Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN

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Tokyo Haneda (HND) – Singapore (SIN) 

DEP 11:30AM ARR 17:40PM 
Duration: 7h 10m 
Seat number: 13K Business Class 
Aircraft: JAL37 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner 
Miles Redeemed: 25,000 Alaska Airlines Miles + $40.60 in tax
One of the best redemptions with the Alaska Airlines mileage program is flying between East and Southeast Asia. Flying lie-flat with Japan Airlines (JAL) requires only 25,000 Alaska miles plus small taxes and fees. I did that when I flew from Tokyo to Singapore with Japan Airlines Sky Suite Business Class on the Dreamliner 787 aircraft. While I wish it was JAL Apex Suite, the JAL Sky Suite III Business Class still offers a good flight experience with hard and soft products that have never disappointed me. 

The Verdict
  • PROS: Reverse herringbone 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access, good Japanese menu presentation.
  • CONS: No welcome drinks, Wi-Fi not free, tight cabin seat. Annoying entertainment monitor controlling and shoulder strap seat belt.
Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
Japan Airlines JAL Sky Suite III Business Class Seat

Table of Contents  [show/hide]

    Check-In & Face Express Lane at Tokyo Haneda Airport

    My flight originated at Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA) in one booking to Singapore with Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) layover. The layover time was only 1 hour 45 minutes, and Tokyo Haneda airport is definitely one of the busiest airports in the world. 
    Upon arriving at Tokyo Haneda airport, I had to take a bus from domestic to international terminal 3 and clear security and immigration. The line at the security was super long, thankfully, I asked the JAL agent, and she was so helpful in telling me about the Face Express lane. Register your boarding pass with your eligible passport and facial biometrics to use that lane. After that, you go through the Face Express lane that puts you ahead of many people in the queues, closer to the security scanning machines. Therefore, if you are checking in or connecting through Tokyo Haneda Airport, make sure to do that if you have an eligible passport. 

    Lounge Access

    The flight leaves from Gate 133 and a few JAL Sakura Lounges at Tokyo Haneda Airport for Business Class passengers. The information desk told me to go to the one by Gate 114. The lounge was big, with two sections divided by the check-in area. Food, drinks, showers, and massage rooms are available inside the lounge. Be sure to give yourself enough time to go to your gate after the lounge access. 
    Here’s a complete lounge review in detail:
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    JAL Sakura Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)

    Boarding

    Boarding with Japan Airlines at Gate 133 for Singapore-bound is via a shuttle bus. The bus must transport everyone to the plane, and Group 2 is the priority group for Business Class passengers and other oneworld elite members. 

    Seats and Cabin

    I like that the Japan Airlines 787-9 aircraft features a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. So that everyone has direct aisle access. I picked a 13K window seat at the back for privacy. 
    JAL Sky Suite III seat pod is a bit tight and hard to move around. The lack of compartments is also an issue. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    JAL Sky Suite III

    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    JAL 787-9 Business Class Cabin

    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    JAL Sky Suite III 787 Seat

    The entertainment monitor screen is rather annoying. You must control most functionality through the remote controller, not touching the screen! 

    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Entertainment Monitor

    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    JAL Sky Suite III 787
    While the reverse herringbone seats offer privacy, the open pod design of JAL Sky Suite still feels a bit not completely private without a door. 
    Back in the old days, these types of business class seats would be amazing, but nowadays, with business class seats coming with doors, the Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 seats fall slightly behind and not cutting edge. Regardless, it was a comfortable seat to sit and lounge, which beats economy seats. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Not Completely Private
    I also like the window shade that can be controlled. However, the shoulder-strapped seat belt has always been my least favorite seatbelt on the plane. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Window Shade

    Drinks and Food

    Once the seat belt sign was turned off after departing, the flight attendant handed out towels. 
    After that, she came back and took drinks and food orders. I decided to go with plum wine and the Japanese menu. 
    The plum wine was very good! They offered the wine and a bag of rice crackers. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    JAL Drinks Menu

    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Rice Crackers & Plum Wine
    Then comes the appetizer with a bento 5-compartment setting. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Food Menu

    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Bento Starters
    After that was the main course. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Japanese Menu
    Then followed by a green tea and matcha red bean dessert. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Green Tea & Matcha Dessert
    For snacks, I decided to go with Chanpon de Sky. What I did not realize was that it was a cup of noodles. Although it’s JAL’s original Chanpon de Sky, I did not find it any special. So I would not recommend getting it. It’s basically a cup of noodles with a seafood flavor. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    JAL Chanpon de Sky Snack

    Lie-Flat Bed

    The seat, when turned into a lie-flat position, is comfortable. There are also pillows and blankets provided on the seat. What I found interesting is the overhead bin above my seat, 13K. They actually store more pillows and blankets. So it’s convenient for me to just grab another pillow. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    JAL Sky Suite Lie-Flat

    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    JAL Sky Suite Lie-Flat

    Crew Service

    The crew service on the flight was nice and friendly. I had no problems with this area, but all I can say is I have experienced better crew service though. Sitting at the back of the cabin tends to receive slower services, but that’s expected. Most crews were friendly, and a couple crews were not. 

    Wi-Fi

    Onboard Wi-Fi is not free. See the cost below:
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Onboard Wi-Fi Cost

    Amenity Kit

    Blankets and pillows are provided, including a sleepwear jacket. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Amenity Kit

    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Sleepwear Jacket
    Slippers and a shoehorn are also provided, and a pouch with amenities such as a moisture mask, ear plugs, eyes mask, and a toothbrush. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Amenity Kit

    Before Landing

    They offer Inari Sushi or Ice Cream 1 hour and 30 minutes before landing. I picked the Inari Sushi, which came out in a plastic container. The sushi tasted mediocre, full of rice. Nothing special!
    They also handed out heated masks to put on your eyes to help relieve some eye fatigue. 
    Review: Japan Airlines JAL37 Business Class Sky Suite III Boeing 787-9 Tokyo HND to Singapore SIN
    Inari Sushi

    How to Book Japan Airlines Business Class With Miles & Points?

    I redeemed 25,000 Alaska Airlines miles to fly between Japan and Singapore plus $40.60, which also includes Alaska’s $12 partner fees, for a one-way business class ticket with Japan Airlines.
    This redemption remains one of the best redemptions in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Program. Be creative and find a long distant flight between Southeast and East Asia so that you can enjoy the flight experience in Business Class longer. Japan Airlines is your best bet, so you’ll have to layover in Tokoyo if it’s not your final destination. Backtracking is possible, too; for example, you can fly from Cambodia to Singapore via Tokyo with Japan Airlines. The flight will be longer than a direct flight from Cambodia to Singapore but will give you plenty of time to enjoy JAL Business Class products, such as this JAL Sky Suite on the Dreamliner Boeing 787!

    The Best Way to Earn Lots of Alaska Airlines Miles

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