BRUTALLY HONEST | Expensive PREMIUM ECONOMY from Tokyo to Bangkok on Japan Airlines' Boeing 787-9!

Japan Airlines is amongst the best airlines in the world, and this definitely also goes for their Premium Economy. However, their regular Economy Class is so good, that upgrading to Premium Economy might actually not be of good value...

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM FOR LIVE STORIES OF OUR FLIGHTS:

*SOCIAL MEDIA*

*FLIGHT INFORMATION*
Airline: Japan Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
Registration: JA872J
Flight Time: 5h 40min
Seat: 21A
From: Tokyo Narita
To: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
Date: July 2022

*EQUIPMENT INFORMATION*
Cameras used: Canon R6 (Canon 15-35mm F2.6 and Canon 35mm F2.0), DJI Osmo Pocket
Additional equipment used: Rode VideoMic Pro+, Blue Yeti Podcast Microphone

*PRICE BREAKDOWN*
Total Price: 10,300 British Airways Avios + EUR 264.66
Total Routing: NRT-BKK
Booked through: British Airways Website
Cost includes: Premium Economy Class ticket including two checked bags (32kg each) and free seat reservation
Booking made: May 2022

*VIDEO BREAKDOWN*
00:00 - Introduction
00:40 - Intro
01:00 - Transiting at NRT
02:00 - JAL Sakura Business Class Lounge
02:57 - Boarding
03:42 - Cabin and Seat
07:28 - Taxi and Take Off
09:25 - Menu Card and Snack Service
10:03 - Amenity Kit
10:21 - Dinner Service
12:14 - Inflight Entertainment
12:53 - Inflight
13:45 - Pre-Landing Snack
13:57 - Conclusion

*COLLABORATION DISCLAIMER*
This video does not contain product placements. The airline was neither involved nor informed about the production of this Tripreport. The ticket fare was paid by ourselves.

*ANIMATED MAP*
Map Data by: OpenStreetMap
Created: October 2022

*GRAPHICS ATTRIBUTION*
Seat Drawing in intro made by Aviation Volume

*CONTACT US*

COPYRIGHT 2022

#brutallyhonest #japanairlines #jal

[Jimmy-Mc]

For me, the legroom is really why I go for premium economy. That's the difference between me getting rest on a long flight or constantly having to get up. The extra width is also nice if I'm sitting next to someone larger.

[naturallyherb]

I love how JAL has 2-4-2 seating on their 787 economy cabin. Those seats are almost as wide as the 2-4-2 A350 premium economy. It's one reason why JAL absolutely deserves to be a 5 star airline.

[LoveDiveChannel]

Almost went to sleep, but this video appeared. So, it's a must to watch...

[wmx]

3:21 Small error: The aircraft registration should be JA872J, not JA872A, since the registrations ending with J are for JAL aircraft, while those ending with A are for ANA instead.
Fun fact: both JA872J and JA872A are B789 aircraft.

Edit: just read the video description, it's correct there 👍🏻

[randolphamos]

I love this airline. Their economy is the best. I love the food, the seat pitch and the impeccable service from their friendly flight attendants.

[jackalcrackle]

As another note, since the economy is so good, but let's say you want the lounge, you can actually purchase lounge access as an economy passenger for around $77 AUD ($50 USD)

[maitreyabhattacharya]

Certainly one of the world's best aviation reviewing channels. Keep it up!

[themomentchannel]

honestly not surprising, JAL has a pretty long history of financial trouble, they’re simply too generous!

[g__e__o]

I flew this seat on JL NRT to DFW. About 15 hours of flying. I just remembered that my butt were screaming in pain in the last half of the trip. So I decided to stay up as long as possible. A flight attendant figure it out and told me it was quite common for people to feel pain because the way they angled these seats. She even tried to teach me some exercises to reduce the pain lol

[Andrew]

I’m glad to see another incredible “Brutally Honest” episode! Japan Airlines Premium Economy is impressive. Would be nice to see a tripreport about their Business class in the future if you don’t already have it on your channel) Thanks to Simply Aviation and personally to David for another magnificent video 😀👍✈️

[well-blazeredman]

Like those shell seats, with their feature.
Nice Avios 'intel' - but I wouldn't pay twice the fare just for a better seat, unless I was on a much, much longer flight.
Good, comprehensive review, which made good use of a previous catering experience.

[michaelr]

Yes, on a shorter flight the PE might not be so much above Y. But doing a 14 h transcontinental in their PE is a whole different thing than in Y. The JAL Y is amazing, the best of those I've flown but if money allows, I'm now going for PE on those super-long ones. Including the Y food which in itself is much better than on many other airlines.

[lukim]

When classifying the premium economy product in terms of price I think you should consider the space offered for premium economy passengers more than the presentation of the food because the more space offered for each passenger the higher the price. But yeah, classifying their premium economy is hard because their economy class is just top notch.

[alexmorgan]

What you are paying for is the additional space, not the meal. Economy is in the name of "premium economy" so I think it's a little unfair to expect a meal which is different to what is served in economy. Plus, you get the benefit of using the business lounge before your flight too. I feel like your expectations were a little high.

[vinniechudam]

Completely agree, flew JAL Dreamliner in Economy CDG-NRT and their Y product blows all other carriers out of the sky, for sheer comfort in 2-4-2 config and quality meals. With an emergency exit seat, because the seat is wider, you don't even notice the reduction in width. When I flew Premium Y on the same route as you (BKK-NRT), I thought the difference, especially in terms of meal service, was neglible. Did I mention the boarding music? It's just sublime.

[uncleliam]

I'm ex crew of JAL. My advice is: DON't FLY JAL Premium Economy class even it's a long haul flight. For the food, ONLY the Entree (and mini cup noodles, mini Camphane *cheap stuff*) are different, the rest of the meal is Exactly the same as economy class!
You wouldn't get any extra privilege than economy pax during the flight.

[meganpapa]

JAL Premium economy is my favorite. They often have promotion pricing where Premium economy is only 20-25% more than regular economy. Well worth it when you will be flying for over 20 hours.

[DChatburn]

I have never flown with Japan Airlines, but this review makes me want to consider them. Thanks!

[jun_suzuki]

I think the premium economy is kinda worth it. Yes, I do agree with your points, but premium economy gets a dedicated check-in counter (or use business class check-in counter if premium economy check-in counter is not available), priority boarding, priority baggage, lounge access (JAL economy Flex get lounge access as well) and seat features such as leg rest and footrest. Those are the main differences with economy class.

[christao]

Interesting conclusion... the premium economy on JL offers considerably more room than on most other airlines' premium econ and the lounge access is also unique to them. I'd argue that gives them quite an edge over the competition. Is the food better than in their regular economy class? It doesn't have to be as it is already quite good. Anyhow, I appreciate your video and thanks for sharing your perspective.