economy (no business class on any sector). .

 

[jb747]

I wonder how you’ll get on when you eventually need to get the refund for these flights.....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I wonder how you’ll get on when you eventually need to get the refund for these flights.....

IIRC there’s a standard $200 cancellation fee. Obviously waived for covid, if applicable. I think from reports the Japanese carriers have been very good looking after customers with refunds.

 

[Mattg]

I still can't bring myself to book new international flights while we don't know when the borders will reopen.

But good luck to anybody that can take advantage of this deal. It's a good fare.

 

[maiuspala]

I tried many different european destinations and dates, never got any results. Same with syd - tokyo. Only found results for tyo-hel flights, but these are very expensive. Is this deal for any specific dates or how can I get some more information?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I tried many different european destinations and dates, never got any results. Same with syd - tokyo. Only found results for tyo-hel flights, but these are very expensive. Is this deal for any specific dates or how can I get some more information?

Hi... so go to the Aussie JAL site: JAPAN AIRLINES (JAL) - Flights to Japan from Australia

As a random example enter in SYD to AMS, April 21st to May 12th, from the class select 'premium economy'.

This will display a calendar, with daily fares for $1115.82 outbound and $1141 return (both in premium economy, at this stage). Select the dates you want and hit 'continue'.

This brings up a range of flight options for your chosen day. You can pick the ones that suit. Select premium economy for the outbound ($1115). Note that business class fares may also show, but not always.

Scroll down for the return flights. There you can pick the option that suits you. Business class always shows here. The return fare options are either $2707/$2764/$2813. Those prices depend on whether you want to connect in London or Helsinki, and whether you want that short flight in economy or business.

 

[suze2000]

Very interesting. We loved JAL and Japan when we last flew to Europe.

 

[relaxalot]

It is also worth noting that the Sydney to Europe flight is a very civilised day flight up to Tokyo arriving around 5pm local, no longer requires an airport change (both arrives at and departs from Haneda) and then a mid/late morning flight the next day to Paris or Frankfurt arriving mid afternoon. There is a decent hotel in Haneda airport and a selection of quite good restaurants landside with many other accommodation/food options accessible via train. As Mel_Traveller notes, PE on JAL gives lounge access and the space is quite good for day flights - so not a bad way to get there. The trip back has good connections but two overnight flights and so J is preferable. So the mixed class at around $3800 (plus ~$150 each for two at the hotel) is not a bad option.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It is also worth noting that the Sydney to Europe flight is a very civilised day flight up to Tokyo arriving around 5pm local, no longer requires an airport change (both arrives at and departs from Haneda) and then a mid/late morning flight the next day to Paris or Frankfurt arriving mid afternoon. There is a decent hotel in Haneda airport and a selection of quite good restaurants landside with many other accommodation/food options accessible via train. As Mel_Traveller notes, PE on JAL gives lounge access and the space is quite good for day flights - so not a bad way to get there. The trip back has good connections but two overnight flights and so J is preferable. So the mixed class at around $3800 (plus ~$150 each for two at the hotel) is not a bad option.

There is also an option to route to Helsinki which cuts the transit to about 8 hours in Tokyo - IIRC the HEL flight leaves at 0150.

 

[relaxalot]

There is also an option to route to Helsinki which cuts the transit to about 8 hours in Tokyo - IIRC the HEL flight leaves at 0150.

Quite true. Cheaper (factoring in the hotel) and faster but an 8 hour transit can be awkward and the next segment is a night flight in PE. In this case, we like the two daytime flights with a civilised dinner and full night's sleep in between - even though I am usually a "press on and get there" kind of flyer.

 

[Melburnian1]

...The JAL mixed class Y+/J ex SYD for $3823 compares to Qantas at $4128 return premium economy (no business class on any sector). .

While I share jb747's reservations - far too early to book, given no visibility re when we can travel - a fare like this gives the lie to some travel sites' recent contention that 'the era of cheap flying is over.'

'Cheap' is subjective but most would say $3823 return in W one way, J the other is that.

I haven't been on JL for years but my one return trip to LHR via KIX on it was very good, although irrelevant for today as aircraft have long changed.

Could a good travel agent arrange a stopover in Japan at minimal cost - say $100 - each way, or one way if a client desired? I usually find my travel agent can undercut internet fares.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

While I share jb747's reservations - far too early to book, given no visibility re when we can travel - a fare like this gives the lie to some travel sites' recent contention that 'the era of cheap flying is over.'

'Cheap' is subjective but most would say $3823 return in W one way, J the other is that.

I haven't been on JL for years but my one return trip to LHR via KIX on it was very good, although irrelevant for today as aircraft have long changed.

Could a good travel agent arrange a stopover in Japan at minimal cost - say $100 - each way, or one way if a client desired? I usually find my travel agent can undercut internet fares.

Other than the money leaving my bank account, I don't have any reservations booking travel now for say June/July next year. If we are still in lockdown by then we will have far greater issues to deal with than travel

Don't know about the cost of the stopovers. I didn't try to price those out.

Cost... all relative isn't it? Singapore Airlines regularly has AUD3300 fares return in full business class each way ex Europe. Other airlines have fares of AUD2200-2500 return to Europe in full business class ex Asia. So our 'Australia tax' is still alive and kicking even with 'cheap' fares

On the point of travel agents... if we are concerned about booking too early, I'd be confident to recommend against using travel agents now more than ever before. To save a couple of bucks but have to deal with the agent going bankrupt, or not offering refunds, or not being contactable... the risk is too great.

unfortunately there are plenty of agents out there who were less than stellar in representing their industry during covid.

 

[trevella]

So to summarize, not an especially attractive opportunity even during peacetime, and then there’s that pesky “lending money for a year to an airline that’s already gone bankrupt once and now faces the worst crisis in the history of aviation” element.

Sensational.