I've booked an AAdvantage award trip on Japan Airlines with connecting flights from DCA to JFK on American. The trip is to Bali with a stopover in Japan. I have enough miles to fly first class.

I've learned from posts here that a lot of people pay quite a bit of attention to the type of aircraft they are flying on and how they are configured. So, I've been paying a bit more attention to what I am going to be getting for the 135,000 miles.

The trans-Pacific flights are JAL 5 and 6 and I've got Skysleeper Solo seats both ways (2K and 2A, to be specific). (JAL said the seating configuration is L03 which is not one of the 7 listed for 744s on their webpage). I actually changed my return date so that I could get flight 6 to maximize my award.

The remaining flights are a 747-400 to DPS and then 777 DPS-CGK-KIX. These flights (729, 713, 714) do not offer first class, and I don't know if the bus class seats are the shell sleeper seats.

Considering that half the trip is in business class I am wondering if I should just book the whole trip in business class. Flights 5/6 would have 2-3-2 seating on the main deck in business and 2-2 on the upper deck (I am guessing here).

If you can provide any info that would help me decide between FC and business on JAL, it would be much appreciated. Also, if I choose business class, would the upper or lower deck on a 747 be better?

The new seats on your flight (BTW, they are ONLY available on your flights at this time) are sensational. They are probably the best in the business other than Emirates which some will argue are the best. The one drawback is that if there is a equipment substitution for any reason, well you get the picture....

Anyway, you will have to decide, but I would say go for it. The experience will leave you with memories, almost like extending your vacation. The service is definitely more personal and attentive than Business class, although business on JAL will also get you to your destination in good shape.

The hard decisions in life

I was hoping that you would reply to this, AAFF. Working on a trip report, are you?

Still in Hong Kong. Getting ready to go out and have some fun tonight. Last few days I did all the required shopping and for the last three evenings of this wonderful vacation I'm just going to get stupid.

Will be home on Monday, will try to post trip report Tuesday or Wedesday.

GO FOR IT!!! You only live once!

What is the incremental difference for the business to first class ticket? I don't know if one leg is enough to justify that "loss" of miles. I prefer a 747, any day. Especially for over the water trips. Upper and lower cabins have devotees - the upper usually gets full and sometimes the lower is less full so you can spread out. Since arm-rests are no longer removable, having an empty seat next to you to put your stuff in is sure nice. If you go upstairs, try for one of the seats by the exit aisle. Ten feet of legroom (or so it seems). Bali is a great place to visit - we stayed at the Oberoi and took tours we arranged with cabs at the hotel. We especially enjoyed a shop where all the wares were made by disabled folks - got a batik leather briefcase that gets more compliments!! Happy contrails.......

There's horse racing on Sunday at Sha Tin race course in the New Territories. From Hung Hom station you can catch a train that goes right to the track. Find the member's entrance and show your passport at the ticket window to get into the member's area. That's my idea for a Sunday afternoon in H.K. if you are still there then, AAFF.

I got my itinerary straightened out today. It makes much more sense. (Just at this moment I got my itinerary e-mail from AA and so must call JAL to get my seat assignments. Got it done 7 min before they closed.).

I'll fly JAL flight 5 to Tokyo and visit Japan. Then KIX to DPS. Home by DPS-NRT-JFK-DCA. It eliminates a 24-hour Narita layover going out and a connection in Jakarta on the flight to Osaka. The Osaka->DPS flight will be nonstop! The NRT to JFK flight will be the primo first class on flight 6.

It's not optimal that the flights to/from Bali are "just" business class, but it only cost an extra 10,000 miles over the FC to Japan award. The difference between business class and first class is 25,000 miles, which I think is worth it. The trip is really about Japan, always was. In fact, when I went to Hong Kong last Dec., I thought "this better be good, cause I could have gone to Japan" (it was very good).

I checked the FC seats on Qantas which are not as nice as JAL's and would have cost 10,000 more miles and be harder to get. At the end of Feb I tried to get a Qantas FC AAdvantage award for travel in January (330 days in advance) but couldn't get a seat. So, I tried Japan and Bali for this May and the seats were fairly easy to get (esp. the Bali flights).

I think that the only thing that would change this plan would be United Airlines fare sale between now and March 12 that would have a WAS-NRT roundtrip for under $600 on United at the end of May.

The reason it's sooooo hard to get a Qantas awards is because they release the award seats to their own top status members exactly 1 year before the flight. So when the rest of us mortals finally get a crack at their seats at 330 days, there are not many left, especially in F and also somewhat true for J. Their economy is usually no problem. That's how it works, although I don't understand how OneWorld allows this, but then again, OneWorld has many issues as an alliance.

Anyway, glad to hear you booked. You should have a fabulous time on the JFK-NRT flights.