So my verdict after the flight - I definitely would not recommend JL business class.
The only standout thing for me was the Sakura Lounge at NRT - I really liked the segregation of dining / non-dining areas and the quietness of the lounge due to Japanese custom. Food choices were also pretty good too.
Now though, the cons, and boy there were a few.
1. The seat - Nice and private (I had a window seat) when the suite divider is up, but severely lacks storage space other than the small ledge where the IFE is (however, is out of reach for most if your tray table is being used), or behind your seat (however, this area can't be used during taxi and landing), or the tray table flap when put down. Aisle seats have a little cubby for storage but lacks the privacy of window seats.
2. The overall suite felt very outdated and the IFE is horrible to use - both using it via the controller and also the fact that the screen is well out of reach unless you lean forward. The IFE screen is nice and big though.
3. No welcome drink upon boarding? A drink was served after takeoff (I got a Sake) but the snack was not served on a little dish but just in foil packaging (ie. like potato chips). Felt cheap tbh.
4. Now this is subjective, but the food was disappointing especially as it was catered from their home base. Naturally being on JL, I chose the Japanese set menu. The breakfast though (final pic below), was particularly bad - the rice was not heated at all / was still hard and I ended up only having 1 spoonful of it. I felt bad wasting food but it was inedible.
5. Wet / hot towels provided but not actively collected upon use - only collected when I placed it back on the food trays when I finished meals.
I was hoping that the soft service would make up for the inferior hard product, but disappointingly it didn't.
IMO there's absolutely no comparison between CI / CX / QFs 1-2-1 business class products (even the oldest A330 CX or QF you could get). JL would be far down the list for me moving forward, if even on the consideration list.
I flew QF business to Japan and honestly that was much better than JL, and that's really saying something. The Japanese set menu catering on QF leaving Melbourne was better than JL from Tokyo! Other than that, the suite / seat itself - there's no comparison.
It was unfortunately by far the least enjoyable business class experience I've had.
Very disappointed tbh. If I had to rate what I've been on, they would be as per below:
1. CX A350-900/1000
2. QF A330 / B787
3. AY A350-900
4. SQ A350-900 (Regional)
5. JL B787-8/9
For reference, below were the menus and food.
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