On the Ground: JAL appeals to business travelers with its well-appointed Executive Class, also called Seasons. The airline’s attentive service and nods to Japanese design and cuisine begin before takeoff at JFK’s Terminal 1, where passengers are invited to the Sakura Lounge. The lounge is a spacious, quiet area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the runways. Work amenities include six lounge laptops and several desktop PCs with free printers, plus complimentary WiFi for passengers with their own devices. A mid-day buffet features Asian snacks—Japanese noodles, kelp wraps and a selection of hot and cold teas—alongside familiar American options like cookies, peanuts and finger sandwiches. Comfortable black leather chairs face the windows, making it easy to relax before departure. (28/30)
Pre-flight: JAL’s female flight attendants present a polished, professional appearance in tailored gray uniforms with crisp collars and distinctive wing-like hairpins that remained neat during the 13-hour flight. While a summer thunderstorm delayed departure, attendants offered Champagne and other beverages as the aircraft sat at the gate about 30 minutes beyond the scheduled 1 p.m. departure. Once the weather cleared, JAL005 joined a long takeoff queue and finally lifted off at 2:42 p.m. The aircraft’s Bird’s Eye Cameras—mounted on the nose and under the fuselage—provided an impressive live view of takeoff and remained accessible on the personal video channels throughout the flight. (29/30)
In-flight: Although in-flight Internet was not available on the Boeing 777-300ER operating the JFK–NRT service, offline entertainment choices were extensive and satisfying. The system offered roughly 50 movies and dozens of audio channels, plus a self-service Executive Class beverage and snack bar known as the Sky Gallery. Meal service emphasized Japanese flavors alongside Western options. A kobachi lunch starter included eight small dishes—deep-simmered octopus and taro, eel teriyaki with cucumber, tuna sashimi and pike conger oshi sushi. Miso soup accompanied freshly steamed koshihikari rice with deep-simmered beef cheek in soy sauce, followed by vanilla panna cotta and fruit cocktail. From the Anytime You Wish à la carte menu the author later ordered udon noodle soup and a Dean & Deluca ice cream sundae. Japanese beverages such as shōchū, beer and saké were offered, and a full Japanese or Western-style breakfast was served before landing. The Bird’s Eye Camera provided striking cockpit views of green rice fields and coastal fishing villages on approach to Narita. (39/40)
The Experience: New Panasonic headphones, a 14-inch entertainment monitor, and JAL’s Shell Flat Neo seats—approximately 58 inches of pitch and 22 inches wide—combine with an attentive cabin crew to make the 777-300ER Executive Class service to Tokyo comfortable and efficient. The cabin configuration is 2-3-2, and the airline often leaves middle seats free when possible; to ensure your preferred seat, reserve an aisle or window early, as the 63-seat business-class cabin frequently fills.
Total Score: 96/100