So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (2023)

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

[tpg_rating tpg-rating-score="84" ground-experience="10" cabin-seat="28" amens-ife="23" food-bev="15" service="8" pros="An unbeatable ground experience. Industry-leading pitch with no need to worry about someone reclining into you." cons="Drinks and meals were almost the same as economy. I'm not the biggest fan of shell-reclining seats. Spotty Wi-Fi." /]

In each of my 13 economy Japan Airlines Dreamliner flights, I've passed through the premium economy cabins with longing. After all, the economy product on Japan Airlines' Dreamliners feels more like a premium economy product than an economy experience, so I was excited to try JAL's premium economy to see just how good it was.

So, to get back from Da Nang, Vietnam, at the end of a Cathay Pacific New Year's Eve deal, I booked Japan Airlines premium economy back from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (SGN), to the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) in the U.S. via Tokyo Narita (NRT) on Japan Airlines. Here's what the experience was like.

Booking

At TPG, our first priority when booking review flights is to use points and miles, and TPG definitely redeems a lot of points for travel -- 17.5 million Amex points in 2018 alone.

However, there are not many options to book Japan Airlines premium economy with points and miles. American Airlines just launched its first partner premium economy awards, but so far, it's only for British Airways awards. Hopefully, AAdvantage will soon add the ability for members to book JAL premium economy award flights soon.

And sometimes cash is the way to go anyway, especially since TPG is able to effectively redeem Amex points at 2 cents each through the Centurion Card from American Express 50% rebate on Pay with Points. So we booked this international one-way premium economy flight for $1,243 from Ho Chi Minh, putting it on a the Platinum Card® from American Express in order to earn 5x points on flights booked directly through the airline or with the Amex travel portal (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year).

The upside of this cash fare was that we could earn a solid amount of AAdvantage Elite Qualifying Miles and Elite Qualifying Dollars. For the total booking, I earned 12,363 EQMs and 1,668 EQDs plus 18,334 award miles, worth $257 at TPG valuations, in part thanks to my AA status.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (1)

If you're looking to try Japan Airlines premium economy yourself, look out for incredible deals through Amex’s International Airline Program. I've already booked my next flights in Japan Airlines premium economy for just over $700 round-trip from Los Angeles (LAX) to Singapore (SIN).

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So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (2)

In addition to being able to enjoy a great product to a great destination, I'll rack up 26,325 EQMs and 3,510 EQDs from that itinerary. That's enough on its own for AA Gold elite status -- or one-quarter of the way toward requalifying for Executive Platinum status.

[flight_stats ticket-class="econ" review-stat-section="Ground Experience" tpg-rating="10" tpg-rating-max="10" tail="JA864J" age="3" departure="10" departure-2="55" duration="11" duration-2="06" live-tv="0" tailcam="0" headphones="0" comp-alcohol="0" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" /]

My booking required an overnight in Tokyo, so I collected my bag and stayed at the airport's capsule hotel. That meant that I needed to check in again the next morning for my flight from Tokyo to Dallas. At first, I tried checking in online, but I was unable to retrieve my reservation despite trying using both my JAL reservation number and my e-ticket.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (3)

Despite my issues online, I didn't have any problems once I got to the airport. In Tokyo's Narita, JAL premium economy passengers have a dedicated check-in area that isn't shared with any elites.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (4)

Since there was a short line, I stopped first at one of the eight kiosks (two of which were out of order) to check in and print my boarding pass. I checked the seat map and found I was one of only a few people with an empty seat next to them, so there was no need to change seats.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (5)

The kiosk check-in was smooth, quick and even printed a tag for my checked bag. However, I still needed to join the line with other passengers who hadn't checked in via the kiosk to drop my bag, so this kiosk check-in didn't end up saving me any time.

At the end of the kiosk check-in, I was surprised to see that Japan Airlines planned to start boarding the flight just 20 minutes before departure. While I've seen JAL board aircraft efficiently in the past, this still seemed rather optimistic for a Boeing 787-9.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (6)

At the counter, there were five agents dedicated to checking in premium economy passengers. They made quick work of the passengers in front of me. In about two minutes, I was in front of a friendly agent. We would've flown through the bag-drop process, but I threw in a wrinkle.

Though my Japan Airlines one-way ticket terminated in Dallas/Fort Worth, I'd booked an American Airlines award via British Airways Avios from Dallas to Tampa (TPA) a few hours after arriving. So I asked, more out of curiosity than convenience, if I could check my bag through to Tampa.

Despite the agent's efforts, she wasn't able to get the bag to check through to Tampa. After trying for a while, she explained the system was showing a fee associated with the checked bag from Dallas to Tampa, and she wasn't able to get my Oneworld Emerald elite status to waive the fee. She apologized earnestly, but it wasn't a big deal. After all, I'd need to recheck after customs in Dallas either way. But I was appreciative of her attempts.

Thanks to incredibly efficient immigration and security, I made it from the check-in desk to the lounge entrance -- clearing both security and exit immigration -- in five minutes.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (7)

That's right: the lounge entrance. And no, I didn't get entrance due to my elite status. Japan Airlines premium economy passengers get access to a lounge before flying overseas.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (8)

This was my first time in the Tokyo Narita since JAL renovated its first and Sakura lounges, so I made sure to get to the airport early enough to enjoy both, first class via my Oneworld Emerald status and Sakura via premium economy ticket. I was impressed by both, but I'm going to focus on Sakura in this review.

It was expansive, with a number of seating areas stretched along the outside of the terminal.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (9)

Seats along the windows had solid views of the gates.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (10)

In the downstairs portion of the multistory lounge, there were two drink stations with juices, teas, sodas, draft beers (with refrigerated glasses), wines, an espresso machine and a whiskey-heavy liquor bar.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (11)

And, of course, there were lots of sakes.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (12)

Upstairs was where the food was, with a couple of separate hot and cold buffets with excellent choices.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (13)

I grabbed a light bite to eat.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (14)

There were a couple of relaxing rooms with beds and closing doors that could be reserved with a lounge agent.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (15)

There was a half dozen shower rooms that could also be reserved.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (16)

The Wi-Fi was easy to connect to and clocked in at 11.8 Mbps download, 38.8 Mbps upload and 7 ms ping.

Other amenities included a few dozen free self-serve lockers, a diverse newspaper and magazine selection and a room full of massage chairs, in addition to a couple of other massage chairs sprinkled through the lounge.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (17)

When I arrived at the gate 10 minutes before scheduled boarding and 30 minutes before departure, the gate was spotless and calm, and there were still plenty of empty seats and available power outlets. An announcement had been made that boarding had been delayed by five minutes to 10:40 a.m.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (18)

Just before the original boarding time of 10:35 a.m., passengers were welcomed to line up by group. After a graceful greeting from the gate agents, boarding began three minutes late at 10:38 a.m.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (19)

Incredibly, the flight finished boarding in under 20 minutes from the first boarding pass being scanned to the boarding door being shut. While the jet bridge was pulled back, the pilot explained that we needed to wait at the gate due to congestion at the airport. That congestion meant we didn't take off until 50 minutes after scheduled departure, slightly delaying our arrival into Dallas.

My Global Entry entrance into the U.S. was a breeze, meaning I got to baggage claim just 15 minutes after the aircraft's arrival at the gate. I was shocked to find my checked bag was already on the belt.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (20)

[flight_stats ticket-class="econ" review-stat-section="Cabin and Seat" tpg-rating="28" tpg-rating-max="30" configuration="2" configuration-2="3" configuration-3="2" width="20" pitch="42" tray="20" tray-2="14" lavs="0" live-tv="0" tailcam="0" headphones="0" comp-alcohol="0" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" /]

Japan Airlines arranged its Boeing 787-9 premium economy cabin in five rows of a 2-3-2 arrangement.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (21)

This arrangement yielded a solid seat width just shy of 20 inches.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (22)

Rows were arranged with an incredible 42 inches of pitch. That's industry-leading — there's only a rare exception offering more. And it's 4 more inches than the average premium economy seating arrangement.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (23)

And you didn't have to worry about the seat in front of you reclining into your space. The fabric-backed seats were shell-style seats where the seat slid forward instead of the seat back reclining.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (24)

While I'm generally not a fan of reclining shell seats, I didn't find these shell seats to be uncomfortable. And, as I was working most of the flight, I was especially appreciative that the seat in front of me couldn't recline into my work space.

To help with the seat comfort when reclined, each seat had an extendable legrest.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (25)

Both the seat recline and the leg rest were controlled by buttons in the middle console.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (26)

Each seat not by the bulkhead had a simple, metal footrest. It wasn't comfortable for me to use, but I understand that shorter passengers appreciate these footrests more than I do.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (27)

The headrest was adjustable up and down and had large wings to cradle your head when trying to sleep.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (28)

Between each seat was a small privacy shield and an individual reading light.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (29)

In the console between the seats in front, there were small pockets for each seat. They were convenient for storing my passport, boarding pass and phone.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (30)

The seat's tray table folded down from the seat in front and extended, but awkwardly not far enough. The massive tray table measured just shy of 20 inches by 14 inches.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (31)

When the tray table was raised, there was a drink holder that could be popped out to hold a glass without you having to lower the tray table.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (32)

There was a single seatback pocket that was large enough to hold my laptop in addition to the magazines and safety card. Though it wasn't large enough to hold much else, storage wasn't an issue for me this flight.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (33)

Large overhead bins were plenty to handle all premium economy passenger bags, as well as the bags of economy passengers who decided to use these overhead bins during boarding.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (34)

And the large overhead bins were especially useful, as the under-seat storage was fragmented by the seat supports and a midseat console, particularly for aisle seats.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (35)

If you get stuck in a middle seat, one consolation is that you get a clear under-seat storage area.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (36)

There were four lavatories in the galley between premium economy and economy, with none specifically for the premium economy cabin. That meant the 35 premium economy seats and 116 economy seats shared the four bathrooms, averaging about one bathroom per 38 seats. Some, but not all, lavatories featured a bidet.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (37)

[flight_stats ticket-class="econ" review-stat-section="Amenities and IFE" tpg-rating="22" tpg-rating-max="30" screen="12" movies="75" tv-shows="44" live-tv="No" tailcam="No" wifi="0.58" wifi-2="0.21" headphones="Yes" comp-alcohol="0" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" /]

At boarding, each seat was stocked with plastic-wrapped headphones, blanket, slippers, a shoehorn, pillow and an amenity kit.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (38)

The amount of plastic wrapping seemed wasteful.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (39)

Each was tastefully branded with Japan Airlines labels.

The Sony model MDR-5760 headphones had active noise-canceling and provided solid sound. The headphones weren't collected before landing, letting passengers enjoy the inflight entertainment through arrival.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (40)

The amenity kit bag was a simple drawstring bag containing an eye mask, earplugs, dental kit and a moisture mask.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (41)

And, yes, it was actually a moisture mask. There was a moisture pack that you put in a mask to make the air you breathed less dry.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (42)

Each seat back had a 12-inch touchscreen with a fairly new and responsive user interface. The screen doesn't tilt, but there was no need for it to, thanks to the shell seat.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (43)

The various menus had numerous duplicates of movies and TV shows, making it hard to tell just how many were available. My best guess is there were about 75 unique movies -- 43 of which were labeled "Hollywood" -- and 44 individual TV shows. That's not exactly a limited selection, but it's not nearly the number of entertainment options you'll find on many flights nowadays.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (44)

The expansive pitch made the screen fairly far away, making the in-console remote useful.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (45)

Wi-Fi was powered by T-Mobile, and it wasn't great. Connectivity was spotty to nonexistent for much of the flight. I wasn't able to successfully run a speed test via most normal speed-test websites. When I was finally able to run a speed test via AT&T, the connection clocked in at 0.58 Mbps download, 0.21 Mbps upload.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (46)

There were no live TV options, tail camera, streaming entertainment or amenities available upon request.

[flight_stats ticket-class="first" review-stat-section="Food and Beverage" tpg-rating="15" tpg-rating-max="20" live-tv="0" tailcam="0" headphones="0" meals="2" champagne="Vollereaux" comp-meal="2" dine-on-demand="no" meals-purchase="no" comp-alcohol="Yes" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" /]

With boarding starting just 17 minutes before scheduled departure, it would've been tough for flight attendants to offer a predeparture beverage service. Not surprisingly, no drinks were offered.

While Japan Airlines meals are about the best you'll find in economy, you don't get much more for sitting in premium economy. The menu that was handed out shortly after takeoff specifically noted the three items that were for premium economy only, making it clear that almost all of the same food and drinks were also available in economy. Those three extra items were Champagne, Japanese shochu and sparkling mineral water.

Before lunch, flight attendants passed through the cabin to offer a full drink service. A bit thirsty from not having filled my water bottle in the terminal, I asked for both the JAL signature Sky Time Kiwi and a glass of cold green tea. The drinks were served with a bag of snack mix.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (47)

The menu noted that lunch would be served about one hour after takeoff, and the crew pretty much nailed that timing. The meal offered a choice between chicken-and-mushroom fricassee and spicy beef-and-tomato soup.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (48)

In addition to the handout menu, flight attendants handed passengers a menu with pictures of the meals as they served them out.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (49)

Having a fairly sensitive stomach right now, I steered clear of the spicy stew and chose the fricassee. In Japanese style, the main dish was complemented by a number of small side dishes.

Another full drink service was offered with the meal, so I ordered the Champagne. Instead of getting a glass of Champagne, passengers got an individual small bottle. The Champagne was a Vollereaux, which retails for about $40 for a 750 ml bottle.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (50)

As passengers were wrapping up dinner, the crew passed through to hand out small canisters of Haagen-Dazs ice cream.

Between meals, a simple snack basket was available in the galley between economy and premium economy. It seemed to be available to both cabins.

There were two snacks listed in the menu as available on request: gazpacho bread and "Udon de Sky." I ordered the latter midflight and was disappointed to find it was just a Cup Noodles-style snack that was served with instructions to wait three minutes to let it finish cooking. When asked what I wanted to drink with it, I said sake. I ended up with the similar-sounding Asahi instead.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (51)

About halfway through the flight, the flight attendants flipped on the cabin lights and served a snack. The taste of the plastic-wrapped pastry wasn't worth the calories or waking up from a nap for.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (52)

The arrival meal was served about two hours before landing. In a JAL tradition that I particularly appreciate, the meal was from a Japanese brand. Yoshinoya's motto is "tasty, low-priced and quick," and this meal lived up to those standards. The beef bowl helpfully came with instructions on how to prepare and enjoy it, and the main dish was served with sides of onion coleslaw salad and passion fruit jelly.

So close to greatness: A review of Japan Airlines in a Boeing 787-9 in premium economy from Tokyo to Dallas - The Points Guy (53)

[flight_stats ticket-class="econ" review-stat-section="Service" tpg-rating="8" tpg-rating-max="10" live-tv="0" tailcam="0" headphones="0" comp-alcohol="0" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" blurb="Flight attendants were friendly and accommodating, but seemed to lack experience and were overworked balancing economy and premium economy." /]

Service on this flight felt structured and almost mechanical. The young and seemingly inexperienced crew seemed to be going strictly by the book. This was especially evident when they started meal service almost exactly at an hour to departure -- just as the menu said would happen. There's nothing wrong with that, but it meant that the service wasn't proactive or particularly warm.

That said, the flight attendants were eager to assist whenever asked, whether that was helping passengers with bags during boarding or when asked for a midflight snack or drink. When I tested pressing the call button, a flight attendant responded in under 30 seconds and retrieved a drink in under three minutes from the original call.

Overall Impression

In many ways, Japan Airlines premium economy impressed. The ground experience in Tokyo was truly incredible, from a check-in desk reserved just for premium economy to business-class lounge access. On board, there was not much more that I could ask out of a premium economy seat, although I realize some passengers aren't a fan of shell-type recliner seats. And while the flight attendants felt green, they helped out in any way they could when asked.

Though there was nothing negative about the experience, there were aspects that disappointed. The food and beverages matched what was being served in economy. While it's excellent for economy, the meals and drinks didn't impress for premium economy, and the meal services lacked the refinement I've found in other premium economy products.

Overall though, it's an excellent product and a great way of flying transpacific -- especially if you're looking for a way to fast track earnings toward AAdvantage elite status. And with a little more focus on the soft product on board, it could be the best premium economy product available.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

FAQs

Is premium economy on Japan Airlines worth it? ›

Japan Airlines premium economy is rated as one of the best premium economy products in the world. Seats provide ample legroom, plus passengers get unique perks like airport lounge access. In all, Japan Airlines premium economy can make a long flight across the Pacific much more comfortable than flying in economy.

Which seats are best on JAL 787-9? ›

In the 787-9, seats are arranged in 7 rows of 4 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration for a total of 28 Sky Suite III seats. The best seats are in either rows 2 or 6, as rows 1 and 7 are close to galleys and lavatories.

Does 787-9 have premium economy? ›

The Boeing 787-9 will feature 32 Premium Economy seats — 11 more than the current Boeing 787-9 in American's fleet. The Boeing 787-9 premium economy seats feature headrest wings to increase privacy and larger in-seat entertainment screens.

Are premium economy seats worth it? ›

Premium economy's big selling point is more space. The seats are an inch or two wider on average than the typical coach seat, and the rows are farther apart, offering several more inches of legroom. Most premium economy seats recline, and many have footrests. How much space you actually get depends on the airline.

Can you sleep comfortably in premium economy? ›

Even though you won't be reclining in a flat bed in any premium-economy cabin, a combination of larger seat dimensions, wider armrests, adjustable leg rests and extra features, like upgraded bedding and noise-canceling headphones, almost guarantee you'll feel more rested upon arrival.

Does premium economy get lounge access Japan Airlines? ›

As a Premium Economy Class passenger, you will be able to relax prior to your flight's departure in the spacious comfort of the JAL Sakura Lounge in the main building at Narita International Airport Terminal2. Lounge service is applicable when traveling in Premium Economy cabin.

Is the 787-9 comfortable? ›

The 787 promised passenger comfort

One of the promises of the 787 was improved passenger comfort. There are several improvements in this area, including higher cabin air pressure. The cabin is pressurized at 6,000 feet, as opposed to 8,000 feet on most other aircraft, including the 777.

Where should I sit on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner? ›

By far, the best seats to pick on United's Boeing 787 fleet (both the 787-8 and the 787-9) are seats 27A and 27L. Row 27 is the emergency exit row for the economy class cabin. This row is reserved as Economy Plus seating but the two “window” seats, A and L, are not considered Economy Plus seats.

Are Boeing 787-9 seats comfortable? ›

Boeing's new 787-9 claims better passenger comfort over extremely long-haul routes. Here's what it's like on one of the longest you can take.

What makes the 787 so special? ›

The 787 Dreamliner family features an advanced fly-by-wire flight control system. Instead of a mechanical system of cables and pulleys that move the control surfaces on the wing and tail, fly-by-wire systems translate pilot inputs into electrical signals.

What are premium seats on Boeing 787-9? ›

ANA Premium Economy
  • Seats. Spacious 38-inch seat pitch and 19.3-inch seat width.
  • Legrest/Footrest. Footrest starting in the second row.
  • Table. Large table.
  • Power Ports. Universal PC power port and USB port.
  • Personal Monitor. 11-inch touch-panel LCD monitor.
  • Personal Lights. Adjustable personal light.

Is the 787 good in turbulence? ›

"..the Boeing 787 has similar gust suppression system as the Boeing 777 and will definitely provide a more comfortable ride in air turbulence. In fact, Boeing has engineered its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner to reduce light to moderate turbulence by up to two-thirds while the plane climbs to high altitudes.

Can premium economy passengers use the lounge? ›

Premium economy trumps 'regular' economy in many ways, but one aspect commonly missing from the equation is airport lounge access – a perk typically reserved for business class passengers instead.

Do you get free food in premium economy? ›

COVID-19 UPDATE

Business and premium economy class passengers will not be offered welcome drinks, pre-meal drinks, water bottles/cups, meals, menu cards and wet towels.

Which airline has the widest seats in economy class? ›

The airlines with the widest seats among US airlines are JetBlue Airways and Silver Airways. 18 inches wide. Spirit Airlines' average economy seat has a width of 17.75 inches. Breeze, Delta, Hawaiian has a seat width of 17.6 inches.

What are the best seats on 787 Dreamliner? ›

The best seats for window lovers and solo passengers are seats A and K in Rows 2, 4, 6, and 8. These offer extra privacy thanks to the aisle-side console, as well as offering stunning window views throughout the flight.

Does premium economy have its own bathroom? ›

The separate premium economy cabin is also set within the first rows of the aircraft with a dedicated lavatory and reserved overhead bin compartment for carry-on luggage.

What position is best to sleep on plane? ›

The truth about how to sleep on a plane: Sit up straight. Yep, leaning forward is the best way to get a little shut-eye. "Leaning forward over the tray table is the best seat position for maximizing rest," said The Sleep Judge spokeswoman Haley Green. "Reclining and leaning to the sides are the worst positions."

Does premium economy get free drinks? ›

1. What benefits do travelers receive when purchasing Premium Economy? Customers traveling in Premium Economy will enjoy wider seats - including expandable foot, leg and headrests, Priority boarding, an enhanced meal, complimentary drinks, noise-reducing headphones, an amenity kit and more.

What perks do you get in premium economy? ›

In terms of what separates Premium Economy seats from standard Economy, you can expect:
  • More leg room.
  • Wider seats.
  • Extra inches of seat recline.
  • Power outlets.
  • Larger personal entertainment screens.
  • A larger selection of foods.
  • Greater privacy.
Aug 22, 2019

What is the difference between premium economy and premium plus? ›

Legroom: United Premium Plus seats, located at the front of the economy cabin, feature up to seven extra inches of legroom over a standard economy seat, while the Economy Plus seat offers travelers six inches of extra legroom. Premium Plus seats also recline up to three inches more than a standard seat.

Are premium seats worth it on Dreamliner? ›

All in all, for me, I would upgrade every time. As a minimum to extra leg room, but if I can afford it the extra for Premium is well worth it. I did enjoy the frequent service, the smaller cabin with more privacy and the room I had for my legs. The extra legroom alone makes an upgrade worth it to us.

Is Boeing 787-9 a new plane? ›

The extraordinary new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is a revolutionary aircraft with a focus on cabin comfort. Take a 360° tour of our Business Premier™, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

How comfortable is a 9 hour flight? ›

How to survive a long-haul flight
  1. Find comfortable clothes to wear on long flights. ...
  2. Reserve a good seat. ...
  3. Prepare yourself for sleep. ...
  4. Don't pack too much in your cabin luggage. ...
  5. Take your own snacks. ...
  6. Move around the plane. ...
  7. Stay hydrated. ...
  8. Relax!
Mar 21, 2018

Does Boeing 787-9 have entertainment? ›

Once activated, you'll experience a high-tech on-demand entertainment system allowing you to start, stop, pause, rewind and fast-forward programming whenever you want. Intuitive and easy-to-use touch-screens control your programs. See the features of the B787-9 aircraft equipped with Seatback On-demand Entertainment.

What is the difference between Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner economy and economy plus? ›

United's 787-9 economy class is laid out in standard 3-3-3 configuration, with 188 seats in total. However, not all seats are built equal, with the 39 seats in the front sold as Economy Plus with 34" of pitch. The standard economy cabin features 149 seats with a tighter 31" of pitch and a width of 17.3".

How long can a 787-9 fly without refueling? ›

The 787 is different, and Boeing engineered it so passengers could fly 16 hours and still feel (relatively) refreshed. On United's Dreamliner, you'll feel like you're traveling at 6,000 feet above sea level, not much higher than Denver.

Which plane is better 777 or 787? ›

Depending on the variant, the 777 can seat up to 396 passengers in a typical two-class configuration, while the 787 can accommodate up to 330 passengers in a similar layout. Therefore, if airlines need to transport more passengers, the 777 is the better option.

Is Boeing 787-9 a Dreamliner? ›

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a stretched variant of the 787-8 aircraft, has a seating capacity suitable for 250 to 290 passengers. It can travel up to a range of 8,300nm (15,372km).

Why is the Boeing 787 so popular? ›

The airplane's unparalleled fuel efficiency and range flexibility enables carriers to profitably open new routes as well as optimize fleet and network performance. And for their passengers, an experience like none other in the air, with more comfort and less fatigue. The Dreamliner effect.

What is the difference between premium economy and economy plus? ›

Legroom: United Premium Plus seats, located at the front of the economy cabin, feature up to seven extra inches of legroom over a standard economy seat, while the Economy Plus seat offers travelers six inches of extra legroom. Premium Plus seats also recline up to three inches more than a standard seat.

Does premium economy have better food? ›

But premium economy, if done well, offers more than just a few extra inches of leg room. Think of the ideal premium economy as a kind of “business class lite” option, with better meals, fancier cocktails, roomier seats, and upgraded amenities such as dedicated check-in and access to more storage space.

What are the best seats in premium economy? ›

Opt for the exit row

But the bulkhead or exit row seats offer the best legroom and now most airlines charge extra for these seats so get in early and book them.

Can you sneak into premium economy? ›

Flight attendants generally agree that there's no successful way of sneaking into a premium cabin. One flight attendant says cabin crew have a list of first and business class passengers.

Is premium economy better than main cabin? ›

Both premium economy and Main Cabin Extra offer more legroom and complimentary alcoholic drinks. However, premium economy offers a larger seat, even more legroom, more perks — like noise-canceling headphones, a Casper sleep set and an amenity kit — plus better catering.

Who can access premium lounge? ›

Plaza Premium Lounge provides services to all travellers, regardless of airline or class of travel.

Who can access JAL lounge? ›

Lounge access is available to JMB Diamond, JGC Premier, JMB Sapphire, and JAL Global Club members at your departure airport. Please present verification of your current status and boarding pass to enter a lounge.

Does premium economy have more legroom? ›

Typically, premium economy will provide about 5-7 extra inches of legroom, plus 1-2 extra inches of seat width and 2-3 extra inches of recline. On a 12+ hour flight, every inch counts, and you're likely to have more room than you would on a short regional flight.

Which is better comfort plus or premium economy? ›

While Comfort Plus is closer to the level of service you'll receive in the economy cabin, Premium Select offers travelers a bit more luxury with early boarding, a higher baggage allowance, better food and a more comfortable seat configuration.

Is premium economy or business class better? ›

Business Class is the next step above Premium Economy.

Similar services but taken next level plus: flatbed seating, fully dedicated cabin, access to airport lounges, dedicated check-in and faster security lines. The food is gourmet and served on fine dining ware, the wine is superior, and the service is excellent!

How can I make premium economy more comfortable? ›

The best practices to make flying economy more comfortable
  1. Pick the right airline. ...
  2. Choose your aircraft wisely. ...
  3. Select an emergency exit row. ...
  4. Wear comfortable clothing. ...
  5. Consider upgrading to an extra legroom seat.
Aug 24, 2022

Which international airline has the most comfortable economy seats? ›

Emirates wins award as the World's Best Economy Class with Qatar Airways in second place and Singapore Airlines in third position.

How much more should I pay for premium economy? ›

Premium economy fares are significantly more expensive than economy fares (often two to three times the cost). However, don't expect an experience two to three times better. You'll need to fly business or first class for a truly premium experience.

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