JAL to introduce Premium Economy cabin on Sydney route

Japan Airlines will introduce Premium Economy service on Tokyo-Sydney route from December 1 2009.

This probably has to do with JAL's suspension of the second Narita-Heathrow flight (JL403/404) starting from December 7 2009. The once daily flight is operated with a 777-200ER aircraft with W51 configuration.

JAL is offering a special introductory sale in Australia and Japan. A Sydney-Tokyo premium economy roundtrip ticket starts from AU$1,500 (exclude taxes) while a Tokyo-Sydney roundtrip starts from 147,000 yen (exclude taxes). Reservation begins on November 11 2009.

I hope Australian passengers will finally stop complaining about service and IFE offered, and the old equipment used on their routes (they should have stopped complaining about the equipment when JAL switched to 777 and 767 earlier this year).

I finally have seen the award winning JAL Sky Shell seat in person on JL061 last week. I am still not convinced it worths the money for the upgrade if I can preassigned the exit row in economy class. I am not sure if the leg room in PY would be enough for me :P. If you are an Oneworld Sapphire and above, you will get the lounge access anyways. The only different is the amenity. Too bad the entire PY (and Y) cabin was full and I couldn't try out the seat myself. Maybe I will sneak into the PY cabin before they let the economy passengers board and try it out myself on my return flight :P

Source: JAL Press Release