I had the good fortune to “bookend” my latest trip to Japan (which also took me to Thailand) with what are currently the two best ways to reach the country in first class: ANA’s new-ish “The Suite” on its 777-300ER, and JAL’s fabulous new A350 first class.
Now, if you’ve read both of the à la carte reviews I’ve recently published, then you probably known which of these experiences I preferred. Still, I think this post is worth reading, even if you know the conclusion I’ll reach in advance.
Comparing JAL first class vs ANA first class, you see, isn’t a matter of good or bad, but rather good and better. You can’t go wrong with either of these options, even if one of them will probably be more “right” for you.
Why I’m Only Reviewing the “New” First Class on JAL and ANA
Mathematically speaking, whether you take JAL first class or ANA first class, you are much more likely to sit in the “old” seats on each carrier’s 777-300ER aircraft, rather than new suites on the A350-1000 and refurbished 777-300ER planes, respectively, at least as of now. This is the key, however, as these dated seats are being phased out over time, and will soon no longer fly on intercontinental routes at all.
Look, if someone offered me a free flight in either of these carriers’ mid-2010s first class cabins, I wouldn’t say no. But the reality is that since I finance my own reviews, and have to either earn or purchase the miles required to book them, I can’t waste resources reviewing a product that is effectively obsolete, from the point of view of someone creating content meant to last well into the 2030s.
Ways to Compare JAL First Class with ANA First Class
Ground service and lounge
On one hand, ANA (at an outstation—Chicago/ORD—no less) allowed first class passengers to sit in a cordoned off area of the gate. On the other hand, they denied me access to the ANA Suite Lounge in Tokyo, since my onward flight was on Thai Airways. JAL’s experience was much more satisfying, since I was able to visit the JAL First Class Lounge, including the Tsurutei Sushi Bar and the exclusive JAL Salon.
Seat
As of August 2025, I’d say that JAL has the slight edge on seat when comparing JAL vs ANA first class. While both products are ultra-wide pods with full privacy doors, I appreciate the much higher floor-to-ceiling partitions on JAL, not to mention the fact that the seats are configured 1-1-1, as opposed to 1-2-1. By contrast, ANA offers 3-4 windows while JAL has 2-3 windows; ANA has a button that allows you to open or close all windows at once.
Food and drink
Unless you are a Japanese food aficionado, I’d say that the washoku (Japanese) meal service on both these flights is pretty similar. Beyond this, I preferred some things on ANA, such as the proactive caviar service, and the absolutely delectable salad prepared fresh for me. On JAL, meanwhile, I appreciated being able to eat both a Western and Japanese entree, as well as the very special kokuto, an Okinawan black sugar liqueur.
In-flight service
I’d be hard pressed to name either a loser when comparing service in ANA vs JAL first class. At the same time, while Shibuya-san and the rest of the crew on the ANA flight were attentive and warm, the professionalism and attention to detail onboard JAL were on another level. They were more polished both in terms of appearance and specific service gestures, and tended to anticipate my needs better.
Award availability
As of 2025, it’s a bit cheaper to book JAL awards (via American) compared to ANA ones (via United, Avianca or Air Canada). Both have very limited availability, though I’d say that ANA’s is a bit more numerous and also longer-lasting. While I never saw a JAL first class seat stay unbooked for longer than a few minutes, I literally waited an entire day to book my ANA flight while I procrastinated and hesitated. No problem!
Will ANA’s 777-9 Change the Game Again?
My assumption, as of late 2025, is that ANA’s 777-9 aircraft will introduce a new first class product. Back in 2019, when “The Suite” was first rolled out and it appeared that the 777-9s would be coming online in the early 2020s, I assumed that The Suite (and “The Room” business class) were simply a preview of what was to come on the newer planes. Now, with entry into service likely delayed until 2027 or later, I’m not convinced.
Certainly, if ANA wants to win the ANA first class or JAL first class debate, it should be deep into the development of an exclusive suite (ideally, in 1-1-1 configuration) that is at least as large and private as JAL’s. The idea that The Suite (which was developed almost a decade ago) would be the standard first class product on planes that will fly until at least 2040 seems insane to me. But I guess time will tell!
Other FAQ About JAL First Class and ANA First Class
Do JAL and ANA both offer first class?
JAL and ANA both offer first class on certain aircraft. JAL offers first class on all 777-300ER planes and all Airbus A350-1000 planes, while ANA offers first class on its 777-300ER fleet. Note that “old” seats are installed on all of JAL’s 777s (and about half of ANA’s); neither carrier offers first class on its large fleet of 787 Dreamliners.
How does ANA first class compare to JAL first class?
ANA’s newest first class product, dubbed “The Suite,” features a smaller seat than JAL’s new A350-1000 first class, on a much older plane (the 777-300ER). At the same time, both carriers offer first class passengers individualized service with restaurant-quality food, fine champagne and wines and free (though not always fast) WiFi.
Is ANA or JAL first class more expensive?
Whether you fly ANA or JAL, a first class ticket between the US and Japan is liable to cost upwards of $10,000 one-way, or $20,000 round-trip. Because of this, if you plan to pay cash (and are not blindingly wealthy), it’s crucial maximize your chances of having the best experience: Choose the airline you think will suit you best, but also the most up-to-date product—on ANA, fly “The Suite” on the refurbished 777-300ER; on JAL, fly the A350-1000.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to JAL first class vs ANA first class, I’d say that JAL (at least on its A350) probably has the edge as of 2025. While this might change when ANA’s 777-9 aircraft finally fly, JAL has both a better hard product with its massive suite, as well as superior food and more attentive service. At the same time, ANA’s “The Suite” is nothing to shake a stick at if you have the opportunity to fly it. Obviously, if you can swing it, sampling both of these luxurious in-flight experiences is the best course of action. Need personalized help putting your Japan trip together? Whether with finding award seats or assembling an on-the-ground itinerary, consider hiring me to assist!
