JAL business class Melbourne - Tokyo. Is it worth it?

[ShrinkWrapped]

when looking at seat maps on expertflyer it shows 2-2-2 but that's the 787-8 apex seat maps. you now because it 3 rows in the front cabin then 3/4/3 (window/middle/window) in the back cabin. it would be 4 rows of 2-2-2 if it was a neo shell 787

just check the seat maps on jal.com before we Panic

also it can't be a 787 neo shell as those 787-8 don't have premium economy either which they are selling

 

[Tannin]

I'm on a rewards flight MEL-NRT J late October - early November (booked with American). No window seats available both ways - checked over many days. Likely to be filled or likely to be blocked out since reward seats? If the latter, opens up 24/48 hours before flight? Thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm on a rewards flight MEL-NRT J late October - early November (booked with American). No window seats available both ways - checked over many days. Likely to be filled or likely to be blocked out since reward seats? If the latter, opens up 24/48 hours before flight? Thanks.

Not blocked for award seats. Keep checking, people may cancel opening up a seat.

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

Not blocked for award seats. Keep checking, people may cancel opening up a seat.

I've also found that having OWE opens up a lot more seats on the JL seat map. Maybe it's a status thing?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've also found that having OWE opens up a lot more seats on the JL seat map. Maybe it's a status thing?

That could be the case! But it’s not due to award seats per se.

 

[jpk]

I missed this thread until now. I've taken this flight in all classes this year (same with the QF options). My thoughts:
- great service in all classes, as you would expect from a Japanese carrier;
- mostly Japanese passengers, so everyone is very polite, fast to board, and in general a pleasure to fly with. If you've flown on JAL/ANA before then you know what I'm talking about.
- best Y seat out of all carriers, loads of room in every direction and very comfortable. Totally fine for a day flight.
- the PE seat has even more room, it's a shell seat style so you don't have people reclining into you, although I felt it didn't recline as much as other PE seats as a result. The food/beverage is exactly the same as economy, so it's an Eco+ rather than Biz- product, and the pricing is reflective of that. The snacks in the galley are quirky and the foot massagers are also a nice touch. The economy main meals have generally been ordinary for me, the second meal often has noodles which are great.
- the J seat is fantastic. Window seats are very private. Ignore the seatmap, it's all aisle access, the seats are staggered. I'm a big 6 foot guy, and it's the best lie-flat I've ever slept on. Plenty of legroom, soft seat (some products are too firm), awesome pillow, and the blanket was also nice. Best sleep I've ever had on a plane, including CX F. No air vents, so I generally sit further back in the cabin otherwise it gets too hot. That said, I've found JAL don't overheat the cabin like some Asian carriers tend to.
- The supper snack after takeoff from Melbourne is pretty ordinary and not worth waiting for. Just eat in the lounge and go to sleep ASAP after takeoff. As mentioned, the 3rd party MEL lounge is pretty ordinary. The QF lounge has seemed better than normal in the evenings when the China Air flight is running, that could just be a coincidence though. To be honest I just eat at home before heading to the airport.
- The breakfast is served about 2.5 hours before landing, which is hugely annoying, I think it's far too early for an overnight flight. You'll be asked after takeoff if you want breakfast and either the Western or Japanese option. Everytime I've had the staff come back and say there isn't enough Japanese breakfasts for everyone, would I switch to the Western. It's usually a polite but firm request - feels like I get targeted as one of the few westerners on board, which I guess is understandable, I'm more likely to switch than others. Each time I've then said don't bother and just slept through instead. You can get a coffee and bread 30-45 mins before landing.

Hope this is helpful for someone considering taking this flight. I highly recommend it. If you have the time, doing the SYD-NRT flight up and NRT-MEL down lets you do both comfortable in Y quite cheaply. If you're short of time, or work is happy to pay for J then do the opposite. I just wish it was into HND instead of NRT, and that the MEL-NRT got in a bit earlier, but these are minor niggles.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for the updates! The booking engine says it will be the apex suites, but the seat map suggests the NEO or whatever (angled), and not PEY. It seems the booking engine is correct then?

 

[Monya Meow Meow]

I missed this thread until now. I've taken this flight in all classes this year (same with the QF options). My thoughts:
- great service in all classes, as you would expect from a Japanese carrier;
- mostly Japanese passengers, so everyone is very polite, fast to board, and in general a pleasure to fly with. If you've flown on JAL/ANA before then you know what I'm talking about.
- best Y seat out of all carriers, loads of room in every direction and very comfortable. Totally fine for a day flight.
- the PE seat has even more room, it's a shell seat style so you don't have people reclining into you, although I felt it didn't recline as much as other PE seats as a result. The food/beverage is exactly the same as economy, so it's an Eco+ rather than Biz- product, and the pricing is reflective of that. The snacks in the galley are quirky and the foot massagers are also a nice touch. The economy main meals have generally been ordinary for me, the second meal often has noodles which are great.
- the J seat is fantastic. Window seats are very private. Ignore the seatmap, it's all aisle access, the seats are staggered. I'm a big 6 foot guy, and it's the best lie-flat I've ever slept on. Plenty of legroom, soft seat (some products are too firm), awesome pillow, and the blanket was also nice. Best sleep I've ever had on a plane, including CX F. No air vents, so I generally sit further back in the cabin otherwise it gets too hot. That said, I've found JAL don't overheat the cabin like some Asian carriers tend to.
- The supper snack after takeoff from Melbourne is pretty ordinary and not worth waiting for. Just eat in the lounge and go to sleep ASAP after takeoff. As mentioned, the 3rd party MEL lounge is pretty ordinary. The QF lounge has seemed better than normal in the evenings when the China Air flight is running, that could just be a coincidence though. To be honest I just eat at home before heading to the airport.
- The breakfast is served about 2.5 hours before landing, which is hugely annoying, I think it's far too early for an overnight flight. You'll be asked after takeoff if you want breakfast and either the Western or Japanese option. Everytime I've had the staff come back and say there isn't enough Japanese breakfasts for everyone, would I switch to the Western. It's usually a polite but firm request - feels like I get targeted as one of the few westerners on board, which I guess is understandable, I'm more likely to switch than others. Each time I've then said don't bother and just slept through instead. You can get a coffee and bread 30-45 mins before landing.

Hope this is helpful for someone considering taking this flight. I highly recommend it. If you have the time, doing the SYD-NRT flight up and NRT-MEL down lets you do both comfortable in Y quite cheaply. If you're short of time, or work is happy to pay for J then do the opposite. I just wish it was into HND instead of NRT, and that the MEL-NRT got in a bit earlier, but these are minor niggles.

Thanks for the comprehensive insight into all classes for JAL.
We will be doing the MEL-NRT return trip this coming November and cannot wait for it as we have never been on JAL before!
Will be in PE going there and Y coming back and both sounds fine from your report.

One thing I am not having my hopes up is the Marhaba Lounge before our PE leg and you basically just confirmed it.
Oh wells, unless some kind soul is willing to guest us haha

 

[sudoer]

If you've flown on JAL/ANA before then you know what I'm talking about.

Firstly, great write up. I agree with many of your sentiments, especially the one quoted above. Going from a long haul JAL flight to the MEL-DPS bogan express is truly an eye opener. (we had middle-aged Australian lady in 4E who thought it was OK to rest her feet on the arm rest between our seats 3D & 3F. She then proceeded to kick the back of my seat for over an hour after I asked her to move her feet)

No air vents, so I generally sit further back in the cabin otherwise it gets too hot. That said, I've found JAL don't overheat the cabin like some Asian carriers tend to.

Good advice, although I think the cabin temperature depends on the route as well. I've had some incredibly hot cabins on JL 36/37/38/39.

I just wish it was into HND instead of NRT, and that the MEL-NRT got in a bit earlier, but these are minor niggles.

If only! Would make domestic connections so much easier.

One thing I am not having my hopes up is the Marhaba Lounge before our PE leg and you basically just confirmed it.

The Marhaba lounge in Melbourne is actually not terrible. At least it has natural light (which the Qantas J lounge doesn't) and barista coffee, and in my opinion JAL should be commended for providing any lounge access to PE pax. Take a look at AusBT's review here: Melbourne gets pay-to-access Marhaba airport lounge

 

[Monya Meow Meow]

The Marhaba lounge in Melbourne is actually not terrible. At least it has natural light (which the Qantas J lounge doesn't) and barista coffee, and in my opinion JAL should be commended for providing any lounge access to PE pax. Take a look at AusBT's review here: Melbourne gets pay-to-access Marhaba airport lounge

Ours is a 12:45am flight so sunlight won't really matter
Since the lounge closes at midnight, do you know if they reduce their services and/or drinks towards the end?

Not complaining though ,any lounge access is greatly appreciated for us bronze flyers, what more not having to fly J to get access.

 

[Tannin]

I've also found that having OWE opens up a lot more seats on the JL seat map. Maybe it's a status thing?

Thanks NZJuniorDoc and MEL_Traveller. True, could be a status thing, in which case things might look a whole lot better closer to the flight. I'll keep an eye out regularly.

 

[MELso]

A spot of thread bumpage to resolve the ongoing question of what config the 787 is in on the MEL-NRT run going forward.

JAL has fantastic connections flying MEL-NRT-HEL and there's usually an AY codeshare waiting at the end to whisk you off to wherever you need to get to in northern or central Europe, in my case BUD. So JAL was my choice again.

I got in on the last of the flights offering PY on my forthcoming trip. However, the return trip is in Y (I had a quick squiz at Y when flying HEL-NRT-MEL last month and determined this a Y I could fly; perhaps the only one these days...)

Doing my seating allocation, there are rows of Y numbered 18-26, not 18-29. In other words, it's the E12 config on this page: Boeing787-8 (788) / Aircrafts and seats - and this means that J is SS8 (not that I will get to enjoy it )...

 

[sudoer]

this a Y I could fly; perhaps the only one these days

Absolutely agree. JAL Y is one of the only Y configs I would willingly fly. I'd certainly pay more for it to avoid Y on QF or NH.

Thanks for posting about the 787 config too!

 

[yh786]

By any chance, would there happen to be a mismatch/misalignment between the seats shown on Expert Flyer and the JAL website. I can see window seats available on Expert Flyer but unable to see these on the JAL website.

Also, what would be the best way to secure business class window seats.

Do seats open up at the check-in counter?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sudoer]

I can see window seats available on Expert Flyer but unable to see these on the JAL website.

JAL does sometimes block window seats for it's own elites.

Also, what would be the best way to secure business class window seats.

Honestly, I would call them. JAL seat selection is flaky at best but their call centre staff are usually very helpful. Their Australian number for English speaking staff is 1800 531 870, if you have no luck with them try +81 3 6733 3062 (also English speaking but international call costs apply)

Do seats open up at the check-in counter?

Once OLCI closes and the flight is under airport control (~3 hours prior to departure) check-in agents can move you if there are open seats.

 

[yh786]

JAL does sometimes block window seats for it's own elites.



Honestly, I would call them. JAL seat selection is flaky at best but their call centre staff are usually very helpful. Their Australian number for English speaking staff is 1800 531 870, if you have no luck with them try +81 3 6733 3062 (also English speaking but international call costs apply)



Once OLCI closes and the flight is under airport control (~3 hours prior to departure) check-in agents can move you if there are open seats.

Appreciate the detailed response. I tried the call centre and it seems that you are right; certain window seats are reserved for the elite. They mentioned they've put a note on the booking to let the check-in agents know if a window seat is available at check-in.

 

[Monya Meow Meow]

Managed to snag a couple of award seats on the 787-9 from Tokyo to KL which has the Sky Suite III seats: SeatGuru Seat Map Japan Airlines
Any suggestions as to which seats are best for a couple?

Currently, all the middle seats from rows 1-13 are available and the window seats from rows 8-13.
My initial thought was to get 1D/1G but is it too close to the galley and bassinets?

The window seats seem to be a bit more private with slightly more space, not really fussed with one front one back config.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Managed to snag a couple of award seats on the 787-9 from Tokyo to KL which has the Sky Suite III seats: SeatGuru Seat Map Japan Airlines
Any suggestions as to which seats are best for a couple?

Currently, all the middle seats from rows 1-13 are available and the window seats from rows 8-13.
My initial thought was to get 1D/1G but is it too close to the galley and bassinets?

The window seats seem to be a bit more private with slightly more space, not really fussed with one front one back config.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

There's absolutely no reason to take row 1 - all seats are either too close to the galley or WC, with noise and passing foot traffic.

Something mid-cabin is best.

You are right with window seats - more space, more sense of space as well, and you have a view + control over the windows. The centre seats are not conducive to talking... I mean you can, but it's not side-by-side, and certainly not something easy to achieve without disturbing those in front and behind you. The front cabin windows are blocked for elites at this stage, but may open up closer to departure. The second cabin will have slightly more engine noise, but probably preferable to the middle seats in the front cabin.

 

[sudoer]

My initial thought was to get 1D/1G but is it too close to the galley and bassinets?

I flew that exact route in 1D & 1G this past December. The seats in row 1 are set back from the galley/toilets with a storage cupboard for jackets and coats. This photo I took kind of demonstrates what it's like:

I certainly didn't feel bothered by the proximity and JAL FAs are hardly the noisiest around.

The biggest downside to the middle DG pair is footwell space. As your feet cross into your seat neighbours space, the height of the footwell is half that of the window seats. I found it a little uncomfortable - I'd suggest going for a window seat if you're not particularly fussed about talking to your travel partner.

not really fussed with one front one back config.

All SS3 seats face forwards at an angle - it sounds like you might be getting confused with SS2.

 

[sudoer]

There's absolutely no reason to take row 1

The KUL-NRT flight leaves about 11pm so I picked row 1 to get meal service out of the way quickly and get some sleep