AA vs Japan Airlines International Premium Economy
Oct 11, 2018, 12:49 pm
#31
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,752
Has really nothing to do with self sufficiency. I don't know anyone, self sufficient or not, who would enjoy lugging four 50 lb bags and two carryons from baggage claim at one airport to check in at another airport, not to include going through Immigration and customs twice, security, and putting up with a 1 1/2 hour ride from one airport to the other. Also adding in delays that could come about in traffic or some other circumstance. Of course incurring the extra expense, too. On can fly JAL DFW/NRT/BKK without going through HND. However the cost is three times as much.
So, it looks like AA/HKG/BKK may be a much better option.
Oct 11, 2018, 7:00 pm
#32
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I meant that it was a shorter flight relative to a 14 or 15 hour flight from the US to NRT. Also, daily, you are not lugging four 50lb bags and two carryons through LGW and LHR. If my wife and I had only a briefcase, like yourself, then it would not be that difficult NRT/HND.
If you haven’t done it, please don’t imagine what it is or isn’t. Friendly is easier than Nat Express, but they’re both okay.
Last edited by JDiver; Oct 11, 2018 at 7:06 pm
Oct 11, 2018, 8:20 pm
#33
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 83
I disagree on vastly superior. JL eco food is great and probably one of the best in the sky, but apart from better wine (champagne) and soju (iirc) there is no or little differentiation. So yeah, I'd rather a have an AA PE meal, which is essentially two J choices with one of them being pasta and it's usually decent. I do agree on the better seat on JL, I'm also a fan of the shell concept.
I do believe AA PE is a sweet spot as SWU enabler and generally cheaper than JL PE (ex NRT), the upside of the JL seat do not justify for "vastly superior" in my eyes.
I do believe AA PE is a sweet spot as SWU enabler and generally cheaper than JL PE (ex NRT), the upside of the JL seat do not justify for "vastly superior" in my eyes.
On the other side, JL does provide consistent superior service in most cases, which is evident compared to AA
I believe AA's PE entree pasta sometimes is just a veggie option, which I don't consider decent when there're only two options
Oct 11, 2018, 8:23 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 83
@floridastorm I can't recall if this was mentioned previously, but AA PE does not get lounge access in NRT, but JL PE does. (Aside from any status offerings.)
Oct 11, 2018, 9:44 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
That's a completely different scenario. If a group feels the need to travel to bring piles and piles of luggage with them, they'll have to weigh the cost of doing so. I never claimed to "enjoy" a co-terminal transfer, simply that it's simple and common. I notice that you did not name any of these airlines you purport handle co-terminal luggage transfers of the passenger. You may find, in air travel like in life, that saving a buck or two can include extra hassle.
It would appear so.
It would appear so.
We are traveling to our house in Thailand where we will stay for 6 months. Most of the stuff in the bags are things that my wife brings for her sisters and that is why there are four of them We don't need that many clothes in Bangkok.
Oct 11, 2018, 10:21 pm
#36
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Well first thing I was not purporting to know any airlines that transfer luggage from one airport to another and thus the question about the transfer of luggage. I have never traveled where I would have to change airports enroute so I obviously didn't know.
We are traveling to our house in Thailand where we will stay for 6 months. Most of the stuff in the bags are things that my wife brings for her sisters and that is why there are four of them We don't need that many clothes in Bangkok.
We are traveling to our house in Thailand where we will stay for 6 months. Most of the stuff in the bags are things that my wife brings for her sisters and that is why there are four of them We don't need that many clothes in Bangkok.
Oct 12, 2018, 9:38 pm
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Thanks for the info. But, I think I'll pass on the airport transfers. After 19 hours MCO/DFW/NRT feel I'll be too tired to even think much less facilitate that scenario.
Oct 23, 2018, 7:40 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
I just took JL PE and AA PE back to back and I can definitively say that JL PE is vastly superior IMO 
Legroom:
JL PE - I am 5'10 you can fit a magazine
AA PE - not so much
Footrest:
JL - has leg support (that's connected to your seat) and foot rest on every seat except for bulkhead
AA - only footrest except for bulkhead
Food:
JL - on demand (if you ask nicely) meal service. on demand snack service (udon)
AA - I missed mid-flight meal as I was sleeping and when I asked for it they said it was already over.
Legroom:
JL PE - I am 5'10 you can fit a magazine
AA PE - not so much
Footrest:
JL - has leg support (that's connected to your seat) and foot rest on every seat except for bulkhead
AA - only footrest except for bulkhead
Food:
JL - on demand (if you ask nicely) meal service. on demand snack service (udon)
AA - I missed mid-flight meal as I was sleeping and when I asked for it they said it was already over.
Oct 24, 2018, 11:45 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,220
Well, even the OP noted the 4" of additional seat pitch on JL. To be fair, 38" is pretty much the standard (only NZ really comes close to JL, with 41-42", CX next at 40", and I'm excluding Norwegian). But I think JAL has a fixed shell seat, so that eats up at least 1-2" of the legroom. And while I haven't been on these types of seats myself, the Air France version (hard-backed shell) gets awful reviews on FT in terms of comfort. Maybe the extra pitch on JL is the difference.
In any event, JL does seem to have some of the best seating out there in PE as well as Y.
In any event, JL does seem to have some of the best seating out there in PE as well as Y.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:00 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,946
Oct 24, 2018, 12:07 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 304
JL's seat is better, how much better will depend on how you value your time/money/routing/stops etc. If all things equal, I would prefer to fly JL. If legroom is paramount, hard to beat the "window" bulkhead seats on AA's 77W to HKG:
Last edited by caburrito; Oct 25, 2018 at 4:20 pm
Oct 24, 2018, 1:05 pm
#42
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
Well, even the OP noted the 4" of additional seat pitch on JL. To be fair, 38" is pretty much the standard (only NZ really comes close to JL, with 41-42", CX next at 40", and I'm excluding Norwegian). But I think JAL has a fixed shell seat, so that eats up at least 1-2" of the legroom. And while I haven't been on these types of seats myself, the Air France version (hard-backed shell) gets awful reviews on FT in terms of comfort. Maybe the extra pitch on JL is the difference.
In any event, JL does seem to have some of the best seating out there in PE as well as Y.
In any event, JL does seem to have some of the best seating out there in PE as well as Y.
One problem with AA is when the person ahead of you reclines all the way, it kinda feels cramped. (even though you have much more space than Y)
Oct 24, 2018, 2:42 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Speaking of which, excellent choice in footwear. The white soles help to outline your feet against the similarly colored carpeting otherwise you'll feel like you're floating.
Photo and stylish footwear credit: @timfucius
Last edited by enpremiere; Oct 24, 2018 at 3:12 pm Reason: Mistaken image quote
Oct 24, 2018, 3:12 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
I'm sure timfucius appreciates the compliments, you can check out more pics of his if you click on the image 
