Japan Airlines review from Melbourne to Tokyo (to Osaka)

When you are planning a trip from Australia to Japan, there is one thing that quickly becomes obvious. There are no direct flights between Melbourne and Osaka, which means you will need to factor in a stopover in Tokyo or another major city. For our most recent family trip to Osaka, we chose to fly with Japan Airlines, booking a route that took us from Melbourne to Narita Airport in Tokyo, and then on to Itami Airport in Osaka. The experience was a mix of good and not so good, but overall it was a reliable way to get to Japan at a reasonable price.

We booked our flights during a sale, which was an important factor in choosing Japan Airlines over other carriers. At the time, adult tickets were available for under A$1,000 each, which was excellent value considering we were travelling during a peak holiday season. For a family of four, airfare quickly becomes one of the biggest expenses of any overseas trip, so being able to save hundreds of dollars compared to competitors like Qantas or Singapore Airlines made Japan Airlines the right choice.

Highlights

Japan Airlines review from Melbourne to Osaka via Narita, covering food, service, entertainment, punctuality, and family travel experience.

Booking Experience

One of the first things we noticed, however, was that the Japan Airlines website felt outdated. While it was functional enough to get us through the booking process, it often gave the impression that it might time out or crash at any moment. The layout looked like it had not been updated in many years and navigation was clunky. If you are used to booking with airlines like Emirates or Singapore Airlines, the difference is immediately noticeable. Japan Airlines may invest heavily in its in-flight service, but its digital experience lags behind.

Despite this, the actual ticketing process went through without issue. We were able to select our seats, manage our booking, and add details for our children. Since we were travelling with a child under two, we knew we would get priority boarding and access to bassinets, which would make things much easier on a ten-hour long-haul flight.

First Impressions and Boarding

Our flight out of Melbourne was an early morning departure, which meant we would be served both breakfast and lunch before landing in Narita. Boarding was punctual and efficient, something that Japan Airlines is well known for. Since we were travelling with a toddler, we were invited to board early, giving us extra time to settle into our seats and arrange our carry-on items. This small detail made a big difference and helped reduce the usual stress that comes with flying with young children.

The aircraft itself was clean and modern, and although the seating was not noticeably more spacious than competitors, it felt comfortable enough for the long journey. We quickly noticed the professionalism of the cabin crew. Every greeting was polite, every announcement was clear, and the atmosphere was calm and organised. Even before takeoff, the efficiency of the airline was evident.

In-Flight Service and Meals

The long-haul flight from Melbourne to Narita was scheduled for around ten hours. Being a full-service flight, we were provided with meals, drinks, and access to in-flight entertainment. The domestic leg from Narita to Osaka was much shorter at two hours, and on that flight only drinks were offered.

Breakfast service on the Melbourne to Narita leg was the first point where Japan Airlines disappointed us slightly. The food was clearly catered locally in Australia rather than in Japan, and unfortunately it was not up to the standard we expected. The hot breakfast meal was bland and unappealing, and while everyone was given the same dish, it lacked variety or freshness. The highlights were the small muffin and the Cocobella coconut vanilla yogurt, which at least offered something light and enjoyable.

Lunch was slightly better, with passengers able to choose between noodles or pasta. However, it still felt more like a generic catering service than the refined Japanese meals we had anticipated. Japan Airlines does allow you to request drinks more often than some other airlines, and we appreciated being able to get two drinks per round. But overall, the food on the outbound flight did not stand out and would not be a reason to choose Japan Airlines again.

The return journey, however, was a different story. Flying from Narita back to Melbourne, the meals were prepared in Japan, and the difference in quality was immediately noticeable. The food tasted fresher, was better presented, and clearly came from a Japanese kitchen rather than an outsourced Australian supplier. This contrast made it clear that the origin of the catering can make or break the dining experience on international flights.

Entertainment and Amenities

In terms of in-flight entertainment, Japan Airlines offered a decent selection of films and television shows. Some of the highlights included content from Disney Plus, such as Shogun and Andor, although only three episodes of Shogun were available, which was frustrating if you wanted to watch the full series. There were also Japanese films and anime, which added some nice local flavour.

The screens themselves were surprisingly good. They were responsive to touch, which is not always the case on older aircraft, and the quality of the picture and sound was strong enough to make long hours of viewing comfortable. While the entertainment library was not as extensive as what you would find on Emirates or Singapore Airlines, it was solid enough to keep most passengers occupied during the journey.

Amenities such as blankets, pillows, and headphones were standard and met expectations. Families travelling with young children were provided with the necessary equipment, such as bassinets, and cabin crew were proactive in making sure parents had what they needed.

Service and Staff

Japan Airlines has a strong reputation for hospitality, and our experience confirmed this. The flight attendants were consistently polite, attentive, and professional. They were not overly intrusive, but they were quick to respond whenever we needed assistance. Compared to airlines like Singapore Airlines or China Airlines, we felt there was slightly less individual attention, but this did not detract from the overall experience.

One thing we noticed was how punctual everything was. Boarding was organised, meal service was delivered on time, and the flights departed and arrived almost exactly as scheduled. This level of consistency is something Japan Airlines is known for and is a major reason why many travellers continue to choose them.

Transit at Narita Airport

One part of the journey that required extra patience was the transit through Narita Airport. Since we were arriving from an international flight and then transferring to a domestic flight, we had to clear immigration, collect our bags, and then check in again. This process was time-consuming and inconvenient, but it is a standard requirement in many countries.

On the return journey, when we were moving from a domestic flight to an international flight, the process was easier. We did not need to collect our bags or re-check in, which saved a lot of time and stress.

The Domestic Leg: Narita to Itami

The short two-hour domestic flight from Narita to Itami in Osaka was simple and efficient. Only drinks were provided, which is normal for such a short route. The crew remained friendly and professional, and the flight departed and arrived on schedule. By this point we were already impressed with the reliability of Japan Airlines, even if the catering on the long-haul flight left us wanting more.

The Return Journey

Our return flight from Osaka to Melbourne was scheduled for a Friday night. This worked in our favour, as the plane was not completely full. The overnight flight had plenty of empty seats, making it easier for passengers to stretch out and rest. For families, this was a welcome surprise, since travelling with children on a packed long-haul flight can be challenging.

As mentioned earlier, the food on the return journey was significantly better. With meals prepared in Japan, the flavours were richer, the presentation was cleaner, and the overall dining experience was much closer to what we had hoped for when booking with Japan Airlines. This improvement left us with a much more positive impression of the airline.

Comparing With Other Airlines

Having flown with a range of airlines including Qantas, Virgin, Singapore, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, China Southern, and China Airlines, we had some benchmarks to compare against. Singapore Airlines, for example, tends to offer a higher level of personalised service, where attendants go out of their way to check in on passengers and offer assistance. Emirates stands out for its entertainment options and luxury touches, while Cathay Pacific provides consistent service across the board.

Japan Airlines fits somewhere in the middle. Its punctuality, politeness, and professionalism are excellent. Its food, however, is inconsistent, and its website booking system feels outdated.

Overall

Overall, Japan Airlines provided us with a safe, smooth and punctual journey between Melbourne and Osaka via Narita. The flights were well managed, the staff were polite and attentive, and the entire experience felt professional from start to finish. While there were areas that could be improved such as the dated website, the uninspiring food served from Melbourne and the slightly less personal service compared to other airlines we have flown with, the positives outweighed the negatives. We particularly appreciated the punctuality, the child-friendly boarding process, and the quality of the food prepared out of Japan.

The in-flight entertainment was varied enough to keep us occupied on both legs of the journey, with a mix of international films, Japanese shows and anime. Although I was frustrated that certain series were incomplete, the responsive screen and easy navigation made the system pleasant to use. The long-haul flight was comfortable, the cabin was clean, and nothing ever felt disorganised or rushed.

On the domestic flight between Narita and Osaka we would have liked to see more than just a drink service, but at just two hours it was manageable. Importantly, both legs of the trip were punctual and efficient which is one of the most valuable aspects of long-haul travel. Delays can ruin connections and add unnecessary stress, but Japan Airlines ran exactly to schedule.

In the end, Japan Airlines lived up to its reputation as a safe and reliable choice. If you are flying between Australia and Japan it is worth considering them, particularly if you find tickets on sale. While food and website design may not impress, the overall reliability and professionalism make it a solid option for families, couples and solo travellers alike.

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