| THE ALVIATOR'S VERDICT Neither of Japan Airlines' business class lounges at Haneda are particularly inspiring, which I think is by design. This one happens to be a lot quieter and I prefer the decor, though it doesn't have showers | 3.5 |
In January 2026, I visited both of Japan Airlines’ business class lounges at their hub airport, Tokyo Haneda. I was able to do this on behalf of my premium economy ticket, as Japan Airlines is one of two airlines that allow premium economy passengers lounge access across the board. In my last trip report I reviewed the main Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge, whereas in this post I’ll review the Sakura Sky View lounge, located one level upstairs.
Japan Airlines highly prioritises efficiency and convenience, and creates high-capacity lounges at their hub airports that deliver the absolute basics. This means that if you’re looking for a “destination at an airport” experience (like you do with other top-rated airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways), you’re not going to get that with Japan Airlines – the airline seems to have zero interest in creating a business class lounge experience that’s worth coming early for.
In this case I’d say I actually felt that the Sky View lounge reflected the above statement less than Japan Airlines’ main lounge. The seating was more varied, and I preferred the decor, albeit the lack of showers. However, this is still a far cry from what you’d expect from some of the lounges I’ve named above, and weaker than my brief experiences with ANA lounges.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge Haneda Access and Opening Hours
The Japan Airlines Sky View Lounge has slightly shorter opening hours than the main Japan Airlines lounge. This lounge is open from 7 AM to 1 AM, whereas the lounge below is open from 5:30 AM until 1:50 AM. At 7 AM, the lounge staff put up a sign encouraging people to use the Sky View lounge upstairs, as the Sakura lounge tends to get really crowded by this time.
Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge Tokyo HND Opening Hours
The Sakura Lounge and the Sky View lounge have near-identical access requirements, being open to:
- Oneworld business class passengers (Japan Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, etc.)
- Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members (Emerald members can also use the Japan Airlines First Class lounge)
- Japan Airlines premium economy passengers
- Japan Airlines economy passengers on a Flex fare
- All Japan Airlines passengers, including economy passengers, on JL41 to London leaving at 1 AM (non-status holding economy passengers cannot use the main lounge, which means they have no access to showers)
I’m going to quickly note that the first two categories can also visit the Cathay Pacific lounge at Haneda. As a premium economy passenger with no Oneworld status, I couldn’t visit this lounge. However, it may be the case that the Cathay lounge will both be quieter, and also have a better food selection, especially because they have a staffed bar, barista coffee, and made-to-order noodles (whereas this lounge doesn’t). That’s something to be aware of.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge Haneda Location
The Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge is located by gate 114 in Haneda Airport’s Terminal 3, in a lounge complex containing both Japan Airlines business class lounges, the AmEx Centurion Lounge, the Delta Sky Club, and the Cathay Pacific lounge. As I’d mentioned in the previous post, for what I otherwise find to be a fairly efficient airport, I was surprised by how poor the signage to the lounge was, as I couldn’t find the lounge complex without searching the location up on Google.
Go up the escalator from the main Japan Airlines lounge and you’ll find the Sky View lounge, on 5/F – two levels above the main concourse. While some airlines choose to space out their lounge locations, Japan Airlines places their two flagship business class lounges atop one another at Haneda Airport, so the Sky View lounge really does act as an overflow lounge.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Entrance
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge Haneda Seating and Atmosphere
The Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge is a large room that’s roughly trapezoidal in shape, partitioned into a few seating areas. I found the seating here to be more varied than what I’d seen at the main business class lounge below.
After heading into the lounge and turning left, I saw an area with some benches, chairs, and tables. These were good places for working, especially given how the (non-universal) power ports were situated. These chairs were laid out in a communal fashion, so they’re good for families or small groups.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Seating
Then further along is an area where you’ll find some armchairs with pillows and much smaller tables, perhaps good for grabbing a coffee or doing some lighter work.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Seating
On the other side, you’ll find seating more suited for dining. There are large communal tables, as well as individual restaurant-style tables with armchairs; you’ll also find some bench seating further into the lounge.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Seating
Then there was a combination of armchairs and high-top seating that faced the tarmac outside.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Seating
I found this lounge more tastefully designed than the lounge downstairs. The most aesthetically pleasing part of the lounge was the far corner, which featured a faux tree centrepiece, and a combination of round and rectangular tables with chairs padded with earthy brown tones. In this area, there were also some seats that looked out onto the tarmac, which I particularly enjoyed (and chose to take a seat here).
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Seating
On the far inner corner of the lounge I found some high-backed chairs with cushions, communal workbenches, as well as some slightly more drab-coloured armchairs.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Seating
The views looking out onto the tarmac were really nice, though not particularly nicer than what you’d get at the lounge downstairs (despite the lounge’s name), since it’s only one level up. The lounge looked out onto some of the Terminal 3 gates, and parked closest to us was a Japan Airlines 787 and Japan Airlines A350 – this particular A350 was headed directly to London, and wouldn’t be taking me to Paris this morning.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND View
WiFi worked well throughout the lounge. I stayed at the lounge for around 45 minutes from opening time until 7:45 AM, and the lounge never filled up too much, unlike the one downstairs.
On the plus side, I found the lounge’s design to be nicer, and there was a slightly bigger variety of seating than the lounge downstairs. However, we’re still talking about a combination of workbenches, armchairs, restaurant-style seating, and not much else – no daybeds, sofas, work pods, etc.. As aforementioned this is likely intentional on Japan Airlines’ part, as the airline is more interested in catering the basics to a larger number of business travellers, as opposed to pampering leisure travellers with the best possible pre-departure experience.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge Haneda Food and Beverage
The Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge features an identical food selection to the main business class lounge downstairs. However, this was located in a centralised area, which was accessible by turning right from the lounge’s entrance.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Food Spread Area
Western options featured chicken and mushroom tomato stew, sausages, soy milk cream rigatoni, and potato wedges. There was also scrambled eggs and pancakes.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Food Spread
There was also a salad bar (where you could find spicy cod roe), pastries, and various cereals during this breakfast hour.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Food Spread
More Japanese breakfast options featured teriyaki mackarel and tamagoyaki, as well as a large rice cooker full of tasty short-grain rice. The JAL special beef curry, clam chowder, and tantan soup are not pictured, though they were on offer at this lounge as well.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Food Spread
As with the lounge downstairs, there’s also a small made-to-order menu, though this isn’t to provide differentiated or signature options – it serves as a “free-from” section, providing halal and gluten-free options.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Order-to-Table Food Selection
In terms of drinks, there was an automated draught beer pouring machine, Michel Tissot & Fils Fête d’Or Blanc de Blancs Brut champagne, and various red and white wines, as well as sake. There was also a coffee machine (no barista coffee here!), as well as an extended selection of liqueurs.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Food Spread
Then in the fridge, apart from beer glasses (for draught beer), there was also tomato juice, iced water, iced coffee, and Japan Airlines’ signature Sky Time drink, currently being made with a peach and grape recipe. While I’m not generally super impressed by the food and beverages on offer here, I do particularly appreciate the draught beer, iced coffee, and Sky Time, which I really liked.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Food Spread
Apart from those drinks options, the lounge food and beverage is unimpressive – the food quality is good, though there’s a limited buffet selection, no made-to-order food beyond the free-from options, and no barista coffee or bar service. I’ve seen a few reviews of what’s available during lunch, and the selection looks equally mediocre – I’m not asking for a sushi restaurant, though at least would’ve appreciated some sort of made-to-order noodle bar (much like ANA or Cathay Pacific).
As with my point above, the lack of investment on this front is probably intentional due to the majority of Japan Airlines’ clientèle, though expect to be disappointed if you’re used to dining at some of the world’s best business class lounges (by international standards).
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge Haneda Facilities
Japan Airlines’ Sakura Sky View lounge has a working copy machine.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Printer Room
There are also changing rooms (don’t worry, the glass in the below photo is fogged). That’s useful, because there are no showers at this lounge, unfortunately.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Changing Room
Additionally, you’ll find some telephone booths lined alongside the edge of the lounge facing the entrance. This is a helpful feature, as you’re otherwise not allowed to make phone calls within the lounge. While I didn’t need to make any phone calls this morning (it was 10 PM UK time), I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to take a work call in an airline lounge (with headphones) and had to talk really quietly and self-consciously, so I’m a huge advocate for putting call booths in lounges.
Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge HND Phone Booth
There are also no massage chairs at this lounge, so if you’re looking for one, check out the lounge downstairs.
Conclusion: Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge Haneda
Japan Airlines’ Sakura Sky View Lounge is quieter and features a wider variety of seating than the main business class lounge, though there are no showers or massage chairs. The food and beverage selection is identical, and I find it to be mediocre. While there are very practical work facilities at this lounge, I don’t otherwise find the facilities to be particularly inspiring.
As mentioned in my review of the main lounge downstairs, Japan Airlines’ business class lounges cater to a different clientèle to me. While I’m an aviation nerd who’s made a career out of how much I care about leisure travel, Japan Airlines seems to have engineered this lounge to best suit the business traveller who has no interest in making a destination out of the lounge experience, as long as there’s an adequate setup for working and taking calls. I appreciate and respect this, though won’t be going to the airport early to visit this lounge in the future.
What’s your take on the Japan Airlines Sakura Sky View Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport?
