For a long time, I was ambivalent about JAL’s premium seating. Its Apex Suite business class was fine, even competitive in the mid-2010s, but its decrepit first class suites just didn’t interest me at all. When the first class award ticket I booked in July 2020 got canceled (for obvious reasons), I was’t even sad.
Things have started to change as JAL has rapidly replaced its 777-300ER fleet with state-of-the-art A350-1000s. It not only unleashed a fantastic new business class, which is both more aesthetically pleasing and more luxurious and private to fly in that its old one, but a first class seat that might just be the best one in the world.
Over the next few paragraphs, I’ll compare JAL first class vs business class. I think you’ll find this useful if you’re choosing between them, or even if they’re both aspirational at this point.
JAL’s Premium Seats Are a Confusing Mess
Part of the reason I haven’t yet written a post to help you decide between first class or business class on JAL? ANA has way too many types of premium seats to cover in a single article. This is part of why today’s post focuses explicitly on the A350-1000, even if some elements of my critique will of course be relevant, no matter which plane you fly.
To be fair to JAL, they have just two first class seats: The “old” first class on the 777-300ER, and the new A350 one. But business class? Well, that’s another issue entirely. Long-haul 787s feature the aforementioned Apex Suite, while short-haul planes 787s feature either a standard reverse-herringbone seat, or a dated an uncompetitive “shell recliner,” which is hardly even worthy of being called business. Then there’s the 767 fleet!
Ways to Compare JAL’s First Class and Business Class
Seat
JAL’s A350 business class seat is fantastic, with a huge entertainment screen, a wide and comfortable bed and closing privacy doors. The first class suite is just on another level, with floor-to-ceiling privacy, an even bigger entertainment screen and a much larger bed that even has different firmness options. It really does feel like your own apartment in the sky!
Food and drink
As is the case with ANA, JAL first class vs biz is something of a toss-up when it comes to food, especially if you choose the Japanese option. The food is exquisite, beautiful and flavorful, and not unlike what you’d eat on the ground. With this being said, first class simply takes things to another level, with high-end Salon champagne, caviar and special sake and whiskeys.
Service
This might sound hyperbolic, but it’s the truth. As of August 2025, the service I received in JAL first was the best I’ve ever experienced on a plane. In addition to “my” flight attendant Mio, every single JAL crew member I encountered personalized service completely to me—I felt like I was the only passenger on the entire plane. Service is great in business, too, but not significantly more so than on other East Asian airlines.
Lounges
If this is a factor in helping you decide between JAL business or first, allow me to make the call for you: First class all the way! While JAL’s Sakura lounges are fine, the JAL First Class lounge at Tokyo-Haneda is one of the best airport lounges in the world. Whether having fresh nigiri at Sushi Tsurutei, or enjoying tarmac views while sipping champagne and whisky, it is simply on another level.
Pricing and award availability
The bad news? If you’re planning to pay cash for a flight in JAL first or biz, you can expect to pay at least $5,000 and potentially as much as $20,000 one-way. The good news? If you have American Airline AAdvantage miles (and, to be sure, the flexibility to travel when you want and the patience to find availability), you can fly business class for 60,000 miles one-way and first for just 80,000 miles one-way. It might be the best redemption in the world!
The Future of JAL’s First and Business Classes
At some point in the not-too-distant future, the A350-1000 will fully replace the 777-300ER on all long haul JAL flights. As a result, if you fly on flagship routes between Japan and North America or Europe in the pointy end of a JAL plane, the luxurious experiences I’ve written about on this site will be your standard. Unfortunately, the backbone of JAL’s long-haul fleet will still be the 787-9.
This presents two issues. First, the decision between JAL first class or JAL business class will become irrelevant, since JAL’s Dreamliners don’t have first class cabins. Second, and more importantly, is the fact that JAL desperately needs a new business class seat for its Dreamliners. While I hope this will be a modified version of the A350 business class, only time will tell when and how JAL updates its long-haul Dreamliner cabins.
Other FAQ About First and Business Class on JAL
Is it better to fly JAL first class or business class?
If you can afford it and it’s available on your flight, I highly recommend JAL first class over JAL business class. This is especially true if you fly onboard the new A350-1000, which features what is perhaps the world’s best first-class seat, to say nothing of the stellar service onboard.
Can JAL business class use first class lounge?
JAL business class passengers can use the first class lounge if they hold oneworld Emerald status, such as if they are Executive Platinum members of the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program. In general, however, JAL business class passengers need to use the JAL Sakura Lounge (or, if their journey originates outside of JAL, the local business class lounge).
Which JAL seats are better, business class or first class?
On the A350-1000, JAL’s first class seats are on another level, with ceiling-to-floor privacy walls, a huge seat that transforms into bed (plus a separate ottoman) and one of the world’s largest in-flight entertainment screens. The business class seat is also very good, but is more or less in line with industry standards. On the 777-300ER, the difference is less pronounced—JAL’s first class is at or below average, while the Apex Suite business class is at or above average.
The Bottom Line
There are a few reasons I’ve compared JAL first class vs business class. First and foremost, I want to assist those of you with imminent travel plans in the pointy end of a JAL plane. Of course, even if flying in JAL first or business is just a pipe dream for you right now, my images and insights will inspire you to make it a reality as soon as you can. This is especially the case if you have a large sum of frequent flyer points, and either understand the process of how to book awards, or can hire someone who can. This is regardless of whether you enlist my services to plan your Japan trip more generally, which I of course recommend that you do.
