Very Satisfied with JL Sky Suite (Apex)
Apr 15, 2023, 7:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 595
Very Satisfied with JL Sky Suite (Apex)
Just flown my first JL from CGK-NRT-SEA on B789 and B788 respectively. Got to try Sky (Apex) suite.
I am based in SIN. And have primarily flown only SQ to anywhere. But after this JL experience (and BR) to the US. From now on, I will be flying JL mainly to the US due to the flight timing and hard products.
Understood that I got the best seat in the house (1K and 1A). But I believe all the window seats is equal? The window seat is very private. Cabin indeed is warm - good for me as I get to wear just tshirt. The only complaint is the flimsy pillow.
Man I have been missing much by flying SQ (those non bulkhead seat is a no no). Eye opener and refreshing experience!
I am based in SIN. And have primarily flown only SQ to anywhere. But after this JL experience (and BR) to the US. From now on, I will be flying JL mainly to the US due to the flight timing and hard products.
Understood that I got the best seat in the house (1K and 1A). But I believe all the window seats is equal? The window seat is very private. Cabin indeed is warm - good for me as I get to wear just tshirt. The only complaint is the flimsy pillow.
Man I have been missing much by flying SQ (those non bulkhead seat is a no no). Eye opener and refreshing experience!
Apr 20, 2023, 4:51 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Platinum for Life (2MM), BR Gold, AS MVP Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 978
Yes these seats are indeed wonderful.
I have experienced equipment swaps on the SEA-NRT route, for example booking a trip that showed the Apex config and then a couple of weeks before traveling, a different config (reverse herringbone).
I have also experienced inconsistency in the schedule, where within a given weeks some days use the Apex config and some don't.
It's been a few months since I traveled on JL though, and it's possible that the inconsistency in equipment deployment was related to re-ramping operations at the tail end of the covid nightmare.
I have experienced equipment swaps on the SEA-NRT route, for example booking a trip that showed the Apex config and then a couple of weeks before traveling, a different config (reverse herringbone).
I have also experienced inconsistency in the schedule, where within a given weeks some days use the Apex config and some don't.
It's been a few months since I traveled on JL though, and it's possible that the inconsistency in equipment deployment was related to re-ramping operations at the tail end of the covid nightmare.
Apr 24, 2023, 1:51 pm
#4
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,399
Sky Suite III are really tight! They may be ok for regional but not for long-haul. I am trying to avoid JL61 due to the possibility of downgrading from Sky Suite to Sky Suite III. But with JL15 losing F service too, it can happen to the HND flight as well. If that happens too often, I will just have to look for a different carrier.
Apr 24, 2023, 7:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Japan
Programs: JGC Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 54
With a window seat, I don't see how reverse herringbone (Sky Suite III) could hold a candle to Apex (Sky Suite) seats.
I would even even take Sky Suite II over the reverse herringbone.... shoulder, hip, leg, feet, everything space is so tight on SSIII, and the monitor/table/seat are all offset at non-ergonomic and befuddling angles.
IMHO, when coming from Apex, the reverse herringbone seats are just a terrible J product.
I would even even take Sky Suite II over the reverse herringbone.... shoulder, hip, leg, feet, everything space is so tight on SSIII, and the monitor/table/seat are all offset at non-ergonomic and befuddling angles.
IMHO, when coming from Apex, the reverse herringbone seats are just a terrible J product.
Apr 30, 2023, 9:03 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397
Just flown my first JL from CGK-NRT-SEA on B789 and B788 respectively. Got to try Sky (Apex) suite.
I am based in SIN. And have primarily flown only SQ to anywhere. But after this JL experience (and BR) to the US. From now on, I will be flying JL mainly to the US due to the flight timing and hard products.
Understood that I got the best seat in the house (1K and 1A). But I believe all the window seats is equal? The window seat is very private. Cabin indeed is warm - good for me as I get to wear just tshirt. The only complaint is the flimsy pillow.
Man I have been missing much by flying SQ (those non bulkhead seat is a no no). Eye opener and refreshing experience!
I am based in SIN. And have primarily flown only SQ to anywhere. But after this JL experience (and BR) to the US. From now on, I will be flying JL mainly to the US due to the flight timing and hard products.
Understood that I got the best seat in the house (1K and 1A). But I believe all the window seats is equal? The window seat is very private. Cabin indeed is warm - good for me as I get to wear just tshirt. The only complaint is the flimsy pillow.
Man I have been missing much by flying SQ (those non bulkhead seat is a no no). Eye opener and refreshing experience!
Just back from a 789 flight and the storage space is indeed tight as a tick, but a pretty comfortable bed without the foot cubbie. Definitely would take it over some reverse herringbone with tight foot cubbies.
May 1, 2023, 12:02 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ExecPlat; AF Gold; UA GS; Hyatt L. Globalist; Marriott Plat; Hilton Diamond; National EE
Posts: 6,166
I can't remember whether, when I last flew the reverse herringbone seat (Skysuite III), JAL provided an Airweave mattress. Is the Airweave mattress also available on the reverse herringbone or only on the Apex seat?
May 1, 2023, 6:43 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 595
I hope JL does not change plane as much as QR...
Agree! I hate those reverse herringbone seats as they are narrow and slanted towards the window.
For Apex window, storage indeed is non existence. I have to place my stuffs at the counter top by the TV. I would be super disappointed if it got swapped to reverse herringbone. Maybe it was my first time flying JL, the service even in NRT lounge is polite and welcoming. Shout out to the shower attendant. She made sure i got my shower room at the last minute before my boarding commences.
Yes these seats are indeed wonderful. I have experienced equipment swaps on the SEA-NRT route, for example booking a trip that showed the Apex config and then a couple of weeks before traveling, a different config (reverse herringbone). I have also experienced inconsistency in the schedule, where within a given weeks some days use the Apex config and some don't. It's been a few months since I traveled on JL though, and it's possible that the inconsistency in equipment deployment was related to re-ramping operations at the tail end of the covid nightmare.
Sky Suite III are really tight! They may be ok for regional but not for long-haul. I am trying to avoid JL61 due to the possibility of downgrading from Sky Suite to Sky Suite III. But with JL15 losing F service too, it can happen to the HND flight as well. If that happens too often, I will just have to look for a different carrier.
Unfortunately you're not always guaranteed a 789 to SEA, my upcoming award in January 2024 is on a 763.
Just back from a 789 flight and the storage space is indeed tight as a tick, but a pretty comfortable bed without the foot cubbie. Definitely would take it over some reverse herringbone with tight foot cubbies.
Just back from a 789 flight and the storage space is indeed tight as a tick, but a pretty comfortable bed without the foot cubbie. Definitely would take it over some reverse herringbone with tight foot cubbies.
May 1, 2023, 8:54 pm
#10
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,399
May 3, 2023, 7:27 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Platinum for Life (2MM), BR Gold, AS MVP Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 978
The reverse herringbone seats on JAL are IMO singularly uncomfortable. There's something about how hard they are. I've experienced those same seats on EVA and they are much more comfortable, though again really don't compare in terms of creamy goodness to the Apex seats.
Oh, and a small data point: since posting earlier in this thread I've traveled SEA-NRT on JAL again, and fortunately received Apex product as expected. Probably says nothing about how likely or unlikely equipment swaps are, but I was pleased. OTOH, the onward flight from NRT was in Shell Neo or whatever they're called, and those angled lie-flats are just terrible.
Oh, and a small data point: since posting earlier in this thread I've traveled SEA-NRT on JAL again, and fortunately received Apex product as expected. Probably says nothing about how likely or unlikely equipment swaps are, but I was pleased. OTOH, the onward flight from NRT was in Shell Neo or whatever they're called, and those angled lie-flats are just terrible.
May 3, 2023, 1:32 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397
For Apex window, storage indeed is non existence. I have to place my stuffs at the counter top by the TV. I would be super disappointed if it got swapped to reverse herringbone. Maybe it was my first time flying JL, the service even in NRT lounge is polite and welcoming. Shout out to the shower attendant. She made sure i got my shower room at the last minute before my boarding commences.
The reverse herringbone seats on JAL are IMO singularly uncomfortable. There's something about how hard they are. I've experienced those same seats on EVA and they are much more comfortable, though again really don't compare in terms of creamy goodness to the Apex seats.
Oh, and a small data point: since posting earlier in this thread I've traveled SEA-NRT on JAL again, and fortunately received Apex product as expected. Probably says nothing about how likely or unlikely equipment swaps are, but I was pleased. OTOH, the onward flight from NRT was in Shell Neo or whatever they're called, and those angled lie-flats are just terrible.
Oh, and a small data point: since posting earlier in this thread I've traveled SEA-NRT on JAL again, and fortunately received Apex product as expected. Probably says nothing about how likely or unlikely equipment swaps are, but I was pleased. OTOH, the onward flight from NRT was in Shell Neo or whatever they're called, and those angled lie-flats are just terrible.
May 3, 2023, 2:40 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ExecPlat; AF Gold; UA GS; Hyatt L. Globalist; Marriott Plat; Hilton Diamond; National EE
Posts: 6,166
The reverse herringbone seats on JAL are IMO singularly uncomfortable. There's something about how hard they are. I've experienced those same seats on EVA and they are much more comfortable, though again really don't compare in terms of creamy goodness to the Apex seats.
Oh, and a small data point: since posting earlier in this thread I've traveled SEA-NRT on JAL again, and fortunately received Apex product as expected. Probably says nothing about how likely or unlikely equipment swaps are, but I was pleased. OTOH, the onward flight from NRT was in Shell Neo or whatever they're called, and those angled lie-flats are just terrible.
Oh, and a small data point: since posting earlier in this thread I've traveled SEA-NRT on JAL again, and fortunately received Apex product as expected. Probably says nothing about how likely or unlikely equipment swaps are, but I was pleased. OTOH, the onward flight from NRT was in Shell Neo or whatever they're called, and those angled lie-flats are just terrible.
I will say that the Japanese food on DEL-NRT was probably catered from NRT and not too fresh as a result! Dinner was OK; breakfast was borderline inedible.