JAL 788 Business 'Sky Suite' DME to NRT

[PaulST]

My second last flight of my splurge (3 weeks of annual leave) was last night where I flew from Moscow (DME) to Tokyo (NRT) with JAL in one of their newer 787-8s with their sky suite interior (still 2-2-2, but with a barrier between each seat).
Interestingly, no one seems to advertise that business class pax can use the diplomat/APEC premium lane (both on arrivals and departures) and I’d only heard about it on FT. I took the plunge and took the diplomats line (as there were no signs mentioning J pax) but as I entered the customs section, there were small signs saying that the lanes were open to us too. I’m not sure if it was any faster (slowest customs I’ve ever experienced).
JAL allow their premium pax to visit the DME Business Lounge which was far better than I expected. Minus the room temperature champagne, the food options were reasonable.
Anyway boarding was a bit confusing as the announcements were in Japanese and Russian so I had to guess what was happening. I was greeting with a friendly welcome and directed left to 3A. The 788’s J cabin is divided into two sections with 18 suites in the forward and 20 in the second section. I guess this keeps the noise down a little.
Interestingly, there was no drink or towel offered before takeoff. Is this normal? It’s the first time I’ve flown J with JAL. No CSM greeting or OWE recognition.
We left a little late but arrived on time and the flight was otherwise standard.

The seat itself is pretty good as I could only identify two problems. Firstly, the gap to actually enter the seat is pretty thin. I’m fine, but a lot of J pax might struggle through the gap… Secondly, the 787 window dimming feature doesn’t work in direct sun light. We only have around 2hrs of darkness and the sun returned with a vengeance and was quite annoying, both while trying to sleep, and then sitting up watching a movie. I had to sit up right to get my face out of the sun’s glare! I can’t imagine how bad it would be in Y where they have less movement! I know that the QR J A350s have electric physical sun shades which I much prefer, although I’m not sure what the rest of the A350s come with.

The food was pretty good and I had the Japanese options when I could (and hence had no idea what I was eating). I had a few extras too since I couldn’t really sleep and couldn’t think of much else to do. The IFE options were average with no movies really catching my eye and little TV show content. The screen itself is massive, though, and the sound and visual quality is pretty good.

The amenity kit was OK although unfortunately there were no PJs so I had to pull out my BA F ones. J

The crew were nice although I didn’t really connect with any of them. I felt like they weren’t confident with English and therefore avoided small talk. It’s a bit sad as my last QR, QF and BA flights have been made really pleasant by very personable FAs. And as I said above, there was no CSM intro or OWE recognition. Don’t get me wrong, they were fine, but nothing more than that.

Anyway, I’m off home to SYD tonight in a 777-300ER (JAL in J again) so it’ll be interesting to compare the new and the old. I suspect I’ll sleep a lot better tonight not having really slept at all last night!

[video=youtube;HW2XTJdCuXk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW2XTJdCuXk[/video]

 

[kpc]

Your TR reminded me about DME where we left on TG J 2 yesrs ago....same lounge, same shower cubicle, plane parked at same gate, and same direction of take off

 

[Austman]

Thanks for the video!

Interesting that the ground crew gave the traditional departure bow even in DME!

 

[moa999]

I definitely agree that the JL staff generally aren't confident in English and seem avoid Western pax as a result.

But the Japanese food is awesome.

Agree that the 787 electronic sunshades struggle in direct light, but that's what the eye mask is for

 

[drron]

As I have said before murder a few Japanese words and they will often then try out their English.
There are also some exceptions.One of the best FAs I have come across was last year flying LAX-NRT.It was in F but she introduced herself and asked how I would like to be addressed.From then on she called me ron and we had a few chats.
The icing on the cake was when I was attempting to sleep.the blanket had come adrift and she came and tucked me in.Definitely the only time that has happened in the sky.

 

[cosi]

seem avoid Western pax as a result.

This is a misunderstanding. Japanese are a generally shy race, unless they have been educated at an overseas university.

It does help if you have a couple of Japanese words, but the reality is they prefer to look after westerners over Japanese men, because the Westerner is generally more respectful and polite.

I am a regular on the HKG-HND sector and preference is always JL over the clinical structured service of CX.

But the Japanese food is awesome.

I agree and always order the Japanese option over the Western

 

[Abdul_A350]

I have repeatedly found JAL and ANA crew the best in the world. I do happen to have Japanese, but have frequently travelled with people who do not and have noticed little difference regarding approach.

The things they spend time worrying about are quite incredible. I cannot remember the precise brands, but they will have Kirin beer standing by just in case the president happens to be on board, and will even swap seats of other passengers if necessary to stop him seeing an Asahi can. And so on and so on through various levels. I wish they were all paid more.

 

[PaulST]

I flew from NRT to SYD last night on JL771 and had a similar experience, although I was served champagne before takeoff.
I really enjoyed the Japanese food. I have no idea what it was, but it was nice nonetheless!

I too tend to get the impression that the staff avoided me and they always struggled to understand my simple requests. I know a few Japanese words (hello, thankyou) which they all found very amusing, but I got the impression that often they didn't know what I said and simply smiled and nodded.

 

[Winston1]

Thanks for the report.
We've got Alaska miles & are hoping to use them on JAL if they are added to the award chart at some point (otherwise it'll have to be cx), so it was good to see the video. Especially of the sunshade which does look like it could be a problem, although I never sleep on flights and do enjoy seeing what's outside. Wonder if it's meant to be a compromise?

 

[PaulST]

Especially of the sunshade which does look like it could be a problem, although I never sleep on flights and do enjoy seeing what's outside. Wonder if it's meant to be a compromise?

The windows wouldn't be a huge problem as you can use your eye shades. My biggest problem was when I was trying to watch the TV with a massive ball of fire shooting into the side of my left eye.

 

[PaulST]

Agree that the 787 electronic sunshades struggle in direct light, but that's what the eye mask is for

The eye masks won't help when you're watching a movie though. The lack of window shades wouldn't be an issue if you were sleeping as you'd be lying flat and well down from the light (as well as having the eye mask). My biggest issue was that I was trying to sit up and watch a movie with the sun streaming right into my left eye ball.