Japan Airlines 777-300ER Medium-Haul First Class SIN - HND Flight Report - An Archive of Journeys and Stories with Sky

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class “JAL Suite" Seat

Japan Airlines | 777-300ER Medium-Haul First Class | SIN - HND

Silhouette Archived in Jan 2024, Developed in Mar 2025

The Stats

Date: 2024-01-19

Route: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) - Haneda Airport (HND)

Flight Number: JL36

Aircraft: JA741J (Boeing 777-300ER MSN 36128)

Schedule: 22:25 - 05:55+1

Actual: 22:25 - 05:39+1

Flight Time: 5:52

Used with Permission

The Departure

Silhouettes of Sky - Departure Drop-Off Area of Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) Terminal 1

Silhouettes of Sky - Interior of Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) Terminal 1

Silhouettes of Sky - Early Check-in Lounge at Jewel

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines First Class Boarding Pass

It's another beautiful day in Singapore, and I am going on a flight to Tokyo onboard Japan Airlines' 777-300ER First Class. Took a taxi to get to Terminal 1 where Japan Airlines operates from; but I actually wanted to get to the Early Check-in Lounge at Changi Jewel.

I arrived at the airport around lunchtime, well ahead of my evening flight, as I have planned a oneworld lounge safari in the afternoon. With a First Class ticket on Japan Airlines, a oneworld member, I had access to all five oneworld airline-operated lounges at Changi Airport - a favorite airport experience among the aviation community based in Singapore.

Silhouettes of Sky - Departure Area of Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) Terminal 1

Getting the boarding pass is easy enough on the automated machine; the only complaint is that the boarding pass comes in this flimsy paper instead of a proper boarding pass. With check-in sorted, I headed straight back into the terminal - ready to kick off my lounge safari.

The Lounge

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Cathay Pacific Lounge Entrance

Starting off with the most inaccessible lounge - the Cathay Pacific Lounge at Terminal 4. Cathay is the only oneworld carrier that operates out of Changi's Terminal 4, which is dethatched from the other three terminals and will require a shuttle bus to access. Nevertheless, the lounge still accepts oneworld Business / First Class passengers and oneworld Sapphire / Emerald status holders travelling on other oneworld airlines.

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Cathay Pacific Lounge Interior

The Cathay Pacific Lounge at Changi isn’t particularly large, but since there are no other oneworld carriers operating out of Terminal 4, it primarily caters to Cathay’s own passengers. As a result, even during peak hours, it doesn't feel overly crowded.

With Cathay only operating short-haul flights to Hong Kong and Bangkok from Singapore, the lounge does not feature shower facilities.

The design follows Cathay’s refreshed lounge aesthetic found worldwide - elegant, with rich dark wood tones that exude a premium feel.

The overall design follows the refreshed Cathay lounge aesthetic found worldwide - elegant, with rich dark wood tones that give it a premium feel.

The food selection leans toward Asian flavors, a refreshing contrast to the more Western-centric offerings at Qantas and British Airways lounges. Overall, it’s a small but beautifully designed lounge that delivers a pretty good pre-flight experience.

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas Business Lounge Entrance

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas Business Lounge Bar

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas Business Lounge Interior

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas Business Lounge Buffet

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas Business Lounge Interior

The Qantas Business Lounge at Changi is the largest of the five oneworld lounges, offering plenty of space for dining and relaxation - though it still gets crowded in the evenings.

One of its highlights is the made-to-order bar, adding a nice touch to the experience. There are also a nice selection of food to choose from, including laksa and various buffet dishes.

There are plenty of shower suites, so wait times are usually short. However, most of the food leans toward Western-style dishes, which may not suit everyone’s palate.

If you enjoy a good drink and some nice conversation, this lounge is a great place to be.

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport British Airways Lounge Entrance

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport British Airways Lounge Interior

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport British Airways Lounge Food

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport British Airways Lounge Alcohol

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport British Airways Lounge Shower

The British Airways Lounge at Changi feels more straightforward and no-frills compared to the other oneworld lounges. It’s of moderate size, and when I visited, it was relatively quiet with plenty of space.

The design follows BA’s standard lounge aesthetic, though it lacks the premium feel of some of the others. However, it makes up for it with an extensive drinks selection and a small table-service à la carte menu, which adds a nice touch. That said, the food variety and quantity don’t quite match what Qantas offers.

One major highlight is the well-equipped shower facilities, stocked with Elemis amenities - making it the best choice for a refreshing shower before a flight.

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qatar Airways Lounge Entrance

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport British Airways Lounge Interior

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport British Airways Lounge Food

The Qatar Airways Lounge is the most exclusive of Changi’s oneworld Business Class lounges, granting access only to oneworld Business and First Class passengers - not oneworld elites.

As the smallest of the five, it offers an intimate experience with personalized service. About half the lounge is dedicated to dining, featuring an exceptional à la carte menu with high-quality dishes. A bar is also available.

The ambiance makes it a refined alternative to the more casual Qantas Lounge. There’s only one shower suite, but it’s spotless and stocked with Diptyque amenities.

With its beautiful design, top-tier dining, and attentive service, this is the best Business Class lounge at Changi.

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas First Lounge Entrance

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas First Lounge Interior

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas First Lounge Bar

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas First Lounge Interior

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas First Lounge Food

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Qantas First Lounge Shower

The Qantas First Lounge is the only First Class oneworld lounge at Changi, with access granted to oneworld Emerald and First Class passengers.

The lounge is spacious and well-designed. The long rectangular layout features distinct zones: work pods and communal tables, a bar lounge, and an expansive dining area. While it lacks windows, bright lighting and light wood tones create an open, airy feel.

The Qantas First Lounge is renowned for its dining, offering an extensive à la carte menu and excellent wine list. Service is impeccable, handled by Sofitel-trained staff. The food quality is exceptional, setting it apart from any other lounge at Changi - including Singapore Airlines’ The Private Room, which pales in comparison.

The spacious, beautifully designed shower suites are clean and stocked with LaGaia Unedited amenities. The highlight? The "sky ceiling" lighting, which mimics natural daylight and offers customizable color settings, making for a great shower experience.

Other than the evening rush hour, where it gets busier, everything about this lounge is flawless - from design and zoning to dining, amenities, and service. Simply the best lounge at Changi.

The Gate

Silhouettes of Sky - Changi Airport Apron View

With plenty of time on my hands, I took the chance to do some plane spotting. As expected with Singapore’s weather, the afternoon brought a round of heavy rain, but also some great opportunity to observe the reverse thrust deployment.

The Aircraft

As of March 2025, Japan Airlines operates a fleet of 12 Boeing 777-300ERs. The airline started to take delivery of the type back in 2004, and the type was once the airline’s flagship for long-haul premium routes. As the 777-300ER fleet age, these aircraft are expected to be gradually phased out as new-generation Airbus A350-1000s arrive to take their place.

Drawing of Japan Airlines 777-300ER Aircraft is Produced and Provided by Aviation Volume (AVLM)

Used with Permission

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER JA741J Landing at Changi Airport (SIN)

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER JA741J at Changi Airport (SIN)

The aircraft taking me to Tokyo is JA741J, a 2009-built 777-300ER aircraft. The aircraft is purchased and owned by Japan Airlines.

The Cabin

Japan Airlines' 777-300ER aircraft are configured in a 8F 49J 40W 147Y configuration.

The First Class cabin "JAL Suite" was debuted back in 2008, making it one of the older First Class products still flying as of today among major airlines. The cabin is arranged with two rows of 1-2-1 layout.

Its successor, the A350-1000 First Class, debuted in 2023. With only 6 seats instead of 8, the refreshed product offers one of the largest personal spaces in commercial aviation.

Drawings of Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Seats are Produced and Provided by Aviation Volume (AVLM)

Used with Permission

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Cabin

My seat for today is seat 2A. The First Class cabin consists of two rows arranged in 1-2-1 layout with a total of 8 seats.

Despite the age of the cabin (the cabin was first introduced back in 2008), the seat itself was maintained extremely well and still look really nice in person.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Cabin

The seat is spacious, both long and wide. While there are no doors, privacy is decent. Once seated, you’ll hardly notice anyone else thanks to the surrounding wall.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Seat Control

The main seat controls are located on the window side and are intuitive to use. The seat can be reclined and moved forward or backward.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Seat Storage

Above that, a small storage space with the IFE remote control and a mirror.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Seat Storage

More storage space is available both at the back and in front. A power socket (not universal) and a USB-A port is available.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Seat

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Headphone

Noise cancelling headphones from Panasonic was provided. A reading light and headphone jack can be found on the side of the seat wall.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class IFE

The IFE system shows the age of the seat; by 2025 standards, the screen is neither particularly large nor especially crisp.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Tray Table

A large tray table can be pulled out from below the IFE.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Seat

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Cabin

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Seat

JAL’s First Class seat may not be brand-new, but it’s exceptionally well-maintained - honestly, the level of upkeep is probably among the best in the world. I barely noticed any scratches or dents, and the seat remains incredibly comfortable thanks to the generous padding characteristic of older designs.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Literature

Quite a full literature pocket with seat and Wi-Fi guides, inflight magazine and inflight shopping catalogue.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Amenities

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Amenity Kit

A fully stocked amenity kit was provided, including all that you will need on a flight, even down to detailed items like mouth wash and moisture mask. In addition to the amenity kit, a Shiseido travel set and a steam mask was provided as well.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Amenities

A bottle of water and a pair of slippers were available. The crew also handed out pajamas, a nice touch for a 6-hour overnight flight.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Menu

The menus came in the very premium-feeling leather sleeve, along with a free Wi-Fi code.

All in all, it’s a complete amenities experience for a 6–7 hour medium-haul flight - the same level of amenities you would typically expect on a full intercontinental long-haul journey.

The Takeoff

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Welcome Drink

A welcome drink was provided before push back, alongside with a warm towel.

Silhouettes of Sky - Apron View at Changi Airport (SIN)

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines Safety Video

Silhouettes of Sky - Aerial View over Changi Airport (SIN)

The Meal

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines First Class Menu

On today's flight, a full breakfast is provided, in addition to a few à la carte dishes and snacks. To maximize sleep, I chose to only have breakfast before landing.

Two options are available, a Japanese breakfast, and a western breakfast.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines First Class Breakfast

The beautifully presented Japanese breakfast came on one tray, featuring several different types of dishes. The food here is super fresh and nicely seasoned with authentic Japanese flavours. The only thing is that the portion is a bit too large for me this early in the morning.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines First Class Breakfast

And the fresh fruit and blancmange afterwards are equally fresh and tasty.

Overall, a great breakfast that does lives up to my high expectation for Japan Airlines' First Class.

The Lavatory

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Lavatory

Two lavatories are available for the 8-seat First Class cabin. Despite the age of the aircraft, the lavatories are extremely well maintained, just like the cabin and seats. All the surfaces are clean and shiny.

Bidet toilet is installed, and mouthwash, toothbrush, as well as basic amenities from CPB are provided.

The Flight

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class Seat

It's a redeye flight, so I asked the flight attendants to help me make my bed right after take off. JAL offers both soft and hard mattresses for First Class, a very thoughtful touch. The bedding feels extremely high quality and comfortable, and I had solid few hours of sleep.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER Inflight Map

Waking up near Okinawa for breakfast, with still about 2 hours to go.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER Inflight Magazine

Had a look at the inflight magazine. The promotion material for Hawaii looks so nice!

The Arrival

Silhouettes of Sky - Apron View at Haneda Airport (HND)

Silhouettes of Sky - American Airlines 787-8 N805AN at Haneda Airport (HND)

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines Farewell Message

Landed at Haneda Airport at about 5:30AM, and the sky is still pretty dark. Pulled into a gate next to an American Airlines 787-8. Hate to say goodbye - the JAL First Class experience is such a treat.

Silhouettes of Sky - Japan Airlines 777-300ER JA741J at Haneda Airport (HND)

Silhouettes of Sky - Arrival Area at Haneda Airport (HND)

Silhouettes of Sky - Tokyo Monorail Station at Haneda Airport (HND)

The Conclusion

The JAL First Class flight experience, which I had sky-high expectations for, delivered on every front without a single disappointment. Departing from one of the best airports, enjoying one of the best First Class lounges, flying in what I consider one of the best First Class product, being looked after by the friendliest and most professional cabin crew, and arriving at one of the best airports - this dream combination made it, without question, one of the best flight experiences.

Thank you for exploring this silhouette.

End of Archive

Using Format