When flying from Europe to Australia, have you considered Japan Airlines?

Once upon a time, trying to book a flight on Japan Airlines from Europe to Australia seemed impossible. Their website just would not let you book the flight, even though I knew they served both areas quite well.

It seems things have changed and now it’s entirely possible to make a booking with them. There are a few things that set Japan Airlines apart which makes them arguably the most comfortable experience on the route, not to mention their competitive pricing.

Japan Airlines Lounge Access

Obviously passengers in first class and business class receive lounge access, which is the same as all airlines around the world. What you probably don’t know is that Japan Airlines offers lounge access to all passengers in premium economy as well.

It is a rare enough thing, but even more unusual is economy class passengers on fully flexible tickets getting lounge access too. Of course, most people booking economy wouldn’t pay anything near the full fare, but those that do get to use the lounge. The complete lounge eligibility by travel class table on JAL is at their website here.

The Most Comfortable Economy Class In The Sky?

Another thing the Tokyo based airline has is the most comfortable economy class seats on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. When Boeing designed the aircraft, much was made of the spacious eight abreast cabin for those down the back.

Of course, airlines soon worked out you could squeeze in nine abreast. That means more revenue potential, so you probably can’t blame them. Japan Airlines followed the beat of their own drum and continue to have eight abreast, meaning nice, spacious wide seats for your long-haul journeys. In addition to that, their Boeing 777-300ER aircraft feature 9 abreast seating. Most other airlines have moved to 10 abreast, so it’s perhaps unsurprising they call it JAL SKY WIDER. All their seating plans are also on their website here.

Overall Thoughts

Obviously I am looking at flights to Australia for 2022 and I discovered that JAL are coming out most competitively priced, with British Airways a close second. The other airlines (Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and Qantas) are all selling tickets in my “no chance I’m paying that much for THAT!” zone.

Add that to the fact that you get larger seats down the back, Japanese hospitality on board and getting to fly through Tokyo Haneda Airport, I am quite convinced this is the way forward for this particular trip. Now, do I take the punt and make a booking? We shall see what happens, but the plan is there.

Have you flown Japan Airlines in premium economy or economy class? What was that like? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

Like planes? See my “Does anyone remember” series.
Flight reviews your thing? Mine are all indexed here.
Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Featured image by BriYYZ via Wikimedia Commons.
Boeing 787 cabin by Tadayuki Yoshikawa via Aviation Wire.