Nov 16, 2015, 1:08 am
Last edit by: JALPak
Please do NOT post your individual questions here. This thread is reserved for discussing the content of the FAQ itself.
If you have a question that is not answered directly by one of the FAQ entries, please find and post to the appropriate thread. Remember you are always welcome start a new thread for your specific questions or use the flame free newbie lounge thread! Thanks for your cooperation.
If you have a question that is not answered directly by one of the FAQ entries, please find and post to the appropriate thread. Remember you are always welcome start a new thread for your specific questions or use the flame free newbie lounge thread! Thanks for your cooperation.
Japan Airlines/JAL Mileage Bank FAQ
Jan 14, 2011, 8:26 pm
#46
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• What's JAL's inflight entertainment like?
It's generally quite good. All JAL international aircrafts should have personal TV. There are four systems: MAGIC III, MAGIC IV, MAGIC V, and MAGIC VI.
All systems provide AVOD in ALL classes.
MAGIC V and VI have the most films available and is commonly found on SKY SUITE versions of 777, SKY SUITE and SKYRECLINER versions of 763, and all versions of 787. JAL changes its film selections each calendar month. Every seat, including economy class, has a personal video screen with any MAGIC system. All three systems offer flight mapping details, including estimated time of arrival. All three feature multiple audio channels with a substantial variety of prerecorded music.
Although MAGIC IV was developed after MAGIC III, it has less films available and are found on 738 used on short international flights.
Most if not all films are shown uncensored, so please supervise your children if you have any concerns about salty dialog, the female breast or male buttocks, or realistic violence on the small screen. There's always at least one film suitable for children among the selections, and some MAGIC systems offer kid-friendly video games.
Standard three-prong North American/Japanese-style 110 volt electrical outlets are available at each seat in business class and first class on most long haul international aircraft. Business and first class passengers can also take advantage of JAL's in-flight notebook computer battery loaner program. Some aircraft have lavatories, in all classes, equipped with electric outlets for shavers.
It's generally quite good. All JAL international aircrafts should have personal TV. There are four systems: MAGIC III, MAGIC IV, MAGIC V, and MAGIC VI.
All systems provide AVOD in ALL classes.
MAGIC V and VI have the most films available and is commonly found on SKY SUITE versions of 777, SKY SUITE and SKYRECLINER versions of 763, and all versions of 787. JAL changes its film selections each calendar month. Every seat, including economy class, has a personal video screen with any MAGIC system. All three systems offer flight mapping details, including estimated time of arrival. All three feature multiple audio channels with a substantial variety of prerecorded music.
Although MAGIC IV was developed after MAGIC III, it has less films available and are found on 738 used on short international flights.
Most if not all films are shown uncensored, so please supervise your children if you have any concerns about salty dialog, the female breast or male buttocks, or realistic violence on the small screen. There's always at least one film suitable for children among the selections, and some MAGIC systems offer kid-friendly video games.
Standard three-prong North American/Japanese-style 110 volt electrical outlets are available at each seat in business class and first class on most long haul international aircraft. Business and first class passengers can also take advantage of JAL's in-flight notebook computer battery loaner program. Some aircraft have lavatories, in all classes, equipped with electric outlets for shavers.
Last edited by JALPak; Jan 16, 2017 at 6:25 pm
Jan 14, 2011, 8:28 pm
#48
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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• Where can I find the IFE programs on my flights?
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/jen/
Site is updated monthly
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/jen/
Site is updated monthly
Jan 14, 2011, 8:31 pm
#49
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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• Where can I find the menu on my flights?
Yes, menus are available in Japanese and English. You can perform the search on JAL website: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/index02.html
Note that menus are in pdf format. So Acrobat Reader is required to view them.
Yes, menus are available in Japanese and English. You can perform the search on JAL website: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/index02.html
Note that menus are in pdf format. So Acrobat Reader is required to view them.
Last edited by JALPak; Jul 2, 2014 at 6:25 pm
Jan 14, 2011, 8:39 pm
#50
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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• What is JAL's aircraft seating like?
Above average and consistent with a premium Asian airline's standard of service. You should expect an exceptionally neat and clean seat. Recaro designs many of JAL's seats in all classes. International economy seat pitch is generally 33 inches, and footrests are available in most long haul international aircraft.
Long haul international business class features either Skyluxe, Shell Flat, Shell Flat NEO or Skyrecliner seating.
The Skyluxe is a traditional, reclining seat which is quite comfortable.
The Skyrecliner is the latest regional business class seat designed after JAL domestic F seat. It is still a reclining seat that doesn't go fully flat.
The "Shell Flat" seats recline to a fully flat (but slightly inclined) position.
The NEO seat is an updated version of the Shell Flat seat and is still an angled flat seat.
JAL has announced a new full-flat bed business class seats and new seats in ALL cabin. These new seats will make its way to key US and Europe routes from early 2013. NRT-LHR will be the first route to get the new seats from January 9 2013.
More product details can be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/jal-m...an-2013-a.html
For seat map and rollout schedule you can refer to this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/jal-m...-seat-map.html
Also JAL will start rolling out redesigned seats on select 767-300ER planes. JAL is also currently looking into redesigning the 777-200ER cabins.
First class is, of course, wonderful, especially with the state of art JAL Suite seats.
JAL Premium Economy class feature the award winning JAL Sky Shell seat, which is the first shell seats in PY cabin in the world. Passengers in front of you won't be reclining into your personal space but this is still a PY seat and you shouldn't expect to have a comfortable sleep like one would get in C/F.
On domestic services you can expect economy class with good seats but possibly less seat pitch, depending on aircraft. "Class J" business class features a larger, mini-Skyluxe type of seat. And of course the JAL Domestic F seat is wonderful.
JAL's Web site has pictures of their seating.
Above average and consistent with a premium Asian airline's standard of service. You should expect an exceptionally neat and clean seat. Recaro designs many of JAL's seats in all classes. International economy seat pitch is generally 33 inches, and footrests are available in most long haul international aircraft.
Long haul international business class features either Skyluxe, Shell Flat, Shell Flat NEO or Skyrecliner seating.
The Skyluxe is a traditional, reclining seat which is quite comfortable.
The Skyrecliner is the latest regional business class seat designed after JAL domestic F seat. It is still a reclining seat that doesn't go fully flat.
The "Shell Flat" seats recline to a fully flat (but slightly inclined) position.
The NEO seat is an updated version of the Shell Flat seat and is still an angled flat seat.
JAL has announced a new full-flat bed business class seats and new seats in ALL cabin. These new seats will make its way to key US and Europe routes from early 2013. NRT-LHR will be the first route to get the new seats from January 9 2013.
More product details can be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/jal-m...an-2013-a.html
For seat map and rollout schedule you can refer to this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/jal-m...-seat-map.html
Also JAL will start rolling out redesigned seats on select 767-300ER planes. JAL is also currently looking into redesigning the 777-200ER cabins.
First class is, of course, wonderful, especially with the state of art JAL Suite seats.
JAL Premium Economy class feature the award winning JAL Sky Shell seat, which is the first shell seats in PY cabin in the world. Passengers in front of you won't be reclining into your personal space but this is still a PY seat and you shouldn't expect to have a comfortable sleep like one would get in C/F.
On domestic services you can expect economy class with good seats but possibly less seat pitch, depending on aircraft. "Class J" business class features a larger, mini-Skyluxe type of seat. And of course the JAL Domestic F seat is wonderful.
JAL's Web site has pictures of their seating.
Last edited by JALPak; Nov 2, 2012 at 2:05 am
Jan 14, 2011, 8:41 pm
#51
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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• Does JAL serve alcohol in all classes?
Yes. Reasonable French wines (red and white) are typically available along with high quality Japanese beer, sake (rice wine), shochu (made from sweet potato or certain grains, about twice the alcohol content of wine), and other alcoholic beverages. Business and first class offer even wider choices, including champagne.
JAL also has many other beverages: green tea (hot or cold), "English tea," coffee ("ko-hee"), Skytime (JAL's own citrus-flavored noncarbonated soft drink), soda water (Suntory brand and/or Perrier, depending on class and flight), orange juice, grapefruit juice (sometimes), tomato juice, apple juice, and various carbonated beverages. Flight attendants will serve tea and coffee frequently during long flights, but you can ask for any beverage at any time during normal cruise flight. Decaffeinated coffee is not usually available (and would be known as "mild-o ko-hee" if it exists). Miso soup, chicken broth, and beef broth are also often available. Beverage selections vary a bit according to route.
Rice crackers are only served on request in Y. You would have to ask the cabin attendant if you want to try them out.
Yes. Reasonable French wines (red and white) are typically available along with high quality Japanese beer, sake (rice wine), shochu (made from sweet potato or certain grains, about twice the alcohol content of wine), and other alcoholic beverages. Business and first class offer even wider choices, including champagne.
JAL also has many other beverages: green tea (hot or cold), "English tea," coffee ("ko-hee"), Skytime (JAL's own citrus-flavored noncarbonated soft drink), soda water (Suntory brand and/or Perrier, depending on class and flight), orange juice, grapefruit juice (sometimes), tomato juice, apple juice, and various carbonated beverages. Flight attendants will serve tea and coffee frequently during long flights, but you can ask for any beverage at any time during normal cruise flight. Decaffeinated coffee is not usually available (and would be known as "mild-o ko-hee" if it exists). Miso soup, chicken broth, and beef broth are also often available. Beverage selections vary a bit according to route.
Rice crackers are only served on request in Y. You would have to ask the cabin attendant if you want to try them out.
Jan 14, 2011, 8:44 pm
#52
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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• How much carry on luggage can I bring aboard?
A reasonable amount, which means one purse or briefcase and one 20 inch rollaboard on an international flight, as an example. A duty free shopping bag, obtained after clearing security, does not seem to count.
For domestic flights, Japan has standardize the carry on limits based on aircraft types. Visit JAL website for more details: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/service/bags/
JAL's checked baggage handling is exceptionally efficient and reliable, so it is not necessary to bring all luggage into the cabin. JAL can accept additional checked baggage at the gate if you change your mind.
A reasonable amount, which means one purse or briefcase and one 20 inch rollaboard on an international flight, as an example. A duty free shopping bag, obtained after clearing security, does not seem to count.
For domestic flights, Japan has standardize the carry on limits based on aircraft types. Visit JAL website for more details: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/service/bags/
JAL's checked baggage handling is exceptionally efficient and reliable, so it is not necessary to bring all luggage into the cabin. JAL can accept additional checked baggage at the gate if you change your mind.
Jan 14, 2011, 8:46 pm
#53
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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• What kind of plug do I need for power port?
JAL uses just the regular power outlet. No special cigarette power adapter is needed.
JAL uses just the regular power outlet. No special cigarette power adapter is needed.
Last edited by JALPak; Mar 29, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Jan 14, 2011, 8:50 pm
#54
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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• Does JAL have arrival lounge?
Only at HND international terminal. Only F and C passengers, JMB Diamonds, JGC Premier, JMB Sapphire and JGC members flying on JAL qualify.
The arrival lounge at HND is currently closed. JAL offers "TIAT shower room" as the lounge service only upon arrival.
Only at HND international terminal. Only F and C passengers, JMB Diamonds, JGC Premier, JMB Sapphire and JGC members flying on JAL qualify.
The arrival lounge at HND is currently closed. JAL offers "TIAT shower room" as the lounge service only upon arrival.
Last edited by JALPak; Apr 6, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Jan 14, 2011, 8:55 pm
#55
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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• What are the priority baggage handling order?
Baggages are delivered in the following order
1. First class, JMB Diamond, JGC Premier, and passengers with special needs.
2. JAL Global Club
3. Executive Class passengers, JMB Sapphire and JMB Crystal*
4. Premium Economy passengers**.
5. The rest of the passengers.
*JMB Crystal only receive priority luggage service while flying class J on JAL Group domestic flights.
**Remark: Only at some departing airports. For details, visit http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jaljet/jaljet_29.html
Baggages are delivered in the following order
1. First class, JMB Diamond, JGC Premier, and passengers with special needs.
2. JAL Global Club
3. Executive Class passengers, JMB Sapphire and JMB Crystal*
4. Premium Economy passengers**.
5. The rest of the passengers.
*JMB Crystal only receive priority luggage service while flying class J on JAL Group domestic flights.
**Remark: Only at some departing airports. For details, visit http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jaljet/jaljet_29.html
Last edited by JALPak; Jul 11, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Jan 21, 2011, 10:43 pm
#56
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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I want to redeem an award but don't have enough miles, can I purchase miles through JMB?
No! You can only redeem miles that you have accumulated through various means. JAL does not sell miles through the JMB programs. However there are ways to convert other loyalty program points into JMB miles. But the time it takes varies and you should plan ahead of time.
One option suggested by fumitani is SPG points. The whole process takes less than a week.
No! You can only redeem miles that you have accumulated through various means. JAL does not sell miles through the JMB programs. However there are ways to convert other loyalty program points into JMB miles. But the time it takes varies and you should plan ahead of time.
One option suggested by fumitani is SPG points. The whole process takes less than a week.
Last edited by JALPak; Jan 21, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Jan 26, 2011, 6:21 am
#57
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Japan
Programs: JAL JGC/Diamond, IC RA
Posts: 136
Hi JALPak, this is a great thread^!
You have done an excellent job in explaining ins and outs of JAL Mileage Bank in a very concise way.
I just noticed something in #16
If you are talking about the "Flight Caddy Service", I am afraid the program was terminated in March 2010.
「JALフライトキャディサービス」終了のお知らせ
平素は日本航空をご利用いただき厚く御礼申し上げます。
JALグループ国際線を対象運賃でご搭乗になられるお客さまにご提供しておりました「JALフライトキャデ ィサービス」は、2009年9月30日（空港での荷物お引渡しまたはお預かり）をもちまして終了いたしまし た。長い間ご愛顧いただきまして、ありがとうございました。
また、JALグローバルクラブ会員の皆さまにご提供しております同サービス無料枠追加（1個無料）のJGC 会員特典につきましては、2010年3月31日（空港での荷物お引渡しまたはお預かり）まで継続いたします ので、引き続きご利用ください。
http://www.jal.co.jp/other/info2009_0424.html
It was the same service JAL offered to their F/C passengers flying out of/into Japan, (one free luggage delivery between airport and home), and JGC members were given one additional allowance for the same service. Also, all JGC members were eligible to use this service even when you were flying in Economy, and not just JGC premier members as was mentioned in your post.
Or are you talking about something different that I am not aware of?
mrs. kojiro
You have done an excellent job in explaining ins and outs of JAL Mileage Bank in a very concise way.
I just noticed something in #16
• What is the Century 21 Club? Are there any other "secret" benefits given to JMB elite
.......... JGC Premier members can have one piece of luggage delivered free of charge in Japan, a nice perk if you are flying with lots of luggage. See the JGC Membership Guide for details............
.......... JGC Premier members can have one piece of luggage delivered free of charge in Japan, a nice perk if you are flying with lots of luggage. See the JGC Membership Guide for details............
「JALフライトキャディサービス」終了のお知らせ
平素は日本航空をご利用いただき厚く御礼申し上げます。
JALグループ国際線を対象運賃でご搭乗になられるお客さまにご提供しておりました「JALフライトキャデ ィサービス」は、2009年9月30日（空港での荷物お引渡しまたはお預かり）をもちまして終了いたしまし た。長い間ご愛顧いただきまして、ありがとうございました。
また、JALグローバルクラブ会員の皆さまにご提供しております同サービス無料枠追加（1個無料）のJGC 会員特典につきましては、2010年3月31日（空港での荷物お引渡しまたはお預かり）まで継続いたします ので、引き続きご利用ください。
http://www.jal.co.jp/other/info2009_0424.html
It was the same service JAL offered to their F/C passengers flying out of/into Japan, (one free luggage delivery between airport and home), and JGC members were given one additional allowance for the same service. Also, all JGC members were eligible to use this service even when you were flying in Economy, and not just JGC premier members as was mentioned in your post.
Or are you talking about something different that I am not aware of?
mrs. kojiro
Jan 26, 2011, 2:40 pm
#58
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
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Posts: 16,379
Thanks mrs. kojiro! I have removed reference to the baggage delivery in the post. I believe that's what sipples originally referred to and I have missed that part when updating the answers. 
And yes, all JGC members were eligible not just Premier members, at least that's the case when they ended the program
And yes, all JGC members were eligible not just Premier members, at least that's the case when they ended the program
Mar 27, 2011, 12:26 am
#59
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
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• Are there one-way awards?
[Domestic awards]
JAL will start offering one-way domestic awards from June 1 2011 and reservations start on April 1 2011. Less miles will be deducted for one-way travel than roundtrip ones. But for award travels before June 1 2011, roundtrip miles will be deducted from your account instead.
For details, you can visit: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jalmile/use/jal/dom/katamichi/
[International awards]
JAL has started offering one-way partner and oneworld awards from April 30 2014 (http://www.jal.co.jp/cms/jalmile/ja/jmb_00558.html).
JAL has started offering one-way international awards from April 1 2015. Half of the miles of roundtrip award will be deducted when redeeming for one-way JAL international awards. (https://www.jal.co.jp/en/info/jmb/award.html#03)
[Domestic awards]
JAL will start offering one-way domestic awards from June 1 2011 and reservations start on April 1 2011. Less miles will be deducted for one-way travel than roundtrip ones. But for award travels before June 1 2011, roundtrip miles will be deducted from your account instead.
For details, you can visit: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jalmile/use/jal/dom/katamichi/
[International awards]
JAL has started offering one-way partner and oneworld awards from April 30 2014 (http://www.jal.co.jp/cms/jalmile/ja/jmb_00558.html).
JAL has started offering one-way international awards from April 1 2015. Half of the miles of roundtrip award will be deducted when redeeming for one-way JAL international awards. (https://www.jal.co.jp/en/info/jmb/award.html#03)
Last edited by JALPak; Nov 16, 2015 at 12:37 am
Apr 24, 2012, 7:18 am
#60
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
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Posts: 16,379
• Does JAL codeshare flights operated by other carriers considered as JAL Group flights for FOP calculation?
Yes. For example, FOPs earned on JL7015 flight from LAX to NRT operated by American Airlines will be counted towards FOPs earned on JAL Group flights as long as your ticket is JL-coded.
Yes. For example, FOPs earned on JL7015 flight from LAX to NRT operated by American Airlines will be counted towards FOPs earned on JAL Group flights as long as your ticket is JL-coded.
