Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
1-2-1 seating configuration with aisle access for all seats
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Airline: Japan Airlines | Aircraft: Boeing 777-200ER | Flight: JL38 (SIN-HND) | Class: Business | Seat: 5D
My first ever trip to Japan and virgin experience on a premium cabin too! Boy, I was so excited for this trip (and flight)!
The Japan Airlines’ Sky Suite III business class cabin is on a 1-2-1 seating configuration, which offers direct aisle access to every seat, ability to go fully flatbed, and provides decent privacy.
Pillow, blanket, amenities kit, headphones, and slippers upon arriving at my seat
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
When I arrive at my seat, all the standard items are on my seat. And yes your eyes didn’t play a trick on you, the headphones are wrap in a pasar malam (night market/bazaar) style red translucent plastic bag.
Initially wanted to take photos of the entire business class cabin, but decided not to, as we were one of the last few people boarding the plane as I forgot there’s security checks prior to entering the gate.
But the overall privacy of the seats is pretty good with the height and curve surrounding the seat.
Universal power, USB, and audio output socket
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Good to see the universal power and USB sockets, but it will be great if they (airlines in general) could provide a PD USB-C socket too for fast charge ability (where in this generation any moderate tech savvy person would benefit from that instead of bringing the power plug/powerbank).
Small storage with mirror above the socket tray
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Small storage space for your phone, wallet, passport, and whatnots. Nifty that they incorporate a mini mirror too.
Seat controls panel
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Pretty self-explanatory seat control panel, seat or bed mode, and with more precise adjustment for lumbar support.
IFE controller
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
IFE controller in it’s default housing.
Reading light off
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Reading light on
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
The reading light is able to adjust different angle by pushing it, light can be adjusted in 3 different power setting if I remember correctly.
Tray table in storage mode
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Tray table in storage mode, too tired (I blame it on the redeye flight) that I forgot to take a clean shot of the tray table when you release it. It is able to swerve closer to you when eating or doing work.
Coat hanger knob is above the tray table release if you didn’t notice.
Menu
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Menu
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Menu
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Menu
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Menu
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Menu
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
The menu “BEDD - Sky Auberge by JAL” of this flight, click the photo to zoom in on the details.
Nothing impressive from the alcohol section though.
Amenities Kit
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Amenities Kit
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Items in the amenities kit
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
The amenities kit consists of moisture mask, eye mask, ear plugs, toothbrush, and a fabric pouch.
It feels super basic/budget to me? It is understandable if this is a short or even a medium haul flight, but this is a long haul flight (although on the lower end of spectrum).
Slippers
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Slippers are pretty decent, got some cushion support. It is miles better than those cheapo thin white flat slippers you will find in 3 stars hotels.
Lavatory
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Lavatory
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Lavatory
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Time for a toilet trip, standard lavatory, but it has BIDET! Highlight of the entire toilet!
They also provided Shiseido moisture emulsion and lotion, mouthwash, toothbrush, and paper cups for usage.
Night ambient light
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
IFE Controller - Keypad side
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
IFE Controller - Main controls side
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Evian mineral water
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Sound quality is so-so, headphones is on ear type which I don’t really like. Personally prefer either over the ear type or IEMs.
To activate noise cancelling slide on/off the switch at the green glow part.
Touchscreen IFE System
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Touchscreen IFE is a bit lag in responsiveness, more apparent when you are trying to slide forward/rewind the movie. But definitely much better than those older IFE systems on other airlines, where you just want to start the movie and don’t touch the settings anymore.
Fortunately, the movie titles are rather updated and expansive. My guess the screen is at 1080p resolution, no 4k but still pretty ok.
Late Night Snack
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Shrimp & Green Papaya Salad - Late Night Snack
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Pork Belly Egg Noodles - Late Night Snack
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Champagne - Late Night Snack
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Japanese Breakfast
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Kaiseki breakfast time! The set consists of:
From the top left corner (sides & fruits) in clockwise order: Simmered Mushroom & Chicken with Soy Pulp, Simmered Mixed Beans & “Hijiki” Seaweed, Japanese Pickles, Assorted Fresh Fruits, and Deep-fried Whitefish marinated in Vinegar Sauce.
On to the bottom left corner is the Chicken Teriyaki & Japanese Pot-au-feu “Oden”.
Of course the standard Japanese rice and miso soup.
Sides & Fruits - Japanese Breakfast
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Dainomono - Japanese Breakfast
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Of the entire set, I like the Oden the most.
Overall it is acceptable for a business class meal, it’s nothing bad, but nothing exceptional either IMO.
Footwell
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Space left in the footwell for reference
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
I’m 1.73m for reference, based on my feeling it should be good to 1.9m to fully stretch your legs when sleeping. People taller than that might not be able to sleep fully straight and stretch out.
Flat bed mode
Japan Airlines JL38 Business Class - Boeing 777-200ER - SIN to HND
Always good to have a fully flat bed and user self-adjustable anytime via the seat control panel, but it is a bit hard.
It would be a so much greater experience if they could provide another layer of soft mattress on top of that.
Overall
Hard product: Direct aisle access for all seats which is good, seats and privacy is decent although bed can be (or adapted/add-on to be) softer, rather modern touchscreen IFE and movie selections (although a bit lag responsiveness), and toilet has bidet which is awesome.
Soft product: I feel the FAs service are not that good, and I even had an unsavory incident with one of them. FYI, I did not even once call them throughout the flight (too tired already), so we can eliminate the “passenger calls for FA too many times for xyz requests”.
After my trip, I actually went to ask one of my friends who is also a FA and has been working for a couple of years for her opinion, as I’m unsure whether I’m too sensitive or the FA that is serving is just plain bad attitude. She said I’m definitely in the right to complain or feedback as it’s a bit discriminatory and/or rude from the FA. Following her advice, I did leave a feedback to the management via email.
But it was already a bad start of our trip to a certain extent, didn’t expect such service/attitude from a Japan airline business class, and definitely not a good impression of JAL.
Food: Food is pretty decent, but as mentioned earlier, nothing bad but nothing exceptional either.
On a side note, the whole flight was pretty warm, I even sweat a bit when I was sleeping. And that’s coming from a person who is afraid of cold easily. Not sure is it that specific flight or JAL preference, or due to the plane model (no air nozzles), or both.
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