Air Canada or Japan Air Lines??
 

I am flying from LA to Shanghai, and back to LA from Osaka (Business Class). I got a good fare on Air Canada, flying through Vancouver. I could also fly JAL through Tokyo, and then back non-stop from Osaka, but it is quite a bit more money. I have never flown on either airline. (On AC,they have an interesting seat configuration on a 767, 2,2, and 1; since I am flying alone, I have a single aisle/window seat).

Any opinions on these airlines or routing? Seats, entertainment, service?

Thank you.

Air Canada's 767s are pretty old, and really need refurbishment. From the info I get, there may not be individual video screens for each seat; instead, they hand out portable DVD players for you.

JAL uses 747s for LAX-NRT and KIX-LAX. They have two types of business class seats. According to their website, LAX-NRT has been upgraded to the shell-flat, which gives you a flat (but not horizontal) sleeping position and good privacy. KIX-LAX may use the old type.

But entertainment has to be better on JAL than Air Canada. You need to clear Canadian customs/immigration each way on AC, though clearing US customs/immigration in Vancouver may be preferred over doing it at LAX.

The experience will definitely be better on JAL, in my opinion. But of course the price is different too. Also, Air Canada is part of Star Alliance so you can earn UA miles if you like, while you can earn AA miles on JAL.

Japan Air will definitely be a plesanter flight. If the difference is a couple of hundred dollars I would definitely fly Japan.

Thanks for the responses; they were in line with what I suspected. Unfortunately, I got a great deal on Air Canada, and JAL is literally thousands of dollars more. So unless I find a deal on JAL, AC it will be.

Thank you.

Did you check United Airlines? Sometimes they have great specials in discounted business or "Z" class. Bad news is their transpac business class is no great shakes. Seats are not shell-flat. But, at least you won't have to clear customs twice and may be less air time. They have non-stop to Shanghai connecting via SFO.