I flew JAL a bit back in the 90's (when I was just an impressionable Kid ), and was exceedingly impressed by the service. I have not flown JAL trans-Pac since the NY hurricane in 10/99 cancelled my AA flight and I was rerouted on JAL.

(Was out 'til 04:30 with a college friend and had to check out of the hotel at 06:30 to go to LGA to check in and be told that the only flight was a 3:30 JAL departure out of JFK. Another $25 cab ride and a LONG wait led to a situation where no amount of service would have brought me around!)

Japanese service is not quite what it used to be (on planes, in hotels, at the gas station, etc.), but it still beats US service hands down. (It loses on "friendliness," however.) ANA has just as good service now, IMO.

Flew JAL NRT-Bali last Summer, and wasn't all that impressed. (Not bad - just not great.) If I fly a Japan carrier it would probably me ANA, as the discount econ points get more UA miles for me than JAL would on AA. (dbl Vs 0)

If JAL would become an official 1W member, I would fly them more.

-KP