JAL having really good J class fares to Europe- would you dare to book?

[Berlin]

Hi guys, I'm currently in the process of looking for some good Business class fares to travel to Europe in September this year. Everything via the Middle East is super crazy expensive from what I can see- 8k plus per person on Qatar is just a little bit too much being self funded. I suspect the reason for this being that traveling via the Middle East seems currently much 'safer' in terms of Covid restrictions than Asia so they can charge those inflated fares.

Now speaking of Asia, I can't ignore the rather amazing fares that JAL is offering, around 6k a pop and even allowing open jaw itineraries via Helsinki which is exactly what I am hoping for. JAL is one of the better airlines out there, it's even One World which in theory will give me First lounge access and Helsinki is definitely and easier connection airport than, say, Frankfurt or Heathrow. So, if it wasn't for that bug going around recently , I would book straight away.

Question to the others on here: Is it too risky to book? Looking at various website, from what I can gather I think that connecting through Japan is fine as long as you don't have to actually enter the country but then again, if you don't speak Japanese those English translated sites tend to be a bit cryptic. The connection I am looking at is going via Haneda with an overnight connection and on their website it looks as if most facilities are closed at the moment but of course lots can change between now and September.

Any thoughts- too risky? And of course, if anyone knows about any other good J class fares, please let me know too. One World would be nice but isn't a must for me as I most likely will have enough SCs to re-qualify for Qantas Platinum anyway next year. Next most affordable seem to be LH group fares but I'm flying on this rather, cough cough, "mediocre" airline only if I have to.

 

[kelvedon]

The rules will hopefully change by September, but currently you cannot enter Japan. This means the overnight transfer will involve you sleeping on a bench at the airport as you won’t be allowed through immigration and the airside hotel is closed. There was a great trip report here recently describing this.
The current regulations prevent transfer between Haneda and Narita ( you can’t even sleep at NRT overnight, the airport closes.) so be aware that some Finnair flights use Narita.
Hopefully this will all change by September but….

 

[Oubline]

I probably would dare to book, if I was paying cash directly to JAL. They would probably look after you with rerouting if needed and you wouldn't have to deal with award availability issues.

In any case, I would have a look at this website:

https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/info/2020/other/flysafe/flights-service/index.html

You can see that over recent months and into the future even with current settings, the SYD-HND flight has pretty consistently operated on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. So if you wanted to be safest you could book on one of those days. And then check the same for patterns with your desired Europe flight. From Haneda, most of them leave the following morning after the Sydney flight arrives at night, so you may need to sleep in the terminal, except for one HND-LHR flight that leaves just after midnight (Noting that this HND-LHR flight has suffered more suspensions).

Having said all that, I reckon by September none of this will be an issue and you would be good to go.

 

[AIRwin]

See recent trip reports by @scoobs214:
SYD to LHR on JAL in J - live trip report (leaving 27th Jan)

LHR to SYD on JAL in J - live trip report (leaving 23 Feb 2022)

Here we go again! My awesome UK holiday has come to an end and I must head back to Aussie tonight on JAL in there lovely J-class. Come along with me for the ride! I spent a gruelling 39 hours flying over here due to a schedule change in Haneda making me stay in the airport for 16 hours, but...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Berlin]

Thank you guys, that's really good perspective and especially the trip report was great, thanks for pointing this out to me!

I probably would dare to book, if I was paying cash directly to JAL. They would probably look after you with rerouting if needed and you wouldn't have to deal with award availability issues.

Having said all that, I reckon by September none of this will be an issue and you would be good to go.

Yea, I'm talking direct booking with JAL and of course, I'd be hoping that the transit hotel is open again by then. But really, even if it means a nap on an airport bench- that's also not the end of the world. Last time to Europe we went via Qatar and only got one of those sleeper seats in their Doha J lounge which also wasn't much better than a bench in the terminal tbh.

 

[encryptededdy]

I would have no issue booking directly with JAL. Japan is slowly loosening restrictions so I don't expect them to suddenly cause any issues to transit passengers (unlike Hong Kong and CX unfortunately).

Also depending on when you're flying, don't forget to redeem the free WiFi with JAL.

 

[jase05]

I’d have no hesitation booking for September.
Yes JL and NH both offering some pretty good fares currently and I’d be surprised if Japan isn’t fully open within a couple of months

 

[MEL_Traveller]

agree with the comments above. Japan will soon be opening to business travellers, and tourists won’t be too far behind I would guess. Travel in september is a lifetime away in covid terms!

I would book. If you want to be double safe you could consider one of the options using BA on the outbound. Appreciate this would be a connection in Heathrow, but it potentially saves an overnight or a transfer of airports, depending on your departure from Oz.

 

[Andrewt]

Travelled with them in Nov and booked another trip in August. No hesitation, price and service were excellent. Just avoid HND to NRT transfers just in case. Currently offer free changes online.

 

[Dalescott]

We are also looking at MEL to LHR in Sept. JAL looks good, but the transfer between airports is putting me off. The problem is that I can't find any information on how the transfer takes place? Is it up to us to organise or is it done by JAL.
Maybe someone can set me straight.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We are also looking at MEL to LHR in Sept. JAL looks good, but the transfer between airports is putting me off. The problem is that I can't find any information on how the transfer takes place? Is it up to us to organise or is it done by JAL.
Maybe someone can set me straight.

You organise it yourself, but it’s really easy.

Land->clear immigration/collect bags->walk to ‘limousine’ bus stop right outside the terminal exit->ticket from vending machine at bus stop->hop on bus->arrive at terminal door at the other end. Immmigration is used to people transferring terminals so no issues there. Bags come out really quickly. The bus and tickets are all easy and signposted. Use your credit card to buy tickets, no cash needed.

Whole thing takes less than two hours from arriving plane to check-in at the other airport, and you get a one hour sightseeing trip around tokyo included

 

[Andrewt]

We are also looking at MEL to LHR in Sept. JAL looks good, but the transfer between airports is putting me off. The problem is that I can't find any information on how the transfer takes place? Is it up to us to organise or is it done by JAL.
Maybe someone can set me straight.

You are responsible for transfer, and have to collect baggage and enter Japan. Regular fast bus service. Currently not possible due to covid restrictions. I'm transiting via FRA and therefore avoid NRT to HND in August

 

[Berlin]

You are responsible for transfer, and have to collect baggage and enter Japan. Regular fast bus service. Currently not possible due to covid restrictions. I'm transiting via FRA and therefore avoid NRT to HND in August

Yes- we are looking at into Paris and via Helsinki on the way back so that's both also without the transfer which would put me off big time. An overnighter on a bench in a near empty terminal: Part of the fun. A bus trip that potentially can't happen due to an outbreak of a new variant, Sigma or whatever: Not worth the risk in my eyes.

 

[jrfsp]

Just be mindful if Russia overflights are still not allowed.

Im going via Japan in June and its not looking good.

 

[Berlin]

Just be mindful if Russia overflights are still not allowed.

Im going via Japan in June and its not looking good.

Yes, a very good point! I was about to book when that madman attacked his neighbours. So I've held off for now, for that very reason.

Airlines from Japan pretty much have no other choice than going over Russian territory to reach Europe, or do they?

 

[jrfsp]

Yes, a very good point! I was about to book when that madman attacked his neighbours. So I've held off for now, for that very reason.

Airlines from Japan pretty much have no other choice than going over Russian territory to reach Europe, or do they?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1499355444451905536

Has to go a long way around, just may change things like connections etc ( i say this as im about to change my JL / AY route ticket which now misconnects due to the schedule changes as a result of the longer route)

 

[Berlin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1499355444451905536

Has to go a long way around, just may change things like connections etc ( i say this as im about to change my JL / AY route ticket which now misconnects due to the schedule changes as a result of the longer route)

Makes the whole JAL proposition and even riskier gamble. And I actually liked the rather scenic route over Siberia but I think that'll be gone for quite some time now.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Makes the whole JAL proposition and even riskier gamble. And I actually liked the rather scenic route over Siberia but I think that'll be gone for quite some time now.

Well… if in business class a 13 hour flight gives the opportunity for a full meal, movie, long sleep, pre arrival meal In only 9 hours you have to truncate one or more of those things.

 

[Berlin]

Well… if in business class a 13 hour flight gives the opportunity for a full meal, movie, long sleep, pre arrival meal In only 9 hours you have to truncate one or more of those things.

Agree- IF they fly at all, that is. But if they do, I'm 100% with you- it's one of the reasons I loved flying to the US via Dallas. For someone who truly enjoys every part of the flight, the longer the better

 

[Kefci2000]

Unfortunately I saw this thread too late and booked 2 x sub $1500 Y tickets to Spain in September. am QF WP hence wanted a oneworld carrier.

Hopefully the Ukraine conflict is over or they are re-routing their FRA and CDG flights by then.

Worse case I guess is a refund or being rebooked on to a worse airline (non Oneworld).....