BUSINESS Class with JAPAN’S National Airline | Tokyo to San Francisco
INSTAGRAM: @PatrickFliesPlanes
It’s been a little while since I flew last with Japan Airlines, so I was super excited to try it out again now that I’ve had more exposure to other products. As one of the few 5-star airlines in the world, we can put that to the test in this video
Airline: Japan Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 777-346(ER)
Registration: JA737J
Age: 17 Years (Sep 2007)
Flight Number: JL2
Route: Tokyo, JP (HND) – San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Flight Time: 9h 13m
Flight Date: Sep 14, 2024
Cost: 52.5K AAdvantage Miles (Booked as BKK-HND-SFO)
0:00 Intro
1:26 Sakura Lounge
5:07 SkyView Lounge
7:12 Haneda vs Narita
8:34 Boarding
10:51 The Seat
12:44 Amenities
13:46 Japan to US Market
15:47 HND Departure
18:36 Entertainment
19:32 Menu
20:14 Dinner Service
22:15 The Bed
24:23 A La Carte Dining
25:11 JAL History
28:51 Missed Approach!
30:00 SFO Arrival
30:45 Final Thoughts
42 Comments
I've flown JAL business class many times and I have to say I am always shocked by the terrible food options at the JAL lounge, which are similar to a lower-mid tier hotel breakfast. It's just so bad compared to the upstairs food court in the same terminal, where I go for the excellent sushi restaurant on the right side of the escalator every time. Yes, the ramp views from the lounge are nice but the outdoor space above is much better. Also do note that the 777 business class on JAL is much better than that on the 787, which on multiple occasions now had ratty, worn-out seats for me. You are dead-right on the IFE and Wifi, sadly. They are just awful and the slow responsiveness makes me give up on the entire screen every time.
Anyway, I am just trying to add my thoughts. You did a great job and I don't mean to criticize you.
I always look forward to Patrick's videos.😊
Hope you had a good time in Japan! I decided to upgrade on my flight back last week since I couldn’t do just economy anymore 😂
Thank you Patrick for a wonderful review of Japan airline in business class.
5:08 Hmm the displayed operation hours for 4F is so weird. "6:00 – 25:00"? What's "25:55"? Like 1:55AM?
And 5F is closed between 12 and 6PM, also quite strange
I Love The Japanese Cusine.Great Video And Info
Nice i was actually on the same flight
I flew on ANA from JFK to Haneda and then onwards to Bali in ANA's business class "THE ROOM".
Because you get a big screen TV with a private cabin door that seals you in, it's more "First class" than most First Class cabins. Their First class passengers got more space and a larger TV with better food.
I prefer EMIRATES Business Class lounge honestly. It's more private and quieter. There's NO PRIVACY in Haneda.
I prefer the 1 – 2 -1 setup.
I enjoy your videos, but why are you speaking ALL the time? Please take a breath 😁🙉
I have status on Platinum American (so OneWorld Sapphire), but i'm flying JAL in Economy this summer with a layover at HND. Do you know if OneWorld Sapphire has access to the business class lounges at HND even while flying in Economy?
At first I side eyed the 2 3 2 cabin but it was really nice overall. The food looked exquisite.
I think you should book the NRT-UBN flight when it begins next year, and then do a Mongolian aviation series. Mongolia is one of my favourite countries. I've been there twice, and their domestic aviation scene is rather interesting, for lack of a better word.
That’s the same seat I was able to book when I flew from LAX to Tokyo. I really enjoyed the flight and yes that seat is super private. The FA would have to peak around the corner to check if I’m awake to ask if they can get me anything. Amazing service and food.
Thanks for the info + video!
I recently flew Honolulu Haneda on the 787(business) and was fine with the hard product.The food both meal and pre landing were awful. Quality, quantity and presentation were way below par. I was really disappointed.
Nice video ….. you mentioned about hospitality, and could not agree more.
My first flight on JAL was a JFK – NRT (I would fly United most of the time since my final destination was not always Japan and TBH, UAL Tokyo HQ could be nightmarish and access to lounges was poor).
Anyway, what stuck out in my mind was I gave my BP, since she was collecting my coat, and as she walked away, she kept repeating my name – memorising my name. Brilliant really. Very attentive service and always addressing you by name. A class act.
As a toddler, I remember my flight on a classic JAL 747 'Garden Jet'.; HKG to HNL , with a plane change in TYO (Before they had HND and NRT).. Some FAs actually changed into wonderful kimonos, at the start of the in-flight serviceI The upper-deck lounge, was superb with it's 'garden' themeI Plus i was showered with JAL branded toys and colouring books. (Then THE unforgettable memory…..was… having Muhammad Ali, do magic tricks for me.and my sister; while we were transiting TYO airport!)
Thanks Patrick for another good video cheers
Worth mentioning that Narita is 80Km from Tokyo, so far, it's not even in the same prefecture. A cab from central Tokyo to Narita will cost you $200 for example….
Some day when I'm rich, this is going to be my trip. Some day…
Only a true avgeek can appreciate the fact that you stopped talking when the GE90 was accelerating the 777 off the runway 😉
Taken this flight a number of times in business, PE and cattle class. In all three, the seats are great. Taking it again in business in a few days, though it’s scheduled on a787-9 instead of the 777, so we have 1-2-1 seating.
Another great video! Thank you! You are fortunate to live in San Francisco, so you can easily access the orient! ❤
That was beautiful, flying out of Narita airport! Thank you for the video! 😊📸
Sky View lounge seems to be set up as an overflow lounge, so that it's only opened for the morning rush (mostly departure to US and Europe) and evening rush (mostly departure for Southeast Asia). It is closed from 12pm to 6pm, while the main lounge remains open throughout. Also, as a JAL passenger, you have another option to go to the Cathay Pacific business class lounge which is on 6/F. It is obviously smaller and HND is not CX's home, but I think it still offers signature dish of CX lounges such as noodles and wonton, etc.
Another great vlog on a great carrier. Fancy tagging a London flight onto the end of this. JAL/ANA/BA and many other carriers now operate TYO-Europe across the Pacific and then the Polar route/Atlantic due to the Trans Siberian being blocked
Awesome video ✈️
This airline is really the best in Japan. Your video is amazing.
Only one “plenty” and two “ample”.
That’s a dirty seat 😬🤦♂️
I'm pretty sure the plane you rode was a 777-300ER. The 777-300 wouldn't have the range to make the transpacific flight. Also Haneda airport was a fully domestic airport for decades after Narita opened (save for flights to Taipei). It's only in the last decade that Haneda regained its international connections.
You have just missed the visit to the best business class lounge in Japan – the Cathay lounge (HND)!
Surprised to see no mattress was provided on the flight? Typically JAL provides a thick premium mattress called Airweave on all long hauls.
New York JFK and Washington DC only serve Haneda for passenger flights.
Was there a parallel landing when you landed? SFO is well-known for simultaneous parallel operations for landings and takeoffs.
Will there be another video in "The Ones" series anytime soon? Its been a while…
Excellent video and really enjoyed the narration / history. Thanks
I did want to clarify. In the early history of JAL did you mean they flew DC-7 in 1954 via Wake Island and Honolulu to SF and then DC -8s in 1958 ? ( your narration says the opposite ).
17:53 Hello, NRT!
I love apex suites flew it with Korean air once
JAL actually also has a system where you can place your order for the a la carte items through the entertainment controller in the food and drinks section. Makes the process very streamlined! They could definitely do a better job of advertising it though.
good video but could be shortended by half
Great review! Will be flying SFO to HND business this spring.
Excellent video, I love Japan,I always wanted to travel and visit there. I even bought a Japan Airlines A350-1000 model plane. Another great vlog as always. Thank you for this video content. Hope you had a great time in Japan.