JAPAN AIRLINES review : 16 May 2008 : by Slava Chevtchouk

Customer Rating : 3/5

NRT-CDG. Very basic lounge in Narita (annexe lounge), no food, very small choice of drinks and seats are not comfortable. Although the check-in was very prompt and efficient and passport/security control were just a breeze, I had a bad impression about ground service in Narita. New cabin with shell seats. The overall impression is not very attractive, may be because of the grey color of the seats. The seats are confortable and easy to adjust. Cabin crew make a real difference between Japanese passengers and European ones. The Japaneses are treated with respect, not the Europeans. The meal - you have a choice between international and japanese meal. In summary - JAL is good for japanese passengers and don't offer the same service level as Cathay or Thai airways.

JAPAN AIRLINES review : 16 May 2008 : by R Hernandez

Customer Rating : 4/5

JFK-NRT, no problem, good service, food good. Only qualm was no AVOD. Return from BKK-NRT-JFK was great. Check-in service at BKK was very accommodating to our complex baggage requirements as well as my friend's last minute request for a vegetarian meal. Pretty funny since they kept checking in with us multiple times to make sure my friend was getting his vegetarian meal.

JAPAN AIRLINES review : 11 May 2008 : by Mark Brentz

Customer Rating : 3/5

BKK-NRT-ORD in First Class. Service great on the BKK-NRT leg, but I was unimpressed by the NRT-ORD leg. On the Chicago flight, I was the non-Japanese person in the First Class cabin, and I noticed a difference in treatment. I was always served last (from pre-flight amenities, newspaper, food, etc), and when flight attendants came to serve drinks or ask if people needed anything, they would routinely go up to everyone else in the cabin, then look at me and walk away. I would guess that for every three times a flight attendant would walk through and ask people if they needed anything, I would be asked once. Aside from the service, the comfort of the flights was OK. actually preferred the older first class seats on the Bangkok flight than the newer shell seats, as the shell seats aren't totally lie flat, and there is less legroom (not good if you're 6'4" like me). Overall it was an okay flight experience.

JAPAN AIRLINES review : 5 May 2008 : by Jim Reid

Customer Rating : 3/5

NRT-SYD in Business operated by JALWays (JO) which was just about OK but nothing like JL business class. That said, excellent Sakura lounge at NRT, average meals, excellent and attentive FAs, old fashioned but reasonably comfortable seat allowing a decent sleep on an overnight sector and first bag on the carousel at SYD.

JAPAN AIRLINES review : 30 April 2008 : by E DeJong

Customer Rating : 1/5

I had booked 4 Business Class tickets SYD-NRT-SYD on JL772/JL771 in April and was very disappointed with the service. This flight is sold as JAL but it is executed by Jalways which is a low-service subsidiary of JAL. The 55 seats in "Executive" Class were old and offered very limited recline. There were only 2 toilets which is totally insufficient for 55 passengers. There were no welcome drinks and the famous Japanese Aruga Blanca Clareza wine advertized on JAL's website was not served on these flights. The inflight entertainment list suggested a good selection of movies but apparently this required the "Magic III" system and the aircraft only had "Magic II" so the choice was limited to less than 10 English movies (some of which very old). Only cheap and outdated headsets without noise-cancelation capabilities were offered. The food was equally disappointing: we were sitting in the rear of the executive section and, although the flight was not sold out, there was no choice of meals left by the time we were served and we all had to accept a mediocre "western style" meal of not more than regular Economy Class standards. All in all a very disappointing JAL "Executive Class" experience and not worth any money at all over regular Economy Class.

Japan Airlines review - by J Nguyen

23 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Nagoya-Paris Business 777. The new Business Class seat is great, food and drinks good, and crew was helpful. The only thing that I didnt like with JAL is that they dont provide a kits for the flights. They just walk around with a basket with different items you may choose. Flying out from Nagoya was a great compared with Narita.

Japan Airlines review - by Anthony Leith

27 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

I can concur with the previous comments. I am a Qantas Club member and recently travelled Japan Airlines SYD-NRT-PEK return. While cabin staff are courteous, they cannot handle out of the usual situations. I was refused an upgrade even though I offered to pay for it, and after boarding could see the Business Class cabin was only half full. Yet I was still refused an upgrade. So they are not really a OneWorld partner like you say, perhaps a OneJapan partner is probably closer to the truth. Surely ANA must be better, but they no longer service Sydney.

Japan Airlines review - by John Duffus

20 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

BKK-NRT full fare (J) business class. Whilst JAL has been a One World member for almost a year, it is clear non-Japanese emerald tier passengers still do not enjoy the privileges they are entitled to. On check in, my bag was given a business class tag instead of first class – yet about 50 bags of Japanese passengers appeared on the carousel at Narita with first class tags. Secondly, the 08:15 morning departure was a 2-class flight in a 3-class 744 with old-style business class seats. As on a similarly structured JAL flight last August (HNL-BKK), the first class section is not available to One World Emerald members, even though seats were available at the time of booking several months in advance. On board, the chief purser skirted around the issue when I asked the reason, before finally confirming they are only available to Japanese members of JAL’s Priority Club. Surely this makes a mockery of JAL being in One World – or do other One World airlines get away with this kind of discrimination? Another problem, as highlighted in another comment below, is the meal service. An 08:15 departure from BKK means a very early start from the city because the morning Immigration queues are now horrendous – last Saturday they stretched back way outside the 3 designated Immigration areas. So having made the flight but with no time to get to the lounge – and hence having had nothing to eat since rising at 5:00 am, I was looking forward to a nice breakfast. When the menus came round, I was appalled to see that only lunch is offered – at 9.00 in the morning? Again I questioned the chief purser about the lack of breakfast - or at least brunch. She said “Japanese people like a heavy meal”! To my question about the preferences of non-Japanese people on a One World airline, she suggested I fill in a complaint form! I settled for the one roll and tea I was offered instead. For future Japan trips, I will stick TG non-stop or CX connecting in HKG.

Japan Airlines review - by M Cafferty

2 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Trip was very good LAX to Bangkok (through Tokyo). Seats small in economy but still comfortable. Plenty of food and drinks options and entertainment options also very good. Service exceptional. Staff both on flights and at airports were attentive and pleasant. It is the excellent service that makes the experience worthy of 4 stars.

Japan Airlines review - by Lise Audet

15 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Chicago-Narita-Bangkok return in Economy Class. Excellent service, both on ground and on all flights, especially on Chicago-Narita leg where service was very attentive and consistent throughout the 12 hour flight. Food very good on all flights, but not as good on the return flight from Narita to Chicago. Overall a very good experience.

Japan Airlines review - by Josef Chen

12 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

SIN-NRT-SIN: For the trip to Japan, I was quite surprised that on this overnight route there was Magic II with movies. Given that this is a night flight and virtually everyone seemed to doze off eventually on the somewhat firm seats, I had quite a confortable trip and a good night's sleep. Except for the hitch where the stewardess mistook my drink order, they're the nicest and most discreet crew. With hot towels commonplace among airlines, JAL takes it one step further with an unusual hot plate designed to keep my breakfast warm. Although the fare is quite simple, just porridge and stuff, it came in tip-top condition, further enhancing the experience. For the return trip, IFE was a downgrade to Magic I. No doubt their movie selections are well picked, with Hollywood hits and even Disney shows, but the system that JAL operates on its Asian flights makes me wonder if they should eventually phase out Magic I and II for Magic III on high-density flights to Singapore, as they had did on their planes to Europe and America. The programmes seem to keep on reruning monotonously without any audio-video on demand controls. Still the same good courteous service. Virtually every request is tended t, with a smile. Just a word, though: the crew is more generous with alcohol than with soft drinks - water and soft drinks can either come in bottle/cans or small dainty cups, but be prepared to leave some of the wine and sake untouched, as they are quite generous with them. Service is pretty good for an Asian airline, but to compete with SQ and other 5 star airlines on this Asian market, it can consider upping the ante in the economy class by upgrading its inflight entertainment to have complete Audio-Video on Demand, further strengthening its co-operation with the best culinary talents of Japan in the airline meals of whole routes rather than catering only to the more commercially important F and J class passengers (Europe, America and Singapore routes are a best way to start off) and making its seats more plush. And to end it off, JAL cabin crew uniforms are the best.

Japan Airlines review - by Richard Bevan

7 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating : n/a

Honolulu-Narita in Economy. Flight on a old-ish 747 but only about 30% full so I had four seats in the middle to myself. Legroom amongst the best I've seen and was enough for me (I'm 6ft 3 tall). Cabin crew polite and efficient. Two drinks servings before the meal and then for the rest of the 9h flight continual circling of the cabin with different drinks. Old glasses and meal trays taken away in seconds. Nicest long haul flight I've been on. Narita - Incheon - Narita. Much worse. The short/medium haul flights have seats packed far more closely together. Cabin service was still good though. On return Inceon-Narita leg I realised that part of the business class cabin is used for economy, so just asking for those seats at the front got me a business class seat with economy ticket !

Japan Airlines review - by J Kemp

4 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

NRT-CDG in First. The shell seat is well designed for the 13 hour haul, with plenty of room for storage, stretching out, sleeping, or watching the video on Magic 13. The in-flight service was attentive, and FA's were responsive, friendly, and present throughout the flight. The food was great - Japanese choice was a full "fugu" or pufferfish menu - not for the light hearted but delicious - during the flight a wide range of snacks and light meals were available upon demand, and despite the length of the flight I arrived in CDG refreshed and feeling like I received value for money.

Japan Airlines review - by R Hernandez

27 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Economy NRT-SIN, BKK-NRT-JFK. Couldn't complain, food was good, no delays and Magic II service was adequate. Seat pitch is on the smaller size, but adequate. Since JAL is new to OneWorld, I was able to use an expired Gold AAdvantage Card to get preferential seat selection for my partner and I. My friend's late request for vegetarian was also quickly catered to, in fact they made a flight announcement as well as posted a sign at NRT when connecting to let us know his vegetarian meal was available for the connecting flight (a little much but very nice gesture). All in all, flights went well and no hitches. Also NRT has free email which is handy during a 5 hour layover.

Japan Airlines review - by K Sun

22 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Honolulu - Narita round trip in Economy Class. First time I flew JAL was in August 2007. The flight was pleasant. Service was good and the seats had individual remotes with built-in games. I had an aisle seat and no one next to me. Second time was just a few days ago on the same route. I then realized that the seats on JAL planes are really only made for the slim built and petite people. The cabin temperature was also uncomfortable. It was hot both trips - not the best thing when the flight is 8.5hrs to Japan and 6.5 hours back to Hawaii. The plane we rode on the flight back to Hawaii was also very old. No back-seat tv's for entertainment! Other than seat size and temperature problem, service was good. I don't think I will be flying JAL anymore though. It may have been an individual situation and I just got lucky with the flights, but it's enough to sway me to go on a different airline on my next trip to Japan.

Japan Airlines review - by T Wiehe

17 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

To Tokyo from San Francisco and back. Top quality service with polite, attentive staff. Excellent food, service of coffee, green tea, and oolong tea.

Japan Airlines review - by Yevheniy Kahanovych

15 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

I used JAL domestic services between Haneda and Sapporo. Overall a pleasant experience, but some things confused me as my first time flying within Japan. First, there is a two-step check-in. You check yourself, then at the separate desk after another queue you check your bag. I found it confusing and inconvenient, but it worked fast. Then, their domestic weight allowance is not generous (15 kg), and they charge you 500 yen (around USD5) for every extra kg. Gate information was given as small airport map with drawing showing the path from the desk to the gate. Very smart and helpful. The plane was 767-300, very clean and well kept. Inflight bar service very basic (coffee, tea, coke, juice), but well presented and fast. Very adequate for 1 hr flight. Disembarkation in Sapporo and baggage service fast, so I was at the train to the city some 20 mins after deplaning. Flight back was on 777-200. Equally nice and fast service, but one detail. They use 2-5-2 configuration for domestic flights. It's more rational in terms of functionality, but looks cramped and creates inconvenience when central sector passengers try to arrange their bags in overhead bins or need to retrieve their staff from the bins. This plane had ptv's with some English programming. Baggage service in Tokyo was also fast. When you travel within Japan by JAL, try to get special discounted eco flexible ticket called One World Yokoso. You can get it through your agent if you travel to and from Japan by One World airline (I used BA). My discount was around 60% off the regular price. All in all very strong 4 star experience, with no ambition for 5 star.

Japan Airlines review - by N Clement

13 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Paris-Nagoya on 777-200 in Economy Class. Incredible efficiency. Boarding a breeze, gate agents and FAs incredibly polite, smiling and quick. Economy seats very good, with foot rest. Service was perfect. Food quite good. Toilets were clean during the flight. Video selection ok. Broad selection of movies but screen at every seat now a bit small.

Japan Airlines review - by G Richardson

8 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Seats in Economy were hard and crammed in. Entertainment system is very poor. The new "Magic" system is of low standard as was the selection of movies. In our row of 4 seats, 2 handsets didn't work. General inflight service from cabin staff however was good.

Japan Airlines review - by J Farrell

20 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

NRT-PEK-NRT flights only about 30% full - pick a seat or row - much more comfortable in coach than on anyUS airline. I flew AA in Business Class from JFK-NRT and back and the food and service was better JAL Coach than it was on AA in Business. They lost a bag from PEK-NRT but, when I arrived in NRT they had forms prefilled out - and they made it as painless as possible - the bag was waiting for me at NRT when I returned 2 days later - no hassle. If only US airlines could be this competent.

Japan Airlines review - by Jim Reid

9 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

HND-HIJ return. Had previous experience with JL which was not good. However, ultra efficient check-in both ways on this shortish domestic flight and good in flight service means they get my custom again on domestic flights in Japan.

Japan Airlines review - by T Kinder

7 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

NRT-LHR, J class. Sakura lounge good. Not a fan of the JAL shell seats - at 185cm tall, they are about 10cm to short - so when reclined, neck and shoulders out of place on head cushion and feet are jammed it at the bottom. Food and beverage service fine. AVOD had been upgraded so 20+ movies to choose from. Not so sure about FA's closing all the window shutters about 3 hours out of a midday flight and wanting everyone to go to sleep. However, they responded promptly to the call button and continued to provide service. Disappointed that despite priority baggage tags, my bags took 40 mins to arrive while other J-class ones came out after 5 mins with lots of economy bags in between. Suspect as bags had arrived from SYD the night before on the connecting flight they had somehow made their way to the back of the hold. A let-down to an otherwise good flight.

Japan Airlines review - by D Wright

30 November 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

JFK-NRT-PEK return in B-747 Business Class. Shell seats are fine for sitting but when trying to sleep, I was sliding. JFK-NRT food - especially the Japanese meal - was superb. Movie selection was substandard. NRT-PEK in 767 was cramped, but FAs efficient and courteous. Revamped first class lounge at NRT was an oasis of Zen-like calm, at least early in the morning. Boarding at NRT for return flight was terribly disorganized. Overall, better than American Airlines, but would give a slight edge to ANA this route.

Japan Airlines review - by Phillip Brander

26 November 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Brisbane-Tokyo-Seoul return in Business class. Brisbane Tokyo sector was operated by JALways which meant old style seating. Seats comfortable, but recline very limited for business class, and entertainment options dated. Staff on flights in/out of Brisbane very friendly and there was an abundance of food/drink. Tokyo - Seoul was operated with the new B777-300ER and First Class seats offered. These new first pods are great and transform into a flat bed. The new Narita lounge is great with some excellent massage services in there, great showers, a bar, excellent food and a very warm ambience.

Japan Airlines review - by Michael Jones

19 November 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Tokyo-Brisbane economy in an old plane. This flight is operated by JALways. The 747 is really old. No seat back TV. The seats even have the old stethescope type head phones installed! Both 747s used on this route were first in service in 1981. 26 years old!

Japan Airlines review - by Bill Atkins

1 November 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

HKG-NRT and NRT-SIN in First. Truly outstanding, the best First Class service of any carrier I have used. Bags carried to check-in, good lounges (Narita a little crowded), onboard service nothing too much trouble and most needs anticipated - someone even guessed from my expression that I was too warm and lowered the cabin temperature. Two vintage champagnes and an innovative selection of other quality wines - try the oak-aged Japanese white. Food beautifully preapred and presented - both western and Japanese. This is the kind of service of which other airlines should be envious.

Japan Airlines review - by Roger Stone

23 October 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

BNE-NRT-ORD return business class. Excellent service, superb meals and wines, clean washrooms and spotless aircraft. Only negative was at ORD on the return journey when a sign held high at the departure gate asked for all OneWorld Emerald and First Class passengers to board first but, in fact, all of us OneWorld Emerald's were ushered back to wait for further calls for business or economy passengers. It seemed the ground staff at JAL ORD were not quite aware of JAL's new role as a OneWorld partner airline. JAL's First Class lounge at Narita is superb. Overall, a wonderful in-flight experience at very competitive fares.

Japan Airlines review - by P Gorman

11 October 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

HKG-NAR-HNL Executive Class. The shorter flight on 777 from Hong Kong to Tokyo was much more pleasant than the 7 plus hour trip on the smaller 767 flight to Honolulu. The price of the ticket was very good, but seats extremely small and uncomfortable and I would barely call them business class. The service was excellent and my friend enjoyed her Japanese meal. I requested a vegetarian meal which I would not recommend. There was not amenities pack which was disappointing. Merely a basket with eyemasks and tooth brushes etc. Movies were acceptable though not an overwhelming variety. If not for the price of the ticket, I would not fly again.

Japan Airlines review - by B Stewart

30 September 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

HKG-NRT-JFK Executive Class. Excellent food and service on both sectors with Japanese menu superior to the Western menu. Shell seat allowed for a good sleep. IFE was OK with only a limited selection of movies and no TV programming available - JEN II available on both services. Overall a great experience and a good alternative to CX on this route.

Japan Airlines review - by Andrew Ng

18 September 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

ITM-ORD economy, via NRT. Smooth and painless connection. FA on the flight to ORD deserves a pat on the back for smiling the entire flight, despite a full cabin and the usual mix of restless infants and continually thirsty businessmen. MAGIC I IFE failed on two occasions during movies, and obviously in need of improvement. A note to those who wish to try the Shell Flat and Solo Sleeper seats yet are reluctant to pay an arm and a leg for the privilege: the ITM-NRT feeder service is usually operated by an international-spec 773 with those seats. 1000 yen will get you an instant upgrade to class J, which will buy you an hour or so of bliss in those seats.

Japan Airlines review - by A Kumar

21 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

DEL-NRT economy. Seat comfort on 777 quite acceptable and cabin was impeccable. IFE with PTV's and AVOD on this flight although the choices were a bit limited. I would not rate it as sub-standard but not in the league of SQ, Emirates, Virgin or even the new BA AVOD system. FA's were fantastic. A mix between French and Japanese they were polite and attentive without being over-bearing. Indian Veg meal was fantastic. Breakfast a pastry with fresh fruit and fresh and acceptable for an 8 hr overnight service. The return leg similar with the same standards of in-flight service. The only problems I identified were Sakura Lounge in Tokyo needs upgrading as it musky and lacking in amenities. On an India route it is surprising that JAL does not have Indian vegetarian option - I assume this has something to do with the catering arrangements in Tokyo. FA's brought me a spare vegatarian meal even though I had not ordered one as I did not eat sea-food. Other then these points I would highly recomend JAL as a quality carrier.

Japan Airlines review - by E Chuck

13 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Business Class LAX-NRT-PVG. I'm a Cathay regular and thought I'd try JAL because its connection to Shanghai is about two hours better than going through HKG on Cathay. JAL is ok, but it just isn't near CX when it comes to service. First, reservations screwed up my seating so that a colleague and I were seated in front of each other, instead of sitting next to each other, which was the point of travelling in business class. Instead of trying to correct the problem, I got a bunch of smiles and "we cant bother the person next to you" excuses. Finally, I just asked the guy next to me and we managed the swap. The FAs are sweet but completely unable to think out of the box. The shell seats are fine (actually better than CX old style transpacific biz class seats) but the JEN (Japan Entertainment Network) sucks. Selection is nothing like CX or Singapore Airlines AVOD systems. Its also incredible the JAL doesn't give you a nice amenity package in business - instead, it hands out toothbrush, eyeshades, etc in a "pass the offering" hand out.

Japan Airlines review - by R Holderbach

9 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

FRA-TYO-FRA in economy on 777. Check-In and boarding were less chaotic than elsewhere. Seat pitch on the narrow side, but ok. The crew was attentive and effective. They had a big smile for you as well as some drinks and snacks for those not sleeping. And you didn't have to beg for blankets. IFE (magic- III) was excellent with a huge collection of games, video channels and music. Now the best part was the meals : they use special trays to keep your dish warm for a longer time, and it works. They had a japanese choice on the return flight and that was awesome. And they're generous with asahi beer, too.

Japan Airlines review - by Steve Conroy

3 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Brisbane-Narita-Chicago return Business class. BNE-NRT 747-300 series aircraft, aging aircraft: no flat seats. However seats still comfortable, with heaps of recline/pitch. NRT-ORD 747-400 with the new sleeper seats. These seats are similar to those of QF and CX - not truly flat. The quality of catering was good, with Western offerings and wines of the highest standard. The flaw in the Executive class product is IFE. The audio and video choices are not as extensive as QF, CX or SQ. I am of the opinion that Executive Class product is equal to products being offered on higher-rated Asian carriers.

Japan Airlines review - by F Chaplin

2 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

CDG-Narita economy - B777. Not as good as we expected. Crew looked tired and ineffective, and food was appalling (much better was our trip back by Air France). The plane was clean, seats was shorter than AF one.

Japan Airlines review - by Jim Reid

2 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

HND-GMP in Y class. Service was good and attentive, lucky I had the exit row however. Brought back memories as this was a -100 series 747 complete with flight engineer and analogue instrumentation and did it rattle! Worth a trip for the enthusiast if nothing else.

Japan Airlines review - by J Reaves

25 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Roundtrip ORD-NRT-DPS, and still recovering from the experience. Flew in economy class, which was my first mistake - seats are unbelievably tiny, no legroom, cabin kept at unbearably hot temperatures, and the flight attendants are disinterested in passengers who don't speak Japanese. Some of the FAs don't speak English beyond the basic "water" or "coffee" requests, so don't bother asking for anything. The entertainment system is horrendous - five English-language films, shown on a loop. If you miss the beginning of a movie, you're stuck waiting for an hour and a half until it begins again. System also features videogames circa 1985. JAL advertises Nintendo availability, but apparently that's only for business and first-class passengers. Food terrible -- we weren't offered a choice of Western vs Japanese, so just accepted whatever was given to us, which included some of the least appetizing chicken in the history of air travel. Overall, hugely disappointed by the service and amenities on JAL - and more than slightly disconcerted by the FA's tendency to smile sweetly even as they deny your most basic requests.

Japan Airlines review - by Tania Chapman

23 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Australia to UK via Narita with Japan Airlines in business class. This was my first trip with JAL. Tthere were many disadvantages to the flight so I wont fly with them again. The entertainment system was lousy - I was amazed to see that JAL only offer about 6 english language movies. The selection was the same in late June going over as it was in July coming home! And whilst the level of service is attentive in flight it takes an awful long time to get anything to drink upon boarding. I had finished my bottle of water brought on board before I was offered anything else. The lounges are very poor. With a stopover of 6.5 hours with delays and nothing more than a rice crackers to eat it is not up to standard. On the way home the lounge only had one computer! Not good enough. And no shower facilities which would have been most welcome after an 11 hour flight with more than 14 hours to go. Malaysian Airlines offers better value than JAL on the Australia - London route.

Japan Airlines review - by Andrew Ng

17 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

ORD-NRT, connecting to NRT-HKG economy class. First leg operated by a 744, followed by 772 on the leg to Hong Kong. Flights full on both sectors. Food and service stellar as usual - FAs hardworking and efficient, pleasant and polite. I think catering tends to be better on flights departing NRT - anyone agree or disagree? That said, there are a couple of kinks that need to be ironed out. Echoing sentiments from previous reviews, seats on JAL are on the tight side - pick aisle seats as the occasional stroll will make the flight more tolerable. Secondly, inflight entertainment with JAL is a mixed bag - none of the films shown caught my fancy. Be wary of aircraft equipped with the MAGIC I system, which lacks AVOD in economy and is plagued by an archaic user interface. Both complaints pertain to my flight on the 744. Flight on the 772 was a different story, with new seats that are much more comfortable and AVOD. 4.5 hour layover at NRT a welcome break. Word of advice to those who dread layovers: leave airside! Immigration took only 15 mins. despite the long queues and you'll be rewarded with far more choice for shopping and dining on the fourth floor of T2. To summarize: a generally enjoyable experience on an excellent airline that, for the most part, delivers a consistent and competitive product. Be mindful of economy seats on older planes (to be renewed over the coming year), but JAL has me sold on its inflight service.

Japan Airlines review - by Dorothy Veal

12 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Staff terrific and Business Class very old - no shell seats. Narita Airport lounge very basic - no food, just nuts for a 6hour transit. Also, nowhere for a shower or a reasonable wash. Very ordinary entertainment for two 9 hour flights. Outgoing stopover terrific, but watch the return flight from Vancouver to Sydney - it is a hell.

Japan Airlines review - by Phillip Landale

30 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

CDG-NRT. B777 was clean and the staff were pleasant. The audio visual entertainment was excellent. There seemed to be considerably less leg room than on say Qantas planes. Perhaps this was my particular seat and not a situation across their whole fleet. The food was a disgrace. There were no 'extras' such as light masks, socks and toothbrushes which other airlines offer.

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