Introduction | Japan Airlines

It’s finally here, and one that all flight enthusiasts were waiting for. Japan Airlines has unveiled the cabin interiors for its new Airbus A350-1000, which it says will become its new flagship aircraft for its international services.

The airline unveiled new details of its new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft and cabin interiors, marking a significant upgrade for international travel after nearly two decades. The first two classes, in particular, offer an ultra-luxurious experience, with an emphasis on enhanced privacy, and I’ll be looking into these two classes in particular.

Initial Thoughts | Japan Airlines

A few mind-blowing thoughts:

This is going to be a game changer like all the other first class cabins that were unveiled from its rivals. The new first class looks to be one of the best and given my experience with their first class before, it’s probably going to have the best bed-like seat out there.
The business class product also looks to be a game changer with its ability to listen to audio without headphones - this is a first and one I’m most intrigued to try.
43 inch TV in first class? GOOD LORD.
Business class seats leverage a mini closet and looks similar to Qatar Airways QSuites and ANA the Room, which are both respectively #1 and #2.

Route Destination(s) | Japan Airlines

Currently, Japan Airlines revealed its first Airbus A350-1000 route. While no exact date has been provided yet, they intends to start flying its first A350-1000 between Tokyo (HND) and New York (JFK) before the end of 2023. Japan Airlines will operate two daily flights between Tokyo and New York, and initially only one of those flights will feature the A350. Specifically, the following frequency will be the first to feature the new cabins, though initially only on alternating days:

JL6 Tokyo to New York departing 11:05AM arriving 10:50AM
JL5 New York to Tokyo departing 1:45PM arriving 5:15PM (+1 day)

Seven more A350-1000s will arrive in 2024 and 2025, with the final four rounding off the flagship fleet by the end of 2028, so we can expect to see progressively more destinations served by aircraft with these new cabin products in the coming years. With a one-for-one replacement planned, ultimately we can expect the jets to ply all of JAL’s current Boeing 777-300ER routes to and from Tokyo, which comprise:

Dallas
London
Los Angeles
New York
Paris
San Francisco (I’ll be watching this one like a hawk)

Seat Layout | Japan Airlines

I think we’re all curious what the design and layout will be like. Given its seat map, it will be in a very premium heavy configuration with just 239 seats, which includes the following:

Six first class seats
54 business class seats
24 premium economy seats
155 economy class seats

FIrst Class | Japan Airlines

To compete the likes of Emirates, Singapore Airline and its own country’s rival, ANA, Japan Airlines’ new A350-1000 first class will consist of just six seats, spread across two rows in a 1-1-1 configuration. This is probably my newest aspirational goal, as I’m a huge fan of Japan Airlines and their fantastic service.

The seats are produced by Safran, and here are some of the key features of this product:

The seat will have 83″ of pitch, 48″ of width, the bed will be 80″ long, the wall will be 62″ high, and the entertainment monitor will be 43″ (my take is that it’s gonna be a massive bed essentially, which is always a plus)
First class seats will feature privacy doors, a nice addition
There will be no overhead bins in the cabin, and instead there will be a wardrobe and storage space at each seat
The suite will offer three seating modes, including a sofa, a seat and a single bed, and a double bed (that’s despite the fact that each seat is designed for one passenger)
The world’s first headphone-free stereo with built-in headrest speakers, allowing passengers to enjoy inflight entertainment without using headphones
The suite will feature wireless charging, a minibar, and the ability to communicate with flight attendants through a monitor at the seat

Japan Airlines spokesperson had this to say:

“Seats are designed to provide even greater comfort and the addition of individual doors, for the first time by JAL, increases privacy while also creating a more open individual atmosphere with the elimination of overhead storage compartments.”

Each suite has a closing privacy door standing 157 cm (62 in) tall, while seat width is an impressive 123 cm (48 in). That’s the equivalent of 2.6 Economy Class seats side-by-side! In bed mode, the bed length extends to just over two metres. The airline is promising this new product is 30% larger than its existing Boeing 777-300ER First Class seat.

In Sofa Mode, or simply the standard configuation, it looks to have room for two to watch TV or dine together (though each seat is designed only for single traveller occupancy).

In Seat & Single Bed Mode, it allows you to move between a seated position (albeit on a much narrower seat) while also having the option to sleep whenever you like.

The Double Bed Mode, or the DAMN ITS A BED IN THE SKY Mode, the largest bed configuration, allows you ample room to stretch out, with a maximum 123 cm (48 in) x 203 cm (80 in) surface on offer, only narrowing to a (still generous) approximate 78cm (31 in) x 203 cm (80 in) at the foot end, where the console protrudes into the side space. To put that in perspective, its even bigger than that of Singapore Airline’s A380 Suite’s bed!

Business Class | Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines’ new A350-1000 business class will consist of 52 seats, spread across 14 rows in a 1-2-1 configuration. Picking up similar cues from its rivals, it now also utilizes privacy doors for their business class to create a private space. While there’s a reduction in the First Class seat count, the good news for potentially improved award space on JAL is that in Business Class on the A350-1000 there will be 10% more seats – 54 compared to 49 on the Boeing 777-300ER!

Like the above, the seats are produced by Safran, and here are some of the key features of this product:

The business class seat will have 51″ of pitch, 22″ of width, the bed will be 78″ long, the wall will be 52″ high, and the entertainment monitor will be 24″ (this feels somewhat similar to its predecessor) thought not in the 2-3-2 configuration
Business class seats will feature privacy doors (this is a net new as well)
There will exclusively be overhead bins along the windows, to create a more spacious cabin layout; the seats will feature a personal wardrobe as well as baggage storage
The seats will also feature headrest speakers, so that you can enjoy entertainment without using headphones
Seats will feature wireless charging and pressure dispersing cushions to help with sleep.

Service Refresh | Japan Airlines

To coincide with the launch of the new A350-1000, Japan Airlines is also refreshing various aspects of its service and soft products, such as culinary changes and amenities. Among other things, here’s what we can expect:

In first and business class, Japan Airlines will introduce new vegan and vegetarian menus
As of the spring of 2024, Japan Airlines will introduce a new dine on demand concept in business class, giving passengers more flexibility
In business class, Japan Airlines will start offering pajamas, though you can only use them during the flight (which seems rather cheap)
In premium economy and economy, the airline will introduce new premium paid dining concepts, for those who want an even better experience