A class does looks zeroed out but EF shows F2 for every flight I looked (week 12-18 Oct). The AA codeshare on JL metal shows F4 throughout, and no A class at all, not even A0.

Just checked some random dates from Feb to Oct ... no A.

Though what is intersting is for end of Dec. 2007 and some dates in Jan. 2008, there are A availabiliy. Seems like JL has a very strange strategy of only releasing A class for flight within the next 1 month or so.

If most of the time they can sell full fare F why is it strange that they hold back discounted F until such time as they decide they won't sell a full cabin worth of full F? Different does not imply strange.

AONEx is always like that. If a passenger does not have an elite status on an airline, it is difficult for him/her to book long-haul segments. It is better to be more flexible. Is it possible to fly on AA instead? Availability on AA should be better.

I'm currently confirmed in D on the Dec. 26 JFK-GRU flight. I was able to get a Z seat for my fiance on this flight earleir today, so I am hopeful that it will clear and will clear soon.

Any one have experience with clearing on this flight?

It cleared this morning!

In the last couple of months, I've had pretty good luck clearing JAL in A class, as long as there is also F availability. Obviously, if F is also zero, they have likely sold out the flight and the chance of getting A is very slim.

Trying to get A Class on a few JL sectors for Dec '08 - JFK-NRT, NRT-BKK and BKK-NRT. The only one showing any A availability was 31 Dec BKK-NRT (New Year's Eve). No problem flying CX non-stop in A on their new 777-300ERs JFK-HKG, however. From EF, it seems not only pax has booked (or at least reserved a seat) on JFK-NRT three days either side of my preferred travel date, either on the 777 service, or the 744 service (is it the GRU-NRT via JFK service?). Very frustrating, as I want to book hotels and confirm travel plans with friends in Japan. Friends have flown JL recently on trans-pacifc flights, and have said F is very lightly travelled...so why are JL being so tough releasing the odd A class seat here and there? Surely it would be wise to get pax onto their planes, experience the product and we may come back with full F revenue tickets...no?

My recent experience is also very little A availability (though I had no problem in September NRT-SIN, and it was the old solo seats too). I can see short term availability ex-ORD and NRT right now (including some that just went A5 for tomorrow - shame I can't push back my flights by a day). Nothing at all further out, all the way through next summer.

On the problem routes, it looks like the strategy is to confirm A on another OW carrier, then check JL every day. Kind of irrelevant if you're on CX, QF etc but if on AA ... well, you get my point.

I just travelled from JFK-NRT-SFO on JL first class using an AA award ticket from Oct 10th to the 15th. I had been trying dates in October/Nov since the last 3 months but nothing was available especially the return segment. But then closer to October, dates started randomly and sporadically appearing and fortunately I was able to get both segments confirmed. However, it is practically impossible to plan in advance if you have other dependant reservations.

But the new JAL first class is outstanding though and the best I have seen on OW yet. Even the 744 service is good also with the old seating arrangement that has absolutely no storage space except for the pouch in front.