Intro
ZIP Air refusing to let you check in at LAX despite having valid tickets? That’s what happened to me, forcing a last-minute switch to JAL.
What started as a frustrating day became a reminder of why JAL remains one of the most reliable choices for Asian routes – plus they actually put effort into their food.
The ZIP Air Disaster
ZIP Air’s check-in staff at LAX refused to let me board, claiming I needed a Japanese visa even though I wasn’t entering the country.
This was incredibly frustrating.
Their customer service has since ignored all attempts to discuss the issue, which tells you everything about their problem-solving approach. Fortunately, JAL accommodated me the same day, though at additional cost.
While ZIP Air was quick to take money but absent when things went wrong, JAL demonstrated the reliability I’ve experienced with them since 2014.
The KFC Collaboration
That 2014 trip to Japan was specifically planned to experience JAL’s collaboration with Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan.
This wasn’t just marketing but actually became a cultural thing about how KFC became associated with Christmas dining in Japan.
The story goes that a foreign customer visited KFC on Christmas Day requesting turkey. When told they didn’t serve turkey, he tried the chicken and loved it so much that he spread the word about it.
KFC Japan cleverly marketed this as “Christmas chicken,” a tradition that persists to this day.
JAL’s inflight KFC meals came in special collaborative boxes.
Despite being reheated at altitude, the chicken had surprisingly good texture. The cultural significance made the meal memorable beyond just novelty.
LAX to Tokyo
The 10-hour journey included two substantial meal services and galley snacks throughout.
Service began with hot towels, followed by the first meal offering chicken or beef options.
I chose the chicken with rice, though this is where things got interesting.
The main protein was overcooked and rather bland, with a dry texture. The side dishes saved it though.
Cold soba noodles had proper texture, and a subtly sweet and salty dipping sauce provided genuine flavour.
The turkey side dish was surprisingly tender.
When a cabin attendant noticed I’d eaten around the chicken rather than finishing it, she apologised and offered to bring snacks later.
This shows JAL actually cares instead of just doing their job.
The galley visit revealed an impressive snack selection: rice crackers, nuts, Cup Noodles, and various Japanese sweets.
Having these available throughout the flight made the journey much more comfortable.
Two hours before landing, the second meal arrived without choice – scrambled eggs with meat and rice, fresh fruit, yoghurt, and cheese spread with crackers.
This meal worked much better, with eggs that were cooked correctly and still creamy, and meat that maintained a decent texture.
Tokyo to Bangkok
I upgraded to premium economy for the Bangkok connection to compare the dining experience.
JAL’s “Red ร table” service aims to create a warmer, more homely dining experience available in both cabins.
Two main options were offered: Japanese-style beef curry or chicken teriyaki with rice.
The chicken teriyaki was tender and the rice was fluffy, while the fresh salad and side dishes were lovely.
Japanese airlines really know how to do portions properly, with all those little side dishes and extras that other airlines skip.
Premium economy passengers also received champagne and enhanced snack options, which were not available in economy.
Unfortunately, the crew on this sector disappointed with rushed service and minimal communication.
After collecting meal trays, they threw the second service item – corn mayo bread – at passengers.
This was entirely out of character for JAL, and it was my only poor service experience with them across multiple flights.
Conclusion
JAL economy delivers solid value through generous portions, cultural authenticity, and attentive service.
While not every dish is a complete success, the overall dining experience remains consistently satisfactory, even on long journeys.
Despite one disappointing crew experience, JAL maintains the reliability and cultural authenticity that has impressed me since 2014.
Their food works because they pay attention to details and actually care.
They’ve earned loyalty by being reliable and taking pride in their food, from weird collaborations like KFC to everyday meals.
