If you’re planning a trip to Japan and considering flying with Japan Airlines (JAL), especially in business class, you’re in for a treat. On our recent journey from San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) with JAL, we experienced top-notch service, comfort, and great dining. In this review, we’ll share how we booked our tickets using points, what to expect from JAL’s business class seat layout, in-flight amenities, and the overall travel experience. Whether you’re flying solo or with family, Japan Airlines offers a premium experience well worth exploring.
How we booked Japan Airlines bussiness class tickets on points
We flew on Japan Airlines (JAL) flight JL001 from San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) in June 2024, and JL002 on our return in July 2024. This was a round-trip business class journey, and we booked it entirely using points. Here’s a breakdown of how we managed to secure these premium seats with maximum value.
Outbound (SFO → HND):
- Booked on July 7, 2023
- Transferred 238,000 Amex Membership Rewards points (with a 30% bonus) to British Airways, which gave us 309,400 Avios.
- Per person: 59,500 MR (77,250 Avios) + $283.80 in taxes and fees.
- Total cost: 238,000 MR (309,400 Avios) + $1,135.20 in taxes and fees for four people.
- Cash price for one-way flight: $13,790.00 ($3,447.50 per person)
- Cost per point (CPP): 5.69 cents
Return (HND → SFO):
- Booked on July 18, 2023
- Transferred 206,000 Amex MR points and 42,000 Citi ThankYou Points (TYP) to Qatar Airways and then to British Airways, totaling 309,000 Avios.
- Per person: 51,500 MR + 10,500 TYP (77,250 Avios) + $306.10 in taxes and fees.
- Total cost: 206,000 MR + 42,000 TYP + $1,224.40 in taxes and fees for four people.
- Cash price for one-way flight: $13,790.00
- Cost per point (CPP): 5.69 cents
In total, we spent 444,000 MR + 42,000 TYP (618,000 Avios) and paid $2,359.60 for our 4 people round-trip business class seats, a huge savings compared to the cash price of $27,580.00.
Complimentary Airport Lounge access
Since we we holding the business class tickets for our flight, we had complimentary access to the Airport Lounge, where we spent some time before our flight, grabbing a quick bite and drinks.
British Airways Lounge at San Francisco International Airport
Sakura Lounge at Tokyo Haneda International Airport
Japan Airlines Business Class cabin and seat layout (JL001 and JL002)
Our flights were aboard a Boeing 787-9 (789), which offers a quiet and modern cabin. The business class (JAL Sky Suite III) features a 1-2-1 configuration, providing direct aisle access for every seat and plenty of privacy. This layout ensures a comfortable and private experience.
Seat features:
- Fully lie-flat beds with a length of 188 cm (74 inches)
- Large 23-inch entertainment screens with noise-canceling headphones
- Ample storage spaces for personal belongings
- USB ports and universal power outlets
- Adjustable privacy dividers between center seats
The staggered 1-2-1 configuration meant that even the middle seats offered enough separation for personal space, and the lie-flat design made it easy for everyone to relax and sleep during the long-haul flight.
💡 Good to know
One thing we didn’t realize while traveling as a family was that the middle seats have no direct access between each other, meaning if you’re sitting next to your child in one of the middle seats, you can’t easily assist them without getting up and going around. Next time, we’d recommend booking the window seat and the adjacent middle seat, so both passengers have easy aisle access while still being close enough to help each other during the flight.
In-flight Japan Airlines business class menu
Japan Airlines dining options
The meal service on JAL business class is a real highlight. The airline offers a choice between Japanese and Western cuisine. Here’s what we experienced on both flights:
JL001 (SFO → HND)
For dinner, we opted for the Japanese meal, which included a beautifully presented selection of appetizers, followed by a main course of seabream and steamed beef with rice and miso soup. The flavors were fresh and authentic, reflecting Japan Airlines’ commitment to using premium ingredients.
The Western meal included a beef tenderloin with a side of seasonal vegetables. And for dessert, we enjoyed lychee mousse and green tea.
For a later dinner time, we ordered garlic ramen and it was delicious too.
JL002 (HND → SFO)
On the return flight, we also chose the Japanese meal!
Further, we went with the Western option for breakfast, which featured scrambled eggs, and freshly baked pastries. Our kids loved the fruit plate and ice cream (they did not really want to eat anything, so we made an exception).
Drink options included sake, Japanese whiskey, and a selection of wines.
Japan Airlines business class amenities
Japan Airlines provides amenities in business class. Each seat comes with an amenity kit, featuring an eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush, and slippers.
One thing that struck us as odd was that the Wi-Fi was not complimentary and cost $16.80 per flight per person. We decided to skip purchasing it this time and enjoyed watching the movies instead.
The girls were excited to choose a small item as a gift from the basket, and they chose the miniature Japan Airlines aircraft. The little kid even fell asleep holding one.
The cabin crew were incredibly attentive, offering personalized service and always checking in to ensure we were comfortable. They were particularly great with our kids, providing kid-friendly meal options and extra blankets for their naps.
Additional highlights include:
- Noise-cancelling headphones to fully enjoy the entertainment system
- Wi-Fi packages available for purchase, with stable connections for streaming and browsing
- Slippers (cardigan on our return flight), a nice touch that made the long-haul journey even more comfortable
Arrival experience at Tokyo Haneda International Airport
Haneda Airport arrival process
Arriving at Haneda, the deplaning process was smooth, and since we traveled business class, we were among the first to exit. Haneda Airport is incredibly efficient, and the immigration and customs process was quick, especially for families with children.
We arrived without filling out any forms beforehand and completed them on the spot, providing our personal and lodging information.
We had arranged a taxi through the app called GO, and our journey from the airport to our hotel was seamless. We appreciated how organized and stress-free it felt, particularly after a long flight.
Bottom line
Should You Book Japan Airlines Business Class?
Japan Airlines offers one of the most luxurious and family-friendly business class experiences available, especially for flights between the USA and Japan. From comfortable seating with ample privacy to gourmet meals and stellar service, it’s worth considering if you’re looking for premium travel.
We managed to book this trip using points, saving nearly $27,000 on the total cash fare, which added tremendous value to our travel experience. If you’re flying Japan Airlines from SFO to Tokyo, especially with a family, I highly recommend looking into points redemption options like Amex MR or Citi TYP to maximize your savings.
