Japan Airlines (JAL) serves San Francisco with a daily flight to Tokyo Haneda as JL1. The flagship flight connects downtown Tokyo to an important market for Japan Airlines. At SFO JAL offers a lounge at SFO for it’s one daily flight. The lounge is small and honestly not even worth visiting. However, here are few photos from my visit to the Lounge.
Food and Drink
I know I am not the only who travels for the free food and drink! In fact, before flying JL 1 this week I spent hours drooling over the online menu. Yet before boarding the flight, I was very disappointed to see the lounge offering.
I did not take picture of the pre-packaged food. For those who like chips and other snacks, those too are available. I honestly didn’t try anything. There’s also “sushi” but it’s fish free.
If drinking is more your style there is “Craft beer” which is Anchor steam, some Japanese beer, and other hard alcohol offerings. There was also one Sake and some wine.
Japan Airlines Lounge – Chill
If you want to relax, do not come to this lounge. Two hours before departure the lounge was very full! Here are a couple of pictures of the lounge I was able to get.
The second room in the back was less crowded. However notice there is not power at every seat. Thankfully power is every 2-4 seats so charging equipment is an option. I could not find a shower facility in this lounge.
There is also a VERY small room reserved for first class passengers. This room was also almost full to capacity! I had access to this room as I was flying Japan Airline 1 in first class.
Sakura Lounge SFO Final Thoughts
Upon visiting this lounge, I must say I will not be back. JAL’s partner Cathay Pacific has a beautiful lounge located just down the hall. I walked down the hall to find an empty lounge tha twas open with better food and drink options! Skip the Sakura Lounge at SFO and visit Cathay Pacific’s lounge. The only downside, no made to ordered noodles during the day. The kitchen is only open before Cathay’s departures.
