When All Nippon Airways debuted its “The Room” business class six years ago, I thought that was game over for the JAL/ANA question. Though limited in availability, it was so above and beyond anything Japan Airlines offered that competition (at least in the short term) seemed impossible.
Then, a few things happened. First, ANA’s installation of The Room stalled; the carrier exclusively retrofitted 777-300ER aircraft with it, and made no plans to replace its aging 787 or 767 business class. Secondly, JAL took delivery of its first A350-1000, which was nothing short of a game changer.
Now, although you can probably guess where I’m headed with my comparison of JAL A350 vs ANA The Room, I do hope you’ll continue reading this whole article. My conclusion might be rather black and white, but there are many shades of gray to consider.
Which ANA and JAL Routes Feature “New” Business Class?
When choosing between JAL or ANA business class, you first need to make sure that the route you plan to take actually offers the new product:
- JAL offers its new business class on all A350-1000 aircraft. As of early 2025, these fly between Tokyo (HND) and New York (JKF), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and London (LHR).
- With ANA, it’s a bit more complicated. Most 777-300ER aircraft feature The Room, but the routes they serve are ever-changing. However, you can always be sure that routes to New York (JFK) and London (LHR) will feature the new business class.
Another way to tell whether your route of choice features the new business class? Search on Google Flights, then click the flight in question. If it says “Individual Suite,” then it’s the new business class. If it says “Lie-Flat Seat,” it’s the old one.
Ways to Compare ANA’s and JAL’s “New” Business Class Cabins
Seat
Both ANA’s The Room and JAL’s A350 business class are manufactured by Safran, a premier aircraft seat maker. Each is exceptionally wide and features a door for privacy, as well as an absolutely massive 4K entertainment screen. I’d probably give a slight nod to JAL: Its seats have individual storage closets; and none face backwards, while about half of ANA The Room suites do.
Food
This is another area where ANA the Room vs JAL A350 is pretty much a wash. Well, for the main meal, where both carriers offer both a washoku (Japanese food) option, as well as various Western items (including steak, for which JAL is especially famous). However, while ANA’s mid-flight snacks are mostly Japanese fast food, JAL recently offered a delicious grilled octopus that was restaurant quality.
Service
Both Japanese airlines have similar service benefits—and drawbacks. On the positive side, service is always enthusiastic and professional, no matter which airline you choose. On the negative side, English-speaking ability can be limited, even in premium classes. Moreover, many Japanese flight attendants still wear masks in 2025, which further inhibits communication and honestly degrades the service on the whole.
Routes
In terms of being able to fly business class on ANA 777 vs JAL A350, it’s a bit easier to fly JAL’s A350-1000. It’s on fixed routes (from Haneda to Dallas, New York and London), while ANA’s routes change every quarter, and are prone to substitution. Moreover, since A350s will eventually replace all JAL’s 777s 1-to-1, every route currently operated by a 777 will eventually feature the new business class.
Ease of booking
If you can manage to find availability for JAL’s new business class, it’s very affordable. Routes to New York and Dallas cost just 60,000 American AAdvantage miles, while London can be had for as few as 75,000 miles. You can also book these flights using British Airway Avios. For ANA, meanwhile, the only “affordable” way to book is using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which requires you to call in (yes, in 2025) to book.
The Future of JAL and ANA Business Class
JAL is replacing its 777-300ER fleet one-for-one with A350-1000 aircraft. By 2027, every single route currently served by a 777-300ER will be served by an A350-1000. Additionally, while no specifics have been given, JAL has left the door open to its 787 Dreamliner fleet (and future A350-900 fleet) having some variant of its A350-1000 cabins.
With ANA’s The Room, on the other hand, prospects are murkier. For one, ANA has said that no more 777-300ER aircraft will be retrofitted. The forthcoming 777-9 aircraft will feature The Room, but these are delayed indefinitely. Moreover, ANA has not outlined any plans to upgrade the interiors of its 787-9 aircraft, some of which are now well over a decade old.
Other FAQ About ANA and JAL Business Class
How big is the bed on ANA business class?
The bed in ANA’s The Room is 71″ or 5’11” long, with a width of 38″. The width is really what differentiates this product, given that many customers have complained about the narrowness of ANA’s old “staggered” business class, and especially its footwell.
Which is better, JAL A350 or ANA 777?
In my mind, ANA’s The Room and JAL’s new A350-1000 business class are very similar products. The main difference is that JAL’s new product will eventually be much more widespread than ANA’s, which is indefinitely confined to select 777-300ER aircraft, plus its future (but long-delayed) 777-9 fleet.
Where will JAL fly the A350?
As of early 2025, JAL flies its A350 to Dallas (DFW), New York (JFK) and London (LHR). However, according to JAL, the airline will also fly the A350-1000 to Paris (CDG) and either Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) by the end of the year.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to JAL A350 vs ANA The Room, JAL has the edge on business class. While The Room can easily stand toe-to-toe with JAL’s A350 business class, JAL is rapidly expanding routes that feature its new products. The Room, by contrast, is limited to a portion of ANA’s 777-300ER fleet, with no signs of installing it on other aircraft. I wouldn’t say no to either of these products, of course—they’re both among the best business class seats in the world. Need personalized help putting your next trip to Japan together? I do hope you’ll consider hiring me to plan your itinerary!
