Is it Price Flying First Class to Japan?

I’ve misplaced county of what number of instances I’ve flown in enterprise class, to Japan and in any other case. Actually, aside from throughout and simply after the pandemic, I don’t suppose I’ve taken a single flight over 12 hours in regular financial system class.

I don’t say this to brag, however to contextualize as we speak’s submit: For a very long time, enterprise class was “sufficient” for me. It nonetheless is, if we’re being trustworthy, but it surely wasn’t till just lately that I used to be even inquisitive about how firstclass completely different from enterprise, within the context of journey to Japan and in any other case.

I’ve just lately flown each of the nation’s current-best firstclass merchandise, nevertheless. Because of this, I now really feel I can weigh in on the million-yen query: Is it price flying firstclass to Japan?

Why I Lastly Splurged on First Class to Japan

Though I want I may let you know there was some inciting incident that impressed me to fly Japanese firstclass, in the end, that’s merely not the case. Somewhat, I made a decision (in early 2020 particularly, earlier than covid messed my enterprise up for years on finish) that I needed to evaluate ANA and JAL in firstclass, so as to add to the enterprise class content material I’d created for each carriers.

That was the primary piece. The second? Frankly, I obtained higher at incomes and managing my miles and factors, thanks each to elevated earnings, extra environment friendly leveraging of bank card bonuses and automatic instruments like Seats.aero. I turned laser-focused on dates that may work for every redemption, and made certain that I had the assets at any given time to e book the flights I needed. When the time got here, all I needed to do was click on!

Causes to Think about Flying to Japan in First Class

Expertise on the bottom

 

Whether or not we’re speaking in regards to the ANA Suite Lounge or the JAL First Class Lounge, the bottom expertise (a minimum of originating in Tokyo) is totally fabulous should you fly in firstclass on both of those carriers. There are barely fewer advantages in case your beginning your journey abroad, although I did recognize how in Chicago (prematurely of my ANA flight), I used to be ready sit in a portion of the gate space that had been cordoned off from the chaos.

Onboard service

 

Is JAL firstclass price it? Effectively, should you worth having all of your wants met and even anticipated, then I’d say it definitely is. ANA had nice service, too, however for me JAL merely took it to a different, with polished {and professional} flight attendant who can be at my seat with one thing earlier than I even knew I needed it (with loads of poise and finesse, no much less!). No complaints right here for both Japanese provider.

(And sleep!)

 

Your mattress shall be giant and comfy when flying firstclass to Japan, no matter which provider you select, or which product is onboard. Importantly, in contrast to enterprise class, the mattress is full-width, permitting you to sleep in any place with no need to contort your self. Furthermore, you’ll be provided each turn-down service and pajamas. The one factor in your agenda shall be closing your eyes and falling asleep!

Unique food and drinks

 

If you happen to take firstclass to Japan on a Japanese provider, you’ll be provided a alternative of a Western meal and washoku, or multi-course Japanese eating. Irrespective of which of those you decide, you’ll get pleasure from restaurant-style eating, with fantastic wines, champagne and sake, to not point out different exclusives, comparable to caviar, a full bar and different treats. JAL provided me kokuto, a black sugar liqueur from Okinawa.

Award redemption alternatives

 

There are fewer firstclass seats on every airplane than there are enterprise class seats, with simply 6 F seats on JAL and eight on ANA, in comparison with a number of dozen in biz. Because of this, it’s tougher to return throughout award availability for first than it’s for enterprise. Alternatively, should you’re in a position to snag a ticket, you can spend as little as 80,000 American AAdvantage miles to “purchase” a ticket that may price over $10,000 if paid in money.

Why Enterprise Class May Be Enough

I’ll be trustworthy: Though I don’t plan to turn out to be obsessive about discovering firstclass awards to Japan once more anytime quickly, I’d splurge on one other firstclass ticket in a heartbeat, if the chance offered itself. On the similar time, from a purely sensible perspective, enterprise class affords a lot the identical expertise as firstclass, most significantly a lie-flat mattress (and, on ANA’s refurbished 777s and JAL’s A350s, a privateness door).

The query, to make certain, shouldn’t be “is ANA firstclass price it?”—it definitely is, if in case you have the assets essential to e book it with out inflicting your self an excessive amount of monetary stress. Somewhat, aside from particular events (or, should you’re a blogger like me, to do your personal evaluate), it is perhaps higher to spend barely (OK, a lot) much less and fly enterprise class, and dedicate more money to your on-the-ground expertise in Japan.

Different FAQ About Flying First Class to Japan

How a lot is 1st class to Japan?

A primary-class flight between the US or Europe and Japan can simply price $10,000 (greater than 1 million Japanese yen!) one-way or $20,000 round-trip. For many vacationers, the one real looking approach to get pleasure from this expertise is utilizing frequent flyer miles, which as of 2025 can price upwards of 220,000 United MileagePlus miles to fly on ANA, or as little as 80,000 AAdvantage miles to take JAL’s firstclass.

What does a first-class flight to Japan seem like?

A first-class flight to Japan is an opulent expertise. After enjoyable within the firstclass lounge, you’ll board to an providing of champagne and sizzling towels. You’ll then get pleasure from a full meal service, often with a alternative between Japanese and Western choices, adopted by caviar, cheese, dessert and low or tea. For the remainder of the flight, you’ll be able to order any meals or drink your coronary heart wishes on-demand, entertain your self with streaming motion pictures and TV collection or work utilizing free in-flight WiFi. Presuming, in fact, that you simply don’t catch some Zs in your fully-flat mattress.

What number of miles to fly firstclass to Japan?

As of August 2025, you’ll be able to fly from the US to Japan (on Japan Airways) for as little as 80,000 AAdvantage miles one-way. When flying ANA prices are usually greater, with the minimal being 90,000 Flying Membership miles on Virgin Atlantic, and the utmost being 220,000 United MileagePlus miles.

The Backside Line

Is it price flying firstclass to Japan? On one hand, many vacationers is not going to recognize the upgrades you expertise in comparison with enterprise class—nicely, until you fly JAL’s new A350 firstclass, through which case they’re fairly dramatic. Alternatively, if in case you have the cash (or, extra seemingly, frequent flyer miles and award availability), the enjoyment of flying firstclass may be very definitely worth the splurge, particularly should you’re ready to take action one certainly one of Japan’s two airways, and notably on their flagship plane (presently the 777-300ER for ANA and the A350-1000 for JAL). Want customized assist making the proper choices forward of your subsequent Japan journey? Think about hiring me to assist!