The thrill of scoring a business class ticket that doesn’t break the bank never gets old. I was absolutely ecstatic when I managed to secure a business class seat from Bangkok all the way back to Michigan for just 70,000 American Airlines points. This JAL Business Class Review covers the first leg of that incredible journey, specifically the Bangkok to Narita route on a Boeing 787-8, flight JL 708.
This was my first time experiencing JAL Business Class, and I’ll admit, I was beyond excited. The prospect of being able to recline and relax for nearly the entire 24-hour journey back home (except for that final one-hour hop) felt like winning the lottery. After months of searching for the perfect award ticket, I was finally about to discover if Japan Airlines lives up to its stellar reputation for luxury travel.
Please enjoy this in-depth JAL business class review!
Booking My JAL 787-8 Business Class Ticket
Let me tell you about the hunt for this ticket. As I mentioned, I snagged the entire multi-leg journey for 70,000 American Airlines miles, which felt like an absolute steal in today’s inflated award pricing landscape. But this wasn’t a case of stumbling upon availability by chance. It took at least a month of persistent searching, checking multiple times per day, refreshing award calendars until my eyes crossed.
The award space seemed to magically appear fairly close to my actual travel dates, which was both nerve-wracking and exciting. For context, an economy seat for the same route would have cost 37,500 miles. With over 100,000 points sitting in my account, splurging for Business Class seemed like a no-brainer. Comfort over 24 hours of travel? Absolutely worth it.
I also had a healthy stash of United miles, but their business class redemptions for this routing typically hovered around 100,000 miles. Even worse, many were mixed cabin flights, meaning I wouldn’t even get Business Class for the entire journey. Not exactly great value when you’re looking at closer to 35 hours of total travel time with United or their partner airlines. JAL was clearly the superior choice for this Bangkok to Tokyo business class experience.
The JAL Sakura Lounge in Bangkok
I arrived at the Sakura Lounge around 7am with fairly high expectations. Unfortunately, this Bangkok Business Class lounge experience turned out to be the weakest link in my journey.
Don’t get me wrong, the staff were incredibly polite and attentive. The seating was comfortable enough, and they had shower facilities available, which is always a plus for early morning departures. But the food situation was honestly disappointing. The breakfast offerings felt like they’d been sourced from a mediocre convenience store. Everything was super processed, with sausages that had that telltale artificial texture and scrambled eggs that seemed stretched with rice or some other filler to cut costs.
The saving grace was the decent alcohol selection. At least they got that part right. I tried to keep my spirits up (no pun intended) by reminding myself that the food on board would likely be much better. Leaving Thailand is always bittersweet, but I knew I’d be back soon enough. If you have lounge access through Priority Pass, you might want to grab a quick bite elsewhere before heading to the Sakura Lounge.
First Impressions of JAL Business Class on the 787-8
Boarding the aircraft, I immediately appreciated the 2-2-2 configuration for Business Class seating on this JAL 787-8. This layout is ideal if you’re traveling solo or as a couple. Even better? The seat next to me was empty, giving me the entire mini-cabin to spread out. It’s the little wins that make luxury travel so satisfying.
The amenity kit was a pleasant surprise. Japan Airlines clearly sweats the small details. Inside, I found a gentle steam eye mask, a toothbrush, a regular eye mask, quality headphones, and slippers. These thoughtful amenities set the tone for what would be an excellent Tokyo Business Class experience.
JAL 787-8 Business Class Seats: Comfort in the Sky
Let’s talk about what really matters on a long-haul flight: the seat. The Business Class seats on this JAL 787-8 weren’t completely flat, which initially gave me pause. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable they actually were. I could stretch out in a near-horizontal position with just a very slight angle. For a five-hour flight, this was more than sufficient.
The seat featured a small footrest that provided adequate support, and there was genuinely more legroom than I could ever need. One quirky feature was the built-in massager. I tried it out of curiosity, but honestly, it didn’t work particularly well. No big loss though, as everything else about the seat exceeded expectations.
The entertainment system had a flip-up screen that was responsive and offered a fairly limited selection of movies and TV shows. For those considering flying Japan Airlines, I’d highly recommend reading about other premium cabin experiences like my Ethiopian Airlines Business Class review for comparison.
The Food: Where This JAL Business Class Review Gets Exciting
Remember how I said I had high hopes for the onboard food after the disappointing lounge experience? My instincts were absolutely correct. This is where JAL truly shines and why this JAL Business Class Review gets five stars in the dining department.
The menu offered both Western and Japanese options, and I committed fully to the Japanese selections throughout the entire journey. Best decision ever. The first course, labeled as WASHOKU (Japanese Cuisine), was beautifully presented with a lovely variety of mostly seafood and vegetables:
- Jellyfish & Cucumber with Sesame Vinegar Sauce
- Japanese Mustard Spinach, Shimaji Mushroom & Apple in Japanese Broth
- Salmon & Taro with Chrysanthemum Petal Sauce
- Simmered White Radish “Oden” with Soy Milk Miso Cream
- Roasted Duck Steak with Wholegrain Mustard
Each dish was delicate, flavorful, and felt authentically Japanese. The portions were on the lighter side but perfectly satisfying. I particularly loved the attention to seasonal ingredients and traditional preparation methods.
I wasn’t planning to indulge in alcohol during the flight, but when the flight attendant described the sake selection with such enthusiasm, I couldn’t resist. I tried the Fukucho Junmai Daiginjo “Shokafu” from Hiroshima (15% alcohol), and wow. It was incredibly smooth, with a clean finish that paired beautifully with the meal. This particular sake has won numerous domestic and international competitions, crafted by Miho Imada, one of only five female toji (master brewers) in Japan.
The main course featured Miso-grilled Flatfish Saikyo Style and Deep-fried Teriyaki Chicken. Both were exceptional, cooked perfectly with balanced flavors that showcased why Japanese cuisine has such a devoted following worldwide. I was also pleasantly surprised to find Rooibos tea on the beverage menu, a personal favorite that’s not always available on flights.
For dessert, I went with Umeshu, a Japanese plum wine that’s always a treat. Sweet, tart, and incredibly refreshing, it was the perfect ending to the first meal service. Oh yeah, I also had mango pudding.
The service accompanying the meals deserves special mention. The flight attendants were genuinely smiley, attentive without being intrusive, and clearly took pride in their work. It’s this combination of excellent food and warm hospitality that elevates the Japan Airlines Business Class experience above many competitors.
If you’re looking for ways to access premium lounges and Business Class experiences more affordably, check out my comparison guide on DragonPass vs Priority Pass. Having lounge access through programs like Priority Pass can significantly enhance your travel experience, even when flying economy on other legs of your journey.
The Lavatory: Functional and Thoughtful
Let’s be real, airplane bathrooms are rarely the highlight of any flight review. The Business Class lavatory on this JAL 787-8 was pretty standard in terms of size and layout, not dramatically different from economy. However, JAL added some thoughtful touches like quality hand cream and other amenities that made freshening up more pleasant. Nothing groundbreaking, but appreciated nonetheless.
Final Thoughts on My JAL Business Class Review
The five-hour flight from Bangkok to Tokyo absolutely flew by (again, no pun intended). Looking back on this JAL Business Class Review, I’m struck by how everything came together to create a genuinely lovely experience. The slightly angled seats, which initially concerned me, proved to be incredibly comfortable.
Would I do it again? Absolutely, without hesitation. If I could find similar award availability for 70,000 miles, I’d book it in a heartbeat. The combination of comfortable seating, outstanding Japanese cuisine, attentive service, and overall attention to detail makes Japan Airlines a standout choice for Bangkok to Tokyo business class travel.
For anyone considering redeeming miles for premium cabin travel, this route is an excellent use of points. The value proposition is strong, especially when you factor in the food quality and service level. Sure, the Bangkok lounge left something to be desired, but the inflight experience more than compensated for that minor letdown.
If you’re serious about maximizing your luxury travel experiences without breaking the bank, investing in lounge access programs like Priority Pass can open up a world of comfortable pre-flight spaces, even when airport-specific lounges disappoint. The ability to choose from multiple lounge options gives you flexibility that dedicated airline lounges can’t match.
This JAL Business Class Review ultimately comes down to one simple truth: Japan Airlines delivers on its promise of exceptional hospitality and attention to detail. From the moment you board until touchdown in Tokyo, you’re treated to an experience that justifies the points or cash spent. The JAL 787-8 Business Class cabin may not have all the bells and whistles of ultra-modern suites, but it nails the fundamentals spectacularly well.
Whether you’re headed to Tokyo for business or pleasure, starting your journey in JAL Business Class sets the perfect tone. The memories of that sake, the perfectly prepared Japanese cuisine, and the genuine smiles of the cabin crew will stay with me for years to come. If you have the miles, spend them on this route. You won’t regret it!
