REVIEW: JAL – Business Class – Jakarta to Tokyo Narita (B77W)

I also really liked the fact that this seat has a permanently deployed foot rest with storage below, space above and a fixed shelf under the TV.

My only slight concern with the seat was that it felt a little narrow, although my shoulders never actively touched the sides. I really liked the shelf running all the way along the right hand side though. It was wide enough to put down a phone, a pair of glasses or a drink (again comparing this to BA where there is no shelf at all).

The shelves actually carry on all the way into the ‘alleyway’ leading to the aisle. This was useful as a place to open up my carry-on as well as being useful for placing the meal tray when I was finished eating and wanted to get up and get changed.

The Business seats get the same touch screen IFE control as in First.

Universal power, USB and the usual defunct video socket

Plenty of ways to get comfortable. I also like that the controls for the divider are easily found, together with those for the seat.

Above my head was another small storage area, good for placing things both on top of the mesh and underneath.

K was sat in the aisle seat next to me. Again, this has a number of benefits over a similar seat in BA J. Firstly you gain a lot of privacy by having an enclosure both around the IFE screen and around your head.

The aisle seats also have more storage than those at the window.

This large cubbyhole provides a a hook for headphones and a large surface on which to charge electronic devices.

JL doesn’t supply Bose headphones in Business but the Sony headphones were really comfortable, high quality and looked super cool.

A rudimentary sleeper kit (earplugs, mask and toothbrush) was handed out to each passenger before takeoff.

Of course, it would be unthinkable to not provide slippers on a Japanese airline.

Breakfast cards were also distributed before our departure from the gate. A sneaky move by JL as breakfast is not only the main meal on this flight but also the one that most people are likely to skip (as I did).

At one stage I was sure we were going to get some crying as this baby got punched clean in the jaw by his big sister.

With so many people going to sleep, service was very quick, even in the back row. I ordered a glass of the delicious Delamotte a.k.a. ‘Salon Jr’ which was served with a packet of dried natto and a packet of rice crackers.

Unfortunately the dinner option was utterly lamentable. Some convenience store sushi and a little salad thing. Not acceptable for a 21:25 departure on a seven hour flight. Really disappointing given JL’s reputation for good food.

I finished the ‘meal’ in about ten seconds and got changed for bed. Thankfully the cabin wasn’t too hot and I was able to find some more packets of natto to sate my hunger.

I slept really well and woke up around 20 minutes before the seatbelt signs came on, the wait for the bathroom was improved considerably by this spectacular sunrise. Apposite given our destination.