Assessment of Japan Airways’ new first-class on the A350

Fast take: From the spacious suites to the luxurious service, Japan Airways’ new first-class is solely gorgeous. This is without doubt one of the finest flight experiences you may have.

Professionals

• Huge suites with a few of the most comfy beds within the sky
• Fabulous tech, together with 43-inch leisure screens
• Unparalleled service (and unbelievable Champagne)

Cons

• Typically nonexistent award availability
• Solely out there on two U.S. routes thus far
• Seclusion of every suite is not preferrred for {couples}

When Japan Airways started flying its new flagship, long-haul Airbus A350-1000s final yr, the airline wowed passengers with all-new lessons of service, together with business-class suites with closing doorways and ultracomfortable premium economic system recliners.

Nonetheless, it was Japan Airways’ new first-class suites that had been the true stunners, because of their unbelievable quantity of non-public area, trendy design finishes and up-to-the-second expertise.

After first getting a glimpse of them on the A350 inaugural from New York to Tokyo final yr, I have been dreaming about really attending to expertise them on a transpacific flight ever since, and I lastly acquired the possibility to take action a couple of weeks in the past.

Here is what it was like flying Japan Airways’ new first-class and all of the treats in retailer for passengers.

How a lot does it price to e-book Japan Airways first-class?

Japan Airways solely flies its A350-1000s on a handful of routes out of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND), together with ones to John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) in New York and Dallas Fort Value Worldwide Airport (DFW).

The one-way airfare for my flight from DFW to HND would have price $19,541, whereas spherical journeys over the following a number of months begin at $26,387. Thankfully, I used to be in a position to make use of factors for my ticket as a substitute.

In fact, you might use miles from the airline’s personal Japan Airways Mileage Financial institution program, however it isn’t the simplest frequent flyer program to accrue miles with. Nonetheless, in case you are interested by doing this, you may switch factors to it from Bilt Rewards at a 1:1 ratio and Marriott Bonvoy at a 3:1 ratio.

Japan Airways is a member of Oneworld, so you may redeem American Airways AAdvantage or Alaska Airways Mileage Plan miles for award flights on the airline, however premium awards are very scarce as of late.

So, how did I discover my award ticket? Japan Airways additionally now companions with JetBlue, and in April, there was an unbelievable alternative to e-book Japan Airways first- and business-class awards from varied U.S. airports all through a lot of 2025 and into 2026 utilizing JetBlue TrueBlue factors.

Though that stock disappeared inside a day, I managed to snag an award by transferring American Categorical Membership Rewards factors to my TrueBlue account and reserving that means. Amex factors switch to TrueBlue at a 5:4 ratio, so it price me almost 232,000 Amex factors with a view to find yourself with the 185,000 TrueBlue factors I would want for my journey. However that also felt price it since I used to be getting greater than 8.3 cents in worth per Amex level and greater than 10.4 cents in worth per JetBlue TrueBlue level.

Here is a snapshot of the factors or miles (plus any taxes and charges) you’d want one-way between Japan and the U.S. by reserving via any of the above applications.

Checking into and boarding Japan Airways first-class

Japan Airways first-class passengers can get pleasure from the next precedence providers on the airport.

Once I arrived in Terminal D at DFW, I made my solution to the airline’s check-in counters and the particular lane designated for first-class passengers. It took only a minute for me to examine my bag after which be escorted to the entrance of the safety line, the place I used to be capable of benefit from TSA PreCheck to zip via the checkpoint rapidly.

I had somewhat time, so I headed to the American Airways Flagship Lounge for a espresso and a few fruit and yogurt earlier than popping again all the way down to the primary concourse and over to the close by gate.

First-class passengers, together with those that want additional time, can board first, so I used to be among the many first onto the airplane.

How comfy is Japan Airways first-class?

Every Japan Airways A350-1000 has simply six new first-class suites on board. They’re organized in two rows of three seats, every in a 1-1-1 sample, so there are two window suites on both sides of the cabin and two down the middle.

Apparently, the 2 heart suites speak in confidence to totally different aisles, so 1D opens to the left aisle and 2D opens to the suitable. Which means in case you are in 1K or 2A, you will not see immediately into anybody’s seat throughout from you.

Here is a take a look at how the cabin is laid out and the seat dimensions.

As you may see, every suite is gigantic, at 4 toes throughout with 83 inches of pitch. That is almost 28 sq. toes of area per passenger. The suites even have closing doorways which are 62 inches excessive, so they do not go all the way in which as much as the ceiling, however they do present plenty of privateness.

Footprint apart, it is the high-end finishes that really impress. With burgundy-toned upholstery, these seats had been designed to resemble luxurious practice compartments with stylized components like gold-chrome sconce lights and finely patterned stitching.

The seat portion consists of a protracted banquette that is extensive sufficient for 2 folks, although a portion of this can be a smaller seat with a again that may be lowered to kind a small aspect faux-marble desk, a pleasant contact for once you need someplace to place a drink however do not need to pull out the eating desk.

The suites’ doorways are made out of frosted glass designed to resemble conventional Japanese shoji screens, with bamboo-inspired patterns etched on them and within the metalwork that crowns them.

In the event you look carefully on the seat’s headrest, you may see that the wings are literally audio system via which you’ll be able to hearken to your leisure choice with out the necessity for headphones.

On the counter floor between the seat and the window, I discovered a pill to manage the whole lot from the leisure system to the seat place and the lights. It robotically unhooked once you touched it, making a clicking sound, although it reengaged once you left it in its slot.

Beneath the pill are varied buttons for shifting the seat into preset positions for takeoff and touchdown, eating, enjoyable and sleeping, in addition to toggles to regulate the person components of the seat and buttons for the studying and overhead lights and to name the flight attendant.

Throughout from the seat is a big ottoman that doubles as a bounce seat with its personal belt if you wish to dine with somebody in your suite. That is additionally the footrest in lie-flat mode and is 30 inches throughout, offering loads of floor space on your toes when sleeping.

Subsequent to this, there may be one other giant marblelike floor that may be a great place to position a laptop computer or the amenity equipment once you’re not utilizing it.

The desk is a part of a console that pulls out from the seat’s entrance shell after which pops up from that. It’s impressively enormous, measuring 24 inches extensive and 20 inches tall, although it’s a little exhausting to maneuver your means out of the seat if it’s essential rise up throughout a meal, regardless of the desk sliding backwards and forwards alongside a observe.

The seat’s 43-inch 4K leisure display (extra on that later) is among the many largest, if not the biggest, at present out there on an airline.

You would possibly discover that there aren’t any overhead bins within the cabin, which the airline determined to do with out with a view to retain an open, ethereal really feel. For that purpose, there are many storage cubbies and compartments, together with one beneath the ottoman that may match as much as two standard-size rollaboards. Subsequent to the door, there may be additionally a compartment that doubles as a dangling closet and has a full-length mirror that slides out, which is helpful.

Subsequent to the place the desk slides out from, there’s a giant decrease compartment that was not fairly deep sufficient for my MacBook Professional however did maintain the blanket after I wasn’t utilizing it. Moreover, there is a smaller compartment with a frosted-glass door the place you may put a bottle of water. The marbleized countertop has one other cubby embedded in it with a pop-up lid as effectively, which I discovered helpful for stowing the amenity equipment.

Be at liberty to carry all of your digital gadgets on board since there are three totally different locations within the seat with energy factors, together with a common plug and USB-A and -C ports: one on the window aspect of the seat, one subsequent to the smaller chair portion of the seat and one beneath the leisure display.

There’s additionally a wi-fi charging pad on the armrest subsequent to the seat, although I discovered it solely maintained my iPhone at its present degree quite than correctly charging it.

Whereas I brushed my enamel after the primary meal, a flight attendant turned down the mattress with a dual-sided Airweave mattress pad with a agency floor on one aspect and a softer one on the opposite (which I’ve seen retail for near $1,000), plus a big quilt.

The scale of the sleeping floor felt downright luxurious, with area to roll over from one aspect to the opposite, and I acquired a strong six hours of uninterrupted sleep. It was actually one of the crucial comfy rests I’ve had on a airplane in years.

The primary-class cabin has two devoted toilets — not a nasty passenger-to-bathroom ratio! The bigger one was on the entrance left, close to the cockpit, whereas the smaller one was simply in entrance of 2A via a set of curtains (earlier than you hit the galley).

The flight attendants stored them spotless and stocked with dental kits, mouthwash and Cle de Peau Beaute serum and moisturizer. I additionally appreciated that the sink and bathroom flush had been touchless.

The cabin doesn’t have overhead air nozzles, however given the massive footprint of every suite, I used to be capable of ask the flight attendants to maintain my particular space comparatively cool, which they did all through the flight.

Facilities in Japan Airways first-class

Once I acquired to my seat, it was provisioned with a couple of creature comforts, together with two Airweave pillows, one smooth and medium in measurement and the opposite firmer and bigger. There have been additionally a lightweight blanket and a set of fabric slippers.

Shortly after I settled in, the flight attendant who could be taking good care of me all through the flight got here by to ask if I would love loungewear. The medium-size, beige-colored set she introduced me match effectively, and the material was virtually extra like a lightweight sweatsuit quite than cotton, although it was nonetheless breathable.

There was additionally a colourful amenity equipment from Heralbony, a life-style model that works with artists who’ve cognitive disabilities.

It contained:

• A dental equipment with a toothbrush and toothpaste
• Mouthwash pouches
• A watch masks
• Ear plugs
• A brush-comb combo
• A face masks with a moisture insert
• Tissues
• A USB-A twine
• Payot lip balm
• Payot hand cream

Moreover, there was a field containing fancy Shiseido males’s skincare merchandise, together with:

• Face cleanser
• Hydrating tonic
• Whole revitalizing cream

The suite’s 43-inch leisure display was so giant that watching films on it felt like being in a house theater. The system was not stocked with tons of choices, however there have been comparatively latest releases (effectively, from final summer time) like “Twisters” and “Inside Out 2.” Largely, I stored it on the map operate and the tail digital camera.

Probably the most unusual characteristic is the set of audio system embedded into the headrest of the primary portion of the seat so you may hearken to the leisure without having headphones. They work in such a means that the noise is simply audible inside your suite, so you will not disturb your neighbors. (I examined it by turning the system to full quantity earlier than moving into the aisle to attempt to pay attention.)

Nonetheless, the sound high quality was not top-of-the-line, and the quantity was not all the time straightforward to listen to, so I requested for a set of Bang & Olufsen noise-canceling headphones to make use of as a substitute. These labored rather well.

I wanted to make use of the Wi-Fi throughout my flight to maintain present on work and located the next plan pricing.

Fortunately, since I used to be flying in first-class, I may benefit from limitless free Wi-Fi all through the flight. I may even change backwards and forwards seamlessly between my gadgets because of a voucher I used to be given.

The speeds had been first rate for emailing and loading web sites as effectively.

How was the foods and drinks in Japan Airways first-class?

Earlier than departure, the flight attendant got here again to supply me water, juice or a smoothie. After we had been airborne for about 20 minutes, the purser got here by taking drink orders and advised that if I preferred Champagne (I do!), I’ve a glass of the 2013 Salon at present being served on board.

It is extensively acknowledged that this is without doubt one of the nicest, if not the nicest, Champagnes served by any airline for the time being and retails for round $1,200 a bottle. There have been experiences that Japan Airways solely shares this on flights out of Tokyo, so I wasn’t anticipating to see it on mine, however I used to be thrilled to have a style, and it didn’t disappoint.

A number of of the opposite first-class passengers additionally ordered it, however the flight attendants had been capable of pour it judiciously so that every of us acquired two small glasses out of the only bottle on board. I loved mine with an amuse bouche of two little tarts, one with lobster and the opposite with pea puree and tomato.

You may preorder your foremost meal forward of time, which I did. I selected the Japanese menu, which I used to be not afraid would turn out to be unavailable as a result of there have been solely six passengers in first-class.

The airline at present works with eight cooks, together with Hideki Ishikawa, who has three eating places that maintain a complete of seven Michelin stars and designed the “washoku” Japanese tasting menu for my flight.

It began with a smattering of small bites:

• Simmered conger eel in sansho soy sauce with spinach
• Candy potato and prawn in tofu sauce
• Smoked salmon with caviar, papaya and lemon jelly
• Simmered scallop with bell pepper and fried bean curd in dashi broth
• Nori-flavored bamboo shoots

I like beginning a meal this fashion, with numerous savory tapas. After that, it was on to a soup course of broth with rice cracker-coated lobster and spring greens, which was smoky however mild.

Subsequent was roast beef with sesame sauce and inexperienced asparagus alongside fava bean potage with steamed sea urchin.

The primary course comprised steamed sea bream with citrus soy sauce, silken tofu, white leeks and Chinese language cabbage and got here with pickles, a bowl of miso soup and a selection of rice, both plain and steamed or flavored with seaweed and inexperienced pea.

For dessert, there was jellied fruit, although I additionally had a cheese course with quince paste, grapes and walnuts.

The meal was elaborate and fantastically offered, so it took about 90 minutes to get via, given what number of dishes had been served. Nonetheless, every was distinctive and engaging, and I used to be in no hurry because the flight was almost 13 hours.

In case you might be questioning, the worldwide menu was created by Japan Airways’ longtime company chef, Naoki Uchiyama, and included dishes like balik smoked salmon carpaccio with fried caper, roe and dill French dressing; USDA Prime beef tenderloin with artichoke truffle flan and each chimichurri and Madeira sauce; and creme fraiche cheesecake.

All through the remainder of the flight, passengers may order mild a la carte meals that included a condensed model of the Japanese menu or Dungeness crab risotto and a yogurt-honey dessert. I skipped this to sleep as a substitute.

About two hours earlier than touchdown, I requested for my second foremost meal, which included a selection of starters and mains.

There have been snacks of monkfish liver with yuzu-soy jelly and various seafood skewers, caviar, corn-saffron soup and recent salad.

The mains included:

• Sizzling smoked salmon soften
• Korean bibimbap
• Mushroom stroganoff fettuccine
• Vegan curry with potatoes and onions
• Japan Airways’ specialty vegan tonkotsu-flavored miso ramen

For dessert, there have been cheese, assorted fruits, ice cream and Dr. Sue’s Chocolate.

I selected to start out with the little tin of malossol caviar, which was served with teeny, tiny potato blinis, deviled quail eggs and an egg yolk whip.

I could not resolve on a foremost course, so the flight attendant advised I’ve each the bibimbap and the ramen so I may strive two of the airline’s signature dishes. Each had been hearty and scrumptious.

Japan Airways has a really distinctive wine program overseen by the airline’s wine adviser, Motohiro Okoshi. The star of the present is, after all, the Salon, which you need to completely strive if it is out there in your flight.

The opposite Champagne on supply was Bollinger La Grande Annee 2015, one other distinctive wine that I additionally loved because it was full-bodied however crisp — a beautiful selection for sipping up within the air.

The opposite wines served on board included:

• Au Pied du Mont Chauve 2020 white Burgundy
• Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten 2022 riesling from Germany
• Paul Jaboulet Aine Les Cassines 2020 white from France’s Rhone area
• Suntory Tomi No Oka 2022 white wine made in Japan from koshu grapes
• Chateau Lagrange 2017 from Bordeaux
• Clean Canvas Anthem 2021 pinot noir from New Zealand
• Igai Takaha Sono 2022 pinot noir from California
• Tiano & Nareno malbec from Argentina

I attempted the Californian pinot noir, and it was wonderful, recent and fruity but additionally with a protracted, elegant end. It was probably the greatest crimson wines I’ve had throughout a flight these days.

In fact, I could not resist making an attempt a drop of one of many sakes available, so I ordered a style of the Hakurakusei, which is crafted by a historic sake brewery particularly for Japan Airways to serve at altitude and had heady notes of citrus and melon. The second sake was Jikon Hakutsuru-Nishiki, whereas the 2 shochus on the menu had been Mori Izo and Kanehachi. I skipped the latter since these are too robust for me.

Spirits and cocktails are additionally out there with some standout labels, together with Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21 12 months scotch, L&G Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey and Remy Martin VSOP cognac. The airline additionally serves Hibiki’s A centesimal-anniversary Suntory whisky, which retails for round $1,300 a bottle.

As for beer, you may discover the same old suspects, together with Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo.

The airline additionally takes pleasure in its choice of premium juices and teas, together with its signature Royal Blue “Queen of Blue” bottled tea (which I’ve had, so I abstained on this flight) and two varieties of inexperienced tea, in addition to a choice of French teas from Mariage Freres. The cappuccino I ordered after my nap was made with Mi Cafeto espresso sourced from Finca San Sebastian in Guatemala and was simply the enhance I wanted for the previous few hours of the flight.

The flight attendants taking good care of me and the opposite first-class passengers had been actually stellar. Not solely did they perform the advanced meal providers flawlessly, however additionally they handed via the cabin incessantly to see if we would have liked the rest to eat or drink and responded to the decision button inside 15 seconds anytime I pushed it. They had been solicitous and responsive with out being fawning and struck the proper stability of heat service {and professional} polish.

Would you advocate Japan Airways first-class?

Earlier than the coronavirus pandemic, I had the chance to fly Japan Airways’ older first-class a number of occasions and was all the time impressed with the service, facilities and luxury. Due to that, I had very excessive expectations for the brand new first-class expertise. These expectations weren’t simply met; they had been exceeded.

The brand new suites really feel like whole sport changers for the airline because of their privateness, spaciousness and delightful design components, in addition to the cool new tech integrated into them. Paired with the airline’s unparalleled service — the crew on this flight was incredible — and its phenomenal dining-and-drinks program, and it is secure to say that that is actually probably the greatest flight experiences on the earth. Now, if solely fairly priced awards had been made extra out there so extra flyers may get the possibility to strive it!

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