JAL up-grades for BA exec members
 

I'm flying a lot to HND at the moment; typically JAL operated out and BA operated back, but on JAL ticket numbers both ways.
Has anyone had any joy with upgrades as a BA exec member from J to F? Flights are always rammed, but I'm having no luck.
Will JAL priorities their FFs above BA?

Without doubt. As a BA member you will be well down the list.

Would imagine most airlines will prioritise their own FF's over the overarching alliance — that said, I did get an upgrade from Y to J on an overbooked JL flight (LHR-HND) with BAEC # attached earlier this year so it's not impossible, but I probably wouldn't count on it.

And ditto with BA on their metal too. A JAL Emerald in WTP will generally be less likely than a BA Gold to be upgraded to CW, if only due to CIV. The JAL process is fairly transparent though, if you look at the sequence number and the display shown at the Standby Desk between gates.

So if it's a BA-operated flight, but on a JAL tix, it's still JAL FF's that get priority?

If its a BA operated flight BA will apply their upgrade policy. BA generally do not upgrade unless there is a need to do so. They then have a complicated algorthym they follow.

The rules are slightly more BAEC-friendly for standby paid-for upgrades on JAL domestic flights.

Standby upgrades are processed by customer category, with all OW Emeralds (from both JAL Mileage Bank and other FF programmes, including BAEC) being in the same category -- i.e. as a BAEC Gold you will get priority over all OW Sapphires (including JAL's own) and equal status with all other OW Emeralds (including JAL's own). Within each category, the standby upgrades are processed in the order that they were requested (i.e. check in time). My hit rate on upgrades to J on domestic JAL flights for 1,000 JPY (£7.31) as a BAEC Gold is very high. A great deal for the 40TPs.

Hi.

Also on the jal 777 lhr to hnd there are only 8 f seats to start with

Regards

Tbs

JL F is one of the few F products which I will occasionally pay out of pocket to get with excitement and as a result one of those I experience notably on that route. When OP says that 'flights are typically rammed' this is true but certainly includes F where I have rarely seen an empty seat (there are only 8 to start with as noted) so frankly, chances of upgrades are minimal and if they occurred would indeed certainly benefit either VIPs or JL's own highest tier members.