JAL 777-300ER back on Sydney route

[encryptededdy]

Was checking EF and saw this. Looks like starting July-ish next year, JAL are bringing the 773 on the Sydney <-> Tokyo route. I assume this is capacity freed by the arrival of the A350-1000 on their JFK route.

Looks like there is F and A fare classes available, but they're all zeroed out. Maybe they haven't decided if they want to sell F on this route yet, or if the flights might get equipment swapped back. Seat map does not allow you to select F whilst flying J at the moment.

 

[bernardblack]

When I was looking at this a couple of weeks back, there was a day or two showing F award space. (A is the fare bucket for that, I presume?) It seemed to cut over to the 77W about the start of July.

Also when I booked the 77W rotation LHR-HND in J using Asia Miles, one of the JAL forum people at FlyerTalk made a remark about perhaps seeing an equipment swap closer to the time. So maybe if they get their third and fourth 35K by this time next year they might add it to the LHR or CDG rotations.

 

[tdimdad]

How are the cabins different from the current 788/789's, or do they have the exact same hard product?

 

[bernardblack]

The J cabin has the same Apex Suites as most of the 788s and 789s, although with the wider fuselage it's 2-3-2 rather than 2-2-2. I think there are some 789s with reverse herringbone, but they don't usually use them for MEL or SYD.

I've only flown them once before, in J, with an Apex Suite on a 789, but I'm given to understand they have about the best pitch and width in economy of any major long-haul airline (33-34" pitch, and 9 across on 777 or 8 across on 787s), consistently across the widebody fleet. I think the premium economy (not available on 788s) is meant to be pretty decent too.

I don't think anyone has publicly stated specifics about the new cabins in the 35K.

 

[tdimdad]

If in Y, I really like the roominess of JL B78x. I also like their PE (B789) better than QF's (A380). Yet to get to J on JL but do have high hopes it is a good way to travel.
Therefore the question: do we get to continue to enjoy the same level of comfort in those cabins?

 

[encryptededdy]

If in Y, I really like the roominess of JL B78x. I also like their PE (B789) better than QF's (A380). Yet to get to J on JL but do have high hopes it is a good way to travel.
Therefore the question: do we get to continue to enjoy the same level of comfort in those cabins?

More or less yes. However, the IFE is worse on the 777 (and it wasn't that good to begin with on the 787). I also think economy 2-4-2 on the 787 is a tiny bit (like 1cm) wider than 3-3-3 on the 777?

Otherwise, the comfort is the same.

Oh, I guess in Business we're now guaranteed Apex Suites instead of the not very good reverse herringbone on some 787s. OTOH, Business now has a middle seat (still direct aisle access though).

 

[frodo]

Otherwise, the comfort is the same.

Disagree, I think the aircraft itself matters a lot. The 777 is a lot noisier than the 787 and doesn't have the lower cabin pressurisation as the 787.

JAL has flown both the apex suite and the reverse herringbone 789s to SYD post-covid, last Christmas I was on the apex suite but over Easter it was the reverse herringbones, and then this upcoming Christmas the current config is back to the apex suites...

In Y, the 789 is clearly better. J is a tougher one if you compare the reverse herringbone 789s to the 777s with guaranteed apex suite.

 

[walter82]

My flights for next June/July show a 787-9 on the way out in June and a 777 on the return leg in July (syd - hnd). I was curious about the difference but clearly a change of product back to Apex suites.

 

[sudoer]

Booked 2 x return F awards last night, and have convinced a few of my friends to do the same. These wide open opportunities don't come up too often!!

 

[SYD]

Booked 2 x return F awards last night, and have convinced a few of my friends to do the same. These wide open opportunities don't come up too often!!

Even the plethora of J seats are very good. Not much more points than QF seats - plus, less potential disappointment if JAL have an equipment swap between now and flying.

BTW, for the Uber flexible, there’s quite a few QF J seats next week.

 

[freqflyer77]

It's a great release! (have been tracking myself in hope)

But I dunno.....do we really need it advertised immediately as a front page article?

24 hours later and they'll all be gone like usual these days with the spread of information....

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Has anyone managed to book these on AS? Seems like plenty of avail on QF's site but nothing on AS for the F seats

 

[levelnine]

60K AA miles for first class. What a deal.

 

[bernardblack]

It's available onward on the evening of the day my current award DOH-xBKK-HND, in QR F and JL F, arrives at HND in the morning. AA agent wasn't able to update my existing itinerary and offered me DOH-xPER-MEL in Y instead. No thanks!

So I've put a hold on the HND-xSYD-MEL (JL F plus QF J on the 332). I might try HUACA to see if an agent can make them a single 100k itinerary, but if I have to pay 60k plus the existing 50k it's probably worth it.

 

[kpc]

Not sure why ex Hnd-Syd the taxes are so much higher...as I also want to go to Hkg and visit my favourite Conrad Macao (edit: hotel either closed for renovation or leaving Hilton brand as unable to book for any dates after 1 July 2024 ) whilst I'm still Hilton Diamond, I have done a multicity booking and will return Hnd-Syd in F...the F seats are disappearing as i look as I initially wanted to come back a day later but whilst on the phone to the "Boss" to confirm she can take leave, the 2 JL F seats disappeared so I moved the whole itinerary a day earlier. Are 1D and 1G the best seats for a couple? Do people book a meal in advance or just eat whatever (Japanese) food is served onboard?

 

[sudoer]

Are 1D and 1G the best seats for a couple?

Yes, or 2D 2G

Do people book a meal in advance or just eat whatever (Japanese) food is served onboard?

You can't book a specific meal in advance, only reserve the Japanese or Western course if you want to make sure you get your preference.

Closer to your departure day you'll be able to see the specific F&B menu here:

https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/inter/service/first/meal/

 

[kpc]

60K AA miles for first class. What a deal.

I know but my AA miles are so valuable and difficult to earn in Oz whereas Qf points literally are thrown at you from every direction if you live in Oz. ..

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Not sure why ex Hnd-Syd the taxes are so much higher...as I also want to go to Hkg and visit my favourite Conrad Macao (edit: hotel either closed for renovation or leaving Hilton brand as unable to book for any dates after 1 July 2024 ) whilst I'm still Hilton Diamond, I have done a multicity booking and will return Hnd-Syd in F...the F seats are disappearing as i look as I initially wanted to come back a day later but whilst on the phone to the "Boss" to confirm she can take leave, the 2 JL F seats disappeared so I moved the whole itinerary a day earlier. Are 1D and 1G the best seats for a couple? Do people book a meal in advance or just eat whatever (Japanese) food is served onboard?

Sometimes Macao hotels appear unavailable because they block space if there's a big tour group/operator they've sold rooms to, etc.

 

[levelnine]

I know but my AA miles are so valuable and difficult to earn in Oz whereas Qf points literally are thrown at you from every direction if you live in Oz. ..

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?

 

[SYD]

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

We’d do 1 & 2 as a couple!