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The Definitive Guide to Japan Airlines’ Direct Routes From the U.S. [Plane Types & Seat Options]

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Japan Airlines Seat Options by Aircraft Type

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Japan Airlines (JAL) has a well-deserved reputation for having some of the best first and business class products in the world. Its premium cabin products are undoubtedly the best way to fly to Japan with points and miles.

There are tons of different JAL routes you can fly to Japan from the U.S., including a few relatively unknown routes to Osaka.

This guide goes over the absolute best routes on which you can find Japan Airlines’ flagship first class products and multiple business class products.

Update: Due to COVID-19, JAL may temporarily suspend routes, frequencies, and/or aircraft flown. Please check with the airline directly for the most current information.

Japan Airlines operates different aircraft on flights to and from the U.S. In fact, Japan Airlines operates up to 6 different aircraft or variations of aircraft.

As you can probably imagine, it’s of utmost importance to understand which routes have bad seats and which routes have great seats. Otherwise, you may be sorely disappointed by your inflight experience.

We’ve got a lot of ground to cover. Before we get into our customary route and aircraft summary table, let’s look at the different aircraft Japan Airlines uses on flights to and from the U.S.:

• 787-8 (updated)
• 787-8 (old)
• 787-9 Sky Suite
• 787-9 Sky Suite III

Japan Airlines is not known for performing last-minute aircraft swaps. Therefore, the information presented below is as accurate as possible.  However,  it’s important to keep in mind that there may be changes due to unforeseen operational circumstances.

Here’s what the route and aircraft table looks like:

Hot Tip: As one of the world’s top airlines, Japan Airlines has a world-class frequent flyer program to match with its Mileage Bank loyalty program . See our guides on how to earn and redeem Mileage Bank miles for your next flight to Japan !

Japan Airlines First Class Options

This section is pretty straightforward because Japan Airlines only operates a first-class cabin on its flagship aircraft, which is the 777-300ER .

These first class seats look like brown leather armchairs that recline fully into a bed. With a huge 33 inches in seat width, 78.5 inches in seat and bed length, this is one of the most fabulous products you can find.

Japan Airlines first class screams of classic, retro luxury, so it isn’t as showy as, say, Emirates first class , but it’ll leave you wishing your flight was longer.

Seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration across 2 rows at the front of the plane as shown below:

The best seats? All of them are fantastic, but you may enjoy an incremental benefit in row 1 over row 2. Nobody should be walking in front of you, as the lavatories and galleys are located frontward.

If you’re traveling with a partner, seats 2D and 2G will be fantastic. If traveling alone, the 4 windows in the 2A and 2K seats really provide you with that private jet feel.

Nevertheless, the gigantic seats, comfortable bedding, exquisite cuisine, and warm customer service will leave even the pickiest flyers satisfied.

Here’s where you’ll be able to find Japan Airlines operating the 777-300ER:

• Chicago (ORD) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND)
• Chicago (ORD) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT) until February 28, 2022
• New York (JFK) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND) 
• New York (JFK) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND) from March 1, 2022

Hot Tip: Ready to book Japan Airlines first class? Check out our step-by-step guide on the best ways to book Japan Airlines first class .

Japan Airlines Business Class Options

Although Japan Airlines has a pretty straightforward first class product (1 product on 1 plane only), this is absolutely not the case for business class.

Strap yourselves in, because this is gonna get hairy — but so worth it.

All in all, there are 6 distinct business class products to analyze:

• 787-8 Sky Suite (Apex Suite)
• 787-9 Sky Suite (Apex Suite)
• 777-300ER Sky Suite (Apex Suite)
• 787-9 Sky Suite III (Reverse Herringbone)
• 767 Sky Suite II (Thompson Vantage XL)
• 787-8 Old JAL Shell Flat Seat (Angled-flat Seat)

There are a lot of confusing names to remember here, but all you need to know is that you always want an Apex Suite because of its private design.

Let’s talk about the first product, the 787-8 Sky Suite, and why we think it’s the best business class product from Japan Airlines.

All Sky Suite (Apex Suite) seats measure 25.5 inches wide and 74 inches in pitch and bed length, so the consistency is all there. The main reason why we chose the 787-8 as the best is because of its small cabin size.

You’ll be 1 among only 30 business class passengers. Seating is arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration and all seats have direct aisle access. Here’s what the seat map looks like:

As you can imagine, the best seats are in row 8 , since it experiences the least foot traffic.

If row 8 is unavailable, the second-best seats are in row 2 because there’s some decent distance from the lavatories and galleys.

Here are the routes where you’ll be able to find the Sky Suite on the 787-8:

• Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) from March 1, 2022

Hot Tip: The 787-8 can contain either the updated Sky Suite or the Shell Flat Seat, which is an absolute must-avoid. 

The next-best business class seat is on the 787-9, featuring the same Sky Suite.

The main difference is the cabins are significantly larger and can accommodate up to 44 people as opposed to 30.

The 2 mini-cabins in the aircraft are significantly larger on the 787-9:

The best Sky Suite seats on the 787-9 in business class are either 9A/C, 10D/G, 9H/K, or any seat in row 3. These seats are far from the lavatories and galleys.

Find the 787-9 Sky Suite, which is identical to the 787-8 Sky Suite (but with more seats), on these routes:

• Boston (BOS) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT) 
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND)
• Honolulu (HNL) – Osaka (KIX)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Osaka (KIX)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND) until February 28, 2022
• San Francisco (SFO) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT)

The next winner is on the flagship 777-300ER. The business class cabin on this aircraft is arranged in a slightly denser 2-3-2 configuration.

This configuration might sound bad, but because of the design of the Apex Suites, it’s actually a ridiculously private experience, even more so than the reverse herringbone seats.

Let’s look at how these seats are arranged:

Every single one of these seats has direct aisle access, but it ranks a little lower because of the denser configuration .

The seats are identical in size, but the 777 is a wider plane, so another seat will fit in quite nicely.

Still, if you reserve the best seats, which are in row 5 (the private jet-esque mini-cabin), then you won’t notice a thing.

Row 5 is typically blocked off for reservations, so you’ll need to ask the airport check-in representative to assist you on the day of your flight.

If you can’t snag row 5, row 12 is a great consolation prize because it’s all the way in the back and will have less foot traffic. 

Find these seats on the 777-300ER, which is flown between these 4 cities:

The fourth-best seat is a very interesting one. These seats are the brand-new reverse herringbone seats on the 787-9 that Japan Airlines has dubbed  Sky Suite III .

With the seats, you’ll have a slightly different inflight experience which, in our opinion, is not as private as in the Apex Suites.

Furthermore, the seat size is a bit smaller, which is to be expected, as reverse herringbone seats are usually smaller than Apex Suites, despite having a less dense layout.

Sky Suite III seats are 20 inches from armrest to armrest and 77 inches in bed length. Your personal monitor is 17 inches — quite a bit smaller than the gigantic 23 inches afforded in the Apex Suites. 

Even though the seat and TV are both smaller, the product is very new, which is why we’re looking forward to trying it.

In the 787-9, seats are arranged in 7 rows of 4 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration for a total of 28 Sky Suite III seats.

The best seats are in either rows 2 or 6, as rows 1 and 7 are close to galleys and lavatories. 

The Sky Suite III is offered on these routes:

• Honolulu (HNL) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND)
• Honolulu (HNL) – Nagoya (NGO)

Hot Tip: Routes to Hawaii are notorious for aircraft changes without prior notice.

Next up, we have an interesting aircraft: the 767-300ER .

This plane features the Thompson Vantage XL seats, which are staggered and less private than the Apex Suite and reverse herringbone.

The seats are the same width as the Apex Suites (25.5 inches wide) but slightly shorter, measuring 74 inches long as opposed to 78.5 inches long.

If we had our choice of seats, we would always pick even rows in the A or K seats because it’s a true window seat and relatively protected from the aisle. Our first choice would either be 2A/K or 4A/K.

Here are the 767 routes on which the Sky Suite II is offered:

• Honolulu (HNL) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
• Kona (KOA) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT)

The last business class product is not a good choice. These angled-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration are so outdated that we wonder why they’re still used.

We’re talking about the  JAL Shell Flat Seat on the 787-8. Here’s what it looks like on a seat map.

Notice that there are no partitions like with the Apex Suites, so this 2-2-2 configuration does  not feature direct-aisle access for all seats .

Seats measure 22.3 inches wide and 60 inches in pitch, which is starkly smaller than all other business class seats used by Japan Airlines.

On top of that, these seats are all angle-flat, meaning they don’t quite lay flat, even when fully reclined.

These seats are used on 2 routes:

• San Diego (SAN) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
• Seattle (SEA) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT)

Bottom Line: Avoid the 787-8 with the old angle-flat seats. If you find yourself on one of these flights, you might want to pick seats in rows 1 or 2 . These seats are decently away from lavatories and galleys.

Japan Airlines Premium Economy Options

Let’s move on to premium economy seats.

Premium economy is available on 3 aircraft operated by Japan Airlines:

All Japan Airlines premium economy seat lengths are the same at 42 inches in pitch.

The 787-9 is the widest option , measuring 19.2 inches wide. The 777-300ER is 19 inches wide, and the 777-200ER is last, measuring 18.8 inches wide.

Additionally, the 787-9 Sky Suite III offers the most intimate cabin layout with a total of 21 seats across 3 rows in a 2-3-2 configuration. 

The row numbering scheme is 17 to 19 with lavatories located in front of row 17.

The best seats are in row 19 , furthest away from the lavatories and galleys.

You’ll be able to find these premium economy seats on the 787-9 with Sky Suite III seats in business class as follows:

The runner-up in premium economy is on the 787-9 offering the ordinary Sky Suite.

These 787-9s have the same seating arrangement but include an additional 2 rows. These additional seats bring the total seat count in premium economy up from 21 seats to 35 seats.

The seat layout looks like this:

Row 17 is not the best choice because although it’s a bulkhead row, your legroom will be limited and there’s no floor storage.

As a result, we would probably pick row 18 as our first choice, followed by row 19.

Find this 787-9 premium economy layout on the following routes:

Hot Tip: The only difference between premium economy on the 787-9 with Sky Suite seats versus the 787-9 with Sky Suite III seats is 2 rows of seats. 

Third place in our ranking is the 777-300ER . These seats measure 19 inches wide in a 2-4-2 configuration. Let’s analyze the seat map:

The 40 seats are shown above in a 2-4-2 configuration spread evenly across 5 rows.

Since the lavatories are located at the front of the premium economy cabin, it makes the most sense to stay in the farthest back row, which in this case is row 21 .

These premium economy cabins on the 777-300ER can be found on these routes:

There’s a clear hierarchy when it comes to which premium economy seats are preferable.

Bottom Line: The best premium economy seats on Japan Airlines flights to and from the U.S. are on the 787-9 Sky Suite III, followed by the 787-9 Sky Suite, and lastly, the 777-300ER.

Japan Airlines Economy Options

Last, but not least, let’s talk about economy class seats.

Without a doubt, the best economy seats are on the 787-9 . They have some of the largest seats in the industry at 19 inches wide and 34 inches in pitch.

Here’s the full ranking:

• 787-8 Updated

The 787-9 Sky Suite leads the pack because it’s got the biggest seats and the smallest economy class cabin.

With only 116 seats and a large seat size of 19 inches in width and 34 inches in pitch, it’s no surprise that these economy seats get an excellent reputation.

These seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration as follows:

There are no outstanding seats in this cabin, but you want to  avoid row 59 due to its proximity to the galley and row 56 due to its lack of a window.

As far as routes go, these seats are used on these flights:

Next is the 787-9 Sky Suite III, which has a significantly larger economy cabin size of 190 seats as follows:

There are actually 2 mini-cabins, and the best seats are in rows 23 or 24 due to their proximity to the lavatories and galleys.

These brand-new 787-9s are operated as follows:

The next-best economy seats are on the 777-300ER . They’re slightly narrower (less than half an inch) but are almost 1 inch larger in pitch.

That means you’ll enjoy more legroom, but less shoulder room.

These seats are slightly denser in a 3-3-3 configuration:

Row 23 is where the bulkhead is located, and all the seats in row 23 have extra legroom. If you don’t need to deal with a bassinet for a baby , you can choose to sit in the best seats, which are 23A/B/C. 

You’ll be able to find the 777-300ER on the flagship routes as follows:

The 767 has a tremendously wide seat as well: 19 inches wide and 34 inches in pitch.

The relatively dense cabin layout and route offerings are the top reasons why it was ranked lower than the previous seats.

Your experience will consist of 175 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. For a smaller aircraft, this is less than ideal and can present headaches while boarding due to the sheer number of seats.

Here’s how the seat map looks:

The best seats on the 767 in economy are in the bulkhead of row 15, which gives you extra legroom.

The 767 is only operated on these routes:

The second-to-last option is on the updated 787-8s. These seats are 18 inches in width and 33 inches in pitch, making them the second-most narrow economy seats.

Additionally, the seats are configured 2-4-2.

For the most legroom, pick exit row seats 45A/C or 45H/K. Just keep in mind that the lavatory and galleys are located close to this row, so it could be noisy.

These seats are found on the following 787-8 route:

The last and least preferable option is on the old 787-8s, which also feature the worst business class seats that are angled-flat.

The old 787-8s rank at the bottom in economy class seats because the seats are the narrowest: 17.5 inches wide.  This is a significant difference, considering the largest economy seats Japan Airlines has on routes to the U.S. are 19 inches wide.

Also, these seats are shorter, measuring only 31 inches in pitch. With such a tight squeeze and old product, it’s no wonder why the old 787-8 is at the bottom of our economy ranking.

The seat map looks as follows:

You may be able to give yourself more legroom by choosing exit row seats in row 45, but otherwise, it’s best to avoid the 787-8.

The routes that operate these bad economy seats:

There’s a lot of variability in different economy, premium economy, and business class products when you’re flying with Japan Airlines.

The sole first class product is found on the 777-300ER and is phenomenal.

The best business class seats are arguably on the updated 787-8 due to the Sky Suite and intimate cabin setting.

The best premium economy seats are found on the brand-new 787-9s and feature Sky Suite III seats in business class.

The best economy seats can be found on 787-9s and feature Sky Suite seats.

As you can see, the best seats for each cabin are found on different aircraft. Now you have an idea of the complete routes and aircraft used on Japan Airlines flights to and from the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best ways to book japan airlines first class.

Using American AAdvantage miles is a fabulous way to fly from the U.S. to Japan. It’ll only cost you 80,000 AA miles in first class one-way plus around $6 in taxes and fees.

Other options include Alaska Airlines, which allows 1 free stopover, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and Japan Airlines Mileage Bank.

Check out our in-depth guide on the best ways to book Japan Airlines first class .

What are the best ways to book Japan Airlines business class seats?

Using AA miles to fly on JAL business class from the U.S. to Japan is a phenomenal deal at 60,000 miles one-way.

One other option is Alaska Airlines, which charges 60,000 miles one-way and includes a free stopover.

Another option is using Japan Airlines miles, which are excellent for round-trips using the distance-based award chart. Unfortunately, the only transfer partner is Marriott Bonvoy and there are very few ways to earn miles directly.

Check out our guide on the best ways to book Japan Airlines business class .

What's the best way to book Japan Airlines premium economy class?

Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and American Airlines do not allow premium economy award bookings.

Your only options to book premium economy with points and miles are basically using Japan Airlines miles and British Airways Avios.

British Airways Avios has a lot of transfer partners but will cost more than Japan Airlines, which has Marriott Bonvoy as a sole transfer partner.

What's the best way to book Japan Airlines economy class?

Japan Airlines will cost 47,000 to 55,000 miles for round-trip economy depending on how long your flight is.

British Airways will charge 65,000 to 70,000 miles for round-trip economy.

Alaska Airlines will charge 70,000 miles for round-trip economy, including 2 stopovers.

American Airlines charges 70,000 miles for round-trip economy.

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Japan reopens to tourists on guided package tours from 10 June 2022. For more information, please check the page above.

Coronavirus (covid-19) travel restrictions.

Last updated: June 26, 2022

Table of Contents

Measures by the government of japan.

1. Areas subjected to entry ban

2. Denial of the re-entry from designated countries/regions in response to COVID-19 variants of special treatment on border measures

3. Quarantine measures

4. Suspension of visa validity

5. Suspension of visa exemption measures

6. Restrictions on airports/ports for arrival

7. Entry of foreign nationals with special exceptional circumstances

8. Fast Track

9. Visit Japan Web

10. Installation of apps and other requirements upon entry into Japan

All coronavirus-related information on this website is gathered from the government ministries and authorities responsible for handling COVID-19 restrictions and measures. Due to the regularly changing situation and the constant updating of information, it is essential that you always check for updates and follow the latest guidance from the relevant ministries and official bodies.

Information about entry into Japan

For the time being, foreign nationals who have stayed in any of the areas listed in the following table within 14 days prior to the application for landing are denied to enter Japan, unless special exceptional circumstances are found. Note that foreigners from the countries/regions where the entry bans do not apply are not denied to enter Japan, even when traveling via those countries/regions listed in the table for refueling or transit purpose. Those who entered those countries/regions are, however, subject to the entry ban.

Please see the following page for further information about the denial of landing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The re-entry into Japan of foreign nationals with status of residence who have stayed in designated countries/regions in response to coronavirus variants of special treatment on border measures within 14 days prior to the application for landing are denied for the time being, unless there are special exceptional circumstances.

The current quarantine measures are subject to change regularly.

From 12:00 am (Midnight/JST) December 2, 2021, as an emergency precautionary measure from a preventive perspective against coronavirus variant Omicron (B.1.1.529), validity of visas already issued by December 2, 2021 is suspended except for the status of residence of “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National”, “Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident” or “Diplomat”. This measure does not apply to foreign nationals who departed from overseas before 12:00 am (Midnight/JST) on December 2, 2021 and arrive in Japan after the time.

As for visas already issued under “Business Track” or “Residence Track” and visas issued based on “New border measures (4)” , for the time being, validity of those visas has been suspended from 12:00 am (Midnight/JST) on January 21, 2021, based on the announcement of the Government of Japan dated on January 13, 2021.

Validity of visas listed below is suspended for the time being.

(1) Single and multiple-entry visas issued by March 8th, 2020 by Japanese Embassies or Consulates General in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and Republic of Korea

(2) Single and multiple-entry visas issued by March 20th, 2020 by Japanese Embassies and Consulates General in the following countries

(3) Single and multiple-entry visas issued by March 27th, 2020 by Japanese Embassies and Consulates General in the following countries

(4) Single and multiple-entry visas issued by April 2nd, 2020, by Japanese Embassies and Consulates General located in or accredited to the following countries and regions

As visa exemption measures with the countries/regions listed below are temporarily suspended, those who fall under the measures are required to obtain visas before visiting Japan. The measures will be in place for the time being.

(1) Visa exemption measures agreed with Japan and the following countries and regions

(2) The effect of Pre-Clearances (i.e. visa exemptions) granted by the Japanese Government to APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) issued by the following countries and regions is also suspended.

The Government of Japan announced some measures concerning arrivals at airports/ports.

These measures will be in place for the time being.

Currently, all foreign nationals who wish to newly enter Japan need to apply for a visa except for those with re-entry permit.

Foreign nationals who are entitled to enter Japan as those with special exceptional circumstances are required to apply for an appropriate visa at Embassies or Consulates or Consular Office of Japan (for Taiwan, Taipei Kaohsiung offices of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association) in your country/region.

Quarantine procedures at the airport could be pre-registered to save your time. You can register required documents such as Negative Test Certificate, Questionnaire with "MySOS" application. Fast Track is available for those entering from major airports, such as Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu Airport, Kansai Airport, and Fukuoka Airport. Visit the  MHLW Fast Track website  for the latest information.

Visit Japan Web is a convenient way to register information for quarantine, immigration and customs procedures before you enter Japan. You can upload an electronic certificate of a negative COVID-19 test result for a test conducted within 72 hours of travel, and generate a QR code. The service is available in English and Japanese.

• Installation of MySOS, the Health and Location Monitoring App

(It will be used to confirm your current location, health condition, and accommodation)

• Setting up your smartphone to save location records
• Installation of COCOA, the COVID-19 Contact Confirming App

(It will be used to notify you of possible contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive)

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The Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. This means starting May 12, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. CDC’s Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic will no longer be in effect when the Presidential Proclamation Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic is revoked .

Please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/01/the-biden-administration-will-end-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federal-employees-contractors-international-travelers-head-start-educators-and-cms-certified-facilities/

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic Refunds of Airline Tickets and Ancillary Service Fees

Rule makes it easy to get money back for cancelled or significantly changed flights, significantly delayed checked bags, and additional services not provided  

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed. The new rule makes it easy for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their checked bags, or fail to provide the extra services they purchased.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg . “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”  

The final rule creates certainty for consumers by defining the specific circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds. Prior to this rule, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund. As a result, refund policies differed from airline to airline, which made it difficult for passengers to know or assert their refund rights. DOT also received complaints of some airlines revising and applying less consumer-friendly refund policies during spikes in flight cancellations and changes. 

Under the rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:

• Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.  
• Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.  
• Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

DOT’s final rule also makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. In addition, passengers would receive a travel credit or voucher by default from some airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process.  

The final rule improves the passenger experience by requiring refunds to be:

• Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.   
• Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.  
• Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.    
• Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines.

The final rule also requires airlines to provide prompt notifications to consumers affected by a cancelled or significantly changed flight of their right to a refund of the ticket and extra service fees, as well as any related policies.

In addition, in instances where consumers are restricted by a government or advised by a medical professional not to travel to, from, or within the United States due to a serious communicable disease, the final rule requires that airlines must provide travel credits or vouchers. Consumers may be required to provide documentary evidence to support their request. Travel vouchers or credits provided by airlines must be transferrable and valid for at least five years from the date of issuance.

The Department received a significant number of complaints against airlines and ticket agents for refusing to provide a refund or for delaying processing of refunds during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, refund complaints peaked at 87 percent of all air travel service complaints received by DOT. Refund problems continue to make up a substantial share of the complaints that DOT receives.

DOT’s Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration

Under the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Department’s history.

• Thanks to pressure from Secretary Buttigieg and DOT’s flightrights.gov dashboard, all 10 major U.S. airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov .  
• Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.   
• Under Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.  
• DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable, and protect the rights of the traveling public.  
• In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the U.S. was a record low at under 1.2% — the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel.  
• DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs.

In addition to finalizing the rules to require automatic refunds and protect against surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would:

• Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, and the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.  
• Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.   
• Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity . The comment period on this proposed rule closes on May 13, 2024.

The final rule on refunds can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news and at regulations.gov , docket number DOT-OST-2022-0089. There are different implementation periods in this final rule ranging from six months for airlines to provide automatic refunds when owed to 12 months for airlines to provide transferable travel vouchers or credits when consumers are unable to travel for reasons related to a serious communicable disease. 

Information about airline passenger rights, as well as DOT’s rules, guidance and orders, can be found at   https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .

Non-Stop to New York? Japan Airlines Boosts Flights with Bigger Planes

J apan Airlines (JAL) is giving flyers a reason to cheer! They’re adding more flights and upgrading their planes on the popular route between Tokyo (Haneda Airport) and New York (JFK Airport) this summer.

Starting July 1st, JAL will be flying to New York twice a day using their fancy new Airbus A350-1000 planes. These planes will be the main option for this route, with some Boeing 777-300ERs still flying occasionally.

This means more flights and potentially a more comfortable flying experience on the Airbus A350s during peak travel season.

The number of seats offered will go up slightly in July compared to June, but it will be a little lower than May because May has more days. Flights in June will be similar to April before the switch to mostly A350s in July.

It looks like JAL might eventually use only the A350s on this route in the future, but for now, there will still be a few Boeing 777s flying between Tokyo and New York.

So what’s so special about the A350?

JAL says their A350s are super comfy and have plenty of space for 239 passengers. First class sounds amazing – spacious suites with big comfy seats, big screens, and even a choice of mattress sizes! Business class isn’t too shabby either – lie-flat seats, personal screens, and all the legroom you could ask for. Premium economy gets recliner seats with privacy dividers and legrests that go all the way up. Even coach seems a little nicer with standard seats.

New Flights, New Competition

JAL started using the A350 on this route in January, and now their partner American Airlines is joining the party in June with daily flights on their own planes (Boeing 777-200ERs). More choices for travelers means more competition, which can sometimes lead to better deals!

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

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Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

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Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .