Four travel experts, four cabins, one plane.
Welcome to the video appraisal from travel site The Points Guy of every seat type on a Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000.
The quartet of flyers gather together at Tokyo Haneda before dispersing into economy, premium economy, business class and first class on a JAL flight to New York JFK.
Japan Airlines came sixth in this year’s ‘Oscars of Aviation’ Skytrax Awards, so it’s no surprise that there’s plenty that impresses the globetrotting team, including headrest speakers and epic flatbeds.
But there are a few hiccups – with a complaint of slow service in one of the cabins. Read on for the full verdict. What do YOU think of Japan Airlines? Vote in our poll…
ECONOMY. TPG PAID: £701 ($901)
Putting economy class to the test was senior editor Ben Smithson
Ben (above) told MailOnline Travel that ‘the legroom and general seat comfort was excellent’
Putting economy class to the test was senior editor Ben Smithson.
He told MailOnline Travel that ‘the legroom and general seat comfort was excellent for a regular economy class seat’ and that he ‘arrived in New York feeling more refreshed than expected’.
He continued: ‘There was a large, crisp inflight entertainment screen with handy modern tech features such as USB charging from the screen and bluetooth connectivity to connect your own wireless headphones.
‘The lavatory, meanwhile, was the biggest I have ever seen in economy class and there was plenty of space to get changed inside.’
Ben said: ‘There was a large, crisp inflight entertainment screen with handy modern tech features such as USB charging from the screen and bluetooth connectivity to connect your own wireless headphones’
The economy food? ‘Unusual if you don’t have an adventurous palate’
Ben’s economy ticket cost £701 ($901)
And downsides? A few.
Ben said: ‘The Inflight entertainment screen kept freezing when selecting the moving map and the crew had to be called to manually reset it, which was frustrating for a brand new plane.
‘Also, there were limited non-Japanese movie options and the food options were unusual if you don’t have an adventurous palate.’
PREMIUM ECONOMY. TPG PAID £1,878 ($2,415)
Putting premium economy to the test was video producer Lauren McCay
Lauren (above) told MailOnline that her premium economy seat was ‘well thought out’
Putting premium economy to the test was video producer Lauren McCay.
What were the ups?
She told MailOnline: ‘The premium economy seat was well thought out. Very customer friendly, in that it had a lot of pockets and compartments, along with a good use of tech capabilities such as USB and USB-C chargers.
Lauren described the premium economy service as ‘a bit slow’. Above – her compartmentalised meal, which she declared was ‘delicious’
‘The seat was comfortable and reclining was easy.’
And the food? ‘Delicious.’
Any downsides? Japan Airlines was found wanting here in the service department.
Lauren said: ‘The service, while friendly and helpful, was a bit slow and not as attentive as you’d expect for premium economy.’
BUSINESS CLASS. TPG PAID: £2,896/$3,724
Liam Spencer, Senior Marketing Manager, boarded and turned left – to test out Japan Airlines’ business class
Liam declared that JAL’s business class ‘rivals Qatar Airways’ QSuite for best in the sky’
Liam Spencer, Senior Marketing Manager, boarded and turned left – to test out Japan Airlines’ business class.
And he was full of the most fulsome praise for the cabin – even declaring that it might just be the very best business class on the planet.
He gushed: ‘JAL’s new business-class product rivals Qatar Airways’ QSuite for best in the sky. There was a ton of privacy thanks to the deep suite and sliding door, unbeatable comfort, and an elegant full-length wardrobe. My experience was elevated even further once the seat had been turned into a fully-flat bed.’
Any other positives? Indeed.
Liam told MailOnline ‘there was a ton of privacy thanks to the deep suite and sliding door, unbeatable comfort, and an elegant full-length wardrobe’
The ‘fresh’ food, remarked Liam, gave him a ‘taste of Japanese culture’
Liam continued: ‘My suite was full of innovation and forward-thinking technology. In particular, I was able to play my in-flight entertainment audio through speakers in my headrest – something I’ve never seen on a plane before.’
Liam also dished out praise for the food.
He added: ‘On-demand dining helped to make my experience feel more akin to first class, rather than business. The meals were fresh and immediately gave me a taste of Japanese culture. I would highly recommend the pork cutlet sandwich.’
And downsides to the potential world-beater? The nightwear, it turns out.
Liam said: ‘The pyjamas provided were extremely thick, hooded, and essentially felt like a towel dress. After a few minutes of wear, it became far too hot in the cabin.’
FIRST CLASS. TPG PAID: £5,871/$7,550
Nicky Kelvin, Editor-at-Large, ensconced himself in first class
In the video, Nicky sums up JAL’s first class as ‘spectacular’
Nicky told MailOnline: ‘Japan Airlines’ first class has one of the widest seats and beds in the sky’
The first-class dining experience is ‘incredibly high end’
Nicky shows off his headrest speakers
Nicky Kelvin, Editor-at-Large, ensconced himself in first class.
There were no downsides to the experience, he told MailOnline, only a long list of positives for a cabin he sums up in the video as ‘spectacular’.
He said: ‘Japan Airlines’ new first class has one of the widest seats and beds in the sky. With the thick mattress and luxurious bedding, I was able to have the kind of sleep usually reserved for beds on the ground.’
The travel guru continued: ‘The high walls and doors of the suite made the space incredibly quiet and private.’
Japan Airlines jetliners docked at Tokyo Haneda Airport
And we’re assuming the dining is mouthwatering.
Nicky confirmed: ‘The food and drink offering is incredibly high end and a true Japanese experience and an event in itself. I loved the lavish dining experience, but actually the “snacks” later in the flight, like the katsu curry, were exquisite.’
For more from The Points Guy visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel. To see the full video, click here.
