Psychocadet

I just flew NRT-LAX in J on JAL's 773 Sky Suite in J. Here is why I hated it:

1. Pillow was hard as a rock and actually hurt my head.
1. Western appetizer involved a sea urchin in jelly. Not quite western.
3. Cabin was at almost 80 degrees F (25C) and the FA could not make it cooler even though several people complained about the heat.
4. No personal air vents to combat the heat.
5. No amenity kits in J.
6. No pajamas in J.
7. No western TV shows on IFE and very few western films (most of which were animated).
8. J boards with economy jetway, not with F.

The seat and lounge were nice, but I thought the overall product was substandard and more like premium economy in all but the seat. All else would have been forgiven if not for the heat and lack of a personal air vent. Why is that? I flew AA F to Asia and JAL J back. Overall, I think AA's new J is a better product by far, albeit less private. Any thoughts?

CPH-Flyer

1. Mention 3 airlines that actually has PJs in J. I can think of Qantas, but it is not very common.
2. Why should business board through the first jetway? It gives such a terrible and unnecessary traffic in the first cabin.

bobbybrown

Some might be due to "culture" difference. Asians and Americans have different preference. Asians love warmth and hard pillows. And hard bed. Opposite for Americans.

My flight was fine in terms of temperature - NRT-LAX last week. My Asiana flight 2 weeks ago to Korea was really hot, and the personal vent gave me the same super-hot air with just more air speed. So personal vent isn't a solution as long as cabin attendant doesn't lower the temperature.

I also found there's no single US TV program either in JAL or Asiana. Hollywood movie selections were fine but I wanted more 23-minute sitcoms that DL and UA offer tons of, not headaching- 2-3 hour- movies. I got no luck. Oh, actually they had Friends, Sex in the city episodes, but not current or recent ones.

I got Y seat on my JAL flight and pitch and width were great. But recline was bad (to be polite to the passenger behind?) and seat was very firm in the waist area. Regardless of bad service, tighter seats, and whatever s*** people say, my UA or AA flights to Asia worked better to me. Although award seat availability and price matter more to me

Psychocadet

The reason the PJs were an issue is that if they are going to keep the cabin so hot and not have personal air vents then the least they can do is offer some comfortable clothes for people to sleep in. It is not an east/west thing, it is a caring about your customer thing. I don't care how hot the cabin is, but give people who like it cooler some options. I was awake for the whole ten hours and suffer from major jet lag because of the temperature. The whole reason I bought J is that I needed to be able to sleep.

As for the jeway, that really only pissed me off in relation to everything else where I got the distinct feeling that JAL treated J class as a step up from premium economy rather than as a step down from F.

Psychocadet

You know, I think managed expectations have a lot to do with this. I paid slightly more for JAL in J than J on AA because people raved about the seats and service, but in truth, I think AA works a lot better for me. I sleep like a baby in AA's new A321T in F and in J (and the J seats don't have direct isle access, they are just so comfortable.

CPH-Flyer

And where does that leave AA? They board (at least in my experiences in NRT and DFW) everyone through door 2. So F together with Y.

TrojanHorse

I'm flying (with my two teens) in F JAL-LAX and AA in F on the way back NRT-DFW

I'm curious about the entertainment (IFE)
can you (OP or someone who recently was on this flight) what English shows/movies are on this flight?

I get the picture that there isn't much to choose from in English especially for teens.

The good thing will be finding this up front will allow for us to load up on movies and shows prior to leaving on the outbound portion of this trip

PresRDC

Probably a good idea. JAL (more so, IME, than other Asian carriers) caters to the preferences of its home country quite a bit.

Of course, if JAL shows certain types of Japanese animated programming, your teen boys might be very much entertained . . .

kaka

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In jl f they would fix the aircon if you conplain

77W_12A

In Japan and Korea, as far as the air that's true. Go to Hong Kong or Singapore, that's certainly not the case. I've been on MH and CX and they set it quite cool. I know for CX and SQ, they are told to keep it cooler so passengers can sleep, thus less use of the call button.

JL has a good hard product and great catering (the best), but as others have said the cabin is too hot for my preference.

Ceasy

In simple terms <redacted>

I'd agree on the cabin temp and I do miss the amenity kit, but aside from that I think the new JAL J class is just about the best in the sky as a combination of hard and soft product. Sorry you didn't like it.

Psychocadet

What good is a great seat if all you can do is squirm in it because you are uncomfortably hot. Why not have air vents?

So what is there to like? The food? I've had a better meal on domestic F on AA.
And don't get me started on the meal from ICN to NRT where the only meal was bland rice porridge and no other option.

Look, I think it is clear JAL caters to Japanese tastes and does not at all try to cater to its western customers. If that business model works for them, then so be it. But you can be sure my money won't be going to them again.

Psychocadet

Try this:
https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/jen/

I will tell you, the screen was huge was seat was great. I'd bring my own pillow if you sleep on the side. I'd also bring a little electric fan to help you sleep.

I'll be honest, if they have personal vents I'd have liked this flight a lot more.

JALPak

Just to be clear this is the Amuse-Bouche which is the same for both Japanese and Western menus, not the Western Hors-d'œuvre

http://www.jal.co.jp/inflight/inter/...406_201408.pdf

bobbybrown

Got it. I thought most non-Americans like warmer air than Americans. In my office, it was usually Korean/Chinese who complaints air temperature, and now there's a French guy who do the same. Certainly it won't be the ones from HK or Singapore.