Last edit by: garkman
Can Seats Be Preassigned?
If your flight is marketed as AA, but on JL metal (i.e. "AA 8499 Operated by Japan Airlines"), the following apply based upon the fare code or booking code for your flight segments:
If your flight is marketed as AA, but on JL metal (i.e. "AA 8499 Operated by Japan Airlines"), the following apply based upon the fare code or booking code for your flight segments:
N - Seats may only be selected at checkin/airport
O - Seats may only be selected at checkin/airport (Confirmed with AA 6/11/17)
Others - Probably can preassign, but please modify this wiki if not
AA Award tickets on JL metal - DO allow seat assignments.
**When inputting a flight number that is a single digit (such as flight 1 from HND-SFO), you must add a leading '0' (zero) when looking up your flight. Failure to do this will result in an error that they can't find your PNR.
If you try to call AA on these fares and select seats, even as an EXP, the agent will be unable to view the seatmap and select seats for you. Your reservation will simply display "--" as the seat selection. Oftentimes these codeshare tickets do not allow JL checkin at T-72 hours, so you may not be able to actually get seats until the airport. You can try online checkin with JL here: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/boarding/quic/
You may find more information here:
Flights from US to Japan
Flights from US to Other Asian Destinations
==========
Info added on 15th Sept. 2019. As a one world Sapphire, you can select the following business class window seats
From row 5 on the 767, 787 and 772 (excludes rows 1-4 window seats)
From main cabin on the 777W (excludes whole of mini cabin)
As a non-status passenger (or Ruby member), you can only select the following business class window seats
From second row onward of second cabin on the 767, 787 and 772 (excludes all of the forward cabin window seats and first/exit row of main cabin)
From second row onward of main cabin on the 777W (excludes whole of mini cabin and first/exit row of main cabin)
As a OWE, you have unlimited access.
Info added on 15th Sept. 2019. As a one world Sapphire, you can select the following business class window seats
From row 5 on the 767, 787 and 772 (excludes rows 1-4 window seats)
From main cabin on the 777W (excludes whole of mini cabin)
As a non-status passenger (or Ruby member), you can only select the following business class window seats
From second row onward of second cabin on the 767, 787 and 772 (excludes all of the forward cabin window seats and first/exit row of main cabin)
From second row onward of main cabin on the 777W (excludes whole of mini cabin and first/exit row of main cabin)
As a OWE, you have unlimited access.
==========
Which Booking Code Am I In?
If you have not viewed your fare at booking, you can follow the below steps to check your booking code:
Which Booking Code Am I In?
If you have not viewed your fare at booking, you can follow the below steps to check your booking code:
- Visit AA.com and open your itinerary
- Visit the URL https://www.aa.com/reservation/print...raryReceipt.do
- Your booking code should appear for each flight
Selecting seats on JAL when booked as AA codeshare
#241
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: IAH, HOU
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,062
#242
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: EUG
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Pt, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,329
Nominally at OLCI, although there may be some seats held back for airport control.
You might keep checking a few days before OLCI as well. There are reports of coach restricted fares getting seat selection a week or so before OLCI officially opens selection for those type of fares.
You might keep checking a few days before OLCI as well. There are reports of coach restricted fares getting seat selection a week or so before OLCI officially opens selection for those type of fares.
#243
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: IAH, HOU
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,062
Nominally at OLCI, although there may be some seats held back for airport control.
You might keep checking a few days before OLCI as well. There are reports of coach restricted fares getting seat selection a week or so before OLCI officially opens selection for those type of fares.
You might keep checking a few days before OLCI as well. There are reports of coach restricted fares getting seat selection a week or so before OLCI officially opens selection for those type of fares.
#244
Join Date: May 2011
Location: ORD
Posts: 202
FYI - if you have a single digit flight number you need to add a leading '0' (zero) on JAL's website. Otherwise it won't find your record to let you assign seats, etc. This is truly piss poor programming in 2019. Flight number 1 requires 01. Also, I've added to the Wiki the leading zero and the fact that AA awards on JL metal can be assigned seats via the JL website.
#246
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Diamond (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 18,513
#247
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Omaha
Programs: AA Life Plat 4mm, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,416
How are the 3 middle seats in J? I’m booked ORD-HND then HND-DFW - thinking 8 hours talking to my wife might be a bit much, maybe pawn her off for a bit to the passenger on the other side?
#248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Diamond (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 18,513

#249
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
I have an upcoming J itinerary with some AA-marketed, JAL-operated segments in the middle of it.
Is there a way for me to get AA's computers to push the seat assignment request again to JAL? As far as I'm concerned, this is an atrocious experience for paid J (plus OWE).
- JAL said to call AA, so I did and booked seats. AA.com shows them.
- I noticed on ExpertFlyer that those seats are still...open.
- I call JAL, who patches in an AA agent in a 3-way call. AA says we have seats. JAL agent says we do not (but refuses to help). The JAL agent asks the AA agent to drop off of the call and then proceeded to bad mouth AA for not being "helpful" (
codeshares are a mess, but *maybe* JAL could be a little more helpful here).
Is there a way for me to get AA's computers to push the seat assignment request again to JAL? As far as I'm concerned, this is an atrocious experience for paid J (plus OWE).
#250
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Diamond (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 18,513
I have an upcoming J itinerary with some AA-marketed, JAL-operated segments in the middle of it.
Is there a way for me to get AA's computers to push the seat assignment request again to JAL? As far as I'm concerned, this is an atrocious experience for paid J (plus OWE).
- JAL said to call AA, so I did and booked seats. AA.com shows them.
- I noticed on ExpertFlyer that those seats are still...open.
- I call JAL, who patches in an AA agent in a 3-way call. AA says we have seats. JAL agent says we do not (but refuses to help). The JAL agent asks the AA agent to drop off of the call and then proceeded to bad mouth AA for not being "helpful" (
codeshares are a mess, but *maybe* JAL could be a little more helpful here).
Is there a way for me to get AA's computers to push the seat assignment request again to JAL? As far as I'm concerned, this is an atrocious experience for paid J (plus OWE).
Out of curiousity, does any one have experience with AA/BA codeshares? That should be the same system bridge.
#251
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,103
.....
I have not been able to figure out how to take my AA-provided JAL confirmation number to manage my booking (using any flight segment, marketed or operating flight number, or combinations of pax names).
Is there a way for me to get AA's computers to push the seat assignment request again to JAL? As far as I'm concerned, this is an atrocious experience for paid J (plus OWE).
I have not been able to figure out how to take my AA-provided JAL confirmation number to manage my booking (using any flight segment, marketed or operating flight number, or combinations of pax names).
Is there a way for me to get AA's computers to push the seat assignment request again to JAL? As far as I'm concerned, this is an atrocious experience for paid J (plus OWE).
You can then use it to manage your booking on the JL website.
#252
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: UA 1K, Delta PM, AA EXP, Marriott AMB, IHG Gold
Posts: 435
Is the Amadeus Record Locator for JAL different from the one that AA gives us? I called AA to ask for the JAL PNR. It does not work on the JAL website but it works on checkmytrip.com. I have tried every permutation of my name and JL/AA number to log into the JAL website without success.
#253
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,103
Is the Amadeus Record Locator for JAL different from the one that AA gives us? I called AA to ask for the JAL PNR. It does not work on the JAL website but it works on checkmytrip.com. I have tried every permutation of my name and JL/AA number to log into the JAL website without success.
If you are booked on an AA codeshre flight number (eg. AA8123 operated by JL), nothing will show in AA's system. As such, you will have to ask JL for the actual Amadeus record locator by telling them "I am booked on JL 123 [you will need to give them the pure JL flight number as opposed the AA flight number], my name is XXXX and my date of travel is such and such...".
#254
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: AA PP, DL GM
Posts: 1,863
Here's a data point on JAL seat selection on an award ticket purchased with AA miles. I did not need to call.
My ticket has an AA flight followed by a JL flight (prime flight codes because it's an award ticket). Once ticketed, I plugged the e-ticket number (001..., not record locator) into the Qatar Airways site. The QR site threw up a modal asking me to enter my email and phone number, which errored out when I did. However, I was able to use the web inspector (developer tools) to remove the modal, which let me see the Amadeus record locator (different from the AA record locator, has numbers in it). If you have access to a JavaScript console for this page, run $(".confirmation-pnr").text() and it should print out a string that includes the record locator.
I took that record locator, plugged it into JAL's Manage My Booking, with the AA flight number of the first flight on the ticket (operated by AA), my last name, and my first name only, though my middle name is also on the ticket it did not work when I included it. I could then pick seats for me and my friend, including the window seats in business blocked for OWS and OWE.
Your mileage may vary. This is an award ticket in business, so there might be differences for revenue or codeshares or itineraries including other airlines.
My ticket has an AA flight followed by a JL flight (prime flight codes because it's an award ticket). Once ticketed, I plugged the e-ticket number (001..., not record locator) into the Qatar Airways site. The QR site threw up a modal asking me to enter my email and phone number, which errored out when I did. However, I was able to use the web inspector (developer tools) to remove the modal, which let me see the Amadeus record locator (different from the AA record locator, has numbers in it). If you have access to a JavaScript console for this page, run $(".confirmation-pnr").text() and it should print out a string that includes the record locator.
I took that record locator, plugged it into JAL's Manage My Booking, with the AA flight number of the first flight on the ticket (operated by AA), my last name, and my first name only, though my middle name is also on the ticket it did not work when I included it. I could then pick seats for me and my friend, including the window seats in business blocked for OWS and OWE.
Your mileage may vary. This is an award ticket in business, so there might be differences for revenue or codeshares or itineraries including other airlines.
#255
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Diamond (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 18,513
Here's a data point on JAL seat selection on an award ticket purchased with AA miles. I did not need to call.
My ticket has an AA flight followed by a JL flight (prime flight codes because it's an award ticket). Once ticketed, I plugged the e-ticket number (001..., not record locator) into the Qatar Airways site. The QR site threw up a modal asking me to enter my email and phone number, which errored out when I did. However, I was able to use the web inspector (developer tools) to remove the modal, which let me see the Amadeus record locator (different from the AA record locator, has numbers in it). If you have access to a JavaScript console for this page, run $(".confirmation-pnr").text() and it should print out a string that includes the record locator.
I took that record locator, plugged it into JAL's Manage My Booking, with the AA flight number of the first flight on the ticket (operated by AA), my last name, and my first name only, though my middle name is also on the ticket it did not work when I included it. I could then pick seats for me and my friend, including the window seats in business blocked for OWS and OWE.
Your mileage may vary. This is an award ticket in business, so there might be differences for revenue or codeshares or itineraries including other airlines.
My ticket has an AA flight followed by a JL flight (prime flight codes because it's an award ticket). Once ticketed, I plugged the e-ticket number (001..., not record locator) into the Qatar Airways site. The QR site threw up a modal asking me to enter my email and phone number, which errored out when I did. However, I was able to use the web inspector (developer tools) to remove the modal, which let me see the Amadeus record locator (different from the AA record locator, has numbers in it). If you have access to a JavaScript console for this page, run $(".confirmation-pnr").text() and it should print out a string that includes the record locator.
I took that record locator, plugged it into JAL's Manage My Booking, with the AA flight number of the first flight on the ticket (operated by AA), my last name, and my first name only, though my middle name is also on the ticket it did not work when I included it. I could then pick seats for me and my friend, including the window seats in business blocked for OWS and OWE.
Your mileage may vary. This is an award ticket in business, so there might be differences for revenue or codeshares or itineraries including other airlines.