About Those new Japan Airlines Business Class Seats.

Get Ready to lie Flat

Japan Airlines is upgrading the seats on their fleet of 11 777-200ER aircraft. The refreshed interiors will start making appearances in July of 2016 on flights between Tokyo (HND) and Bangkok (BKK). Tokyo (HND)- Singapore, and flights between Japan and Honolulu will see the new cabins in the Fall and Winter of 2016. But how are these new Japan Airlines Business Class seats different than what you’ll find on similar JAL planes and what will you find in the cabins behind business? Let’s start at the front…

A Business Class Comparison

The most exciting news is that unlike business class aboard this planes closest in-fleet relative, the 777-300ER, the newer suites feel more spacious in their 1-2-1 configuration and give you true aisle access from every seat.

As you can see above the window side seats are all alone, unlike the 777-300ER (below) where you’ll have a little extra privacy and some extra seat width but less surface space and indirect aisle access if you’re closest to the window.

The newer 777-200ER seats aren’t wider all the way down, offering 20 inches across when seated but theres a bit more space at the armrest when sleeping. When the armrest is collapsed, you’ll get nearly 9 extra inches there. On the opposite side it appears you don’t have a cutout for storage at the base of the side console as is the case with the very similar seats we recently reviewed on Cathay Pacific Airlines. This could mean a knee-knock or two while side-sleeping away from the aisle.

Here are the specs of the new Japan Airlines Business Class Seat aboard the 777-200ER:

Cabin Configuration: 1-2-1 Reverse Herringbone Maximum Bed Length: 78″ Maximum Bed Width: 29″ (armrest collapsed) Seat Width (between armrests): 20-20.5″ TV Screen Size: 17″ Power: 1 each AC and USB

 

Upgrades for Everyone!

Even the cabins behind Business Class on the 777-200ER get an update. Even better, they get significant upgrades. Both Japan Airlines Premium Economy and Economy get new seats and entertainment.

In Premium Economy, You’ll experience the “JAL Sky Premium” seat that comes with 19″ of seat width and 42″ of seat pitch (knee room). The cabin is configured 2-4-2, fairly typical for premium economy on a 777.

Economy gets new wider seats (yes!). Japan Airlines Economy “Sky Wider” seats measure 18.5″ across and are spaced to give you 33-34″ of pitch. The economy cabin configuration is 3-4-2, down from 3-4-3 before the planes are refreshed.

The improvements front to back make this a very attractive option on the medium-haul international routes these planes fly. We’re particularly happy to see wider seats in economy but of course won’t mind the direct aisle access and comfort of the new Japan Airlines Business Class seats when we upgrade.

Tagged as: Japan airlines,  Japan Airlines Business Class,  Japan Airlines Premium Economy,  Japan Airlines Economy.