Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines provides a halal-certified Muslim meal, certified by Japan Islamic Trust, on all international flights departing Japan, in all classes. It contains no pork, pork products, gelatin, alcohol, alcohol-derived flavourings or seafood without scales or fins, and is ordered in advance. JAL states that meals on other flights are not halal certified, and the Muslim meal cannot be ordered on the Kona to Narita flight (JL779).

Japan Airlines says it received halal certification from Japan Islamic Trust (JIT) for the whole processing of its Muslim meal menus on all international flights departing Japan. A Muslim travel site says the certification covers the ingredients, the production factory and the dishware. We found no register on JIT's own site to confirm it from the certifier's side.

A FlyerTalk poster describes the economy Muslim meal on Haneda to Dallas, served with excellent service, and says special meals are confirmed at check-in; the same poster nearly lost an upgrade because JAL could not guarantee the Muslim meal in business class. Salam Groovy Japan describes a Muslim meal of spicy chicken rice on its flight, and advises choosing the Muslim meal when booking, since it is not served otherwise.

JAL says codeshare flights operated by other airlines may not provide special meals.

JAL's business class drinks include Charles Heidsieck champagne and seasonal Japanese sakes, alongside OPIA, a non-alcoholic sparkling drink certified vegan and halal. Its Haneda lounge has a Bar zone with sake selected by Hasegawa Liquor Store and Joseph Perrier champagne. We found no JAL policy on dry routes.

Narita Airport has prayer rooms in Terminal 2 before and after security for international flights. Haneda Airport has prayer rooms with purification facilities in Terminals 2 and 3, and none in Terminal 1. These are airport facilities, open to all passengers.

JAL's A350-1000 seat map legend lists a "Lavatory with multi function bidet" as a separate lavatory type. JAL does not say which cabins have it.

The JAL Group Code of Conduct says the group respects all stakeholders, including customers, and does not discriminate on the basis of religion, among other attributes. A FlyerTalk poster says a flight attendant blanched when asked for a gin and tonic with a Muslim meal but served both with a smile, and that the service was excellent.

JAL Group's human-rights page describes a grievance handling mechanism through which suppliers, customers and employees can raise human-rights concerns, with reporting kept confidential.

JAL lets passengers select seats when booking, in First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy, on normal fares, individual discount fares, award tickets and individual inclusive tour fares; its paid seat service covers extra-legroom economy seats. Some discount booking classes (L, V and S to and from Honolulu, Kona and Guam, and Q, N, O and Z) are limited to seats at the rear of the aircraft.

JAL's Haneda to Doha route is the first direct flight by a Japanese airline to the Middle East; onward connections from Doha are on Qatar Airways. We found no JAL flight to Saudi Arabia.