Review: Japan Airlines JAL 767-300ER Tokyo to Manila

This JAL 767-300ER Business Class Review is from our 2018 Tokyo to Manila flight on our recent trip to Japan and Southeast Asia. Visiting Tokyo, Japan? See some of our prior posts from this trip report:

JAL 767-300ER Business Class Cabin and Seat Selection

JAL has several 767-300ER cabin configurations, but the one we were on has 24 open suites with seats that convert to flat beds, which we appreciated for this evening flight of about 4 hours and 40 minutes. The open suites are in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration, with the solo seats by the window.

JAL 767-300 Business Class Seat Map, Image courtesy of SeatGuru

If traveling solo, I recommend window seats 2A, 2K, 4A and 4K, because these seats are closest to the window and more private (window seats in odd rows are closest to the aisle, with the armrest by the window) and also avoid the first and last rows, which can be subject to more noise from the lavatories and galley in front, and the bassinet seats directly behind row 6. Below is a view across row 4; our son is in window seat 4A.

Couples who want to sit next to each other can choose the paired seats in the middle; we were in 4D and 4G:

Here is my JAL Business Class 767-300ER Video Review on YouTube:

JAL Business Class Seat, 767-300ER

JAL Business Class seats are 25.5 inches wide, similar to the width of the sky suites on JAL 777-300ER aircraft, although the 767 has open suites, so not nearly as private as the 777-300ER.

The seat controls are, however, similar to the JAL Business Class Sky Suite on the 777-300ER:

The IFE Screens are seatback, and feature the same IFE that can be seen in our JAL First Class Review.

JAL Business Class Food and Drink, 767-300ER Tokyo to Manila

Here was the menu for JL745 from Tokyo NRT to Manila. As usual, there were two menus, a Western menu and Japanese menu:

JAL Business Class Japanese Menu Tokyo-Manila-Appetizers

JAL Business Class Japanese Menu Tokyo-Manila

JAL Business Class Menu Tokyo-Manila-Western

JAL Business Class Western Menu Tokyo-Manila

In terms of champagne, JAL serves Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, which typically retails in the $60-$70 per bottle range.

There was a good selection of white and red wines as well:

After take-off, we were offered a drink and some rice crackers (arare) as a snack, while the meals were being prepared.

JAL Business Class Review-Arare Rice Crackers and Drink

I chose the Japanese meal, as I love the bento box of different Japanese appetizers. The highlights of this one were the poached Nanohana Vegetables with Macha Tofu Sauce–fantastic. I also liked the Shrimp and the Garland Chrysanthemum with Young Sardines, Grated Radish and Salmon Roe. Here's a photo of the entire meal:

JAL Business Class Review-767-300-Japanese Meal

And a closeup of the appetizers:

JAL Business Class Review-Japanese Appetizers

The main dish, Swordfish, was only ok, but the Miso Soup rounded out the meal nicely.

Asian meals aren't known for dessert, so fruit or ice cream is a typical conclusion; in this case, the vanilla Haagen Dazs, which I had with some tea.

JAL Business Class Bed, 767-300ER

JAL Business Class open suites on the 767-300ER have flat bed seats, so you can recline fully into a bed. Unlike the 777-300ER, there are no memory foam mattress pads, and it was a short enough flight from Tokyo to Manila that this wasn't needed.

We were given a weird one button cotton sleep shirt or cardigan that I didn't see a single passenger on the flight use.

More practical were the slippers; I wish every airline would provide slippers in business class, rather than socks.

The Verdict

On a 5 hour flight, I was very glad to be flying JAL Business Class on this type of 767-300ER, with flat bed seats, even though I didn't attempt to go to sleep. It was much more comfortable to be able to recline significantly, after the meal, than being in regular recliner seats. Plus, our son did go to sleep after the meal, since the flight arrived in Manila after his usual bedtime. I particularly like the comfortable and large ergonomic pillows.

The Japanese meal was good, not great, but the vegetable appetizer in particular was fantastic. Service was, as usual for JAL, very polite and quite efficient.

If you've flown JAL Business Class on the 767-300ER with flat bed seats, what was your experience?

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