Airline Review: Japan Airlines Business Class Boeing 787
The Japan Airlines Business Class in the Boeing 787 might be one of the best options to fly through the sky. Not only is the configuration as such quite nice, but the food and service are also incredibly good. To learn more, be sure to check out our extensive airline review!
First, sorry for releasing this review so late. I somewhat forgot about it after the trip in April.
- Airplane: Boeing 787
- Cabin Class: Business
- Daytime: Noon
- Food: Dinner & Snack
- Seat Pitch: 74 Inch (188 Centimeter)
- Seat Width: 25.5 Inch (65 Centimeter)
Nevertheless, I’m sure nothing changed in the meantime and the Japan Airlines Business Class in the Boeing 787 still is an amazing product.
It’s rare that I’m nearly perfectly happy about a flight, but Japan Airlines just offers a stunning experience, which I can just recommend.
Seating in the Japan Airlines Business Class Boeing 787
Japan Airlines offers so-called Apex Suites in a 2-2-2 configuration. Yet, any seat has direct aisle access as the seats are staggered.
The Japan Airlines Business Class cabin comes with a staggered 2-2-2 configuration
Due to the configuration, there are three different types of seats in the Business Class. The middle seats are semi-exposed and relatively close to each other.
Especially the window seats offer incredible privacy
The window seats feel like a cocoon and are very private. Meanwhile, the aisle seats in the window rows are very exposed and offer limited privacy. At the same time, these seats are the most spacious and offer the most storage room.
Nevertheless, I’d heavily recommend opting for one of the window seats as those offer so much more privacy. The seat in the Japan Airlines Business Class in the Boeing 787 as such is very comfortable.
The padding is very good and the seat offers a high level of comfort in nearly all positions. I also like the classic yet charming design of the Japan Airlines Business Class.
Sleeping in the Japan Airlines Business Class Boeing 787
For me, the most important feature of a long haul Business Class product is the quality of sleep you can get in the sky. When it comes to the Japan Airlines Business Class in the Boeing 787, I’m a little undecided.
There is a bedding service in the Japan Airlines Business Class
While the seats by the window offer great privacy and rarely any light or sound disruption, the aisle seats are very exposed and thus are not ideal for sleeping. Regardless of what seat you choose, the crew offers a turn-down service.
The “bed” will be prepared with a special mattress only offered by Japan Airlines. You are also offered a nice pillow, not too firm, not too soft, and a decent blanket. However, I find the cabin in the Japan Airlines Business Class too hot. Yet, that seems to be the norm for Asian airlines.
There is not a pyjama as such in the Japan Airlines Business Class, but rather a shirt of sorts
All in all, you’ll surely get a great sleep in a window seat, while your sleep at the aisle will most likely be average at best.
Catering in the Japan Airlines long haul Business Class
The catering in the Japan Airlines long haul Business Class is just wow. Upon boarding, you are offered a welcome drink including a good champagne.
Welcome Service in the Japan Airlines Business Class
Up in the air, the service continues with nuts and another drink of your choice. However, the real highlight is the main service.
We were offered lunch on our flight and chose both, the Western and the Japanese meal. All dishes, from the Western salad and the beef filet to the Japanese Bento Box of fresh fish and seafood specialties to the main course with a very well executed combination of beef and salmon, were nothing but amazing.
The catering the Japan Airlines long haul Business Class definitely was the best catering I’ve enjoyed in any long haul Business Class so far.
As you’d expect there’s also a second service, which I’ve missed as I slept-in. However, I tried the anytime options during the flight and a had a very good sandwich and some ice cream.
At this point, it’s also worth mentioning the crew in the Japan Airlines Business Class, which was more than just phenomenal. Friendly, warm, polite and extremely well trained. I’d die for such a crew on all my flights!
Entertainment in the Japan Airlines Business Class Boeing 787
Speaking of something amazing, let’s get to the entertainment in the Japan Airlines Business Class in the Boeing 787. First, there’s the extremely large entertainment screen at each seat.
The entertainment screens in the Japan Airlines Boeing 787 are among the biggest and best in the sky
It’s not only big, but also extremely high resolution and very easily operable.
The Western entertainmen selection is a little lackluster
The selection of Japanese movies and series is great, while the Western selection is good, but nothing to write home about. Yet, I’m sure you’ll find something for your taste.
Japan Airlines also offers newspapers in Business Class
Other than the entertainment screen, you might also read newspapers and magazines, which are offered after boarding. As it’s the norm, there’s also an (interesting) board magazine. Japan Airlines also offers Wi-Fi on some aircrafts. Yet, those only operate on certain routes.
The charges are reasonable as there’s a flat rate for 24 hours for a charge of just 18.80 US-Dollar. As I was booked on JAL 4 from Tokyo Narita to New York, I sadly wasn’t able to try the Wi-Fi service.
Amenities in the Japan Airlines long haul Business Class
Upon boarding, a couple of amenities are waiting at your seat. However, I was rather disappointed by the offerings. The headphones are relatively cheap for Business Class and don’t offer a good noise reduction.
The amenity kit is rather sparsely equipped with a toothbrush, a shoe horn, tissues, lip balm, a moisture mask and earplugs. Upon boarding, you are also offered sort of a shirt, which you can wear for sleeping. While it was quite comfortable, I found it way too big and also prefer pajamas with trousers.
Bottom line Japan Airlines Business Class Boeing 787
Flying in the Japan Airlines Business Class, you’ll definitely experience a little cultural difference. From the service to the dining to the amenities, Japan Airlines is not exactly comparable with American, European or even Middle Eastern carriers. Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed the experience.
The lavatories are clean, but rather plain
The Apex Suites are amazing (especially the window seats), the entertainment screens are by far the best I’ve yet experienced in Business Class and both, the dining and the service, were out of the world. If you have the chance to fly with Japan Airlines in the Boeing 787 Business Class, I can just recommend to give it a shot as you won’t be disappointed!
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Looks like an amazing flight – they do seem to have a good J product
They are indeed a stunning airline. I can just highly recommend JAL, from the lounge to the onboard experience!
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