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Review: Japan Airlines First Class on the Boeing 777, Tokyo Narita to Chicago O’Hare

by Brad
Last updated January 14, 2019

Another flight in First Class on a top flight Asian carrier, what a nice way to finish up our trip and head home. This time Japan Airlines First Class. Better yet, it was an easy nonstop flight between Narita and Chicago on. We took a train from Tokyo to Narita, and then would drive home from O’Hare.

japan-jal-f-suite

 

After enjoying our time at the JAL First Class Lounge, by the time we made it to the gate, we were among the last 1/4 or so of the plane to board.  Another example of the efficient Japanese boarding process!  Once on board, we were warmly welcomed on board, and shown to our seats.  We were seated on the left side of the cabin, in seats 1A and 2A.  The cabin was fully booked, but the service remained excellent throughout the flight.  James has already reviewed JAL First Class on an flight to the US, but I’ll cover my experience in this post.

 

Once we were seated, we were offered a glass of champagne and the first of many hot towels.  They were pouring Salon 2004 Champagne on this flight, which retails for around $300 per bottle.

 

jal-f-nrt-ord-champagne

Salon 2004 Champagne on JAL in First Class

Japan Airlines First Class Seat

Here is a quick photo tour of the First Class Seat:

jal-f-nrt-ord-amenities 

Already at our seat were Bose headphones and slippers.

 

The seat itself is very comfortable for lounging, and great for sleeping once in bed mode.  The seat is not very private, with a low wall and no door.  Compared with ANA, as a fan of window seats, this seat is much better, with 4 windows, although really only 2 of them are accessible.  The high walls of the ANA First Class seat are much more private.  On this flight, I did get some great views out the window which I will discuss later.

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jal-f-nrt-ord-seat

jal-f-nrt-ord-phone

game remote and phone

 

 

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IFE controller

 

The tray table is an intuitive design, sliding on a track along the window, and stows below the TV monitor, above the ottoman.  This allows for a large and sturdy tray.  It is possible to dine with a friend with someone sitting on the ottoman.  We didn’t partake since we ate at different times.

 

jal-f-nrt-ord-ottoman

Tray table, ottoman and day blanket

 

 

jal-f-nrt-ord-cabin

JAL 777-300ER First Class Cabin view

jal-f-nrt-ord-flight

 Flight details on the bulkhead wall

Since we were departing Japan, I opted for the Japanese meal, and while some courses were a bit outside my comfort zone, in all it was excellent.  I also was highly recommend to drink the Royal Blue.  Hard to imagine a tea that is as exclusive as some high end liquor, but that is exactly what is is.  I’m very much a tea drinker, and it was great. Not great enough that I would seek it out for daily drinking, even if I could, but it certainly added to the experience in First on JAL.

Japan Airlines First Class “BEDD” meal service

(Apparently BEDD is somewhat of an acronym, here is a description from the JAL website:

BEDD

 

Japanese

The menu is created by prominent Chef Seiji Yamamoto of “Nihon-ryori RyuGin Roppongi Tokyo.

Seasonal five colorful delicacies

Simmered Yellowtail and Radish in Soy Sauce
Egg Cake
Scallop & Sea Urchin dressed with Mustard Vinegar Miso
Simmered Conger Eel rolled with “Yuba”
Simmered Taro with Stir-fried Duck & Welsh Onion

Owan
Japanese Clear Soup with Steamed Prawn Mousse & Grated Turnip

Seafood
Boiled “Matsuba” Snow Crab with Citrus Vinegar Jelly & Pickled Radish
Cold Steamed Egg Custard with Smoked Potato Potage & Puréed Welsh Onion Soup accompanied by caviar

Dainomono
“Waygu” Beef Fillet Sukiyaki accented with Black Pepper

Hanmono
Steamed Rice (Japanese Pepper Flavored Young Sardines)
We are pleased to offer freshly steamed Koshihikari rice.

Tomewan
Miso Soup

Japanese Pickles

Sweets
Roppongi Pudding
Dekopon Orange, Yuzu & Coconut Sorbet ~please add grand marnier to your taste~
Ryugin’s Speciality – Japanese Style Baked Pistachio Cake

Western

This menu is created by Chef Yosuke Suga of “SUGALABO” Kamiya-cho, Tokyo

Amuse Bouche
Rice wafers filled with Foie Gras Mousse & Raw Peppers

Hors-d’oerve (choice)
Caviar accompanied by Smoked Salmon & Potato Herb Caper Sauce
Warm Lobster Bisque with Winter Vegetables
Grilled Scallop with Turnip Purée in Salad Style

Main Dish (choice)
Braised Japanese Beef Cheek in Red Wine with deep flavor
Roasted Quail stuffed with Mushroom Rice
Miso-grilled Black Cod with Warm Velouté of Winter Radish

Assortment of Artisanal breads
Pain de Champagne
Soy Milk Butter Roll
Special Bread from MAISON KAYSER – Petit Ekmek & Sweet Potato Petit Bread

Dessert
SUGALABO Mont Blanc

 

~Upon Request~

“Dainagon” Adzuki Bean Pound Cake “S”
Chef Yosuke of SUBALABO and Mr. Syoji Yamaguchi of SUETOMI launched a brand “S”, collaboration between France and Japan. Please enjoy flavorful pound cake with dough made from plenty of butter, kneaded with “Tanba-dainagon” adzuki beans and “Daitokuji-natto” beans.

A La Carte

“Otoriyose” in the Sky
Salmon & Salmon Roe on Steamed Rice

Snack
Soy-marinated Herring Roe & Kelp

Chicken Meatballs with Egg Yolk
Japanese Brochettes “Yakitori”
Chicken & Welsh Onion with Pickled Plum Paste
Chicken Thigh seasoned with “Tare” Sauce

Light Meal
Cream Soup with Lobster, Truffle & Mushrooms accompanied by Leaf Pie
Beef Pastrami Sandwich
“Sangenton” Pork Cutlet Sandwich
Kitchen Hida “JAL Original Beef Black Curry”
Fresh Salad with Seafood & Mushrooms, Orange Flavored Dressing

Noodles
“Ramen Noodles in Soy Sauce Flavored Soup
Japanese Hot “Udon” Noodles with Edible Wild Plants

Cheese Selection
Assorted Cheese

Refreshment
Assorted Seasonal Fresh Fruits
Petit Dessert Tray Choice
Pumpkin & Chestnut Cake
Strawberry Barquette
Gâteau au Chocolat

Macarons
Jean-Paul Hévin “Songe”
Jean-Paul Hévin “Amer”

 

This menu is created by renowned fine cuisine producer and chef – her home ground is Paris – Fumiko Kono.

“FUMIKO’s Japanese Set Plate”

Dainomono
Seared Alfonsino “Sashimi” Style with Shallot Soy Dressing
Poached Chrysanthemum Flowers & Leaves
Radish with Dried Mullet Roe

Soup
Japanese Clear Soup with Root Vegetables & Japanese Parsley

Steamed Rice

Kounomono
Japanese Pickles

“FUMIKO’s Western Set Plate”

Main Dish
Brandade of Cod & Celeriac with Truffle Dressing

Strawberry &  Chervil Salad

Special Bread from MAISON KAYSER
Spinach &  Yuzu Petit Bread, Petit Croissant
You can enjoy your breads with butter & cherry jam. 

JAL Café Lines

Coffee of the Month
“Gran Cru Café – Tipica Supreme

 

 

Wine List

LIQUOR & SPIRIT

Aperitif・Cocktail

Tio Pepe Dry Sherry

Martini Extra Dry Dry Vermouth

Campari

Lejay Crème de Cassis

Plum Wine

Martini

Mimosa

Kir Royal

Kir

Bloody Mary

Whisky

Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21 Years

Suntory Hibiki 17 Years old

L&G Woodford Reserve

Spirits

Bombay Sapphire Gin

Absolut Vodka

Beer

Brandy・Liqueur

Rémy Martin V.S.O.P

Cointreau

Baileys Irish Cream

Port Wine

Graham’s Tawny Port 30 Years

Drinking and Driving : Passengers who need to drive after disembarking are requested to refrain from drinking during the flight.

We apologize if occasionally your choice is not available due to limited storage space.

CHAMPAGNE

Champagne SALON 2004

Bollinger La Grande Aneée 2005

WHITE WINE 

Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru “Sous le Puits” 2010

CLOS FLORIDENE blanc, Graves Aoc 2013

Bründlmayer Riesling Steinmassel 2013

SUNTORY Tomi non Oka Winery Kosnu 2013

Ch.igai Takaha “SAMURAI” Chardonnay 2013

RED WINE 

Château Langoa Barton, St-Julien Aoc 2011

Bourgogne France

Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot 1er Cru

Kusuda Martinborough Syrah 2013

PREMIUM JAPANESE SAKE

JUNMAI DAIGINJO

“The Passion of Japan”

We apologize if occasionally your choice is not available due to limited storage space.

Jyuyondai

Kokuryu

PREMIUM JAPANESE SHOCHU 

Mori Izo

Hyakunen no Kodoku

PREMIUM JAPANESE TEA

ROYAL BLUE TEA® “Queen of Blue®”

BEVERAGE

Soft Drink

JAL Original Drink “SKY TIME Kiwi”

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola Zero

Sprite

Ginger Ale

Oolong Tea

Cold Green Tea

Still Mineral Water

Sparkling Mineral Water

Fruit Juice

Orange

Apple

Tomato

Grapefruit

Japanese Tea

Japanese Green Tea “Sen-cha”

Roasted Japanese Tea “Houji-cha”

Selection of Tea

Darjeeling

Orange Pekoe Ceylon

Earl Grey Impérial

“Marco Polo” Flavory Tea

“Bourbon” Herbal Tea Non-Caffeine

We proudly serve you “Mariage Frères” Tea of France

Coffee

Coffee

Espresso

Cappuccino

Decaffeinated Coffee

Japan Airlines First Class Japanese Meal

As I mentioned, I opted for the Japanese meal.  Despite living in the Midwest US most of my life, I’ve really come to love Japanese food.  My frequent business travel to LA has given me many opportunities to really become a fan of this cuisine.

The service was very well polished, and the flight attendant seemed quite excited to serve me the Japanese meal.  I can’t imagine it is that rare for a westerner to eat the Japanese food, but I think it made the experience even better given her excitement to serve me this meal.

jal-f-nrt-ord-tablecloth

jal-f-nrt-ord-amuse

jal-f-nrt-ord-chopsticks

jal-f-nrt-ord-appetizers

jal-f-nrt-ord-soup

jal-f-nrt-ord-pre-soup

jal-f-nrt-ord-caviar

jal-f-nrt-ord-main

jal-f-nrt-ord-dessert

jal-f-nrt-ord-tea

jal-f-nrt-ord-macaron

The meal was excellent.  After eating sushi and other items in the lounge, I preferred waiting to eat a bit longer, so my wife and I did not dine together.  She had western items, and gave it a high recommendation.  Still, I was happy to have one last Japanese meal to end this trip.

jal-f-nrt-ord-happy-ny

 

Japan Airlines First Class Bedding

In order to get back on US Central time, I knew i needed to sleep soon after the meal was completed.  I wasn’t particularly tired, but I did my best.  We were provided a nice JAL First Class Amenity kit and pajamas (reviewed by James).  Strangely it was after the meal before the the amenity kit was provided.  The pajamas were offered just before departure.  Even though we weren’t connecting beyond Chicago, a baggie was provided for amenity kit liquids to clear US security procedures.

The bathrooms were well equipped as well.  There was toothbrushes and mouthwash available there.  Being a Japanese carrier, there was also a Toto toilet with various wash functions.  In addition, there was a foldable tray so one could avoid standing on the dirty floor while changing in the lavatory .

 

Japan-airlines-first-class-nrt-ord-pad

jal-f-nrt-ord-bed

The bedding was excellent, and although the cabin was a comfortable temperature, the heavy duvet was a bit too much for me to not get too hot while sleeping.

I slept very well, and probably longer than I wanted to to enjoy the service, but it helped me adapt to the time change well.  There were  several great views out the window in flight. I saw the sunset as we were leaving Japan.  Our polar routing allowed me to see the Northern Lights for a time.  Unfortunately I couldn’t manage a photo to do it justice.

jal-f-nrt-ord-bar

 

Beyond the main meal service, and the A la carte service, there are snacks available.

jal-f-nrt-ord-snack

Japan Airlines First Class Natto

After the large main meal, rather than the set meals, I opted just for some beef curry before we landed.  Japan Airlines First Class Narita to O'Hare

Japan Airlines First Class Final Thoughts

Our trip to Japan was nearly over. On this trip we fulfilled a few travel goals, to bring my wife to Japan as well as visiting Kyoto.  I think we book ended it with excellent in flight experiences.  I’m glad we experienced both ANA and JAL in First Class.  So, on this trip I think I preferred JAL, but that may be more due to the weather delays on the outbound caused the ANA crew to get out of their comfort zone.  The rigid service structure didn’t lend itself as well to the randomness of weather issues. Both are excellent way to fly. Still, I think I preferred the JAL seat, mostly for better views, but both were quite good for both lounging and sleeping.

I was fortunate to book this leg using AA miles before the devaluation.  Hopefully JAL First Class will still be relatively attainable, but it will be much more costly to be able to experience it.

Have you flown JAL First Class?  What did you think of the experience?  What did I miss?

Thanks for following along this trip report. Next up will be from our trip around the world including Virgin Atlantic, Etihad and Cathay.

For an introduction and index of posts for this series, please click here.

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About Brad

Brad is a frequent traveler, based in Milwaukee. He typically travels in around 200,000 miles per year, much of it for business, and often in economy. This blog focuses on experiences and tips from the perspective of a frequent business traveler trying to maximize value. In addition to frequent work trips, he uses miles and points for even more travel with his wife and young child.

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