Japan Airlines Business Class vs. First Class on the Airbus A350-1000: Review

06.05.2024 - 21:47 / cntraveler.com / John F.Kennedy

Flying on Japan Airlines has always been, well, delightfully Japanese. Think of it as an introduction—or if departing from Tokyo, a bid farewell—to the country’s characteristic tenets of respectful, nearly differential service; seafood-forward and fresh cuisine; and commitment to cultural traditions. (Onboard oshiburi, anyone?) Add in comfortable seats across all cabins—yes, even decent economy ones with 34 inches of recline—and you have an experience worth writing home about. Or at least not complaining to someone about.

As airline competition continues to heat up, especially across Asia and the Middle East, the Japanese carrier is refining things even further. Enter Japan Airlines’ next-generation widebody aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000. The first long-haul-equipped A350 entered service in early 2024 and will eventually become the airline’s gold standard for international routes, including between the US and Tokyo.

I recently traveled on Japan Airlines’ plane of the future, with the difficult assignment of sampling the two most premium cabins onboard. From New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND), I sat in the ultra-exclusive, six-seat first-class cabin and for the return journey, I settled for one of the 54 business class suites.

Here’s what it's like flying Japan Airlines business class and first class on the A350-1000, the latest and greatest from Japan’s flag carrier.

Japan Airlines’ new first class cabin features 43-inch TV screens, built-in headrest speakers, and a personal wardrobe and mini bar.

There is no questioning it: The seats and overall experience on the new Airbus are a major improvement from the Boeing 777-300ER that previously operated this route. (I’ve flown the older generation Japan Airlines aircraft a total of eight times.)

On the A350-1000, the airline has six cavernous first-class suites (we should note that each suite can fit up to three passengers), 54 business-class suites with doors, 24 electronically-reclining premium economy berths, and 155 standard economy-class seats. As for aesthetics, the burgundy color scheme from nose to tail is soothing to the eye, albeit slightly dated-looking.

However, what does get high marks in the looks department are the uniquely Japanese touches and key attention to detail. For instance, the sliding, semi-transparent suite doors of first class are a nod to shoji entrances found in traditional Japanese homes. In business class, the shoji-inspired door makes another appearance, but this time in the form of an elegant full-length wardrobe, perfect for hanging a suit jacket or coat.

Sleek, wraparound ambient lighting—fully customizable through an in-seat tablet—illuminates each first-class pod. Travelers can set the