JAL charges up to ¥10,000 ($100) for extra legroom seats on long-haul routes. Here's exactly which seats cost money, which are free, and which to pick.
On JAL international flights, most standard economy seats are free to select once you book. The only seats that cost extra are the front-row and bulkhead "Extra Legroom Seats" in economy. Here is what you pay, who gets them free, and which seats to actually pick.
- Standard economy seats
- Free to select at booking
- Extra legroom (short-haul, e.g. Japan-East Asia)
- ¥4,000 (~$40 USD)
- Extra legroom (medium-haul, e.g. Japan-Southeast Asia)
- ¥6,000 (~$60 USD)
- Extra legroom (long-haul, e.g. Japan-Europe or North America)
- ¥10,000 (~$100 USD)
- Free extra legroom eligibility
- Full-fare Y class + JMB
- oneworld elite status
- Selection window
- Opens at booking
Which seats cost money, and which are free
JAL splits economy into two tiers for seat selection purposes.
Free seats are most standard economy rows, available from the moment you complete your booking. On JAL's main international aircraft (the 787-9, 787-8, 777-300ER, and A350-1000) these are marketed as JAL Sky Wider seats, with roughly 31-34 inches of pitch and 17-18 inches of width. A window or aisle in the middle of the cabin costs nothing.
Paid seats are the front rows of economy and exit-row/bulkhead positions with extra floor space. JAL calls these "Extra Legroom Seats" and charges a flat fee per person, not per leg. The fee is based on the route region:
- Short-haul (Japan to East Asia, Guam, Manila, Vladivostok): ¥4,000 per person
- Medium-haul (Japan to Southeast Asia): ¥6,000 per person
- Long-haul (Japan to Europe, North America, Oceania, India): ¥10,000 per person
The fee is non-refundable if JAL upgrades you to a higher cabin. You pay it, JAL moves you up, and the fee is gone.
Who skips the fee entirely
Two groups get Extra Legroom Seats at no charge:
- Elite status holders: JMB Diamond, JGC Premier, JMB Sapphire, JMB Crystal, JAL Global Club members, and qualifying oneworld tier members (Emerald and Sapphire).
- Full-fare Y class tickets: If your booking class is Y (the unrestricted full-price economy fare), you can pick extra legroom seats for free at booking.
Discounted economy fares (booking classes B, H, K, M, L, V, S, N, Q, O, T) require payment for the front rows.
Best seats to pick by aircraft type
A350-1000 (used on flagship long-haul routes including Tokyo-New York JFK and Tokyo-London Heathrow): Economy is in a 3-3-3 layout across 155 seats. Rows 40-42 are the paid extra legroom rows. For free seats, window seats in rows 50-60 offer a quiet stretch away from galley noise.
787-9 and 787-8 (used extensively on medium and long-haul routes): Economy sits in a 3-3-3 layout. The bulkhead row (typically row 35 or 36 depending on configuration) is an extra legroom paid seat. Avoid the last two rows — they do not recline fully and sit next to the rear galley.
777-300ER (older long-haul widebody): Economy is 3-4-3, which makes the middle four seats genuinely uncomfortable. Aim for a window seat on the right side (D-E are middle seats, A is always the left window). Exit rows are paid extra legroom seats.
767-300ER (used on thinner regional international routes): A narrower widebody in 2-3-2 layout. Every seat is an aisle or has only one neighbour, making this one of the most comfortable economy cabins in the fleet. Any row works here.
Check the seat map before you book
JAL publishes interactive seat maps on its website under the "Manage Booking" section. Before finalising your reservation, pull up the map for your specific aircraft tail number — configuration varies even within the same fleet type. A "787-9" can have different galley positions depending on whether it flies a Japan-US or Japan-Southeast Asia route.
How to actually select your seat
Log in to jal.co.jp or the JAL app and go to "Manage Booking." Seat maps open immediately after booking for most fare types. Standard seats are free to reserve. For extra legroom rows, you'll see the fee clearly before confirming.
If you are booking through a travel agent or a third-party site, seat selection may not be available until you retrieve the booking directly on JAL's own website using your booking reference.
JAL's online check-in opens 48 hours before departure. Unclaimed free seats are released at check-in, so if nothing appealing is available at booking, check back closer to your flight date.
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