Flight review: Japan Airlines B777-300 business class – Business Traveller

Ahead of arriving, passengers are provided with a customs form and an immigration form (though I had already filled in online).

We arrived at 1700 local time, with a very smooth landing and quick disembarking. As soon as you exit the aircraft, there are huge numbers of staff who present you with a laminated health card if you have completed the My SOS app.

You are then guided to a room with many desks where staff check your app – make sure to sign up to the airport wifi as it doesn’t work otherwise. Next is immigration and you are asked to scan your fingers, with a photo taken of your face – a disturbing sight after little sleep.

This whole process was speedy and very well-run – though I imagine it is different now that there’s a new online portal.

I waited for my luggage for about ten minutes and then made my way to the check-in desk to drop off my bag for my connecting flight. This is located on the same floor as arrivals, but you then have to get a free shuttle bus to the domestic terminals (Terminal 1 and 2), which was very busy at this time of the day (around 5.30pm).

I had my first Lost in Translation moment when we arrived at the domestic terminal, doing pirouettes as I tried to find the right security control for my flight. Eventually, after staring at signs in Japanese for far too long, I gave up and just showed my boarding pass to one of the guards at a security gate and they let me through.

I headed to JAL’s Sakura Lounge, hoping to get some work done over some dinner as I had four hours before my next flight. My plan didn’t quite work out as the domestic lounge does not serve food (apart from individual rice crackers). If you’re only thirsty then this long room is a good spot for hydrating and catching up on work, with various private spots, including massage chairs, and tarmac-facing tables with USB and plug sockets.

My flight to Kansai International was at 2055, operated by a 165-seat B737-800 aircraft. This is configured with two cabins, with 20 wide and comfy business class seats in a 2-3 configuration across four rows, and 145 economy seats in a 3-3 configuration. The flight was very smooth and quick so I don’t have much to add, though it’s worth noting that you are only served soft drinks on this flight. We landed at 2210, five minutes ahead of schedule, and arrival was trouble-free as I had already sorted customs in Tokyo.