REVIEW: Japan Airlines’ Sky Suite – SYD/HND

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Airline: Japan Airlines Sector: JL52 Sydney-Tokyo Haneda Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Seat: Sky Suite 2A

I’m extremely fortunate that my first time flying to Japan, and thus my maiden experience with Japan Airlines, is up the front in the Sky Suite cabin. Japan Airlines (JAL) has three iterations of its Sky Suite and this is version one. Scheduled to depart Sydney at 8:15 am, it’s a 9 hour and 50 minute service to Tokyo, ample time to immerse myself in all the product has to offer. Business class on this Boeing 787-9 features four rows of six lie-flat seats in the forward cabin separated by a galley and another three rows plus two centre seats in the second cabin – a total of 7 rows and 44 seats. A curtain divides the second cabin from five rows of Premium Economy – more on that at the bottom. In JAL’s Sky Suite (1) there’s no herringbone or reverse herringbone configuration, instead, all seats face directly forward in private cocoons in a 2-2-2 cabin configuration. Seat A (window) & C (aisle) and H (aisle) & K (window) on the flanks

are displaced by a few feet from each other and have a privacy screen dividing them. Window seats have a narrow step-thru channel at the foot of seat C or K to access their semi-private compartment.The advantage of the Window seats in the Sky Suite (1) Business cabin is the real sense of privacy. Though there is no sliding door, once seated, you won’t see fellow passengers unless they are trying to find you, and crew need to poke their heads through the channel to draw your attention. The centre seats in this cabin, D and G, sit in alignment beside each other with no offset and are the best seating solution for couples travelling together. There is a privacy divider here as well.

Seat 2A

The Business cabin is considerably different to that of other airlines, with the configuration based on longer, narrower seating, a slimline armrest beneath the window and a slightly wider armrest on the opposite side. A narrow ledge with a cocktail tray runs the length of the ‘cocoon’, within which is a retractable, full-size tray table, and a power adapter and USB outlet (which are ideally positioned if using a laptop or tablet on the tray table that requires charging at the same time). The tray table springs from its recess with a simple touch. It’s a solid unit (no flimsy bi-fold apparatus) and can be positioned forward and back, as well as rotated 90 degrees making it possible to rise from the seat with objects such as laptops or dining trays still on it. The channel from the aisle to my seat has a shelve, wide enough to store small items, however, it is mostly out of my direct line of sight when seated so really only useful for storing non-essential items or placing used items to be collected by crew. A privacy partion rises and drops separating me from my neighbour in seat 2C. The seat control panel is ideally positioned and simple to operate. Seat 2A has three large windows running the length of the suite. There is a 23″ monitor with its own table for passengers in window seats. The touchscreen monitor is a stretch to reach from the seat. It’s better navigated using a retractable remote control that’s mounted upright parallel to the privacy partition. The monitor table provides another spot to store knick-knacks, but it isn’t secure. At my feet is a padded ottoman which forms part of the lie flat bed. A space below the ottoman can be used as storage for a small roller wheel bag. Such is the depth of the seat, in the lie-flat position, I struggle to reach the end of the ottoman An overhead storage bin that can accommodate small laptops, tablets, books, etc is positioned in a somewhat obscure location behind my headrest with a netted covering. It’s versatile and good to have but proves to be virtually inaccessible when lying flat and being out of direct line of sight, it’s impossible to keep an eye.Aisle seats have a far more convenient storage compartment above their armrest, which sits beneath the netted basket of the neighbouring window seat, and it appears to be a more secure space. The Business class Sky Suite features S-LINE bedding, consisting of a mattress, pillow and duvet. JAL doesn’t offer pyjamas (it will begin loaning them at no cost in the future with its A350-1000s) but is the only airline I know of that also offers Business class passengers a one-button unisex cordery cardigan to wear during the flight. It’s clean and comfortable but not my style, but it’s a novel idea and I do spot a number of other guests donning them mid-flight. The JAL “inflight use only” tag stitched to the cardigan is little deterrent for guests with light fingers, with the same garment listed on eBay going for around AU$70!Other amenities include Sony noise-cancelling headphones and a stylish, bold red ‘Maison Kitsuné’ branded amenity kit with all the usual essentials in the sky, including a moisture mask, and a pair of slippers. It’s this seat design that won Japan Airlines Skytrax’s Best Business Class Airline Seat in 2013.

Dining

Ninety minutes into the flight it’s time to eat. I’m ambitious with the lunch menu and keen to try the signature Japanese cuisine, selecting the Irodori Gozen (a feast for the eyes – a box set collection of seasonal delicacies) that includes sardine marinated in vinegar sauce, simmered abalone with winter melon, and Somen noodles with chicken and prawn salad. The meal is served with a beautiful red ornamental crane which, I suspect, acts as a chopsticks rest.The main course is Dainomono – simmered beef tongue, potatoes, carrot and green beans with rice and miso soup. It’s an acquired taste, and part of me regrets not going with my advisor’s recommendation of the beef fillet steak – which I clearly forgot when choosing and would have been more to my personal taste. I instead tuck into a plate of cheese and crackers, while a chocolate mousse cake rounds out the meal… and is sensational. Dinner service, four hours later, is another story and is absolutely impeccable, and likely better suited to my Western taste. Two dishes are served including a tomato pasta sauce with scallops, prawns and broccolini. But the hands down, crowd pleaser – and dish that has proven to be my most memorable dining experience in the sky – was the maple duck breast and sticky rice. I’ve never eaten a dish so slowly, savouring each mouthful and wishing the plate had no end.

Crew service

I found the crew of Japan Airlines extremely friendly and attentive. I was always greeted with a happy smile and willing to assist, with stowing my bags, to quickly locating a cardigan for me to tril. And when it was clear I had misunderstood my menu selection they were keen to offer me an alternative. The courteous bows of the crew to passengers in the cabin every time they emerge from or move behind the privacy curtains to the galley was a new benchmark for me, to the sincere apologies over the aircraft PA when the flight was 5 minutes later than expected pushing back on departure. Those small things make a difference.

Other elements

There were several other Japanese touchpoints in the service that make JAL’s Sky Suite and Business class experience stand out, from little things such as thoughtful mouthwash rinses and toothbrush kits readily available in the bathrooms (themselves always in pristine condition), to the gentle steam eye mask that was part of the amenity kit. Yes I used it, and yes my eyes felt less puffy!

Premium Economy

As a side note, it is worthwhile mentioning JAL’s fantastic Premium Economy offering which I experienced on three long-haul legs to Europe. JAL’s Sky Premium offers around 10cm greater front-to-back seat width than standard Economy seats, a deeper sliding recline (the shell of the seat stays solid while the seat slides), an adjustable footrest and a large legrest that makes a world of difference on flights more than a few hours in length. There are a few storage pockets and the seatback pocket holds a laptop with ease.

The added benefits of JAL’s Premium Economy are preferred baggage service, a dedicated check-in counter at the airport, and the bigger plus, lounge entry. I was able to utilise the fabulous Sakura Lounge during my transits at Tokyo Haneda. Sakura Lounge has plenty of seating options, made-to-order food stations (through an app), bar and drink stations, tarmac view work tables, benches and lounges and large private bathroom and shower facilities (also reserved through the same app). What was fantastic with JAL was that the airfare price difference between their Economy and Premium Economy was only around AU$1,000, whereas the Australian national carrier was asking for an additional AU$2,000 on top, and it wouldn’t have included the same extras. My only gripe, and it was in the Premium Economy cabin, was that the meal service for my onward flight from Tokyo Haneda to London Heathrow, departing just after midnight, would begin a whopping eight (8) hours after takeoff! Passengers were provided a small packaged snack before that meal service to tie them over. Fortunately, I took full advantage of Sakura Lounge’s full offering during my five-hour layover and was content when boarding the plane. My seatmates were however baffled how they were going to make it. Writer travelled in the Business cabin as a guest of Japan Airlines.

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