JAL 777-300ER back on Sydney route

[_TheTraveller_]

Value of AA miles is completely free cancellations. Book now and decide whether to take later.

Speaking of which, any thoughts on whether row 1 or 2 is best for a couple?

View attachment 368441

Identical. I've done 1D/G and 2D/G no substantial difference. Can always do 1A/2A and dine together during meal service.

 

[sudoer]

Speaking of which, any thoughts on whether row 1 or 2 is best for a couple?

Take 1 IMO.

1A 1K blocked for elites, they are more likely to go out empty.

 

[kpc]

Take 1 IMO.

1A 1K blocked for elites, they are more likely to go out empty.

Yeah we booked 1D,1G

 

[elanshin]

Looking at the availability seems its June - October for now.

Interesting that they're only keeping it for the JP summer season for now.

 

[SYD]

Looking at the availability seems its June - October for now.

Interesting that they're only keeping it for the JP summer season for now.

Yes, I looked for some Oz summer repositioning opportunities to Europe and no joy…..

 

[elanshin]

I did some quick maths 129k points one way is about $2500 worth of QF wine.

That sounds pretty cheap even if you didn't have QFF points lying around. And thats not even including the fact you got a bonus $2500 worth of wine. (You could probably even call the wine guys and get them to give you bonus for the large wine purchase).

Currently prices are about 13k return for these flights in F sold directly by JL.

 

[kpc]

I did some quick maths 129k points one way is about $2500 worth of QF wine.

That sounds pretty cheap even if you didn't have QFF points lying around. And thats not even including the fact you got a bonus $2500 worth of wine. (You could probably even call the wine guys and get them to give you bonus for the large wine purchase).

Currently prices are about 13k return for these flights in F sold directly by JL.

Or buy some Woolworths travel insurance

 

[masco131]

Just booked 2 seats in J SYD-HND and 2 in F HND-SYD. Looking forward to the F flight, going to be my first time in F. Anybody got any tips to make the trip even more enjoyable?

 

[kearvaigskewer]

These don't seem to be showing through Qantas anymore. I can still see them elsewhere though.

 

[sudoer]

These don't seem to be showing through Qantas anymore. I can still see them elsewhere though.

Still showing for me via multi-city tool

 

[madrooster]

Not sure why ex Hnd-Syd the taxes are so much higher...

JL charges fuel fines ex-JP (approx 480 AUD) but not ex-AU. You can get around it by ticketing say a SYD-MEL QF domestic before the HND-SYD, but you must fly the SYD-MEL.

 

[kearvaigskewer]

JL charges fuel fines ex-JP (approx 480 AUD) but not ex-AU. You can get around it by ticketing say a SYD-MEL QF domestic before the HND-SYD, but you must fly the SYD-MEL.

Can you explain the mechanics of how to do this?

 

[sudoer]

Anybody got any tips to make the trip even more enjoyable?

• Flights departing ex Japan have Salon 2013 loaded, which goes for $2-3k per bottle. JAL only load one or two bottles per flight, and it will run out - so make sure you grab a glass during the first drink service.
  
  
• Log into JAL MMB not just to select your seats, but also select your preference for a western or Japanese meal. You can view the exact food and drink menu here (for the remainder of the current month and the coming two months). JAL MMB can have issues with middle names, and you might need to enter your 'first name' in the format Firstmiddle
  
  
• Mori Izo shochu is not just available to drink in flight (it's worth trying!) but you might also consider buying a bottle or two from the JAL SHOP menu. The inflight price is considerably lower than the going street price due to rarity - Mori Izo releases limited supplies and a lot of it goes directly to JAL. There are usually a few different options for purchase, the rarer bottles requiring JMB Diamond/JGP membership and/or a first/business ticket. Take a look when you're on board anyway, it could be a nice souvenir.
  
  
• If you need a break from alcohol, consider ordering the Queen of Blue Tea - possibly one of the most expensive teas served in the sky.
  
  
• You'll get a coupon to use the wifi for free but I believe it only allows one device to connect at a time. If you have multiple devices, join the JAL wifi on your phone, then start a hotspot for simultaneous use on other devices (laptop)
  
  
• Four days ago, JAL opened a 'First Class entrance' at Haneda to coincide with the A350/new first cabin launch. This is only available to passengers in first, OWE pax continue using the First counter. The entrance is between check-in rows G and H - see below. Some pics of the check-in area here.

 

[madrooster]

Can you explain the mechanics of how to do this?

Use the multi city tool and book SYD-MEL (or any other AU domestic flight) for some date before the HND-SYD, and then HND-SYD. You MUST fly the SYD-MEL however, that's the catch. You're basically spending an extra 8000 QF points to save 480 AUD+whatever the cost of the domestic flight is which is a good deal.

 

[kpc]

• Flights departing ex Japan have Salon 2013 loaded, which goes for $2-3k per bottle. JAL only load one or two bottles per flight, and it will run out - so make sure you grab a glass during the first drink service.
  
  
• Log into JAL MMB not just to select your seats, but also select your preference for a western or Japanese meal. You can view the exact food and drink menu here (for the remainder of the current month and the coming two months). JAL MMB can have issues with middle names, and you might need to enter your 'first name' in the format Firstmiddle
  
  
• Mori Izo shochu is not just available to drink in flight (it's worth trying!) but you might also consider buying a bottle or two from the JAL SHOP menu. The inflight price is considerably lower than the going street price due to rarity - Mori Izo releases limited supplies and a lot of it goes directly to JAL. There are usually a few different options for purchase, the rarer bottles requiring JMB Diamond/JGP membership and/or a first/business ticket. Take a look when you're on board anyway, it could be a nice souvenir.
  
  
• If you need a break from alcohol, consider ordering the Queen of Blue Tea - possibly one of the most expensive teas served in the sky.
  
  
• You'll get a coupon to use the wifi for free but I believe it only allows one device to connect at a time. If you have multiple devices, join the JAL wifi on your phone, then start a hotspot for simultaneous use on other devices (laptop)
  
  
• Four days ago, JAL opened a 'First Class entrance' at Haneda to coincide with the A350/new first cabin launch. This is only available to passengers in first, OWE pax continue using the First counter. The entrance is between check-in rows G and H - see below. Some pics of the check-in area here.

View attachment 368918

Bookmarked so I can find this post just before our flights in October

 

[kpc]

JL charges fuel fines ex-JP (approx 480 AUD) but not ex-AU. You can get around it by ticketing say a SYD-MEL QF domestic before the HND-SYD, but you must fly the SYD-MEL.

Yeah....I booked Syd-Hkg (Qf)- Hnd (Cx)-Syd (JL F)....brought the taxes down to ~ $300 per pax cf to the $480 per pax for standalone Hnd-Syd (JL F)..

 

[masco131]

• Flights departing ex Japan have Salon 2013 loaded, which goes for $2-3k per bottle. JAL only load one or two bottles per flight, and it will run out - so make sure you grab a glass during the first drink service.
  
  
• Log into JAL MMB not just to select your seats, but also select your preference for a western or Japanese meal. You can view the exact food and drink menu here (for the remainder of the current month and the coming two months). JAL MMB can have issues with middle names, and you might need to enter your 'first name' in the format Firstmiddle
  
  
• Mori Izo shochu is not just available to drink in flight (it's worth trying!) but you might also consider buying a bottle or two from the JAL SHOP menu. The inflight price is considerably lower than the going street price due to rarity - Mori Izo releases limited supplies and a lot of it goes directly to JAL. There are usually a few different options for purchase, the rarer bottles requiring JMB Diamond/JGP membership and/or a first/business ticket. Take a look when you're on board anyway, it could be a nice souvenir.
  
  
• If you need a break from alcohol, consider ordering the Queen of Blue Tea - possibly one of the most expensive teas served in the sky.
  
  
• You'll get a coupon to use the wifi for free but I believe it only allows one device to connect at a time. If you have multiple devices, join the JAL wifi on your phone, then start a hotspot for simultaneous use on other devices (laptop)
  
  
• Four days ago, JAL opened a 'First Class entrance' at Haneda to coincide with the A350/new first cabin launch. This is only available to passengers in first, OWE pax continue using the First counter. The entrance is between check-in rows G and H - see below. Some pics of the check-in area here.

View attachment 368918

Thank you for these tips.

 

[747sp]

Just to go back to the JAL part I think that JAL will have a spare 777 when the A350 is put on the New York run. The spare aircraft is doing the Sydney run.

 

[Kangol]

When is the JL 777 aircraft swap to SYD scheduled until?

According to this:

JAL NS24 International Service Changes – 24DEC23 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0800GMT 25DEC23 Japan Airlines (JAL) last week filed selected international service changes for Northern summer 2024 season. Latest adjustments as of 24DEC23 as follows. Tokyo Haneda – New York JFK eff 31MAR24 A350-1000XWB service on JL006/005 increases from alternating days to 1

www.aeroroutes.com

Tokyo Haneda – Sydney 777-300ER replaces 787-9 during following periods in 2Q24: 31MAR24 – 30APR24, 31MAY24 – 30JUN24 (Planned 777-300ER on/after 01JUL24 unchanged)

Does this mean from 01JUL24 it will be the 777 scheduled until further notice?

 

[elanshin]

When is the JL 777 aircraft swap to SYD scheduled until?

According to this:

JAL NS24 International Service Changes – 24DEC23 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0800GMT 25DEC23 Japan Airlines (JAL) last week filed selected international service changes for Northern summer 2024 season. Latest adjustments as of 24DEC23 as follows. Tokyo Haneda – New York JFK eff 31MAR24 A350-1000XWB service on JL006/005 increases from alternating days to 1

www.aeroroutes.com

Tokyo Haneda – Sydney 777-300ER replaces 787-9 during following periods in 2Q24: 31MAR24 – 30APR24, 31MAY24 – 30JUN24 (Planned 777-300ER on/after 01JUL24 unchanged)

Does this mean from 01JUL24 it will be the 777 scheduled until further notice?

The Mar and May exists on the booking, but there's no F available to book which indicates JL isn't certain.

Right now F is available until end of October. November doesn't have F available which I take as a sign that JL hasn't committed to the 77W for Nov onwards.

Now you'd think that JL would keep the bigger plane for the Aussie Christmas season, but who knows.