Japan Airlines, San Francisco (SFO) to Narita (NRT)
Written: Aug 28 '09 (Updated Aug 30 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Clean aircraft, attentive in-flight service, upgrades...upgrades...upgrades!
Cons: Absolutely nothing!
The Bottom Line: Years and years flying this route, and it just keeps getting better!
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| umisenyamasen's Full Review: JAL Japan Airlines |
This is a complete update of two earlier reviews, originally written in October of 2005 and then completely re-written in April of 2007. Since my last review, I have continued to accumulate substantially more experience flying with JAL on the San Francisco - Tokyo/Narita (SFO/NRT) route on JL-001/JL-002. And since JAL has replaced its 747-400 with a newer 777-300 on this route, this review warrants significant updating.
In the past, I have usually flown "economy," alone. It had been my habit to request an isle seat on JL-001 (to NRT) to make it a bit easier to occasionally stretch my legs with a walk to the lavatory during the nearly 11 hour flights against the Jet Stream. On return trips aboard JL-002 (to SFO), I preferred a mid-section, last row “window” seat that accommodated some undisturbed sleep during the approximately 8-plus hour flight home in order to deal with the more serious jet lag I tend to suffer in that direction. More recently, JAL's new 777's, combined with flying with my wife have rather drastically changed my seating habits. More on this later.
As of this writing, JAL's standard SFO/NRT aircraft is a 777-300ER with a 246 passenger “version 3” seating layout that includes 115 economy seats, 46 premium economy “Sky Shell” seats, 77 “Executive” business class “lie flat” seats, and 8 first-class “suites.” Comparing this to JAL's old 747-400 used on this route, with its 346 seat layout, including 237 “economy,” I had wondered how JAL was going to accommodate its economy class customers on its new 777's, especially during high travel times such as in April and December. The answer, at least for me, has been pleasantly surprising. I have yet to actually fly in an economy seat!
It seems that JAL has adopted the philosophy of “upgrading” passengers to empty “Sky Shell” seats when they are over sold in regular economy. In one case, agreeing to depart from the US a day early even resulted in my wife and my being double-upgraded to an “Executive” business class seat (including access to JAL's “Sakura Lounge” at SFO). To be fair, I am a frequent JAL flier, and a JAL “Family Club” member, but I am certainly not a big spender with regard to flight upgrades.
As a consequence of all this felicitous upgrading, I can only comment about economy seats on JAL's old 747-400's. These were “average-size” (read: compact), and somewhat dated in their lack of headrest “wings.” At 5 foot 10 (178 cm.) and a fit 165 lbs. (75 kilos), my knees and sides didn't rub or press against anything; however, a hefty football player might have needed mechanical extraction after a flight. Between seat armrests could be lifted if an adjacent seat was empty, or if one felt particularly friendly toward a neighbor (once allowing my wife to sleep across a completely empty center row of seats). A pillow and blanket were provided, and seat backs reclined a reasonable amount, though the blanket usually ended up behind my lower back.
JAL's “Sky Shell” seats are a huge improvement, especially in the leg-room department. They are said to be almost two inches wider than current standard-economy seats, and the armrests between seats are more than sufficient for two, full-size arms. The seats recline by sliding down and forward inside the shell, a leg rest can be raised from the seat, and a foot rest can be lowered from below the next shell. Since each seat is within its own shell, there is no need to raise the seat back during meals. Headrests can also be fully adjusted, and side wings fold forward from the headrests. Overall, the seats are fairly comfortable, though I will admit to not really getting much good sleep in them. One caveat with the shell seats is that there is no under seat storage for bags, so everything must go into an overhead compartment during take-off and landing.
JAL's “Executive” business class seating is simply overkill for me, though I'm certainly not complaining. The seating space is sufficient for the seats to lay almost flat, facilitating easier sleep on a long flight. Still, I found that I just didn't really sleep that well in them, partly due to the usual environmental conditions of an aircraft cabin (bumps, noise, etc...), and partly due to cabin temperatures that tend to be slightly warmer than my northern European metabolism prefers. Worth noting is that sitting this far forward in the cabin (we were in front of the wing) results in noticeably less cabin noise. JAL also provides a pair of Panasonic HC-150, noise canceling headphones to passengers in premium economy and business. They will take the edge off cabin noise, but they are far from the best such headphones available. I don't know if this courtesy extends to regular economy.
NRT to SFO planes have the usual seat-back television with a varying selection of movies, music, games, and flight data. In business and premium economy, the entertainment list was fairly extensive. The Sky Shell and Executive Class TVs seemed to work very well, and selected movies or music could be started upon request and paused whenever needed. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on whether or not the economy entertainment system works likewise.
My experience with in-flight economy food in the old 747's was that (in my opinion) it was slightly better-than-typical, economy-class airplane fare. It was edible, and in a reasonable quantity for an inactive, average human. Two meals were provided on the SFO/NRT flights, along with various snacks, coffee, juice, etc... JAL once also provided me with a very good, free meal at their boarding area during a two-hour delay in Japan.
Premium economy meals on the new 777's seem somewhat better, with a slightly larger selection of items, and a bit more food. I will note here that I always request a “special” meal (seafood), as I like JAL's seafood menu (and it means I get served first). Vegetarian and special infant meals can also be arranged in advance. Bottled water and hot tea are provided in an almost perpetual stream if one requests (providing a great excuse for frequent walks to the lavatory), and I've even managed a small bottle of Japanese shōchū during a lights-off period.
Business class meals are in an altogether different category, and I am not really qualified to give them any comparison. All I can say with any objectivity is that they leave me full, contented, and sleepy.
JAL's new 777's are, of course, beautiful new aircraft with all the latest accommodations (such as a large, handicap accessible toilet). In the past, SFO/NRT aircraft were always clean and appeared to be in “very good” condition. The only reason I don't say “excellent” is because JAL's NRT/HKG (Hong Kong) 747's, while nearly identical to their old SFO/NRT counterparts, were newer and a bit less worn (and seemed to show better movies). JAL appears to maintain its fleet well, and also seems quick to take aircraft out of service if they feel there could be any mechanical problem. As such, I have once experienced a ground delay in Japan of about 2 hours as an aircraft was changed after receiving an in-flight lightning strike (generally considered harmless). Consequently, I have never felt their aircraft to be anything but first-rate.
In-flight service continues to be typical Japanese-style...that is, courteous and efficient. Subjectively, it seems that the premium Sky Shell seating may get a bit more attention than standard Economy; however, I have never been disappointed by their in-flight service. Flight attendants on the SFO/NRT route speak English at least reasonably well, and most are fluent. A service light will elicit a response within 60 seconds, if not considerably less. During one particularly turbulent flight, I was extremely impressed by the cabin crew's constant attention to the many, many passenger call lights that continued over several hours. And if you happen to be sleeping when the Customs forms are being passed-out (flight attendants won't wake you), don't hesitate to press the call light button and simply ask for the forms you will need. JAL flight attendants don't hide out, idly chatting during flights.
Flight delays with JAL have been minimal, and I have arrived early more often than late. I experienced the one aforementioned mechanical delay due to an “act-of-God,” for which I was provided a free meal and apologetic, super-service during the entire flight. Occasionally, flights will depart from Japan up to thirty-minutes late due to the late arrival of JL-001 flying against the Jet-Stream. Gate departures are generally timely, even if passengers are still getting themselves stowed. However, flight times between SFO and NRT can vary greatly due to weather conditions. High altitude winds may add or subtract as much as ten-percent of the average flight time in either direction. I have arrived as much as 50 minutes early at both destinations, and an hour late in Japan, all due to winds. One particularly early landing in Japan caused the aircraft to have to wait ten minutes on the ground for a ramp to open. Foggy conditions at SFO have been the main cause of delays of up to 15 minutes for landings there.
Under “miscellaneous,” JAL has yet to misappropriate any of my baggage or belongings, and my soft luggage has now survived many, many flights (though it is becoming a bit worn-looking). JAL also sometimes has its own additional security in Japan, though it is courteous and efficient. But you may expect to have your passport and boarding pass re-checked, be casually profiled, and have your baggage and one allowed carry-on hand searched by Japanese security and/or JAL personnel. As to whether one needs to speak Japanese when a problem requires addressing, it has been my experience that most JAL employees can speak English, and have even replied in English to my Japanese-language queries. Japanese-style courtesy is probably more important to having one's concerns addressed.
Overall, I have received an “excellent” experience from JAL, especially considering that I fly on a budget. Even with the understanding that surely some day I will actually find myself sitting in an “economy” seat, it is difficult to find any fault in JAL's service. Those accustomed to American-style flights will be pleasantly surprised. JAL continues to be my airline of choice from San Francisco to Tokyo/Narita, for domestic flying in Japan, and to many destinations beyond. I continue to highly recommend them.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
umisenyamasen
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Location: Northern Nevada, USA / Tokyo, Japan
Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 2 members
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