MEL to NRT - experience in Business?

[bitgiggy]

Looking to book a business redemption for April, JAL are showing availability (one way) - wondered if anyone had any experience flying JAL business, or recommendations/alternatives for this route?

Thanks in advance

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's their skysuite - so fully enclosed private suites in business class. Very comfortable. I wouldn't recommend any other carrier for this route.

 

[Billy Dunning]

Thanks! Sounds great.

 

[TonyHancock]

I'm flying MEL-NRT on JL Monday next week, and very much looking forward to it. Will post some pics if I remember.

 

[Eija]

I can second the above. Don't hesitate.

 

[Billy Dunning]

Fantastic. Thanks all.

Enjoy Tony!

 

[grussellt]

If you like Japanese food and Sake then this is the airline for you.

 

[JFi]

Flew with them in April NRT - SYD after they switched planes (went SYD - NRT in F which was awesome). If you get a window seat, it's very nice and private. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to try the Japanese meal because they ran out They took my order along with everyone else (I was in 2A so one of the first) and then they came back and asked if I really wanted dinner. When I said yes, she came back with the menu and said they ran out and whether I was happy to go for the western option. I have no problem with that but it would have been nice if she just told me upfront rather than sounding like she was hiding it. I guess this can happen any where though. It was my first time with JAL so not sure if this is standard but everyone had to make their own beds?? Not that I'm complaining because overall it was still good!
Having tried it though, I'll personally go back to QF as I prefer the A330 seats and they have PJs too lol

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Flew with them in April NRT - SYD after they switched planes (went SYD - NRT in F which was awesome). If you get a window seat, it's very nice and private. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to try the Japanese meal because they ran out They took my order along with everyone else (I was in 2A so one of the first) and then they came back and asked if I really wanted dinner. When I said yes, she came back with the menu and said they ran out and whether I was happy to go for the western option. I have no problem with that but it would have been nice if she just told me upfront rather than sounding like she was hiding it. I guess this can happen any where though. It was my first time with JAL so not sure if this is standard but everyone had to make their own beds?? Not that I'm complaining because overall it was still good!
Having tried it though, I'll personally go back to QF as I prefer the A330 seats and they have PJs too lol

IME it's fairly common with both JAL and ANA that as a westerner you'll be asked if it's ok to have the western meal. At least for certain intra Asia flights. I'd guess maybe on US and European flights they may cater more broadly?

I can't recall many airlines offering to make my bed in business class. Maybe because there's not usually much to have to 'make'

 

[JFi]

IME it's fairly common with both JAL and ANA that as a westerner you'll be asked if it's ok to have the western meal. At least for certain intra Asia flights. I'd guess maybe on US and European flights they may cater more broadly?

Maybe, which is nice of them if they think some westerners don't like certain types of Japanese foods. Although in this case, they just ran out and I think she should've just told me as such. She was so apologetic when I said ok and kept bowing and saying thank you it was almost as if she kept getting rejected by other passengers or something and I finally said yes lol

I can't recall many airlines offering to make my bed in business class. Maybe because there's not usually much to have to 'make'

QF has always done it when I fly them but you are right, not much to 'make'. All first world problems I guess so I'm not complaining, just my experience haha

OT - JAL F was amazing. Wish they would bring it back to Aus but not likely it'll happen anytime soon. My experience with them in F and J was like night and day. Everyone should try their F if they get the chance!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Unlike ANA F. I actually think their J is better!!

 

[trooper]

NZ makes the bed for you...and rolls out that wonderful mattress..... QF should adopt something similar instead of that thinner-than-a doona thing they use........Storage space would be a real problem however..the design of the NZ seat leaves a perfect spot for the rolled up mattress/quilt etc...

 

[Leroy87]

Follow up question to the OP: looking at MEL - NRT return availability on JAL in J late Feb/March 2018.

Plenty of dates open coming back to Oz but very sparse heading to Japan. Anyone had experience with what JAL are like at clearing waitlisted awards? Do you have to wait until a few weeks before departure or are they faster than that?

Apologies if I've hijacked the thread

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Follow up question to the OP: looking at MEL - NRT return availability on JAL in J late Feb/March 2018.

Plenty of dates open coming back to Oz but very sparse heading to Japan. Anyone had experience with what JAL are like at clearing waitlisted awards? Do you have to wait until a few weeks before departure or are they faster than that?

Apologies if I've hijacked the thread

I'm not sure if there are that many members of JAL mileage bank (in terms of earning miles and redeeming awards) on here to be able to your question.

 

[Leroy87]

I'm not sure if there are that many members of JAL mileage bank (in terms of earning miles and redeeming awards) on here to be able to your question.

Was hoping there might be a few who could help out. I don't have any JAL miles (I joined today!) but have found a neat redemption opportunity: 100k AMEX points to 60k JAL via SPG.
Then JAL offer a discount if flying Monday to Thursday of 60k return in J from Aus. Great value!

 

[Eija]

Follow up question to the OP: looking at MEL - NRT return availability on JAL in J late Feb/March 2018.

Plenty of dates open coming back to Oz but very sparse heading to Japan. Anyone had experience with what JAL are like at clearing waitlisted awards? Do you have to wait until a few weeks before departure or are they faster than that?

Apologies if I've hijacked the thread

* JL initially release awards 330 days out (updated daily)
* JL may release 0-4 J award seats initially, until taken they remain available up to three months from release
* No further seats are likely to be released until shortly (~14 days) prior to departure
* Only JAL Milage Bank members can waitlist awards

 

[Leroy87]

* JL initially release awards 330 days out (updated daily)
* JL may release 0-4 J award seats initially, until taken they remain available up to three months from release
* No further seats are likely to be released until shortly (~14 days) prior to departure
* Only JAL Milage Bank members can waitlist awards

Thanks for this. I guess standard practice applies with waitlisting JAL - book a refundable (points or otherwise) Y ticket and hope the J comes through

 

[JFi]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you need 120k amex for 60k SPG and then a 1:1 transfer to JAL not the 100k you mentioned? If that's the case, you have more option by transferring the 120k amex to Asia Miles and redeem for either QF or JL (without the limitation of departure days to get the discount)? I guess if you're dead set on JL then SPG would be a better option as their own program will likely have better availability. Otherwise, Asia Miles may provide more flexibility. And if you're trying for an upgrade and can't get it then you're stuck with Mileage Bank and possibly fewer miles hence less routes to use it on.

 

[TonyHancock]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you need 120k amex for 60k SPG and then a 1:1 transfer to JAL not the 100k you mentioned?

Don't forget the bonus. Transfer 20,000 get a 5,000 point bonus.

 

[Pele]

Gday

Flew JL F from SYD in 2015 and J in 2016. Great airline. One point to note about J- even though it is 2-3-2 all seats have direct aisle access. I got the middle seat in the 3 and contrary to many reviews loved it. It is very private as you have privacy dividers on both sides. Other great feature was that unlike SQ J A380 and A350 with the infamous 'foot cubby' the JL seat has a full width foot area which i really appreciate.

Pele.