There’s something deeply satisfying about maximizing the value of airline miles, especially when it means experiencing world-class luxury travel without the jaw-dropping price tag. I was absolutely thrilled when I managed to secure a business class ticket from Bangkok all the way back to Michigan for just 70,000 American Airlines points. This JAL Business Class Review focuses on the second leg of that remarkable journey, the Tokyo to Chicago route on a Boeing 777-300, flight JL 56.
This was my first experience flying JAL Business Class, and the anticipation was almost overwhelming. The prospect of being able to recline in comfort for nearly the entire 24-hour journey home (with the exception of that final one-hour domestic hop) felt like I’d cracked the code to comfortable long-haul travel. After already experiencing the Bangkok to Tokyo Business Class leg, I had high expectations for this Tokyo Business Class experience.
Booking This JAL 777-300 Business Class Journey
Let me break down the numbers for you. The entire multi-city journey from Bangkok to Michigan cost me 70,000 American Airlines miles. But here’s the thing, this wasn’t some lucky random search that yielded instant results. I spent at least a month obsessively checking award availability, sometimes multiple times per day, watching for that magical moment when space would open up.
The sweet spot came when availability appeared fairly close to my actual travel dates. For comparison, an economy ticket for the same routing would have set me back 37,500 miles. With over 100,000 points sitting in my account, the decision to splurge for Business Class was easier than choosing between chocolate and vanilla.
I also had a substantial stash of United miles collecting digital dust, but their business class redemptions for this route typically hovered around 100,000 miles. Even worse, many options involved mixed cabin flights, meaning I wouldn’t even enjoy Business Class for the entire journey. Talk about terrible value. Plus, United’s routing options often stretched the total travel time to a soul-crushing 35 hours. No thanks. Japan Airlines was clearly the superior choice for this Bangkok to Tokyo business class adventure.
The JAL Sakura Lounge in Tokyo: Déjà Vu
After my disappointing experience with the Sakura Lounge in Bangkok, I was hoping Tokyo would redeem the brand. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. Unfortunately, the JAL Sakura Lounge at Narita Airport followed the same lackluster playbook.
On the positive side, the lounge had abundant seating, which is always appreciated during busy travel periods. But the food situation? Dismal. During the entire two hours I spent there, the offerings consisted of chips, nuts, and cheap pastries that looked like they’d been sitting out since the previous day. For a premium airline lounge associated with one of the world’s most respected carriers, this was genuinely disappointing.
Once again, the only redeeming feature was the alcohol and soft drink selection. At least they got the beverages right. Given the limited food options, I made the same strategic decision as my first flight leg: skip most of the lounge food and wait for the stellar inflight dining experience I knew was coming. If you’re looking for better lounge access options across multiple airlines and airports, I highly recommend checking out programs like Priority Pass, which gives you flexibility to choose from several lounge options.
JAL Sky Suites on the 777-300: Where Luxury Meets Functionality
This is where things get exciting. For this Tokyo to Chicago leg, I was flying in the JAL Sky Suites, a significant upgrade from the previous flight. The cabin features a 2-3-2 configuration with privacy screens between each Sky Suite, creating intimate personal spaces that feel surprisingly private for a non-enclosed seat.
The amenity kit arrived in a vibrant, colorful Heralbony case that immediately caught my attention. Inside, JAL had included everything a long-haul passenger could need: a USB iPhone cable, a plastic phone stand (surprisingly useful), quality noise-cancelling headphones, the signature gentle steam eye mask, a toothbrush, a regular eye mask, and comfortable slippers. These thoughtful touches set Japan Airlines apart from competitors.
Here’s where this JAL 777-300 Business Class experience truly shined: the seat went completely flat. Not “almost flat” or “nearly horizontal,” but genuinely, fully flat. The cabin crew even offered an additional mattress pad to place on top of the seat for enhanced comfort while sleeping. Game changer.
I’ll be honest, the Sky Suites are showing their age a bit. The design feels dated compared to ultra-modern offerings from competitors like Qatar’s Qsuites or Singapore’s new business class. But here’s the thing: they serve their purpose spectacularly well. Despite not sleeping much during the flight (I was too engaged with the entertainment and food), I felt incredibly rested when we touched down in Chicago. That’s the mark of a well-designed seat.
The entertainment selection was admittedly limited, but with my phone and the complimentary WiFi JAL provided, I didn’t really need it. Speaking of WiFi, JAL sent me a complimentary code for free internet access during the entire journey, which was an incredibly thoughtful gesture. The connection had some limitations, perfect for chatting, browsing the web, and sending images, but not quite robust enough for streaming video or music. Still, far better than being completely disconnected for 10.5 hours.
The Food: Where This JAL Business Class Reaches New Heights
My expectations for exceptional inflight dining were riding high after the previous Bangkok Business Class experience, and once again, Japan Airlines delivered magnificently. The menu offered both Western and Japanese options, and I remained committed to the Japanese selections throughout the journey. Spoiler: I was thrilled with every single choice.
I was particularly pleased to discover Rooibos tea on the beverage menu again. It’s these small details that matter to frequent travelers who have specific preferences.
The main meal service was nothing short of spectacular. Chef MISHINA Jun of “REN MISHINA” in Ginza, Tokyo, created the menu, and his expertise was evident in every bite. The WASHOKU (Japanese Cuisine) service included an Irodori Gozen, a selection of seasonal colorful delicacies that was as beautiful as it was delicious:
- Potato Purée with Ikura and Kabocha Squash
- Chicken Teriyaki with Sansho Pepper
- Simmered Prawn & Deep-fried Sword Fish with Panko
- Simmered Wagyu, Taro & Garland Chrysanthemum with Roasted Shichimi Spice Sauce
- Grilled Salmon & Maitake Mushrooms with Miso & Shichimi Spice
The Dainomono featured Snow Crab with two colors of Chrysanthemum Flower in Rice Vinegared Dashi Gelée, and Simmered Abalone with Eggplant in Dashi Sauce with Ginger. Each component was a masterclass in Japanese culinary technique, balancing delicate flavors with textural variety.
For accompaniments to steamed rice, I tried the Deep-fried Black Cod with Thickened Mushroom Sauce and Ren’s Special Curry with Stewed Beef Cheek and Turnip. The beef cheek was so tender it practically dissolved on the tongue. The Miso Soup with Aosa Seaweed and White Leeks was the perfect palate cleanser, and the Kounomono (pickles) added that essential bright, acidic contrast.
Dessert was a Japanese Roasted Tea Pudding with Sweet Potato that perfectly captured the essence of autumn flavors. Not too sweet, beautifully balanced, and a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary meal.
Even though there were several impressive alcoholic options available, I decided to stick with my caffeine-free tea and water for this flight. Sometimes the best way to arrive rested is to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol entirely.
The A La Carte Menu: Luxury Travel On-Demand On JAL Business Class
Here’s where JAL truly sets itself apart from other carriers. Beyond the two prepared meal services, passengers could order anything from a separate à la carte menu at any time during the flight. You could even place orders through your personal entertainment screen. Talk about convenience.
I decided to try the “Sangenton” Pork Cutlet Sandwich and the JAL Original Fried Chicken, seasoned with JAL’s signature inflight onion consommé. The texture wasn’t quite restaurant quality, but the flavors were genuinely tasty and satisfying. For a mid-flight snack at 35,000 feet, it exceeded expectations.
The full à la carte menu was impressively extensive, including a Quinoa Salad, Egg Salad Sandwich, Sea Bream and Salmon Roe Rice Bowl, Short Pasta with Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce (completely plant-based), Beef Curry, JAL’s Special Yuzu-Flavored Chinese Noodles, assorted cheese, fresh fruits, and even Häagen-Dazs ice cream in Vanilla and Chocolate Fudge flavors.
JAL also offered a special SDGs menu created by renowned food producer and chef Ms. KONO Fumiko, featuring ingredients from the Future 50 Foods list, ingredients that enable sustainable water resource use while enhancing nutritional value. This commitment to sustainability alongside luxury is refreshing to see.
The cabin crew throughout all meal services were phenomenal. Always smiling, attentive without being intrusive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy their work. This level of service is what separates good airlines from truly exceptional ones. If you’re comparing premium cabin experiences, you might want to read my Ethiopian Airlines Business Class review for another perspective on long-haul luxury travel.
American Airlines Flagship Lounge in Chicago: A Pleasant Surprise
After two disappointing JAL Sakura Lounges, walking into the American Airlines Flagship Lounge at Chicago O’Hare felt like arriving at an oasis. Let me be clear: this was AMAZING. Easily some of the best airline lounge food!
Pro tip: There are actually three American Airlines lounges in Terminal 3, so make sure you’re eligible for and heading to the Flagship Lounge specifically. Not all flights qualify for access, which I learned can cause confusion for travelers.
The food selection was incredibly diverse, featuring a handful of international cuisines alongside American favorites. After days of Japanese cuisine (which I loved, don’t get me wrong), it was refreshing to reconnect with some familiar American flavors. The lounge offered a wide variety of seating options, so despite being fairly busy, it never felt overcrowded or chaotic.
The alcohol selection was extensive, and I couldn’t resist trying a craft IPA beer that was absolutely delicious. Sometimes after a long international flight, all you want is a cold beer and comfortable chair, and the Flagship Lounge delivered both in spades. For travelers looking to maximize their lounge access options, comparing programs like DragonPass vs Priority Pass can help you determine which membership offers the best value for your specific travel patterns.
Final Thoughts on My JAL Business Class Review
The 10.5-hour flight from Tokyo to Chicago absolutely flew by (pun fully intended this time). Reflecting on this complete JAL Business Class Review, I’m struck by how an airline can excel so thoroughly in certain areas while falling short in others. The Sakura Lounges were disappointing, sure, but the inflight experience more than compensated for those shortcomings.
Everything about the actual flight was lovely, even if the Sky Suites showed their age slightly. The ability to lie completely flat for such a long journey made all the difference. I arrived in Chicago feeling genuinely rested and refreshed, ready to tackle my final short domestic flight home. That’s the true test of a great Business Class product, how you feel when you land.
Would I do it again? Without hesitation. If I could find this routing with similar mileage pricing, I’d book it immediately. The value proposition of 70,000 miles for the entire Bangkok to Michigan journey, with the vast majority spent in exceptional Business Class cabins, is simply unbeatable in today’s award travel landscape.
This JAL Business Class Review ultimately comes down to priorities. If lounge quality is your top concern, JAL might disappoint. But if you value exceptional inflight service, outstanding cuisine, comfortable lie-flat seats, and attentive cabin crew, Japan Airlines delivers masterfully. The JAL 777-300 Business Class experience showcases what luxury travel should be: comfortable, thoughtfully designed, and executed with genuine care for passenger wellbeing.
From Bangkok to Tokyo to Chicago, this journey reinforced why I’m passionate about finding creative ways to experience luxury travel without the luxury price tag. JAL Business Class proved that thoughtful service, exceptional food, and comfortable seating can transform a long-haul flight from an endurance test into a genuinely enjoyable experience. That’s worth every single mile.
