In late August, Japan Airlines announced that they’d begin Boeing 787 flights between Dallas and Tokyo Narita. American and JAL have a joint venture between the US and Tokyo, so this would complement American’s existing flights in the market.
The route would be operated by a Boeing 787 featuring JAL’s new business class product, which looks fantastic. It’s fully flat and quite private. While I haven’t had the chance to fly it myself, I’ve heard great things about it.
Shortly after the new route was announced I noted how award availability was wide open on the flight, as there were four business class award seats available most days. That made it a great option for redeeming AAdvantage miles between Dallas and Tokyo, as American charges just 50,000 AAdvantage miles for an award between the US and “Asia 1.”
It’s worth noting that JAL’s flight between Tokyo Narita and Dallas launched today, November 30, 2015.
On the same day the flight launched, JAL has announced that the Dallas to Tokyo flight will be transitioning from 4x weekly to daily as of March 22, 2016. As of that date the route will also operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in both directions.
While the additional frequencies haven’t been added to the schedule as of the time of this posting, I suspect we’ll see good award space on those flights once they’re loaded.
In the meantime, I think it’s worth noting that Japan Airlines continues to be very generous with releasing business class award space on the flight between Dallas and Tokyo. Many flights have four business class seats available.
I’d argue this is one of the best ways to redeem miles for business class travel between the US and Asia, given the excellent hard and soft product offered by JAL, and the fact that the flight leaves from Dallas (which can be accessed nonstop from just about anywhere in the US).
Bottom line
If you’re looking to redeem miles for travel to Asia in business class, this flight is tough to beat. Especially before the March 22, 2016, AAdvantage devaluation, when the cost of this award will be going up from 50,000 to 60,000 AAdvantage miles (though frankly even the devalued cost isn’t that bad, in my opinion).
Award availability on this flight is great as is, so should get even better over the coming days when the additional 3x weekly frequencies are loaded.
I’ve flown Japan Airlines first class, Cathay Pacific first class, and Cathay Pacific business class, so it’s about time I try Japan Airlines business class. I’m thinking this is the route on which I’ll do it.
Have you flown JAL’s new business class? If so, what was your experience like?
I'm travelling business class on JAL 65 from San Diego to Narita in November. Anyone know if it's the upgraded version? Looks cool in the pictures :-)
Ben, I just booked two award tickets PDX-DFW-NRT/HND-PEK-KUL in next July. I'm excited to try this product!
I'm seeing great J availability early next year DFW-NRT but almost nothing on the return flight. Tried throughout Feb, March and April. Anyone else having this problem?
Hi Lucky,
Do you know if the the “SS8” configuration of the 787 for JAL is also used for the JFK-NRT flight? Seems to be two JFK-NRT flights a day (on days offered), but not sure if its the new business class product?
@lucky
how do you earn so many miles please?
surely you arent able to MS while travelling outside of the USA.
thanks.
@DJ
I searched for availability on JAL's site, and then had to call AA to book. Make sure they don't charge you a phone booking fee as you can't book online.
What's the process for booking JAL flights with AA miles? I know I can search for availability on BA, but do I then have to call AA to actually book, or can I book through AA.com?
@ DJ -- You have to call to book. JAL award space isn't bookable on aa.com.
I flew JL J SFO-HND on their 77W this past August. Not a bad product but I'm not sure it deserves the praise its been receiving. Seat width felt a little tight (I was in the center) and getting to/from that seat was a pain. The very, and I emphasize narrow, passageway between the aisle and seat make it impossible for even very slim people like myself to get through.
Food was alright but I'm...
I flew JL J SFO-HND on their 77W this past August. Not a bad product but I'm not sure it deserves the praise its been receiving. Seat width felt a little tight (I was in the center) and getting to/from that seat was a pain. The very, and I emphasize narrow, passageway between the aisle and seat make it impossible for even very slim people like myself to get through.
Food was alright but I'm not going to put them down for that considering the SFO flight leaves around 2AM.
From the looks of it the window seats are certainly the best and most private and wouldn't mind giving those a try on the 787 in the future.
I have flown JL Long haul business on 77W lately. Superb service, as expected from Japanese carries.
Great food, great seat/bed (great privacy, a limit on the legs, like in CX), offers cardigan to pax. Amenity Kit, from Tumi, not bad. The thing I like it the most is the a la carte for 2nd meal, and you order from remote control, which I liked so much, and ate so much. Entertainment is on...
I have flown JL Long haul business on 77W lately. Superb service, as expected from Japanese carries.
Great food, great seat/bed (great privacy, a limit on the legs, like in CX), offers cardigan to pax. Amenity Kit, from Tumi, not bad. The thing I like it the most is the a la carte for 2nd meal, and you order from remote control, which I liked so much, and ate so much. Entertainment is on the weak side. But recently they have announced that they will double its films and TV programs. Well, good to bring one's tablet for entertainment. Althought the TV is huge. So funny that they don't offer welcome drink, not even water, I guess they will happy to offer, if asked.
Flying the same configuration on the upper deck of a Korean Air Boeing 747-8 in February! Too bad it's a three hour flight...
So let's say you find J space on the BA site for DFW-Tokyo.
Which space has to be available on AA for XXX-DFW where XXX is your local city?
I.e. Does economy or domestic first "work" to not break the fare and keep it at 50k?
@ asfdasd -- Economy or first class would work without raising the price, as long as it's available at the "saver" level.
Booked this route in J for May, 2016, continuing to Hong Kong on Cathay First ( on a 747) and then coming back HKG-ORD also on Cathay First for 157,500 AA miles. Great way to unload those AA miles.
I flew this new J class from ORD-NRT and honestly if felt like a coffin.
Loved the access to the isle but felt so damn slim and box like.
Tight is not for me and yet I am tall but tone.
JAL does open up quite a few spaces for J cabin. The NRT-YVR and KIX-LAX have lots of open spaces, but both are angle flat (shell flat neo) seats. The Sky Suite (new J cabin) route that have consistent open space is indeed the NRT-DFW. Too bad that the route is not daily.
My experience flying Jal 787 was not so good. I flew from YVR-NRT on the 787, and those 787's have slanted seats. Not exactly the best. As well I thought that the food was only so so.
Did ORD-NRT (747) in Business then NRT-Hanoi on 787. JAL in my opinion has one of the best business class products.
Any advice for first class routes? I know you posted awhile back about space being great, but nowadays only ever seeing 1 ticket (looking for 2) for NRT>JFK / and vice versa.
@ Andrew T -- Definitely tough at the moment. If you check last minute there are sometimes two seats, but that's about it, unfortunately.
@Benny Yes you can. I currently have a award travel from AUS-DFW-NRT-TPE for March 2016 travel.
Hi Lucky, are the 2 center seats staggered in the new 787 JL configuration. I will be booking for my wife and I and we usually choose the 2 center seats in Business or First at they are in line with each other. What seats would you recommend for two people?
@ AJ -- Hmmm, haven't flown it myself, but based on the pictures it looks like the center seats may not be staggered.
Hey Ben! Would I be able to continue to Taipei on the same award ticket?
@ Benny -- You could, but then it would cost 55,000 miles instead of 50,000 miles.
I'm flying BOS-NRT on the 787 in September 2016. Any way of finding out if the new business class will be on the flight? Do you know if JAL is upgrading all of their 787s? I flew NRT-JFK on the 787 in the old business class seat last year, and it was fine, but this would be much better!
Will be flying this route next month in J on our way to North Korea! ATL-DFW-NRT-PEK-FNJ :D
The best business class product I've ever flown, and this is a nice, long route on which to try it (I did NRT-JFK, which is also a good choice).
I just flew that product on their 777 yesterday - I think I actually prefer it to the reverse herringbone seat on CX/AA. It felt much more spacious and the window seats have a ton of privacy.
I take it back, there is some availability at 5am/6:30 in first. Or connecting in coach
Great info. Looks like JAL is even more generous than AA on that route. Shame on AA :)
@ Chister -- Indeed, though that's not saying a whole lot! ;)
https://onemileatatime.com/american-award-availability/
It seems space is much harder to find in Business for the Boston to Tokyo (NRT) nonstop, which is also served by a 787. Paid fares, though, give double AAdvantage miles: http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/BostonTokyo.jsp
except there are no award flight to the gateway, which makes it useless for me unless I want to pay for the ticket in a 738.