JAL Business Class + A Bonus Tip For First Class
While looking for a Japan Airlines flight for myself, I noticed a bunch of space for 2+ in business class on two routes. Previously, I'd sent award space for the first half of 2023, but there's now a bunch of space next summer and early fall.
Most routes no longer have much (if any) business class award space, but there are a couple that still do. As such, I wouldn't wait too long before booking.
If visiting Japan isn't one of your current travel goals, you can connect to other countries in Asia. Just keep in mind that the award rate can increase, esp. to Southeast Asia. Also, it's sometimes possible to include connections within the US on award tickets. Some programs will require more points to do so.
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For those who noticed you didn't hear from me last week, I flew to Istanbul just over a week ago. Once there, I almost immediately had to find flights home because of a family emergency. While I'd planned to send this and a couple other alerts last week, I'm just now getting back into things. Thanks for your patience.
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Straight To The Points:
Routes: ORD/SFO-TYO
Operating airline: Japan Airlines
Class of service: Business class
Dates: November 2022 - October 2023
Seats available: 2+
Cabin layout: 2-3-2, 2-2-2, 1-2-1
Book with (per person, one-way):
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue: 115,000 miles
- *Alaska Mileage Plan: 60,000 miles
- *American AAdvantage: 60,000 miles
- Asia Miles:
- SEAYVR: 61,000 miles
- BOS/DFW/JFK/LAX/ORD/SAN/SFO: 75,000 miles
- British Airways Executive Club:
- LAX/SEA/SFO/YVR: 77,250 Avios
- DFW/ORD/SAN: 92,750 Avios
- BOS/JFK: 108,250 Avios
- Emirates Skywards:
- SEA/YVR: 76,000 miles
- LAX/SAN/SFO: 88,000 miles
- BOS/DFW/JFK/ORD: 100,000 miles
- JAL Mileage Bank: 50,000 miles
- Qantas Frequent Flyer:
- SEA/YVR; 75,000 points
- LAX/SAN/SFO: 90,000 points
- BOS/DFW/JFK/ORD: 104,500 points
*No surcharges
Taxes/fees (per person):
- One-way: $5.60
- Round-trip: ~$52
- Surcharges:
- One-way: ~$438.60
- Round-trip: ~$877.20
Alaska adds a $12.50 partner award booking fee.
Bank transfer partners:
- Alaska: Marriott
- American: Bilt, Marriott
- Asia Miles: Amex, Bilt, Citi, Capital One
- British Airways: Amex, Capital One, Chase, Marriott
- You can transfer Citi to Qatar then move Avios to British Airways
- Emirates: Amex, Bilt, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Marriott
- Flying Blue: Amex, Bilt, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Marriott
- Japan Airlines: Marriott
- Qantas: Amex, Citi, Marriott
Don't forget to let me know if you book and how you did it!
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Flight Experience
Japan Airlines has a reputation for great service so a business class flight should be more than enjoyable. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that JAL operates different aircraft to/from North America.
On the 777-300, you'll find find a business class cabin arranged in a 2-3-2 layout with Apex Suites. While a 2-3-2 layout might seem like a nightmare, each seat is lie-flat and has direct aisle access. Breathe easy. The window seats provide a ton of privacy and are preferred by many.
On the 787-9, you'll find a 2-2-2 layout. Again, each seat is lie-flat and has direct aisle access. Window seats are a favorite.
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Available Dates
ORD-TYO
November: 21-25, 30
December: 14, 19, 20, 22-28
January: 1-3, 6, 8-12, 15-27, 29-31
February: 1, 2, 5-16, 20-23, 26
March: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8-10, 12-16, 19-22, 29
April: 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17, 19, 23-25, 27, 30
May: 1, 7-10, 12, 14-19, 22-25, 28, 30, 31
June: 1-3, 13-20, 23, 25-29
July: 1, 5-12, 14-28, 31
August: 1-10, 16-18, 21-24, 26-31
September: 3-7, 10-14, 17-19, 21, 24-28, 30
October: 1, 4, 6, 8-11
TYO-ORD
November: 21-25, 30
December: 14, 19, 20, 22-28
January: 13, 16-21, 23-28, 31
February: 1-5, 7-11, 13-15, 17-25
March: 1, 7-11, 13-17, 21-23, 27-31
April: 1, 4, 6, 12, 13, 15, 18-21, 24
May: 5, 7, 8, 10-112, 16-19, 21, 23-27, 30
June: 3-5, 8-12, 15-18, 21-23, 26-30
July: 2, 3, 6-9, 11-15, 17, 19, 20, 23-31
August: 2, 3, 5, 12-14, 16, 17, 21-31
September: 1, 6-15, 19-27
October: 2-6, 10 12
SFO-TYO
November:15, 22, 24-26, 28, 29
December: 29
January: 17-19, 21-24, 26, 29, 30
February: 2, 4, 6-9, 11-13, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28
March: 1, 2, 6, 7, 12, 14-15, 19, 20, 29
April: 15, 17, 19, 20, 22-26, 30
May: 1, 2, 9-11, 13-17, 22-24, 30, 31
June: 1, 5, 6, 12-15, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28
July: 4-6, 8, 10-13, 16-19, 22-27, 29, 31
August: 1, 3, 5, 7-10, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28-31
September: 2, 4-7, 9, 11-14, 16, 18-21, 25, 26, 28
October: 2, 3, 9-12
TYO-SFO
November: 22-25
December: 15, 17, 19, 20, 22
January: 15, 18-23, 25, 27-29
February: 1, 2, 4-11, 14, 16-24, 27
March: 1-3, 5, 7, 9-12, 14, 16, 17, 19-23, 25-28
April: 4-6, 12-14, 18-21, 24, 27
May: 2-5, 7-29, 31
June: 1-4, 6-12, 14-16, 18-23, 27, 29
July: 1, 2, 6-15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 26-28, 30, 31
August: 1-4, 16, 17, 19, 23-27, 29-31
September: 1-3, 5-8, 10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19-22, 24, 26-29
October: 1, 3-5, 7-12
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Best Ways To Book
American & Alaska: Great Rates, No Surcharges, Tough To Earn
If you want to keep the cash cost of your ticket to an absolute minimum, 60,000 AA or Alaska miles are the way to go. American has a slight advantage as you can hold awards for 5 days if you want to transfer Bilt or Marriott points.
You can include a domestic connection if you don't live near one of these airports for no extra AA miles if saver level award space is open. With Alaska miles, you can include a connection but only on Alaska itself.
Asia Miles: More Points + Surcharges But Easier To Earn
The rate of 75,000 miles one-way is solid when you consider how easier they are to earn via several transfer partners. Please keep in mind that Asia Miles uses a different award chart if you fly on more than one partner airline which means non-stops are likely your best bet.
JAL Mileage Bank: Great Rate, Very Tough To Earn
JAL Mileage Bank allows you to book a one-way award for 50,000 miles but they're just so hard to earn unless you have a ton of Marriott points lying around waiting to be transferred.
Regardless of the program, remember that connections to other parts of Asia (particularly Southeast Asia) could increase the miles required.
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How To Book
I think searching with American Airlines is easiest if you want to see your options. Here's how I'd approach the search process:
- Go to AA's site
- Select Advanced / Multi-city search (just click this link)
- Select Redeem miles
- Select One way or Round trip
- Enter From & To cities
- Select departure date(s)
- Choose the number of passengers
- Select Class as Business/First
- Click Search
- If you're searching for a nonstop, select Calendar then sort by nonstop.
- Once you know which dates have JAL space, you can run a search from your home airport if you're not booking nonstop
If you're not booking with American miles, you can run a search with the program you're using once you find a date you want to book.
I did notice that Air France doesn't show the same award space online so you might have to call Flying Blue to book. I prefer to call the Spain (+34 91375 3096) or Germany (+49 (0) 69 867 98 106) call centers.
If you want to use Asia Miles and include a connection on American, you'll need to call (866-892-2598) to complete the booking.
You can call Emirates at 800-777-3999.
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Final Thoughts
It's hard not to love Japan. From the food to the bullet trains to the natural beauty, there's something for everyone. Whether it's a quick trip to try some great food or you want to spend a couple of weeks exploring, you'll have fun!
If you go during baseball seasons, I strongly recommend going to a game.
Happy booking!
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Bonus: First Class Awards Within 2 Weeks Of Departure
First class award space on Japan Airlines isn't always easy to find. However, JAL often releases first class space within two weeks of departure.
If you're someone who books last minute, this is a great option to keep in your back pocket. Alternatively, you could book a business class award ticket then rebook into first class if/when space opens up.
Naturally, first class award tickets will require more points. Also, please note that Emirates Skywards can't book JAL first class awards.
Here are some dates in the next two weeks on the routes with first class.
ORD-TYO
November: 21, 22, 25-28
TYO-ORD
November: 16, 19, 20, 23-26, 28
JFK-TYO
November: 25-28
TYO-JFK
November: 23-25
LAX-TYO
November: 22, 24, 25, 27, 28
TYO-LAX
November: 24, 25
SFO-TYO
November: 22, 26
TYO-SFO
November: 19, 24
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