Explore first class, business class, and more: A journey through all four cabins of the Japan Airlines A350-1000

We embarked on a delightful flight aboard the brand new Japan Airlines A350-1000, featuring completely redesigned products in each cabin. Notably, the first and business class sections rank among the finest in commercial aviation. Our 13-hour adventure took us from Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), allowing us to experience all four exceptional cabins on this single journey.

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Here’s a detailed overview of our experiences aboard JAL's A350-1000.

Economy Class — Ben Smithson

Total cost: $896

Ben found the legroom and overall seat comfort to be outstanding for a standard economy class seat. He arrived in New York feeling more refreshed than he had anticipated. He appreciated the large, high-definition inflight entertainment screen, complete with modern features like USB charging and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headphones.

The lavatory was the largest he had ever encountered in economy class, providing ample space for changing comfortably.

However, there were a few drawbacks. The inflight entertainment screen frequently froze when he accessed the moving map, requiring crew intervention to reset it; this was disappointing for such a new aircraft. Additionally, Ben found the meal choices to be quite unconventional for those who prefer a more traditional palate.

Premium Economy — Lauren McCay

Total spent: $2,380

Lauren found the premium economy seats to be thoughtfully designed and very accommodating for passengers. They featured multiple pockets and compartments, as well as impressive tech amenities like USB-A and USB-C ports. The seat was comfortable, and reclining was a breeze.

Unfortunately, reclining the seat made the foot area feel somewhat cramped. With the seat in a reclined position and the footrest fully extended, it became challenging for an adult to stretch out comfortably. While the service was friendly and helpful, it was a bit slower and less attentive than Lauren had anticipated.

Business Class — Liam Spencer

Total spent: $3,685

Japan Airlines' new business class product stands toe-to-toe with Qatar Airways' Qsuite as one of the best in the sky. The spacious suite with a sliding door offered exceptional privacy, remarkable comfort, and a stylish full-length wardrobe. Liam's experience was further enhanced once the seat transformed into a fully flat bed.

His suite was packed with cutting-edge technology. He especially enjoyed the ability to listen to the inflight entertainment audio through speakers integrated into the headrest.

On-demand dining made the experience feel more akin to first class than business class. The meals were fresh and instantly connected him to Japanese culinary culture.

However, Liam was not fond of the pajamas provided. They were overly thick with a hood, resembling a towel dress, and proved too warm to wear for more than a few minutes.

First Class — Nicky Kelvin

Total cost: $7,470

The ground experience for this first-class offering is exceptionally exclusive. The private check-in area is one-of-a-kind, and the lounges are fantastic—especially the sushi made fresh on-site.

Japan Airlines' new first class features some of the widest seats and beds in the air. With a plush mattress and luxurious bedding, I enjoyed sleep typically reserved for the comfort of home.

The food and beverage selection is incredibly upscale, providing an authentic Japanese experience that's an event in itself. While I relished the extravagant dining experience, the 'snacks'—like the katsu curry—served later in the flight were equally delightful. Moreover, the high walls and doors of the suite ensured a remarkably quiet and private atmosphere throughout the journey.

The only downside was that 13 hours just wasn't enough time to enjoy it all.

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