If you’d asked me even a year ago whether I preferred ANA or JAL, I’d probably have chosen the former. While inconsistent in terms of its availability, ANA’s “The Room” business class was just so far above and beyond anything JAL offered.
Two things changed. First, ANA continued to lag on its rollout of “The Room,” which still exists only on a handful of 777-300ER aircraft. Notably, ANA has no plans to retrofit its huge 787 fleet, which features a business class seat designed over 15 years ago.
Secondly—and most importantly—is the fact that JAL A350 business class is nothing short of revolutionary. I’ll explore both of these truths in more detail over the coming paragraphs.
How to Fly JAL’s A350-1000 Business Class
As you might imagine, the JAL new business class is not on every plane. It is only every A350-1000 aircraft, however, so if that’s the one serving your route, you’re guaranteed to have it. As of early 2025, the route serves flights between Tokyo (HND) and New York (JFK), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and London (LHR), with Paris (CDG), Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) the next routes in line.
Do note that this product is not available on JAL’s A350-900 aircraft, which exclusively serve domestic flights within Japan. It may eventually be available on the airline’s future international A350-900 fleet, though those won’t be coming online until 2027 at the earlier. Additionally, keep in mind that while uncommon, your A350-1000 could be swapped out for a 777-300ER.
Where JAL’s A350 Business Class Shines
Seat
Like ANA’s The Room, JAL’s A350-1000 business class is an ultra-wide cocoon with a privacy door and a 4K screen that’s almost as big as my TV at home (albeit, in both cases, with a woefully inadequate movie and TV show selection). Unlike The Room, JAL’s A350 business class features individual storage closets, which is hugely convenient for anyone who travels wearing a jacket or coat.
Cabin
I personally love both the colors of the new JAL business class (defined by a handsome maroon) as well as the overall feel. The suites are very uniform in the look they given the cabin. Plus, like all long-haul A350 aircraft, JAL’s lack bins over the center rows, which results in the cabin feeling very open and spacious. Moreover, JAL’s A350-1000 features digital window dimming à la the 787.
Food
I’ll be frank: I found the main washoku option on my JAL A350-1000 flight to be flavorless and uninspired, which unfortunately has been my experience when selecting the Japanese meal on most JAL flights. Surprisingly, the mid-flight snack (which featured grilled octopus) was restaurant quality, and actually reminded me of a meal I had in Portugal’s Algarve region in 2023.
Service
For all the accolades I give the A350 JAL business class for the “hard” product, the soft product mostly lines up. JAL’s flight attendants are always professional and attentive, even if they’re neither what I would call enthusiastic, nor very good in English for the most part. As a personal complaint, I’m beyond sick of the fact that at least half of them still mask in 2025—which, no, was not a thing before covid, except occasionally.
Sleep
One area where I must commend JAL is that they’ve created a cabin very conducive to sleeping. They don’t have any fancy bedding, but the seat itself is extremely comfortable. Moreover, the doors really do make a difference. While I wish individual air nozzles existed (they don’t on JAL, as is the case with most Asian airlines), the relatively humid air aboard the A350-1000 partially compensates.
Will JAL Install New Business Class on Its 787s?
Although the A350-1000 will be taking over for the Boeing 777-300ER on a one-to-one basis, neither of these aircraft are JAL’s international workhouse. This would be the 787 Dreamliner, mostly 787-9s, but some 787-8. Currently, these aircraft mostly feature the comfortable (if dated) Apex Suite, a private, lie-flat bed with direct aisle access. Some 787-9s feature “reverse herringbone” seats; some 787-8s have an angled-flat “shell seat.”
The future of JAL business class on these aircraft is a mystery. While the A350-1000 business class manufacturer (Safran) has seats that could fit onboard the 787 (which is narrower than the A350), JAL has not commented one way or another. However, it stands to reason that the older business class product will eventually be replaced with something more modern.
Other FAQ About JAL’s A350 Business Class
Where does JAL fly the A350?
As of early 2025, JAL flies its A350-1000s to Dallas (DFW), New York (JFK) and London (LHR) from its Tokyo (HND) hub. The A350-900, meanwhile, exclusively flies domestic routes such as Haneda to Fukuoka (FUK) and Sapporo (CTS).
How many A350s does JAL have?
JAL currently operates 7 A350-1000 aircraft, though it will eventually operate 13. In other words, one to replace each of the 777-300ER aircraft it originally flew. JAL will also soon take delivery of 20 internationally-configured A350-900s, in addition to the 11 domestic A350-900s it has.
Which route does JAL fly A350?
JAL flies the A350-1000 from Tokyo (HND) to New York (JFK), Dallas (DFW) and London (LHR). Additionally, it flies domestic A350-900 planes from Haneda to Fukuoka (FUK) and Sapporo (CTS). Future A350-1000 routes will include Paris (CDG) and San Francisco (SFO) or Los Angeles (LAX).
The Bottom Line
JAL A350 business class is an absolute game-changer. While it’s still relatively limited in availability, the A350-1000 will replace every 777-300ER currently in service by the end of the decade. Moreover, unlike ANA’s “The Room” (which was never meant for the 787, that carrier’s most common long haul aircraft), JAL’s new business class may very well end up on its own Dreamliners, albeit in a modified form. Need personalized help planning your next trip to Japan, no matter how you end up flying there? Consider hiring me to create a custom Japan itinerary!
