JAL Opinions?

[chrizzz14]

I noticed on bestflights.com. JAL has a rather good deal to LHR going.

Departing MEL, via (im guessing) NRT on to LHR return for 1380ish.

im thinking of booking a couple tickets for a couple of family memebers to fly over to london mid feburary next year.
However ive never flown JAL, and am seeking peoples opinions on what the services, and more importantly seats are like compared to QF, BA, AA, etc - cattle class that is!

Ive heard good things about JAL buiness and first, but never anything about econ. Id appreciate anything anyone might have to say!!

thanks

 

[NM]

Ive heard good things about JAL buiness and first, but never anything about econ. Id appreciate anything anyone might have to say!!

I had a JAL economy flight last night. But its probably not all that reflective of a long-haul to Europe. Mine was a 35-min KUL-SIN hop. Its the same 767-300 aircraft they use for the SIN-KIX flight.

For the short hop we were handed a small orange juice (like you would expect on a breakfast meal tray, but just the juice). But that is all there is time for on a KUL-SIN flight.

The IFE was not operating on the short flight (except the nose-cam and then FlightPath on the big screens at the front of the cabin). The personal screens are small and a quick look through the IFE brochure implied there was not going to e much to watch unless your Japanese is strong.

The aircraft cabin was clean and fresh. The 767 had overhead bins more in the 777 style rather than the old clunkers on QF's 763 fleet. Crew were very polite. All announcements were Japanese and English.

If going to Europe in economy, I would expect the journey to be similar to most others on the route. I believe their larger aircraft have newer IFE, but not sure on the quality or program material. I would prefer a QF744 or A380 with AVOD over the JL 767, but I have not experienced the JL 777 or 747 economy cabins.

 

[drron]

I have only been in JAL J but friends report Y is comparable to other full service carriers but with better service.
this link will give you programs,meals etc.The 777s should all be equipped with Magic 111 which is better than the system on regional 763s.
JAL International Flights - In-flight EntertainmentEntertainment(Economy Class)

 

[Travel Guru]

I'm in the middle of a trip flying JAL J and cannot say enough about how impressed I was with both the level of service and the cleanliness of the planes.

Its been 9 yrs since I flew Y on JAL, but if the service level in J is any indication (which given the Japanese im sure it is) then i'd have no hesitation in flying them.

Great airline, will post a full TR when I get back next month.

TG

 

[dajop]

I flew in July on JL KUL-NRT (767) then NRT-JFK (777-300ER). The first sector I was in Y (but was allocated into an exit row) , the second I was upgraded to Y+ . So may be difficult to draw conclusions regarding the general Y cabin, other than that they look after those with Oneworld Emerald status.

But that aside, the cabins were clean and fresh, and I found the staff really good - a good mix of friendly and attentive service. The food and entertainment both very good. Certainly rate them in the same league as SQ, and would rate them better than both CX and QF in Y. I would not hesitate to fly them again.

 

[Dalescott]

I have flown JAL a few times, and the problem is that they don't fly direct out of Melbourne. But out of Sydney, which mean a Domestic flight Mel- Syd. I hate Sydney, that bus between terminals is a joke. As to the flight attendants, and the service in general, it's brilliant. They will put you up in a hotel over night at there expense. Can not fault it, except that it goes through Sydney.

 

[albatross710]

A friend of mine just booked 2 people onto the JAL J partner fare to MXP. $4,500 each for J all the way from SYD.

Be aware that they needed to factor in the cost of an overnight stay at Narita which should be factored into fare calculation.

 

[drron]

A friend of mine just booked 2 people onto the JAL J partner fare to MXP. $4,500 each for J all the way from SYD.

Be aware that they needed to factor in the cost of an overnight stay at Narita which should be factored into fare calculation.

When we have flown J on JAL and the connection didnt work JAL have put us up for the night at Narita with an allowance for dinner.

 

[blu]

We flew Syd - Nrt on 747 (Jan 2008) plane full, but had been able to book a two seater at the back of Y (recommended). Spent week in Japan the flew Nrt - Fra on a smaller plane (767?) It was almost empty so had 8 seats between the two of us. There was a FA who I'm sure serviced the toilet after each use. Planes can be older than QF but very clean & well maintained. Travel time is a bit longer but you can see Narita town if you stay overnight at the airport. Otherwise Tokyo is about an hour & half by express train from Narita.

 

[Travel Guru]

A friend of mine just booked 2 people onto the JAL J partner fare to MXP. $4,500 each for J all the way from SYD.

Be aware that they needed to factor in the cost of an overnight stay at Narita which should be factored into fare calculation.

Get them to recheck, im on the JAL J companion fare myself and STPC is definately included.

All they need to do is get their agent to call JAL and request it.

I've never known a JAL fare that didn't included STPC, they're very good and very efficient with it.

TG