Review | Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is overflowing with lounges. From third party operators such as the Miracle Lounges and Coral Lounges, to airline operated spaces run by carriers like Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines and Japan Airlines, this is easily one of the most lounge dense airports in Southeast Asia, not forgetting Thai Airways’ extensive Royal Silk network.

For most Oneworld flyers departing Bangkok, the Cathay Pacific Lounge is almost always the default choice. It’s familiar, consistently solid, and generally regarded as one of the better lounges in the terminal.

That said, I’ve long been curious about the Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge in Bangkok, and by pure coincidence, I finally managed to step inside albeit with a major caveat. I entered the lounge just 15 minutes before it was due to close.

So yes, while this article reviews the space and food and beverage offerings of the JAL Sakura Lounge, it’s important to caveat that your experience may differ significantly if you visit earlier in the day, when the lounge is fully operational and freshly stocked.

Lounge Location

Lounges at Suvarnabhumi Airport can be confusing, largely because there are simply so many of them spread across different concourses.

For clarity, the Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge is located at Concourse D and sits just a few doors away from the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge.

This is also worth highlighting because the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge is only accessible to Business and First Class passengers. Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald status holders are not eligible for entry.

In fact, I initially made my way to this area specifically to visit the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge, only to find it closed during my visit, which ultimately led me straight into the Sakura Lounge next door.

Lounge Entry

Access rules for the JAL Sakura Lounge follow standard Oneworld Business Class lounge policies. Malaysian travellers holding Enrich Gold status and above are entitled to enter, along with one guest, provided they are departing on Malaysia Airlines or any Oneworld carrier.

There are no unusual restrictions here, and entry is straightforward for anyone familiar with Oneworld lounge access mechanics.

Lounge Space

Upon entering the lounge, the overall design immediately felt familiar. If you’ve visited other JAL Sakura Lounges around the world, you’ll recognise the aesthetic instantly. The interior leans heavily into warm, woody tones, clean lines, and a structured layout that prioritises order over flair.

The seating is thoughtfully arranged rather than densely packed, with clear separation between different seating zones.

You’ll find clusters of armchairs for casual lounging, more upright seating suitable for quick meals, and work friendly areas for those looking to plug in and get something done. Nothing about the space feels chaotic or overdesigned. It’s very much in line with Japan Airlines’ understated and disciplined approach to premium spaces.

That said, the lounge doesn’t aim to impress visually in the way Cathay Pacific’s lounges do. There’s no dramatic lighting, no statement bar, and no “wow” factor. Instead, it feels calm, restrained, and functional, a place designed to quietly do its job rather than steal the spotlight.

Personally, I appreciate this style, though I can see why some travellers might find it a little bland.

Food and Beverage

Given the timing of my visit, I had to move quickly before the kitchen shut for the day. The lounge offers both an ala carte menu and a self serve buffet, which is always a welcome combination.

Apologies for the blacked-out area!

The ala carte menu was fairly extensive, with options ranging from Japanese comfort dishes such as curry to lighter set meals.

I opted for a Japanese style set meal, essentially a simplified teishoku, which came with chicken karaage and some fish paste. While not particularly elaborate, it was warm, satisfying, and very much in line with what you’d expect from a Japanese carrier.

The self serve buffet leaned more toward lighter and vegetarian friendly options, with an emphasis on simple, health focused dishes rather than indulgent hot items.

For beverages, there were self serve iced green tea and iced black oolong tea stations, which felt very on brand for JAL.

The alcohol selection was decent, though not standout. There was a respectable range available, but nothing that would excite anyone who actively seeks out lounge bars.

Compared to the Cathay Pacific Lounge, which offers a full service bar with cocktails and spirits prepared on demand, the Sakura Lounge’s alcohol offering feels noticeably more restrained.

The JAL Sakura Lounge features invididual gender-separated washrooms as well as showers.

Final Thoughts

The Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge in Bangkok is exactly what you’d expect from JAL. Calm, orderly, functional, and quietly competent. It does everything right, but very little that truly stands out.

In my case, the visit was short lived. After spending a few minutes inside, sampling the food and taking in the space, I ultimately retreated back into the comfort of the Cathay Pacific Lounge. Between the livelier atmosphere, stronger bar offering, and overall sense of familiarity, Cathay’s lounge remains my default choice at Suvarnabhumi.

Nothing compares to a delightful Cathay Delight!

That said, I’m glad I finally satisfied my curiosity. The JAL Sakura Lounge may not be the most exciting option at Bangkok Airport, but it’s a perfectly solid alternative, especially for travellers who prefer a quieter, more restrained environment. Just make sure you don’t arrive 15 minutes before closing like I did.