JAL boosts Sydney-Tokyo to Boeing 777-300ER with first class
By David Flynn, August 19 2015
Japan Airlines will bring its flagship Boeing 777-300ER onto Sydney-Tokyo flights from October 25, 2015 and begin selling first class suites on the route, along with its latest Sky Suite business class seats and free inflight Internet.
The Japanese flag-carrier says the decision to trade up from the Boeing 777-200ER jet and introduce first class is "in response to growing demand."
"First Class service will be available in line with introduction of (the Boeing 777-300ER)" a JAL spokesman confirmed to Australian Business Traveller.
JAL's Boeing 777-300ER sports eight first class berths.
Although christened the JAL Suite, these are more of a 'mini-suite' – along the same lines you'd see at the pointy end on Qantas, or British Airways – rather than the full-enclosed private cabins of Emirates and Singapore Airlines.
The JAL Suites come equipped with all the mod cons, including a 23 inch flat-screen telly.
The 83cm wide seat converts into a 2 metre bed.
We love the spacious table – no awkward juggling of laptop and dinnerware here!
And speaking of space, there's plenty of stowage for your in-flight kit.
The 49 business class seats, dubbed Sky Suites, are also ensconced in their own cubicles.
The lie-flat beds can accommodate 1.88 metres from feet to follicles, with width varying from 65cm down to 53cm at the base.
The cubicles also sport a class-beating 23 inch monitor.
Despite a 2-3-2 layout, JAL has staggered the seats to ensure that every passenger has direct and unobstructed access to the aisle.
Couples can't really sit together, but they can open the privacy screen and share a toast.
Again, we always like to see room for cool-looking carry-on bags.
JAL will offer free, unlimited wireless Internet for business class and first class passengers on the Boeing 777-300ER.
AusBT Review: Japan Airlines Boeing 777 Sky Suite business class, flying Sydney-Tokyo
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Sep 2012
Total posts 231
Great to see growth on both ends. Now what we need is for JAL to expand to either Brisbane and/or Melbourne so that the eastern seaboard has direct flights to Tokyo and compliment QF.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
16 May 2011
Total posts 111
JL for MEL please! Atleast BNE has QF, MEL needs a full service alternative to JQ and JL could be it! Would also welcome NH to MEL with open arms too!
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
Great to see that JAL decided that Sydney deserved its flagship product!
That said, seriously, the JAL suite is wider than the A380 Emirates First. The lack of doors doesn't really make it less of a suite.. its still a fantastic hard product. It will also provide more opportunities to enjoy the QF First Class lounge in Sydney.
I just hope JAL continue modernizing its fleet with its new product.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 358
I've been on the JAL suite when they flew 77W earlier this year. It was sooooo cool! The seat is super comfortable and the food is really nice, the service is top notch. Salon, which IMO, is better than Dom and Krug.
You don't need the door. It's too claustrophobic anyway.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
Salon is a Blanc de Blanc though. That isn't necessarily bad... just that it isn't for everyone.
Not that there's anything WRONG with Salon. Just... you know... usually I like my Champagne to include Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier...
Still, you get the point. Salon is an orgasmic champagne, but it targets a somewhat niche market (not that there's anything wrong with that).
Dom in first class is boring, fair point. But its also a "safe choice". I mean... its impossible to dislike Dom.
Salon, on the other hand, is going to be polarizing simply because its a Blanc de Blanc. Let alone the world's most renouned.
I'm not criticizing your preferences. I'm just pointing out how catering to them CAN be risky for an airline.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 274
$7,000 is a HEFTY price when Singapore Airlines is nearly half the price. This is why we have AA redemptions!
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 149
$7k sounds like a lot to the upgrade crowd. The the target audience of F tickets, the fare is not a deterrent.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 362
It's not an AUSBT article without someone mentioning Perth and Melbourne in the comments...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 358
Funny. BNE is equally neglected but we don't complaint as much.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 38
Hardly neglected.... BNE, MEL, PER etc are getting what the market can handle. SYD is a much bigger market and therefore has more airlines at higher frequencies using larger aircraft. Its not rocket science
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Sep 2013
Total posts 188
Not necessarily - Sydney is seen by many as the centre of the universe in Australia, by both those within and outside of Australia, hence most foreign airlines prefer to fly there. It wouldn't hurt to spread the love a bit..
22 Aug 2015
Total posts 18
I wonder if they will keep the 777-300ER on a permerment basis or seasonal
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Oct 2015
Total posts 5
I was wanting to know the same thing gazzaoak. The JAL website only shows the aircarft schedule up to 31 March. I seats booked NRT to SYD on 12 April, which are currently showing the old config on a 777-200. Fingers crossed there is a change ahead.
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