Introduction

This is my review of JAL Sky Suite, which is installed on their Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 777’s.

The seat’s feature is a ‘stepped’ design, meaning that the cabin has them in 2-2-2 configuration. For various reasons, I am not a huge fan of this seat or its design.

Instructions

One thing I always find interesting about Japanese culture is their attention to detail and provision of information. Whilst Qatar Airways play a video of their Q-Suite; JAL have a very detailed set of instructions!

Layout and Design

On the Boeing 777 the seating layout is in 2-2-2. There is a ‘front area’ which has 6 x Sky Suites, and then behind the galley another 36 Sky Suites.

There are no doors to the Sky Suites, and not a huge amount of privacy. Privacy is sort of obtained by having the suites ‘stepped’, meaning that there is direct aisle access.

To get privacy between you and your neighbour, there is an electric screen which comes up and down. However, when it’s down, there isn’t much privacy at all, and you can see all the way across the aircraft!

In many respects, this is a very similar product to BA’s Club World offering, apart from you’re not awkwardly facing your neighbour, nor jumping over a foot rest to get to the aisle!

Table

The table sits in the side console, and flips out. Because of the design of the window seat version, when the table is out, you’re pretty much trapped.

You can rotate the table to 90 degrees, but I found I caught things on the table on my way out!

The table is a reasonable size, big enough for a laptop to do work on – however that’s about it, and with there being no side console (unlike, other airlines) – I found it quite difficult to work on with a laptop and paperwork. 

Seat Control

The seat is controlled via small keypad to the right of the seat. I found the seat very comfortable, and could manoeuvre it perfectly for eating, sleeping and working. However, the massage function did not work – and the keypad was clearly worn. 

Storage

I found storage to be one of the most annoying things about this seat. Whether its BA’s Club Suites, Qatar’s Q-Suites, or American’s Flagship Business; they all offer a side console and somewhere to put stuff. Even BA’s ‘old’ Club World has a draw.

Unfortunately, there was nowhere to put anything, other than the foot rest or a small shelf in front of the TV. However, the ledge in the front of the TV was too far to reach to pick things up – especially when ‘trapped’ with the table out.

I did use a little ledge on the side for storing some things – but it’s not wide enough for glasses. 

Some of the other seats I noticed had netting where you could place items, which would have been useful – however, I didn’t have this.

Ultimately, in my view, storage is pretty poor – there is nowhere to store all the faffy bits, like your phone, cards, a wallet, etc.    

Lighting

For some reason JAL opted to remove overhead lighting, so the only reading light is the one mounted in the back of the seat. Unfortunately, this gets blocked by your shoulder!

With that said, there are 4 windows per Sky Suite, if you have a window seat – so if your neighbour doesn’t mind, there is plenty of natural light! 

Power & Charging

There is a single USB outlet for charging. There is also a mains socket – however if you’re traveling from the UK, but aware there is no 13A socket! Luckily I carry a number of adaptors, so it wasn’t an issue for me.

Air Conditioning

Unfortunately, there are no nozzles above the seats for individual air conditioning control. I actually found this quite annoying, as the temperature on the plane seemed to go from boiling to freezing fairly quickly!  

Conclusion

The Sky Suite is of course a comfortable way of flying for around 15 hours.

However, there are (in my view) multiple flaws to this seat; such as privacy, storage and lighting. JAL look to have an incredible new product on their A350 – but to compete with the many other quality carriers, I believe they need to relook their offering of the Sky Suite..