A while back, I managed to redeem my American Aadvantage miles to book a business class seat on a flight between Tokyo and New York JFK on Japan Airlines’ 787 Dreamliner. With a total flight time of nearly 13 hours, I had a lot of time to enjoy the experience. Here’s how it went:
Flight Stats:
Seat: 2A
Carrier: JL 004
Route: Tokyo, JP to New York, US
Flight Time: 12 hours, 55 minutes
Departure Time: 6:30 p.m.
Arrival Time: 6:25 p.m.
Aircraft: Boeing 787-900
At the Airport:
Business class passengers queue up in a separate area.
![JAL Business Class Check In](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3715-1024x768.jpg)
JAL Business Class Check In
At Narita, business class passengers have access to the Sakura lounge, which is identified on your boarding pass.
![Sakura lounge](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3723-e1475114130548-1024x768.jpg)
Sakura lounge
The lounge itself is spread over two floors: sitting area on the 1st floor, and dining on the 2nd floor. After checking out the area downstairs, I headed upstairs to get some food.
![Japanese curry: one of my favorite dishes!](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3733-1024x768.jpg)
Japanese curry: one of my favorite dishes!
A while later, it was time to board. Here’s a view of the aircraft:
![JL 004 NRT-JFK](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3734-1024x768.jpg)
JL 004 NRT-JFK
In-Flight Experience
Seating configuration on the flight in business class is in a 2-2-2 configuration. And here’s my seat!
![JL004 Seat 2A](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3735-e1475110828675-768x1024.jpg)
JL004 Seat 2A
I’m a pretty short guy (5’ 5’’) and my legs couldn’t even reach the foot rest!
![Can't reach the foot rest!](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3749-e1475110847256-768x1024.jpg)
Can’t reach the foot rest!
A view of my monitor. Nice and big!
![Our route map](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3761-1024x768.jpg)
Our route map
Seat controls. More than I’ve ever seen on any flight!
![JL004 seat controls](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3771-e1475110807270-768x1024.jpg)
JL004 seat controls
The seat is definitely more than just a seat. In fact, Japan Airlines officially calls this their “SkySuite.”
![Seat length](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3750-e1475110881463-1024x768.jpg)
Seat length
Ready for take off!
![Ready for takeoff!](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3767-e1475110923215-768x1024.jpg)
Ready for takeoff!
For those sitting near the window, a sort of wall separates you and your neighbor, which made this seat particularly private.
![JL004 seat dividers](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3827-e1475110731126-768x1024.jpg)
JL004 seat dividers
For perspective, here’s how the business class section looks like.
![JL004 business class section](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3757-1024x768.jpg)
JL004 business class section
When you’re ready for your bed to be made up, you can request turn-down service from the flight attendant. The padding JAL used was amazingly soft.
![JL004 lie-flat seat](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3832-1024x768.jpg)
JL004 lie-flat seat
Another interesting aspect about flying with JAL was the bathrooms. Specifically, it was my first time seeing a bidet (or any option frankly) available on an airplane.
![Toilet options on JL 004](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3828-e1475110692653-768x1024.jpg)
Toilet options on JL 004
JAL Business Class Dining
Business class passengers had the option of going with either Japanese or Western cuisine. Here’s the menu.
![JL004 Menu](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3787-e1475110941907-768x1024.jpg)
JL004 Menu
![JL004 page 1](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3776-e1475111117134-768x1024.jpg)
JL004 page 1
![JL menu food options](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3789-1024x768.jpg)
JL menu food options
I opted for the kobachi bowls as my appetizer. Here’s one of them:
![JL004 Kobachi bowl](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3810-1024x768.jpg)
JL004 Kobachi bowl
I also thought this simple crane to rest your chopsticks was a nicely done touch.
![JL004 crane chopsticks holder](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3814-1024x768.jpg)
JL004 crane chopsticks holder
View from the Wing:
This was my first time traveling on a Dreamliner. One thing that I thought was interesting was how you raise and lower your window shades. Rather than a manual window shade, the Dreamliner had a button that gradually made the window opaque. I definitely thought that this was something different, and I’m not sure I quite like it. It’s a lot easier to simply pull up or down a shade rather than pressing a button.
![JL004 Dreamliner window shade button](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3863-e1475110660930-768x1024.jpg)
JL004 Dreamliner window shade button
A favorite part of flying between the US Northeast and East Asia is the wonderful scenery we got to fly over.
![View of the Canadian Arctic](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3848-1024x768.jpg)
View of the Canadian Arctic
![Frozen waters somewhere over Canada](https://www.onefootonsand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_3876-1024x768.jpg)
Frozen waters somewhere over Canada
Overall
Japan Airlines Business Class Sky Suite was definitely a memorable and worthwhile experience. I’d highly recommend opting for a seat near window as it affords extra privacy. Overall I highly enjoyed this particular journey, and can’t wait to do it again!