First class, new business class and the rest: Fly on the Japan Airlines A350-1000 in all four cabins
We boarded the fairly new and pretty Japan Airlines A350-1000, each cabin had completely new products. In particular, first class and business class are currently leading the world in commercial aviation. We flew this plane on a 13-hour journey from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to showcase four amazing cabins, all both on the same flight.
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The following is a breakdown of our personal experience on JAL’s A350-1000.
Economics — Ben Smithson
We paid: $896
Ben found the legroom and overall seat comfort to be excellent for a regular economy seat. He arrived in New York in a happier mood than expected. He loves the large, sharp in-flight entertainment screen, along with convenient modern technology features such as USB charging from the screen and Bluetooth connectivity to connect wireless headphones.
The lavatory was the largest he had ever seen in economy class and had plenty of space to change inside.
However, there are still a few negatives. The in-flight entertainment screen kept freezing when he selected the moving map and the crew had to call to reset it manually; This is very annoying for a brand new aircraft. Ben finds that these dining options are unusual for people who don’t have an adventurous palate.
Premium Economy — Lauren McCay
We paid: $2,380
Lauren believes that the premium economy class seats have been carefully designed and are very passenger-friendly. They have plenty of pockets and compartments, along with good tech features like USB-A and USB-C outlets. The seat itself is comfortable and reclining is easy.
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Unfortunately, when the seats are reclined, the passenger’s legroom feels cramped. With the seat reclining and the footrest fully up, it can be difficult for adults to stretch their legs in the seat. The service, while friendly and helpful, was a bit slow and not as attentive as Lauren expected.
Read more: First let’s look at Japan Airlines’ new premium economy on the Airbus A350-1000
Business class – Liam Spencer
We paid: $3,685
JAL’s new business class product competes with Qatar Airways’ QSuite for the best spot in the skies. The deep room and sliding doors provide plenty of privacy, unmatched comfort and an elegant full-length closet. Liam’s experience was further enhanced when the chair was transformed into a completely flat bed.
His apartment is filled with cutting-edge and forward-thinking technology. He especially loved the opportunity to play in-flight entertainment through the headrest speakers.
On-demand dining made the experience feel more like first class than business class. The fresh and delicious meals immediately gave him a taste of Japanese culture.
Liam didn’t like the pajamas provided. They’re incredibly thick and hooded, and they basically feel like a towel dress. They are too hot to wear for more than a few minutes.
First place – Nicky Kelvin
We paid: $7,470
The ground experience of this first-class product is extremely exclusive. The private check-in area is unique and the lounges are great – especially the freshly prepared sushi.
Japan Airlines’ new first class has one of the widest seats and beds in the sky. With a thick mattress and luxurious linens, I got the sleep usually reserved for above-ground beds.
The food and beverage offering is extremely premium and is an authentic Japanese experience and event in itself. While I love a lavish dining experience, the “snacks” — like katsu curry — served after the flight are also excellent. Additionally, the suite’s high walls and doors make the space (and the entire experience) incredibly quiet and private.
The only negative is that 13 hours is not long enough.
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