Special Meal Request in Business Class Same Quality as Regular?
 

Hi,

My wife and I are traveling to and from Japan from Los Angeles in Business Class on JAL next month. We both have special meal requirements and are wondering if we order special meals will we be getting "business class quality" meals with the same level of amenities and preparation as we would get from selecting from available choices in business class...or if we order a special meal if we'll end up getting the same kind of special meal that would be served in economy classes?

Anyone have any experience ordering special meals in business class on JAL that could provide any insight would be appreciated.

Thank you!

I've only had the special meals in economy, but JAL's were the only ones that weren't absolute garbage (I'm looking at you, United). They're usually outstanding, IMO. I would assume the ones in BC are excellent.

Thanks DillPickles! (Now I need a pickle...) I expect the food to be generally good but am excited about the possibility of BC level food / service even if selecting a special meal. Fingers crossed!

What kind of special meal? You may be disappointed with vegetarian tho, a recent trip report (LAX-KIX) has only the following with VLML type

These are the main meal.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cd943cf956.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...40b82ec47d.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ee3523f389.jpg
That's it.

Second Meal
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bbbada60ff.jpg

Basically all cold dishes, the economy ones seem better based on google search.

I don't think Japanese carriers caters to vegetarian meals well, even NH F offering looks bland. You'll still get good service but FA can't do much with whatever is catered. If the food disappoints, you can always order additional light snacks but be mindful they may not fit your dietary criteria. Check the regular menu online too.

Thanks for the photos. Were this the business class vegetarian meals?

I think that's the special meal: western vegetarian that you call to reserve.

There should also be an option in the regular menu that's vegetarian, but that would be limited to just the main course and one light snack.

The regular Biz menu also uses terms like "Suitable for 'light vegetarian'..." so take it with a grain of salt. I've had the special dietary meals in Y and it's been a crapshot. I remember one time for a "snack" I was given a small roast beef sandwich and I remember feeling all the surrounding eyes glaring at me for the hefty sandwich I got. However, on another occasion I was just given a single banana.

For F JFK-Tokyo RT, would you order vegetarian special meals or just use the regular menu, hoping it has enough vegetarian items?

There's shouldn't be any hoping involved. Full menus are available in advance of your flight, if there aren't enough items of interest to you, then you can request a special meal.

I do find that the quality of the regular meals greatly exceed the quality of special meals in JAL's premium cabins.

Thanks Beltway2a...that last sentence is the basic info I was looking for here.

Will they let you pick and choose items from different parts of the menu?

They're normally pretty good about that, from my experiences, as long as they have the food readily available and not in short supply.

Any recent experiences with first class vegetarian meals?

From JFK-NRT ordering from the regular menu was fine, since they had a nice pasta and a vegetarian noodle dish. However, from HND-JFK the menu seems to have only one dish, a hummus light meal, and no vegetarian noodle dish. Am I misreading https://www.jal.co.jp/inter/service/...912_202002.pdf ?

If I order the special vegetarian meal, can I order something from the regular menu?

Unfortunately, I completely agree. There were sufficient vegetarian items on the regular menu JFK-NRT in F and the quality was perfectly acceptable. I ordered the vegetarian special meal HND-JFK in F and it was underwhelming, at best. I asked the FA for an item from the regular menu (both orally and pointing to the menu) and she giggled, but then did not bring the item.

We just finished lunch service, so perhaps the next meal will be better.

I have seen in both JAL and ANA tha the flight attendants are pretty strict on not serving anything that does not live up to the requirements of the special meal you ordered. I once sat next to a lady in Y that had ordered a vegan meal, and when they came with the HD ice cream, she asked if she could have one, and it was a flat out "No it is not vegan, the dessert is already on your tray"