[ad_1]
I anticipated to take my maiden voyage in Japan Airways first-class again in 2020. On the time, I used to be going to spend just a few days on the Tokyo Olympics, earlier than flying up-front on the 777-300ER from Haneda again to the US. We clearly all keep in mind how 2020 went down.
The silver lining of this? JAL has now launched each a brand new flagship plane, and a vastly superior first-class product within it.
And with out utterly spoiling my JAL A350 first-class overview, I’ll simply say that I’m actually grinning ear to ear as I put together to jot down this submit. JAL’s new first-class expertise is so spectacular that I virtually can’t imagine it’s actual!
JAL’s Wonderful First Class Lounge(s) at Haneda
In case your journey originates in Japan, then your JAL A350 first-class expertise begins earlier than you even board the airplane. I like to recommend arriving at Haneda round two hours prematurely to pattern the wonderful JAL First Class Lounge, positioned throughout from Gate 114. Nicely, lounges—along with the principle lounge space, there’s a particular space known as the JAL Salon, Sushi Tsurutei restaurant and a wierd cigar room (that doesn’t seem to have cigars).
Though I did discover all areas of this lounge, my favourite a part of it was merely sitting at one of many seats overlooking the tarmac, and utilizing the LoungeApp to order fresh-made sushi delivered on to me. JAL now has sufficient A350s in service that I used to be capable of get pleasure from a tremendous view of the plane that will quickly be taking me to Dallas (DFW) as JL12, in addition to planes sure for London, Paris, Los Angeles and New York.
Breaking Down JAL’s Wonderful A350 First Class
Boarding and welcome
Boarding at Tokyo was a bit hectic, since oneworld Emeralds board similtaneously first-class; since we had been sure for Dallas (an American Airways hub), there have been actually dozens of passengers with this standing. Fortunately, I arrived in seat 2A to search out solely two different passengers within the six-person cabin, from the second pursue Mio-san (who served as my private flight attendant handed me my first glass of Salon champagne, I used to be in my very own world.
The “seat”
As is the case with many a JAL first-class overview, I can not emphasize sufficient simply how big and unique JAL’s A350 suite is, with an extra-wide primary seat, an ottoman on the opposite aspect, floor-to-ceiling partitions (and a privateness door that may be closed absolutely after take-off) and a footprint that occupies roughly the identical real-estate as 9 economic system class seats. It’s virtually like having your individual residence (albeit a Tokyo-sized one) within the sky!
Foods and drinks
Past the free-flowing Salon champagne (2013 classic), each facet of the foods and drinks onboard was flawless. I used to be fortunate sufficient to have the ability to eat not solely the Japanese washoku meal, but additionally the wagyu entree, which is technically reserved for passengers who e-book the Western meal. One other surprising spotlight? Okinawan kokuto, a black sugar liqueur Mio-san served me since (shockingly) they didn’t have Bailey’s onboard.
Service and hospitality
One of many issues that, for me, places the JAL new first-class above ANA’s (which, oddly, is best reputed basically) is the service. The entire first-class flight attendants had been continually ready on me, whether or not that was protecting my drinks crammed, providing me on-demand meals, performing turndown service or just chatting me up in both English or Japanese—effectively, apart from when my door was closed. It was essentially the most attentive flight crew I’ve ever had.
Sleep high quality, leisure, et cetera
One other factor I recognize about JAL’s A350 first-class? The truth that there was an possibility for a gentle mattress through the aforementioned turndown service. I didn’t sleep a lot, nonetheless—I didn’t wish to miss the expertise. Leisure-wise, I watched the brand new Snow White (which wasn’t as unhealthy or as “woke” as I anticipated” as a result of restricted choice for having fun with the large 43-inch TV display. I additionally had free WiFi service through the flight.
How I (Lastly) Booked First Class on the JAL A350
As of late 2025, you possibly can nonetheless e-book first-class flights between the US and Japan for simply 80,000 American Airways AAdvantage miles one-way, which is an unbelievable worth. Nonetheless, availability is infamous laborious to come back by, particularly provided that up till just lately, solely New York (JFK) and Dallas (DFW) flights had been served by the A350-1000. So, how did I do it, so as to make this JAL new first-class overview occur?
First, I relentless stalked AA.com, since award search instruments like Seats.aero have a infamous blind spot for American award availability. Secondly, I searched not just for direct flights between HND and DFW/JFK, but additionally journeys originating and terminating in Sapporo (CTS). For no matter purpose, including on this “married phase” unlocks availability that isn’t bookable for patrons beginning or ending their journeys in Tokyo.
Different FAQ About JAL’s A350 First Class
What number of first-class seats are on JAL’s new A350?
JAL’s new A350-1000 has simply six first-class seats, configured in an ultra-exclusive 1-1-1 configuration, unfold over two rows. Every of those big suites occupies about as a lot area as 9 economic system seats, that means that it is likely one of the most spacious seats within the sky, other than an precise non-public jet.
How a lot does JAL first-class value?
In the event you pay money, you possibly can anticipate to pay as a lot as (or greater than) $10,000 one-way to fly in JAL’s A350-1000 first-class between Japan and the US or Europe. Conversely, as of this writing, you possibly can redeem between 80,000-90,000 American Airways AAdvantage miles for a similar flight, pending availability (which is admittedly extraordinarily restricted).
Is JAL’s A350 first-class price it?
JAL’s A350-1000 first-class is, to me, the perfect expertise within the sky provided by an airline that operates from a free nation—sure, that’s deliberate shade thrown at Emirates, Etihad and Qatar. From the large room-sized suite and cozy mattress, to restaurant-quality meals and customized, attentive service, it’s an in-flight expertise you would like lasted twice so long as it did, as a result of it’s simply so excellent and pleasant.
The Backside Line
I hope you’ve loved my JAL A350 first-class overview—and that I haven’t oversold this positively fabulous product and expertise. Having simply weeks earlier than flown ANA’s slightly-less new first-class (which was additionally nice), the bar was set excessive by the point I entered JAL’s A350-1000 and sat down in “seat” 2A, which is absolutely extra like a non-public residence within the sky. Regardless of this, practically each second of the journey exceeded my expectations. I used to be genuinely unhappy when the flight ended! Need assistance placing your Japan journey collectively? Whether or not with discovering award availability or making a customized itinerary, I hope you’ll take into account hiring me to help you.
[ad_2]