ikwia

IMHO, the only reason this isn't an easy choice for JAL is that their planes are often quite warm by standard US norms.

IggySD

For a J seat, I’m going to be a contrarian here and suggest AA for the seat. Yes, service and food will be much better on JL, but it’s still just reheated airplane food. I flew a JL 777 (the version with no F) SFO-HND last winter and it was probably the most uncomfortable seat I have been in since the angle flat JL 787 they used to fly to SAN. I’m tall so that probably played into it, but the 1-2 hours of better food and booze in no way make up for the 7-8 hours of discomfort for me.

carlosdca

none of this looks particularly apetizing to me.
Just based on these pics I would have starved. I am not into seafood and even less so if it is not cooked.

alien

I'm with you on this. Not a pioneer of the palette(Tom Waits). But the last time Mrs a and I were on NRT-ORD there were only 3 in F. Two bottles of Salon were provisioned. Sadly, the third person didn't drink...

TarsTarkas

Ouch! Poor ole AA is getting hammered here, and on the AA forum no less.

We're flying AA FS-J to Tokyo this summer for the first time and I sure hope it's not as bad as you guys make it out to be.

desafino

there is a western menu available that i think most people would prefer to AA catering

joejones

JL also offers a Western meal option, usually steak with vegetables, salad, etc., and a bunch of small meal options like sandwiches and curry, so even if you eat like an American third grader, you should be fine.

enviroian

All of that food looks inedible.

Cthunder86

I personally love seafood so I find Japanese style imperial cuisine to be awesome. That’s just a personal taste

JAL western menu is a significantly better
JAL beverage choices are significantly better
JAL midnight meal choices are significantly better
JAL on board is significantly better
JAL comfort is better

The cabin never gets warm on AA because I normally don’t like having more than one glass of bottom barrel whiskey/wine but it does get warm on JAL after trying half their drink selection

355F1

Easily solved by bringing a t-shirt and shorts to sleep/lounge in.

Drwaz99

Or, especially if you're in F, simply ask them to turn it down a bit as I did a few weeks ago. 🙂

jiburi

Tho I agree with prior assessment, gotta give at least one good assessment......

AA Video entertainment selection is better.

Jiburi

ghsbass0406

I flew JL F with AA miles ORD-HND back in March. It was a sublime experience. The cabin has begun to show its age- just search for images of ANA's "The Room" or their new first class. Nevertheless, it was still very comfortable and enjoyable. The crew were lovely and attentive and the food was spectacular. And the cabin temperature? They asked me personally (along with the other westerners) whether it was too warm. They made sure to keep the First Cabin cool throughout the flight. It was a fabulous experience.

I'm flying in AA J from LAX-HND RT in July on a cheap O fare w/ already cleared SWUs. I've already set my much lower expectations. But I'm happy that I was able to go the already confirmed SWU route over another (great deal nonetheless) 80k AA miles each way.

My vote, JL 100%.

Barkinpark

Thx for the replies thus far.
Does JL block window J seats in their Apex J cabins? It seems like they were all taken on flight dates that I am considering.

Drwaz99

Yep, a few pictures (a bit out of order) of JL F western menu here (and it was Goooood):