JAL A350-1000 Business Class Review: Tokyo to New York

JAL Business Class

Japanese airlines are legendary for being some of the best in the world, specifically regarding their flagship hardware and that famous hospitality. We have wanted to experience Japan Airlines for a long time. This year, we finally scored seats on the new A350-1000 using Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. While the online hype is overwhelmingly positive, after 13 hours flying from Tokyo (HND) to New York (JFK), we found the experience to be a bit more nuanced. The hard product and the dining experiences absolutely lived up to the massive expectations, but the more reserved, hands-off service left more to be desired. Overall, this was a fantastic experience and scoring this flight on points is an incredible deal that we would love to do again.

Cost & Booking

We booked these seats about a year in advance by transferring 89,000 points from Amex to Cathay Pacific. Each business class seat costs 89,000 points plus approximately $200 in taxes and fees. We actually managed to book two seats on one flight and a third seat on a flight departing slightly earlier to make the logistics work for our group. Cathay Pacific is one of the earliest partners to receive award space, making them the most reliable option for securing these suites far in advance. While American Airlines (60,000 miles) and Alaska (75,000 miles) are technically cheaper, they receive less availability at a later time for far out tickets. If you somehow have a large stash of points directly with JAL, then that is arguably the best place to book this award seat directly. 

We specifically chose the New York route because we wanted to fully experience the new business class for as long as possible. A 13 hour flight gave us the maximum time to test the bed and the catering. To make the logistics work, we found that flights from New York back to San Francisco are quite cheap during January, which helped us round out the trip. Currently, JAL is only running this new aircraft from Tokyo (HND) to New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), and Dallas (DFW). Always check your specific route, as flights to cities like San Francisco (SFO) still use the older aircraft.

Check-In & Lounge

Check-in at Tokyo was smooth and standard. The ground staff processed our bags quickly and provided clear instructions for navigating the terminal toward the JAL Sakura Lounge. The lounge itself is visually impressive and offers a wide range of food options, though it does get quite crowded around the dinner rush.

The lounge is famous for its JAL beef curry. It certainly lived up to the reputation with a rich, savory depth that makes it a must-try before boarding. Another highlight is the automated beer station. These machines use chilled glasses stored in a dedicated freezer and pour a perfect glass of Asahi. The lounge had plenty of seating and offered showers, though there was a long queue for the shower suites during our visit. After a quick dinner, we headed toward our boarding gate for our departure.

The Cabin & Seat

The Sakura red carpet sets a refined tone the moment you step into the cabin, which feels remarkably bright, clean, and modern. Unlike the classic herringbone layouts found on many carriers, JAL opted for a more architectural approach with interlocking suites arranged in a precise, clean grid. We booked 5A, a window seat, and 5D, a middle aisle seat. We highly recommend the odd-numbered windows because the suite is positioned closer to the glass for better views and maximum privacy. For couples traveling together, the middle aisle options are an excellent choice to stay closer to your companion.

The initial impression of the seat is one of organized luxury. Upon arrival, the amenity kit, eye mask, bottled water, and the menu are already placed neatly on the side console. The upholstery features a sophisticated mix of red fabric and leather that looks quite premium and feels durable. Resting on the seat cushion, JAL provides high-quality headphones, slippers, pajamas, a blanket, and a pillow. One of the most unique features is the clever sliding wardrobe located right next to the 24-inch 4K TV screen. It includes a hanger for your jacket and even a dedicated shoe storage area, which is a rare and thoughtful addition to a business class product.

The suite is incredibly spacious and packed with impressive technology. In seat 5A, the window controls are a digital tap that transitions the glass from transparent to completely opaque. There are lantern style reading lights that add a warm touch to the atmosphere. We also appreciated the integrated lighting in the footwell, which is perfect for finding or storing your slippers in the dark. The amenity kit comes in a vibrant pouch and includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, charging cable, a pocket tissue, and a small phone stand.

Meal Service

The meal service is where JAL truly shines. Before takeoff, the crew provided a choice of orange juice or champagne. Interestingly, hot towels were provided shortly after reaching cruising altitude rather than before departure.

The dining service started quickly once we reached altitude. We were given some light bites and ordered our starter cocktail drinks. For our meal selection, we opted for the Japanese set box, which was a stunning presentation. It featured several cold seafood plates including octopus, snow crab, abalone, cod, and wagyu beef. It was absolutely delicious. To pair with the main dish, we enjoyed Japanese whiskey. The main course came with perfectly cooked rice and three distinct sauces. There was a seri green sauce, a red curry, and a chicken with chili pepper sauce, all served with hot miso soup. For dessert, we had strawberry jelly with white sesame cream. We finished the meal with high-quality green tea.

The breakfast service is entirely a-la-carte, which we really liked because it allows you to pick exactly what you want and how much you want to eat. We had ramen and beef sukiyaki with rice. They were both delicious and this is easily some of the best catering we have had in the sky.

Sleep & Entertainment

The entertainment system is top-tier, featuring a massive 24-inch TV screen and a responsive remote control. While the hardware is impressive, the movie and show selection felt a bit limited compared to competitors like Starlux. The real star, however, is the innovative built-in sound system in the headrest. The audio quality was so immersive that we did not use the provided headphones at all. It feels like a private surround-sound experience that allows you to enjoy a film without the fatigue of wearing a headset for hours.

When it came time for sleep, the seat transformed into an incredibly spacious lie-flat bed. One thing to note is that the bedding is stored in the overhead storage bins, and we had to make our own beds. JAL does not seem to offer a formal turndown service in this cabin. That said, the mattress and pillows were very comfortable, and the privacy doors made the suite feel like a private room. The cabin was a bit too hot for our preference, and the lack of individual air vents made it a struggle to fall asleep at first. Though, the humidity levels were fine and the air did not feel dry. We were ultimately able to get several hours of solid sleep.

Service

The service on this flight was cordial, but it felt a bit lackluster compared to our recent experiences on carriers like Condor, Air France, or Starlux. The attendants were very reserved and did not visit the cabin much at all throughout the 13 hour journey. We were rarely visited for water refills, and we eventually found ourselves walking up to the galley to ask for more water or to dispose of our own trash. While it is possible the crew simply did not want to bother us in our private suites, JAL definitely had the most reserved attendants we have encountered.

Another issue we noticed across both of our flights was the state of the lavatories. Sharing 3 bathrooms among 54 passengers is already a tight ratio, and they were not particularly well-kept. The facilities felt messier and less maintained than what we would expect for a flagship business class product. Between the hands-off crew and the state of the bathrooms, the soft product felt a bit unrefined compared to the world-class hardware.

Final Thoughts

Despite the service lapses and the messy bathrooms, we really enjoyed our time on the Japan Airlines A350-1000. JAL has built a world-class seat that competes with the very best, and seeing it in person confirms that the hard product and dining experiences truly live up to the massive expectations.If you are looking for proactive, doting service, you might find this flagship experience a bit too hands-off. However, if you value a massive private suite, a 24-inch 4K screen, and Michelin-star caliber dining, then this is an absolute must-fly. If you can find the points availability on any airline mileage program, this remains one of the most rewarding ways to cross the Pacific. Scoring this flight for 89,000 points is an incredible deal, and we would not hesitate to book it again.

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