Airline: Japan Airlines (JL)
Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000
Flight: JL5
Route: New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
Cabin and Layout: First class, 6 seats, 1-1-1 configuration
Seat: 2A
Cost: 125,000 Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles plus $188 in taxes and fees
Japan Airlines is my favorite airline, so this was much more than another flight review for me. Before this trip, I had flown JAL first class 2 times and business class once. The one experience missing from that list was the airline’s newest first class product aboard the Airbus A350-1000.
Because the A350-1000 is not deployed everywhere and first class awards can be exceptionally difficult to find, finally booking it felt even more special.
I already knew that JAL could deliver exceptional food, warm service, and incredible attention to detail. What I wanted to find out was whether its newest first class suite could live up to that same standard.
Here is what it was like spending roughly 14 hours in one of the most impressive first class cabins in the sky.
Booking Japan Airlines First Class
Booking Japan Airlines first class through a partner such as American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards can be extremely difficult. I could have created an alert through Seats.aero and hoped something would appear, but I wanted to lock in a date that worked for me, given my crazy schedule at home.
My best chance was booking directly through Japan Airlines Mileage Bank. The airline typically releases more seats to its own members than to partners, although the price is usually higher. I booked my flight for 125,000 JAL miles and approximately $188 in taxes and fees, using a combination of rewards transferred from Bilt Rewards and Capital One Miles.
That is more than I usually like to spend on a one-way flight, but this was a bucket-list redemption, and the cash fare was more than $16,000.
That worked out to a redemption of over 12 cents per mile. I never would have paid $16,000 in cash, but points made an otherwise unrealistic experience possible.
John F. Kennedy International Airport
My trip began with an early Delta flight from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to New York City (JFK). Since my Japan Airlines flight was scheduled to depart shortly after 1 p.m., I booked a flight around 7 a.m. that arrived at Kennedy Airport at approximately 10 a.m. That gave me a comfortable connection and enough time to enjoy the lounge without feeling rushed.
Check-In
I already had a mobile boarding pass, but I needed to check a bag, so I stopped at the JAL counters in Terminal 8.
There was already a long line when I arrived, although no agents were standing behind the desks.
Before check-in began, the agents stood together in front of the counters, got everyone’s attention, and bowed in unison to the waiting passengers. I was blown away.
Once my bag was checked, I cleared security and headed for the Soho Lounge, above gate 14, next to the Chelsea Lounge.
Soho Lounge
Japan Airlines does not operate a lounge at JFK. First class passengers instead go to the Soho Lounge, part of the collection jointly operated by American Airlines and British Airways in Terminal 8.
I was excited, as I’d heard great things about the Soho Lounge.
I arrived during the transition from breakfast to lunch, so I saw both spreads.
There was a solid selection of food and drinks, plenty of comfortable seating, and excellent views of the runway — including a clear view of the JAL A350-1000 I’d be flying.
I had coffee and fish and chips.
I reserved a shower suite before heading to the gate to freshen up before my 14-hour flight.
I enjoyed relaxing in Soho Lounge for a few hours, especially after my very early flight from South Florida.
Boarding
About 20 minutes before boarding, I made my way to the gate and was the first passenger to board.
I was welcomed by a friendly JAL flight attendant who escorted me to my seat, 2A. Only 3 of the 6 suites were occupied. The half-full cabin remained quiet and private throughout the flight.
Aboard Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000
The A350-1000 is Japan Airlines’ newest flagship aircraft, featuring the carrier’s most up-to-date products in every cabin. First class occupies 2 rows in a 1-1-1 layout for a total of 6 suites.
First Class Cabin and Seat
The moment I stepped into the first class cabin, I quietly whispered to myself, “Wow, this suite is massive.”
I have flown Cathay Pacific first class, Singapore Airlines Suites on the A380, Emirates’ Game Changer first class on the 777, and Etihad’s Apartment. Even with those experiences as a point of comparison, JAL’s new suite left me incredibly impressed.
The main seat felt more like a wide sofa, with a second seat beside it and an expansive tray table between the 2. It was like my own living room in the sky — a kingly throne rather than an airplane seat.
At the front was an ottoman and plenty of legroom.
A tall sliding door closed off the suite from the aisle, giving me excellent privacy without making it feel claustrophobic.
Storage was as impressive. I had a wardrobe, a dedicated shoe compartment, and several cubbies for my passport, wallet, and other items. A compartment beneath the ottoman hid my backpack with room to spare, allowing me to spread out without clutter.
Nearly every feature was controlled electronically. Buttons on a panel adjusted the seat, lighting, and electronically dimmable windows.
A tablet managed the inflight entertainment system and many of the same suite functions.
There were AC, USB-A, and USB-C outlets, along with wireless charging, so keeping all my devices powered was easy.
The seat converted into a bed approximately 80 inches long. With the mattress pad in place and the door closed, the suite felt more like a private bedroom than simply a lie-flat airline seat.
I slept comfortably for a solid 4 hours, though, admittedly, I wanted to stay awake and take in the whole experience.
Food and Beverages
Japan Airlines’ first class dining is one of the experiences I look forward to most when flying the carrier. The full menu for my flight included Japanese and Western courses, a long list of drinks, and additional dishes available throughout the flight.
I usually choose Japanese on JAL, but I had never tried the Western, so I switched things up. First, I started with the Hibiki 100th Anniversary Blend whisky with a tiny hors d’oeuvre. I love Suntory whisky, so it was an easy choice.
The meal began with butternut squash, coconut, and apple soup. It was interesting but not my favorite.
The poached scallop carpaccio with celery root cream, pear compote, and black truffle vinaigrette came next, and as a scallop lover, I thought it was delicious.
Following was chestnut gnocchi with porcini mushrooms and fontina cream sauce. I loved the sauce, though the gnocchi was good, not great.
For my main course, I tried both the pan-seared branzino and the prime beef tenderloin.
Was it too much food? Probably. But someone had to try both for review purposes, and I was willing to make the sacrifice. Both were very good.
I skipped the Western menu’s tiramisu and ordered the pumpkin mousse from the Japanese menu. It was light, refreshing, and a great way to finish the meal.
After a 4-hour nap and a couple of movies, I was hungry again. My “snacks” included caviar, a crab cake sandwich, and JAL’s Kyushu Jangara-style tonkotsu-flavored miso ramen.
Honestly, I enjoyed the snacks even more than the formal meal, even though I liked everything. You will not go hungry in JAL business or first class.
Amenities
The suite came stocked with pajamas, slippers, bedding, a pillow, a HERALBONY amenity bag designed with Zero Halliburton, and a separate men’s grooming kit. I love airline pajamas, but these felt too warm, so I took them home instead.
When it was time to sleep, the crew made the bed with a mattress pad and bedding. Between the wide bed and closing door, it was one of the most comfortable sleeping setups I have experienced on a plane.
Inflight Entertainment
It was hard to enter the suite without immediately noticing the 43-inch 4K monitor. I felt like I was watching TV in my living room rather than sitting on an airplane.
JAL offered Japanese and international movies and shows, moving map and flight cameras. The selection was decent but not as extensive as what some competitors offer. I had downloaded my own content, so I didn’t mind.
The suite had speakers built into the headrest, so I could listen without wearing headphones.
JAL provided high-quality Bang & Olufsen headphones with wired and Bluetooth connections.
Overall, JAL significantly improved the A350’s IFE compared with the aging systems on the Boeing 777 and 787.
Lavatory
The first class lavatory was kept clean throughout the flight and had a modern vanity.
And because this was a Japanese airline, the toilet featured bidet controls — even at 35,000 feet.
It also had toiletries available for use, such as a toothbrush, mouthwash, and fragrances.
Wi-Fi
First-class and business-class passengers received free Wi-Fi for the entire flight. A small card had a code that I plugged into the pop-up screen and allowed me to connect.
Passengers in other cabins could purchase Wi-Fi for 1 hour, 3 hours, or the entire flight.
The Wi-Fi worked well enough for messaging, browsing, and using my phone for most of the flight. I wouldn’t count on it for serious work, but having free, unlimited Wi-Fi on a 14-hour flight was a great perk.
Service
As impressive as the suite was, the service is what continues to separate Japan Airlines from nearly every other carrier for me.
I have now flown JAL 4 times, across different routes, years, and cabins, and the service has been exceptional every single time. That consistency is incredible. The JAL crews have a way of making passengers feel genuinely cared for.
My flight attendant and the rest of the first class crew checked on me regularly without being intrusive. Whenever I needed something, someone was only a call away, and every interaction felt warm and sincere.
From the agents bowing at check-in to the incredible care on board, the warm Japanese hospitality stood out throughout the entire journey.
Arrival
We arrived at Tokyo Haneda on time, around 4:30 p.m. With only 3 passengers in first class, deplaning was quiet and peaceful, and I was the first person off the aircraft. Haneda did not feel particularly busy that afternoon, so the walk through the terminal and arrival were relatively calm.
I was sad to deplane and leave behind the aircraft and suite, but I was also excited about what came next: returning to the Park Hyatt Tokyo for the first time in a decade and seeing the hotel after its extensive renovation.
Final Thoughts
Did Japan Airlines first class on the A350-1000 live up to the hype? Absolutely.
This was a bucket-list flight for me, delivering everything I had hoped for: an enormous suite, excellent food, genuine service, and the thoughtful details that make Japan Airlines my favorite carrier.
Very few things in life, aside from my family and children, make me as happy as using points to take a flight like this. I hope I have the chance to fly it again one day. Until then, I will have the memories — and plenty of photos — to help me relive an unforgettable 14 hours in Japan Airlines first class.