I waited three years to take this flight.
From the moment Japan Airlines unveiled its new business and first class suites on its Airbus A350s, I knew I needed to try it out. Even with somewhat out-of-date seats on its Boeing 777 and 787 fleets, Japan Airlines' business class was already my favorite way to get to Japan.
After several scrapped attempts over the years, I got a chance on a long-haul flight from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – right as Japan Airlines' own Mileage Bank program is (rightfully) earnings its place in the points and miles spotlight. Could it possibly live up to the hype?
Spoiler alert: It sure did. This is about as good as business class gets … and in my mind, even a step above ANA's far flashier “The Room” business class cabins.
How to Book JAL Business Class
First and most importantly: If you want to fly JAL's latest and greatest business class suites, you need to start from the right city.
As of publication Japan Airlines only flies its state-of-the-art Airbus A350s from a trio of U.S. cities – and only to Tokyo-Haneda (HND). That includes:
- New York City (JFK) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) twice daily
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) once daily
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo-Haneda once daily
On paper, you could book JAL business class with miles from a dozen or more different airlines thanks to the Oneworld alliance. That includes some stellar (as well as not-so-stellar) options, like:
- Just 60,000 American AAdvantage miles and $5.60 each way – or 80,000 AAdvantage miles if you add in a domestic connection within the U.S.
- 75,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards or more, depending on which U.S. gateway you depart from, and $20 or so in taxes and fees each way
- A handful of other inferior options for more miles and far more taxes and fees (like up to $500 or more) through other Oneworld partners including British Airways, Finnair, or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
But in practice, these workaround partner award redemptions have gotten harder and harder to pull off over the years. We send Thrifty Traveler Premium members a handful of alerts like this one each year – often from just one or two U.S. or Canadian gateways. But those alerts have become fewer and further between.
That's because JAL is increasingly hoarding these seats for members using its own miles, especially these new suites on the A350. But that's not a bad thing: Japan Airlines' Mileage Bank is an absolute gold mine.
Once impossible to earn for Americans, JAL miles are now within reach thanks to transfers from Bilt Rewards, Rove Miles, Citi, and Capital One – with occasional bonuses from Capital One that can bring it to nearly a 1:1 transfer. And you won't need many points to book.
JAL charges as low as 55,000 miles each way for a one-way from the U.S. to Japan – and not just to Tokyo, but for onward connections throughout. On the cash surcharge side, those change every two months based upon fuel prices: typically between $300 and $500 or so each way. As of publication, you can expect to pay about $350 in surcharges and taxes on a one-way award.
Finding flights at those rock-bottom rates typically requires booking a full year in advance or during off-peak seasons: think the dead of winter or August, when high temperatures and humidity keep most travelers away.
But the real beauty of JAL's mileage program is that is that they offer their members tons of additional award availability at slightly higher rates – redemptions you won't see through American, Alaska, or other partner programs. That means it's easier to lock down a one-way flight to Tokyo for 75,000 or 80,000 miles each way.
Japan Airlines has a handy award availability tool – they call it the “Seat Availability Check Calendar” – that makes it easy to click through the entire 12 months of the calendar … but the results are hit or miss: Sometimes, this calendar suggests there are flights bookable at rates that don't truly exist. So be sure to click through and ensure the rate you like is, in fact, bookable before transferring any points.
After several false starts, the stars finally aligned to make a trip to Tokyo happen and book this business class cabin myself over the summer. Unfortunately, those 55,000-mile rates were nowhere to be found … but 80,000 miles and $384 in taxes and fees was by no means a bad deal. I transferred a hair more Capital One miles (thanks to a transfer bonus available at the time) to make it a reality.
At Thrifty Traveler, we don't accept freebies. We use our own points, miles, or cash to pay for every single flight or hotel you see reviewed here – including this one.
Lounge & Boarding
One of the upsides of departing from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – I mean, aside from getting to ride in a sparkling new Airbus A350! – is that it's such a treat for these major international departures.
Flying business class on a Oneworld airline like Japan Airlines means you can use American Airlines' Flagship lounge in Dallas. When I last visited years ago, this lounge stood out for its size and special treatment for business and first class passengers.
But as Delta has opened its own exclusive business class lounges and United has upped its game, the Flagship lounge in Dallas felt … well, far from “Flagship.” To be honest, it stuck me as more of a “great airline club” rather than a “good business class lounge.” American has some catching up to do here.
Don't get me wrong: It's a nice lounge and probably the best bet for American and Oneworld premium cabin passengers before hopping on a flight abroad. But DFW's Concourse D is absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to airport lounges: There's a Capital One Lounge, Amex Centurion Lounge, and a brand-new Chase Sapphire Lounge, among others, all steps away.
Read my DFW lounge rankings from our Extra Mile newsletter!
On the one hand, the space is large with plenty of seating. I love the pour-it-yourself wine and champagne bars that have become a fixture in these Flagship lounges.
But the decor feels like it's from another era. Aside from a few tables near the back of the lounge with QR codes to order (from a menu of just five dishes…), almost everything is served buffet style – though American is finally moving toward the full a la carte treatment by opening up Flagship First dining facilities to business class passengers. And for amenities, there's nothing beyond the shower suites to set this lounge apart from your typical Admiral's Club.
That's enough complaining. This lounge is good – it just could be better.
Let's fly to Tokyo, shall we?
Cabin
Wow. That's all I can say.
Japan Airlines' business class cabins are a quantum leap above the (still impressive) cabins you'll find on the airline's Boeing 787s and 777s. It's modern, open, and airy, thanks in large part to the decision not to install overhead luggage bins in the center of the plane. And while I can't say I'm in love with the burgundy and bluish gray color scheme that dominates the cabin, it works!
There are 54 business class suites onboard JAL's A350-1000, all laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration that ensures every passenger can step directly into the aisle – a given this day and age. Business class is split by a galley: There's a smaller cabin at the front with 20 seats, while the remaining 34 are behind.
Flying solo, exactly which seat you'll want to pick depends on whether you're in the front or rear business class cabin:
- In the forward section, odd-numbered seats along the windows are positioned further away from the aisles for additional privacy
- It's the reverse in the rear section: even-numbered seats are closer to the windows
But with doors at every seat, one of the suites positioned closer to the aisle isn't a bad consolation prize.
And then there are pairs of seats in the center aisle, which is what couples and companions should seek out. But these seats are staggered from row to row, so none of these center-pair seats are positioned closer together – there are no “honeymoon” seats here.
There are three lavatories in the galley between the two business class cabins: all more-or-less identical, all fairly large, and all kept completely spotless throughout the entire flight. And because this is a Japanese airline, every toilet is naturally outfitted with a Toto Washlet bidet.
Suites
I picked seat 10K for the 13-hour flight from Dallas to Tokyo. Beautiful, isn't it?
But these suites on JAL's A350-1000 aren't just flashy – they're functional, too. They're private while remaining spacious with a ton of storage inside each suite, well-designed details, and tons of high-tech touches. In short, these are some of the most well-rounded business class suites I've ever flown – easily up there with both Qatar Qsuites and ANA's The Room.
The seat itself is 22 inches wide – not the widest by any stretch, but still big enough in my books. And legroom is plentiful, especially with the spacious cubby for your feet. These footwells are often far more restrictive on other airlines.
The real pleasant surprise here is with the storage: there's a lot of it. For starters, there's that space to stow a full-size backpack underneath the footwell. That's a rarity in business class suites.
On the front wall of each suite, there's a small closet – which you can open with a door that slides out in front of the seatback monitor – with a hanger. And underneath that, there's a handy compartment that opens with a push – a perfect spot to stow your shoes during the flight.
And then there's the console table of the suite itself, where there's plenty of room to rest a laptop, water, amenity kit, or whatever else on the table surface. There's a shallow compartment here you can open with a set of buttons, which is great for a wallet, passport, or both.
And finally, there's a larger compartment built into the back wall of each suite. Honestly, this is designed so seamlessly that I almost missed it – just pull the latch underneath the panel and it opens up good spot to store water, amenity kit, headphones, and even a small bag.
But if there's one thing that shines more than storage in these suites, it's the technology.
A universal power outlet, USB-A and USB-C sockets, and a wireless charging pad? Check – with one important note: Power in each suite doesn't turn on until after takeoff.
Each suite has an intuitive control panel to tweak virtually every light in your suite, seat settings, as well as toggle “Do Not Disturb” on and off. There's a wired remote, too … but you won't really need it with the crisp seatback display with touchscreen functionality.
You can pair your own Bluetooth headphones to that display, a modern touch I love. And then Japan Airlines went the extra mile: Speakers built into each headrest for business and first class passengers.
I'll be honest: This was a bit of a gimmick. A cool gimmick, no doubt! Maybe it's just my (fairly poor) hearing, but I couldn't crank these up anywhere near loud enough to compete with even a mediocre pair of headphones. I tried them out for a few minutes before switching back to my own Bose headset.
But there were other craftier touches, like the patterned lamp in each suite equipped with an adjustable reading light at the bottom.
And then, of course, there's the door. Combined with relatively high suite walls, these actually worked – again, without sacrificing spaciousness. They're locked in place during boarding, takeoff, and landing but can otherwise be easily pushed open and closed by hand.
I generally think doors in business class are overrated. This is a case where I'm thrilled to say I'm wrong.
Honestly, I can only think of two complaints about this entire setup:
- There are no air nozzles, which can be a problem with Japanese carriers that are notorious for keeping their cabins warm. Fortunately, it cooled down significantly throughout the flight.
- The seat itself was … well, hard as a rock, especially when sitting upright. A little more padding would have gone a long way
I was worried the hard seat would make for a hard sleeping surface come bed time, but it was all for naught: When a flight attendant made up my bed with a mattress pad and duvet, it was incredibly comfortable.
I slept like a rock here for six hours straight.
I also love the dimmable windows on these A350s – they're far, far superior to the similar technology on Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
On the whole, I absolutely loved this cabin. Some other business class suites – namely, ANA's The Room – might be bigger. Others might have more bells and whistles or be slightly prettier to look at. But put the space, storage, and high-tech touches all together, and this is tough to beat. It's certainly in the conversation for the best business class cabin flying to Tokyo.
Amenities
Amenities flying Japan Airlines business class are a mixed bag.
Let's start with the good: a very solid amenity kit, which was waiting in my suite. The HERALBONY-branded bag itself was both cute and compact, and the contents were both … well, useful and a tad strange.
There were basics like a toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, facial tissues, and some hand cream. But then there was also a “gentle steam eye mask,” a fold-up plastic phone tray, and a dual-purpose USB-C and Lightning phone charger? Cool!
Beyond that, nothing was truly impressive.
While the duvet and mattress pad were excellent, the pillow was among the flimsiest I've seen in all my travels – think a slightly larger economy offering. Fortunately, a fairly empty business class cabin meant I could “borrow” not one but two other pillows from neighbor-less suites.
The bedding was waiting on every seat, as was a pair of sturdy slippers. Japan Airlines doesn't have pajamas for business class passengers – though, in some cases, flight attendants will offer you a “cardigan” to sleep in. Not necessary, thanks.
The wired headphones they provide are … fine: certainly not the best you'll find in business class, nor the worst. Between the Bluetooth connectivity and the wonky built-in speakers, they're also kind of unnecessary.
Outstanding Service & Dining
This is where JAL business class really starts to pull ahead – yes even ahead of its Japanese competitor.
When you throw a brand-new, spacious and private business class suite in with an airline renowned for its attentive and warm service and excellent catering, you've got something special on your hands. I had one of the best meals of my travels in JAL business class years ago – and while the food on this flight wasn't quite to that caliber, it was still leagues better than what you'll get on virtually any other carrier.
Ultimately, it's the little things that set great flights apart from the merely good flights. And Japan Airlines gets the little things right, in my experience.
Service started soon after boarding with a warm welcome and a drink – no wine or champagne but a choice of either water or JAL's famous “Sky Time” kiwi juice, which was delightfully tangy.
Within 20 minutes or so of takeoff, a cheery flight attendant came through and took orders for a drink. Here's a quick peek at the menu, which you can also (handily) find online with JAL. Why don't more airlines do this?
The flight attendant also dropped off an amuse bouche, which is always a treat in business class. In this case, it included some mixed nuts, tomato-and-herb cream cheese, and a package of breadsticks. It was all tasty, albeit a little random, I guess? A glass of Charles Heidsieck champagne was great, though.
For the main meal after takeoff, JAL has a choice between a multi-course Japanese “washoku” set meal…
… or the “International Cuisine” menu with a pair of entrees available: a prime beef tenderloin or pan-seared Chilean sea bass on this flight.
Remember: You're flying Japan Airlines. Getting anything but the washoku meal is a borderline sin, if you ask me.
That's because it's so, so good. Each time I've had this meal flying Japan Airlines – and this was No. 3 – it's easily among the top 10 meals I've had on a plane. Honestly, this is a core reason why I love Japan Airlines.
It started off with a tray with a pair of chopsticks, the cutest chopstick rest, and a bento box-like container with six cold bites. The marinated octopus, simmered prawns, and seared scallops were all delicious and fresh. Only the miso-simmered pork wasn't truly excellent … and it was still quite good.
Minutes after polishing off the last bite, a flight attendant returned with the second course: black cod teriyaki and grilled chicken in curry sauce with a side of rice (cleverly wrapped and steamed in a “banana leaf”), a side of Japanese pickles, and a cup of miso soup. It was executed perfectly – so perfectly, in fact, I forgot to take a photo!
Finally, it was time for dessert … which can be hit or miss for me, as I've got the opposite of a sweet tooth. But Japanese desserts are rarely (if ever) sickly sweet, so the passionfruit white chocolate cake was perfect: a great portion, dense, but not a sugar bomb. A cup of green tea on the side was the perfect accompaniment.
After an excellent meal and six-plus hours of sleep, it was time to eat again. Japan Airlines handles its second meal service differently.
Forget the “lights up three hours before landing” routine: You can simply order whatever you'd like, whenever you want, from an expansive a la carte menu.
But JAL also offers another option for business class passengers: You can order food (and drinks!) straight from your seatback screen! Again, I ask: Why don't more airlines do this?!
A few minutes after adding it to my “cart” and hitting order, a delicious bowl of “Tonkotsu-flavored Miso Ramen” appeared at my seat. This was the perfect second meal – substantial but not too heavy – and an excellent bookend to the flight before landing in Tokyo.
The food and service are the reason why I sing JAL's praises and keep coming back. The airline hasn't let me down yet, and it didn't this time either.
Entertainment
You won't struggle to keep yourself busy flying JAL business class on these new planes.
For starters, there's an ultra-crisp 24-inch 4K screen inside every suite. They're touchscreen and incredibly responsive.
One of the few knocks I've had flying JAL business class on older planes is that the entertainment selection was subpar. That problem has been largely solved: There was an extensive selection of classics, modern favorites, new releases, and even American TV shows. And, again, the interface on these screens is quite snappy.
Like I mentioned, the headphones in JAL business class are nothing to write home about … but the ability to pair your own Bluetooth headphones absolutely is. I love this feature and look forward to the day when it's a standard on all planes, flying near and far.
In addition to movies and TV, there are moving maps to track your flight's progress and a tail camera to watch it to your heart's content.
There's also Wi-Fi onboard these A350s – and it's free for both first and business class passengers. Getting logged in to use it is … an adventure: These are just the first four of 12 total steps to get online. But it was free, fast enough, and quite reliable throughout most of the flight.
Bottom Line
I waited three years to take this flight. It was worth the wait.
Japan Airlines took what I already adored about its business class – its sterling service and excellent catering to get you to Tokyo or back – and brought it to another level with new suites on the A350 that are spacious, private, and high-tech. Other airlines might do certain aspects of that experience better, but you have to put it all together for a well-rounded flight, and that's exactly what JAL does.
This isn't just one of the best ways to fly business class to Tokyo. It's one of the best ways to fly business class, period.
