Japan Airlines 525
Tokyo Haneda to Sapporo New Chitose
Airbus A350-900
October 21, 2021
5:35P-7:10P (sked)
5:36P-7:05P (actual)
Flight Time: 1hr05min
First Class
Seat 1H



The fun continues… this trip I was flying up to Sapporo to begin a long weekend at the new Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono. I had booked my trip using 6k BA Avios, and managed to upgrade to JAL’s Class J (essentially a domestic Premium Economy product) for just 1,000 JPY ($9) when I got to Haneda Airport about 90 minutes before departure. Of course, I was hoping for First Class, but this route typically sells out its small F cabins well ahead of time. Nonetheless, I created an ExpertFlyer alert and not too long after I made it into the lounge I received a message stating an F seat had opened up! The lounge agent was able to process the upgrade request, and I simply had to pay an additional 7,000 JPY ($61) to move up to F – making the total upgrade cost just $70 (or roughly half the cost of my ANA upgrade). I was really looking forward to the flight at this point, as this would be my first time in F on JL’s new domestic A359 aircraft!

Compared to ANA, I much preference the darker ambiance of JL’s premium check-in area and Diamond Premier Lounge in Haneda’s Terminal 1. Admittedly, though, it’s not a perfectly fair comparison, as I’m only able to access the ANA Lounge (and not the comparable Suite Lounge) as a United 1K (Star Alliance Gold) while as an American Airlines Executive Platinum (OneWorld Emerald) I’m able to access JL’s higher-level domestic lounge– the Diamond Premier Lounge – instead of just the regular Sakura domestic lounge. Nonetheless, the dark wood tones, runway views, light snacks, and massage chairs all make JAL’s lounge a better overall product.



JL’s Diamond Premier Lounge featured four different beer machines all offering the premium lagers from Japan’s macrobreweries (such as Suntory’s The Premium Malts, Kirin’s Ichiban Shibori, and Asahi’s Jukusen). Also on offer was was Kirin's Fuji Sanroku whisky - but no sake or shochu like the ANA lounge. I treated myself to an onigiri (rice ball) and glass of the Suntory beer while enjoying some fantastic runway and sunset views with Mt. Fuji rising out of the clouds in the distance - brining back great memories of the late-season hike I did the the summit of Fuji just more than a month earlier (it was the emptiest I'd ever seen the majestic mountain).





After the obligatory 20 min stop in the massage chair room, it was time for boarding and I made my way down to Gate 15, close to JAL’s north lounge complex at Haneda’s Terminal 1. Boarding was already well underway, so I was unable to get any good cabin photos on boarding. The seat design was absolutely brilliant, an improvement over JL’s domestic F seat on its domestic 767/777 aircraft. While not lie-flat, it was perfectly comfortable for the 1-2hr domestic segments this aircraft operates (really only the HND-CTS/ITM/FUK routes). The seat was actually quite private (more than the NH 787 longhual J seat reviewed earlier) with a sliding privacy screen between seatmates and had an elegant yet understated finishing that you might expect in a Japanese cocktail lounge. I wish we could have an F seat like this for shorthaul domestic flights in the U.S.! My one seat photo taken on arrival in Chitose doesn’t begin to do this seat justice, but you can see more of the A359 F seat here: https://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/service/f/seat/a350.html



The bulkhead seats featured a wall-mounted monitor, with access to both the nose and tail aircraft cameras.



As I settled in, Flight Attendant Kito introduced herself with a deep bow and presented the dinner menu – yes a paper menu and hot meal for a 1hr flight. Let’s take a look:




We pushed back a minute late (almost unthinkable given Japanese punctuality!) and taxied out to RWY 34R for departure (the same runway as my previous ANA flight to Sapporo – but this evening was much less eventful given the good weather in Tokyo).



Following takeoff, the flight attendants sprung into action just a few minutes into our climbout. Drink orders were taken, and then delivered prior to starting the meal service. I ordered a glass of the Ferrari Brut Homage Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine (JAL seems to alternate between entry-level NV Champagne and higher-end sparkling wines in Domestic F – which I have no issues with). Unlike ANA, JAL serves from full size bottles but, unfortunately, is still using plastic cups (ANA is now back to proper glassware in domestic F).

Dinner was delivered just about 10 minutes after takeoff. It consisted of a chilled appetizer sampling of vegetable ratatouille with gnocchi, pate, and a citrus-marinated horse mackerel sashimi. The main was small warmed pork roast with miso sauce served alongside mashed potatoes and vegetables. Dessert was an almond blanc manger with raspberries. Warmed bread was also served from the galley.




All-in-all, a fantastic meal for such a short flight. There were two flight attendants serving the small 2 row / 12 seat F cabin, plus an additional flight attendant working the galley – so service was very attentive. Kito offered several top offs of the Ferrari spumante wine as I leisurely enjoyed dinner (unliked the rushed service on the ANA 787). I finished dinner just as we started our descent into Chitose. Kito offered her side of the cabin a final round of drinks, and I switched to the sake. This evening’s offering was a delicious and complex junmai ginjo from Gokeiki in Ibaraki Prefecture. Kito poured a generous portion and provided some dry natto (my favorite!) before preparing the cabin for landing.





This evening it was straight-in arrival to RWY 01R with fair weather and Chitose landing to the north. Landing was smooth and we quickly taxied into the gate, arriving 5 minutes ahead of schedule. Overall, another absolutely excellent flight on JAL. It’s hard to imagine a more comfortable way to fly domestically (aside from private) on a one hour long flight. I highly recommend the 8000 JPY same day upgrade option for anyone flying on JAL if it’s available at check-in. It’s hard to think of a better value for just 6k Avios and roughly $70 – especially since this route routinely sells out far in advance for about $450 in F.