Japan Airlines
✈️ Full-Service · Luxury · Star Alliance

Japan Airlines (JAL) Review, Baggage Rules and Services

Everything you need to know about Japan Airlines (JAL) — baggage allowances, cabin classes, routes, and what makes it one of Asia's most respected carriers.

4.7
★★★★★
Japan Airlines (JAL) · Luxury Travel
✈️ Check Japan Airlines (JAL) Flights on Expedia
JAL
Est. 1951 · Tokyo
Luxury
Japan Airlines Boeing 767 at Tokyo Haneda

Japan Airlines Boeing 767 at Tokyo Haneda

1

Quick Facts

Key information about this airline at a glance

Airline NameJapan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL)
Founded1951
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
AllianceStar Alliance
Fleet Size~170 aircraft
Destinations90+ worldwide
Airline TypeFull-Service (Luxury)
Annual Passengers~35 million
Hub AirportTokyo Haneda (HND), Tokyo Narita (NRT)
Explorelio Rating⭐ 4.7 / 5
2

Airline Rating Breakdown

Explorelio scores based on passenger experience and industry data

Service
★★★★★
4.9 / 5
Comfort
★★★★★
4.8 / 5
Value for Money
★★★★☆
4.1 / 5
Punctuality
★★★★★
5.0 / 5
Baggage Policy
★★★★★
4.8 / 5
Route Network
★★★★☆
4.3 / 5
3

Baggage Allowance

Japan Airlines (JAL) offers generous baggage allowances included in every fare. See our full airline comparison for a side-by-side view.

🎒 Cabin Baggage
Carry-on bag (all fares)55 × 40 × 25 cm
Weight limit10 kg
Personal itemLaptop bag / handbag
🧳 Checked Baggage
Economy — 2 × 23 kgIncluded
Premium Economy — 2 × 23 kgIncluded
Business Class — 2 × 32 kgIncluded
First Class — 3 × 32 kgIncluded

💡 Tip: JAL includes 2 checked bags in Economy — more generous than most airlines. Use Expedia to compare fares across travel dates. Planning a Japan trip? See our Tokyo itinerary.

💡 Compare total prices before booking
Baggage and meals included in every fare. Compare JAL prices with other premium airlines on Expedia.
Compare Japan Airlines Flights on Expedia →
4

Cabin Classes

Japan Airlines (JAL) offers four cabin classes — from Economy to First Class with Japanese omotenashi hospitality

Economy Class
Standard fare
  • 2 × 23 kg checked bags included
  • Seat pitch: 81–86 cm
  • In-flight entertainment included
  • Meals and drinks on long-haul
Business Class
JAL Sky Suite — lie-flat seats
  • 2 × 32 kg bags included
  • Lie-flat bed, direct aisle access
  • Premium Japanese and Western dining
  • Lounge access included
5

Fleet Overview

JAL operates a modern mixed Boeing and Airbus fleet across domestic and international routes. Compare with other carriers on our airline comparison page.

AircraftSeatsUsed forFleet Count
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner186–246Long-haul international routes~40
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner215Long-haul flagship routes~30
Boeing 777-200ER244–375High-density long-haul~15
Airbus A350-900369Domestic and short-haul routes~13
Japan Airlines Airbus A350 at gate during sunset

JAL Airbus A350 at gate during sunset

6

Route Network

JAL connects Japan with 90+ destinations across Asia, Europe and the Americas. Check our destination guides and travel itineraries for trip ideas.

🇯🇵 Japan (Domestic)
  • Tokyo Haneda, Narita
  • Osaka, Sapporo
  • Okinawa, Fukuoka
  • Nagoya, Hiroshima
🌏 Asia
  • Beijing, Shanghai
  • Seoul, Hong Kong
  • Bangkok, Singapore
  • Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta
🌍 Europe
  • London, Paris
  • Frankfurt, Helsinki
  • Moscow, Madrid
  • Rome (seasonal)
🌎 North America
  • New York (JFK), Los Angeles
  • San Francisco, Chicago
  • Dallas, Boston
  • Vancouver, Honolulu
7

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros
  • 5-star Skytrax rating, top-5 airline globally
  • 🍱 Exceptional Japanese omotenashi service
  • Outstanding punctuality — best in industry
  • 🎒 2 checked bags included in Economy
  • 🛏️ Award-winning JAL Sky Suite Business Class
❌ Cons
  • 💰 Premium pricing compared to budget carriers
  • 🔄 Connections usually required via Tokyo
  • 🌍 Smaller network than Gulf carriers — check our airline comparison for alternatives
  • 🏙️ Fewer direct European routes than some rivals
  • 📱 App and website can be less intuitive
Japan Airlines Boeing 767 climbing after takeoff

Japan Airlines Boeing 767 climbing after takeoff

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Compare Japan Airlines (JAL) With Other Airlines

See how JAL stacks up against other premium carriers

9

How to Book Japan Airlines (JAL) Flights

Find the Cheapest Fares

JAL fares include baggage and meals — compare prices across travel dates to find the best deal. Use Expedia to search alongside other premium carriers. Also check our airline comparison page.

✈️ Compare Flights on Expedia
10

Contact Information

🌐
Official Website
📞
Customer Service
+81 3 5460 0511 (JP)
📍
Headquarters
Tokyo, Japan
11

Frequently Asked Questions

How much baggage does Japan Airlines (JAL) include? +
All fares include checked baggage — Economy gets 2 × 23 kg, Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg, Business Class 2 × 32 kg, and First Class 3 × 32 kg. Cabin bag allowance is 10 kg across all classes.
Is Japan Airlines (JAL) worth the price? +
Yes — it holds a 5-star Skytrax rating and is regularly ranked among the world's top airlines. The premium is justified by impeccable Japanese hospitality, generous baggage, excellent punctuality, and a highly regarded Business Class product.
What is JAL Business Class like? +
JAL Sky Suite Business Class features a lie-flat bed with direct aisle access from every seat, premium Japanese and Western dining, and a large personal entertainment screen. It is widely regarded as one of the best Business Class products in Asia.
Does Japan Airlines (JAL) fly from Europe? +
Yes — it operates non-stop flights from London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Frankfurt and Helsinki to Tokyo. Connections via Tokyo are available to many domestic Japanese and Asian destinations.
How does Japan Airlines (JAL) compare to ANA? +
Both are world-class Japanese carriers with very similar quality levels. JAL is often praised for its punctuality and hospitality, while ANA is rated slightly higher for in-flight product innovation. See our airline comparison page for the full breakdown.