✈️ Follow the entire trip:
3 pit stops to F1 Abu Dhabi
- Trip Planning: 3 pit stops to F1 Abu Dhabi
- Ambassador Transit Lounge Singapore Changi Airport T2
- Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge Manila Airport T1
- Japan Airlines Sky Suite II Manila to Tokyo
- Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge (Sky View) Tokyo Haneda Airport
- Japan Airlines Sky Suite (Apex) Tokyo to New Delhi
- Etihad A350 Business Class New Delhi to Abu Dhabi
- Aloft Abu Dhabi (Pool View Room)
- Andaz Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi (Capital Suite)
- Al Bustan Palace, The Ritz-Carlton Muscat (1 Bedroom Suite)
- W Muscat (Wow Suite)
- Oman Air Business Class Lounge Muscat Airport
- Oman Air Apex Suite Business Class Muscat to Kuala Lumpur
Flight no. | JL 39 |
Aircraft | Boeing 787-9 |
Seat no. | 2K |
Cost | 25k Alaska miles + US$32 (incl. MNL-HND segment) |
Date of flight | November 2022 |
Flight duration | 9 hrs |
I flew in Japan Airlines Sky Suite (Apex) Business Class from Tokyo (Haneda) to New Delhi, after arriving from Manila a few hours prior.

How to fly Japan Airlines Sky Suite (Apex) Business Class
Travellers can redeem miles/points to fly in Japan Airlines Sky Suite Business Class, which is also known as Apex Suite.
Miles from Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, which can be purchased or earned through flying, can also be redeemed for Japan Airlines Business Class at very low rates!
If you are based in Singapore, you can also redeem Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, that can be transferred from most Singapore credit cards.
Sky Suites can be found on all of JAL’s Boeing 777-300ER aircrafts and some Boeing 787-9 aircrafts. Check the seat maps to be sure.

Here’s a quick look at the number of miles and cash required for a one-way Japan Airlines Business Class award booking:
Route (to/from SouthEast Asia) | Alaska Mileage Plan | Asia Miles |
---|---|---|
Japan, S. Korea, China | 25k miles (+~US$60) | 61k miles (+~US$220) |
India | 25k miles (+~US$60) | 70k miles (+~US$440) |
North America | 65k miles (+~US$90) | 85k miles (+~US$110) |
How to find Japan Airlines award space
The easiest and quickest way to search for oneworld award availability is on American Airlines’ website, aa.com.
This is because, you will be able to set filters like “Non-stop flights only”, “Business/First class only” and no. of passengers, and have a lovely calendar view of the award availability (as shown below).
Note: Use aa.com only as a reference and ignore the miles indicated on the website.
When you see availability on aa.com, replicate the search on your preferred frequent flyer program (e.g. Asia Miles) to complete the booking.

Pre-flight
Prior to take-off, I was offered a beverage of choice and I just requested for a bottle of water.

Unfortunately, hot towel service was still missing and I was offered a wet towel in a plastic packaging before take-off.

Japan Airlines Sky Suite (Apex) Business Class
The Sky Suite seats are laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration and can be transformed into fully-flat beds. Because of the ingenious design of Apex Suites, all seats have direct aisle access!
Seats on Boeing 787-9 aircrafts are equipped with the latest MAGIC-VI in-flight entertainment system. Note: Sky Suites found in Boeing 777-300ER aircrafts are equipped with the older MAGIC-V in-flight entertainment system, similar to those found in Boeing 767-300ER aircrafts.
Other airlines offering Apex Suites in Business Class include Korean Air and Oman Air (review coming soon!)


Privacy is fantastic for the window seats, however, the entrance to access the seat is a little narrow.

Apex Suites are really spacious and have fantastic knee room, especially in bed mode.










All that space comes at a price. The window seats do not have proper storage area within reach, when you are seated down.
The off-window seats have better storage compartments right next to the seat.



Bed mode


Dining
It’s no surprise that the food quality onboard this Japan Airlines Business Class flight is phenomenal. This is consistent with my previous experiences with the airline.






However, in terms of presentation, the cheese plate was a let-down.



Airport lounge access
Flying in Japan Airlines Business Class from Tokyo (Haneda) gets you entry into Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge (Sky View) Tokyo Haneda Airport.
It is a beautiful lounge with plenty of natural light and a panoramic view of the apron.

My ratings
This is how I am rating my Business Class experience (vs other airlines):
Seat | 9/10 |
Bed | 10/10 |
Dining | 10/10 |
Privacy | 9/10 |
Storage | 3/10 |
Service | 9/10 |
Cleanliness | 10/10 |
Bottom line
The Apex Suite, also referred to as Sky Suite, provides an excellent amount of room and privacy for passengers travelling in Business Class.
In exchange for the generous amount of space and privacy, the downside is the limited accessible storage compartments. But personally, I would accept that trade-off any day!
One. Single. Almond. LOL!
That gave me the “huhh??” moment too!