It’s one of the best sweet spots in points and miles: you can book Japan Airlines (JAL) first or business class using miles from U.S. partners like American Airlines or Alaska Airlines. I first redeemed AAdvantage miles for JAL first class in 2016 — a one-way ticket to Tokyo for 80,000 miles — and nearly a decade later that same sweet spot still exists. Recently I recreated the redemption, flying Chicago (ORD) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) on a JAL Boeing 777-300ER for 80,000 AAdvantage miles. Here’s how I booked it and what the experience was like.
How to book JAL first class with AAdvantage (or Atmos)
– Price: JAL first-class awards can be booked for 80,000 American AAdvantage miles one-way. Alaska Atmos Rewards can also book JAL, but the same first-class ticket would typically cost about 110,000 Atmos points.
– When to search: JAL opens inventory to partner airlines roughly 11 months in advance. Searching as soon as the schedule opens gives you the best shot.
– Flexibility helps: Award seats are rare and can appear at the last minute. Being able to travel on short notice or shift dates increases your odds.
– Tools to use: Use award search sites like Seats.aero, PointsYeah, or ExpertFlyer to monitor availability and set alerts. American Airlines’ own award calendar can show partner availability, and I used it to snag my seat.
– Search multiple cities: JAL flies a handful of U.S. gateways (NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and others depending on season). Search departures from several cities — you might position to a gateway if necessary.
– Earning miles: AAdvantage miles are earned via flights, partners, and credit card bonuses. Current high welcome offers on co-branded Citi/AAdvantage cards can supply the 80K needed; Citi ThankYou transfers and card offers are other avenues.
Practical search approach
– Start with JAL’s U.S. gateway cities. Do calendar searches for one-way awards and filter for Japan Airlines.
– If a search tool doesn’t show results, set alerts. Seats.aero and PointsYeah will email you when inventory opens.
– Compare tools and AA’s site; occasionally AA’s calendar shows space that third-party searchers miss.
– If you find a flight on Seat.aero or PointsYeah, confirm and then book directly through your AAdvantage account using the JL record locator if needed.
Which aircraft and cabins
JAL operates older first-class seats on Boeing 777-300ERs and newer suites on A350-1000s. The A350-1000s have modern enclosed first-class suites and are being used on some U.S. routes (HND–JFK, LAX, DFW depending on schedule). The 777-300ER first class is dated but roomy and comfortable, with eight seats in a 1-2-1 layout.
Booking and preflight
Once the award is booked, you can manage seats and services through JAL using the JL record locator shown on AA. At my ORD departure, JAL counters weren’t open yet, so I used American’s Flagship First check-in (agents can accommodate partner passengers occasionally), which also let me use TSA PreCheck and the Flagship First lounge.
Cabin and seat
– Seat map: 1-2-1, two rows (eight seats total). I chose 1K; seats have large privacy shields but not full sliding doors.
– Space: Seats are wide (around 23 inches) with substantial padding and a supportive ottoman that can serve as a tiny companion seat (it has a belt).
– Storage and controls: Multiple storage compartments, a vanity, seat controls, headphone jack, USB-A, and AC power. The tray table slides for working.
– Bed: Folds to fully flat, about 79 inches long. Flight attendants turn it down with an Airweave pad, duvet and pillow.
– Cabin feel: No center overhead bins, which opens the space visually but reduces carry-on storage. There are no individual overhead air vents and the cabin can run warm.
Amenities
– At-seat welcome: water bottle, amenity kit (Heralbony), slippers, Panasonic headphones, skin-care samples, and a folio with menus and documents. The amenity kit included high-end Shiseido Men products (cleanser, tonic, cream).
– Restrooms: Maintained throughout the flight with premium Cle de Peau products.
– Wi-Fi: First-class passengers receive a complimentary voucher. Speeds are adequate for email and messaging but not fast — I wouldn’t rely on it for heavy uploads or streaming.
Dining and service
– Predeparture: Hot towel and choice of sparkling wine, orange juice, or water.
– Preordered meals: JAL allows first-class passengers to preorder main meals; I chose the Japanese menu to start immersing before arrival.
– Meals: Amuse bouche, a multi-course Japanese appetizer selection (sea eel, lobster presentation), soup, and a main course (I had beef with vegetables and rice). Dessert included a Japanese gelatin dessert that tasted better than it looked. Midflight ramen, served a few hours before landing, was my favorite dish. For prearrival I had asparagus soup and a cheese sandwich plus cappuccinos.
– Beverage experience: A nonalcoholic sparkling grape juice (Alan Milliat) and JAL’s signature Royal Blue Tea were presented with ceremony; the latter retails at a premium and made for a refined touch.
– Service: Attentive, gracious, and personal. The purser and crew were polished and added small touches (a custom booklet, a small toy, notes in the lavatory).
Inflight entertainment
– Screen: About 22.5 inches on the 777-300ER. Selection was not exhaustive but included new releases and a decent movie list; I watched a ramen documentary, fitting for the flight menu.
Value and final thoughts
– Cost vs. cash: The flight I booked for 80,000 AAdvantage miles would have been priced at about $17,000+ if purchased in cash for a similar date next year, making this a tremendous redemption.
– Experience: The 777-300ER first-class cabin is dated compared with modern enclosed suites, but it’s still spacious, comfortable, and offers excellent service and dining — exactly what you want on a long-haul flight. JAL is updating its long-haul fleet to A350-1000s with newer first-class suites on some U.S. routes, which will be an even nicer product.
– Bottom line: If you can find partner award space, booking JAL first class for 80,000 AAdvantage miles (or ~110,000 Atmos points) is one of the best high-end redemptions available. Use the right search tools, set alerts, be flexible, and you can experience an exceptional transpacific first-class flight without the first-class price tag.
