Japan Airlines (JL) is Japan’s flag carrier and one of the country’s two major global airlines. From its hubs at Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports, as well as Osaka’s Kansai and Itami airports, it connects Japan to North America, Europe, Oceania and the Middle East. If you’re planning a trip with them, here’s what to expect.
Cabin classes, seats & legroom
Japan Airlines is a full-service carrier offering First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and an award-winning economy product on intercontinental routes, though First Class is only available on select aircraft types. Domestic flights within Japan feature Class J and, on select aircraft, Domestic First Class.
Business Class
Every aircraft in JAL’s intercontinental fleet includes a business class cabin. The most common is the Sky Suite, which is one of the most private business class seats in the sky, in spite of being in a 2-2-2 configuration. All seats feature direct aisle access, but I personally always choose a window seat for enhanced privacy and a longer footwell that lets me stretch out more when the seat extends into a lie-flat bed.
JAL’s new Airbus A350-1000 is rolling out a brand-new business class with individual suites and doors in a 1-2-1 layout. They also feature 24-inch monitors and headrest speakers that don’t even require headphones. As the A350-1000 serves as JAL’s new international flagship aircraft and is currently replacing the 777-300ER fleet, you’ll see this product more often in the coming years.
A third business class product, the Sky Suite III, features a “reverse herringbone” design and is available on select 787-9 aircraft in a 1-2-1 configuration. The international 767-300ER aircraft use Sky Suite II Business Class in a “staggered” 1-2-1 configuration, and 787-8 aircraft with the E03 configuration still have the older angled-flat JAL Shell Flat Neo seats.
No matter which seat you have, you’ll enjoy JAL’s award-winning Business Class service. The beverage program spotlights fine Japanese sake, whisky and shochu (including premium brands like “Naka-Naka” barley shochu), plus an impressive wine collection and full bar.
Food-wise, under the “BEDD Sky Auberge” dining program, you’ll choose between a Western menu featuring dishes like Wagyu beef sirloin or seafood, or a Japanese menu. I almost always choose the Japanese menu, whose multi-course meals almost feel (and taste!) as if they’re being served in a fine kaiseki restaurant on the ground in Tokyo or Osaka.
First Class
JAL’s First Class has won best in the world from Skytrax more than once, and for good reason. It’s available on 777-300ER and A350-1000 planes and features enclosed suites with flat beds and huge video screens. With a 1-2-1 layout on the 777 (8 seats) and 1-1-1 on the A350-1000 (6 seats), it’s an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.
If you manage to snag a seat in JAL First Class, here’s a pro tip: book your meal online in advance up to 25 hours before departure. You can pre-order items like Kitchen HIDA Wagyu Beef Curry or JAL’s exclusive Soranoiro yuzu-scented ramen. Either way, you’re in for multi-course dining featuring top-tier champagne like Champagne Salon 2015 (JAL is the only airline to serve it) and Champagne Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Rosé 2012.
Domestic First Class and Class J
Japan is a unique market where you’ll find big planes like the Boeing 787-8 and Airbus A350 flying domestic routes. But these are special versions packed with more seats than their international cousins. Booking a domestic Class J (JAL’s premium economy-style cabin) or First Class ticket gets you a bigger seat and slightly better service, but don’t expect the international experience. Domestic First Class is available on the A350 and select other domestic aircraft like certain 767 configurations.
Since most domestic flights in Japan are under two hours, I usually don’t consider it worth upgrading to Class J or First Class unless I get a cheap buy-up offer upon check-in.
Premium Economy
JAL offers Premium Economy on all intercontinental A350-1000 and 777-300ER aircraft, plus select 787-8 and 787-9 planes. The cabin is configured as 2-4-2 on the 777 and 2-3-2 on 787 aircraft. The A350-1000 also features Premium Economy seating. You’ll get larger, more private seats with more recline and pitch than standard economy. Premium Economy passengers receive the same main meal service as Economy Class (often the “RED U-35” menu), but the offering is enhanced with exclusive beverages including Champagne and Shochu, as well as the “Udon de Sky” cup noodle snack.
“Sky Wider” Economy
JAL features one of the largest economy class seats in the sky (branded as “Sky Wider”) and also offers fantastic service to passengers in this class. Honestly, because of this, I rarely bother with Premium Economy when I fly JAL.
I find the Sky Wider seat especially impressive on the 787 aircraft. JAL is the only remaining operator to retain Boeing’s original 2-4-2 configuration, while all others have switched to 3-3-3. It’s not as noticeable on the 777 and A350, but still makes a difference on a 12-hour flight.
Extra legroom economy
JAL now offers “Extra Legroom Seats” (exit row and bulkhead seats) which can be reserved for a fee through their “Paid Advance Seat Selection” service on international flights.
JMB Diamond, JGC Premier, JMB Sapphire, JMB Crystal, and JAL Global Club members can select them free of charge. These paid seat selections must be purchased via the JAL website before completing check-in.
Baggage policy and fees
Compared with airlines in the US and Europe, JAL offers a generous baggage allowance in all classes of service.
On international flights, Economy and Premium Economy passengers get two checked bags of up to 23 kg or 50 lbs each, plus one carry-on and one personal item (like a handbag or shopping bag) with a combined total weight of up to 10 kg (22 lbs).
International First and Business Class passengers get three pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 32 kg (70 lbs) per bag.
Check-in
JAL offers full-service check-in at the airport for everyone, with dedicated lines for First and Business Class. JMB elite members and oneworld alliance elite members are entitled to priority check-in services.
Specifically, JMB Sapphire and oneworld Sapphire members may access JAL Global Club (JGC) counters (where available) or Business Class check-in counters, while JMB Diamond, JGC Premier, and oneworld Emerald members have access to First Class check-in counters.
As you’d expect, JAL maintains extensive dedicated check-in facilities at its primary hubs at Narita and Haneda International Airports, including exclusive JAL Global Club (JGC) and First Class counters.
Even when I’m flying in a premium cabin, if I’m not checking a bag, I usually just check in online. It’s quick, easy and lets me skip the counter altogether.
Lounges
JAL has a network of lounges in Japan and at some airports overseas. Most are called the JAL Sakura Lounge (for business class), but you’ll find exclusive First Class Lounges at Tokyo Haneda Airport and Tokyo Narita Airport. Note that the Narita Satellite Terminal First Class Lounge is currently closed.
All passengers ticketed in First and Business Class automatically enjoy access to either the First Class or JAL Sakura Lounge. Economy passengers with elite status in JAL’s program or a partner oneworld airline can also get in. oneworld Emerald members (including JMB Diamond) can use the First Class Lounge where available, while oneworld Sapphire members (including JMB Sapphire) get access to the Sakura Lounge.
Although JAL does sell Sakura Lounge access when space is available, I don’t usually purchase it if I’m flying economy. The buffet-style food and self-service alcohol are fine, but are not materially different from the non-branded airport lounges I can access for free using my Priority Pass membership.
Wi-Fi & entertainment
JAL now offers free Wi-Fi allowances on all JAL international flights (excluding codeshares): unlimited for First and Business Class via promo code, and one hour for Premium Economy and Economy Class.
After the free allowance, continued use in Premium Economy and Economy requires purchasing a paid plan. Whenever I fly long haul on JAL, I always buy a fullflight package, which represents the best value. Notably, JAL offers free WiFi on all domestic aircraft equipped with the technology and has for many years.
Now for the seatback entertainment. JAL’s in-flight entertainment has significantly improved with a wealth of content including Disney+ Originals (Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars) and Paramount+ content (including series like “Yellowstone” and “Tulsa King”). The screen quality is excellent (and huge in the premium cabins), though if I’m not planning to work, I still sometimes download a few backup movies to my tablet before I fly.
Amenities
JAL offers amenity kits to passengers travelling in First and Business Class on intercontinental flights. These kits feature basic toiletries which, while sometimes produced by leading brands, are not as opulent or flashy as those you receive on Middle Eastern or certain other Asian carriers, like EVA Air.
Loyalty programs, miles & credit cards
JAL’s frequent flyer program is known as JAL Mileage Bank (JMB). It’s attractive for travellers who live in Japan or primarily fly JAL, but a clunky online dashboard and limited English customer service limit its utility for overseas travellers. My main strategy is booking JAL travel through oneworld partner programs instead. American Airlines AAdvantage members can redeem miles for award travel on Japan Airlines, including First and Business Class cabins, subject to availability.
Another sweet spot is using American Airlines AAdvantage or British Airways Executive Club miles to book JAL domestic flights as part of the oneworld alliance network. It often costs just a few thousand miles and a couple of dollars in taxes, which can save you a ton of money compared to paying cash.
Credit cards
Technically speaking, travellers can apply for the JAL USA Card Mastercard, but this is not usually worthwhile in practice.For me, a much better strategy is to collect miles with a oneworld partner like American or British Airways through their credit cards and then use those miles to book flights on JAL.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
