Japan has two world-class airlines, in the form of Star Alliance’s All Nippon Airways (ANA), and oneworld’s Japan Airlines (JAL).
Continue reading: ANA Vs. JAL Business Class: Which Japanese Airline Is Better?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
The hard product is not all that great for flights within Asia, but I choose JAL for the soft product. They sure know how to make a steak.
i choose JAL too. Personally Jal is like an older mum taking care of the passenger and Ana more likely like a big sister …
The difference between the 777 and the A350 is material and huge. Given the choice, I would definitely take an A350 with a slightly inferior hard and/or soft product just to arrive more refreshed (less affected by the flight) and productive.
No hesitation.
@ Theboywanderz -- Personally I think JL lounges have the edge for both first and business class at both NRT and HND. It's not a massive difference, but it's noticeable, in my opinion.
I completely agree with your assessment about the new generation of jets vs the older ones. I do arrive fresher and less tired in a 787 or 350 compared to 777.
The issue for me (with both JL & NH) is that so few of their aircraft actually have these products.
Most of us are way more likely to end up on a 787 travelling longhaul on JAL or ANA. Especially if you like booking with miles/points!
One (significant, IMO) edge the ANA F lounge has is that there are usually fewer people due to *A not having the equivalent of OW Emerald. Only F pax and NH Diamond.
I wonder whether there's any way to make a version of these seats work on a 787.
Imagine if NH went 1-1-1 with The Room on the 787. Now that would be a game-changer...
Completely agree! I've been planning an Asia/Oceania trip and there are almost no flights with F or updated business class in that region.
Could you comment on JALs 777 J sears. Here in California, we only see 777 and 789.
I think both have the best food in the sky, but I prefer JAL's Japanese food and sake selection, and better lounges in TYO, and ANA has become all but impossible to redeem an award flight on. I'd be happy to fly either.
Whilst I’d agree JAL has the better Japanese food; I prefer the ANA sake selection. They are a lot more
Interesting and varied in what they serve, with different bottles on different routes. They also tend to pick things that do well at altitude; JAL have some really good stuff but it tends to be on the delicate side and that doesn’t work so well with the desensitised palate at altitude.
No opinion yet. In December I will finally get to fly "The Room", can't wait.
But of course, both airlines are just a pleasure to fly with.
What I like about JAL is that they don't play aircraft swap games. The A350 routes are fixed and no guesswork is required
ANA is a complete blackbox because they refuse to finish retrofitting their remaining 777s. If ANA did, they would win out simply because they would have more The Room seats consistently available on more routes.
Right now, even from the same airport SFO or ORD, you might get different configs on different days, or different configs to NRT or HND. I think this creates the illusion you might get the better product, but then they take it away.
Despite that difference, ANA Suite Lounge doesn't seem any emptier than JAL First Class Lounge.
I think the more important question is which of their widespread business class products is better. Goven how few aircraft and routes operate the "flagship" product most people are much more likely to encounter the product that makes up the vast majority of the fleets. I just flew 13.5 hours in ANA's subpar 787-9 business class
Right. And on those aircraft, JAL's Apex Suite is far superior to ANA's old business class, which is pitifully uncompetitive by today's standards.
The ANA lounge at HND T2 is large and modern but has a terrible food selection. Their othe lounges at HND can be extremely crowded and have slightly better food choices. For better food exploring the terminal (not T2 at night) is a better option.
I haven’t flown JAL in long time. I fly ANA at least once a quarter from Indonesia to North America. ANA is overrated. The service can be ok, sometimes not. The FAs are always pleasant. Food is hit or miss, and food service can follow odd schedules - late night departures offering no meal service? This is a feature on some flights to NA from Tokyo and on nite flights to Jakarta. Getting a 777 is difficult. The 787-8s used for Asian flights are awful. Why do I fly NH? UA offers very competitive fares to the US from here. So sometimes I am on a UA flight from Tokyo. Btw, Polaris seats beat NH non-Room seating.
how is the seat storage, from photos above, it seems that ANA may have traded bigger seat for extra cubbys/storage?
I have flown in ANA new business class seat and I did not find it comfortable at all in the lounging position, however, it was comfortable to sleep in and the door really made it more private.
Thanks for your usual awesome reviews . How do you compare to Singapore Air ? I know everyone complains about the footwell and bed. I have flown LAX to Narita First on Singapore several times and business once . I find their service to be perfect to the point of almost nurturing that I’ve been hesitant to try a Japanese carrier. Generally I think the food has been excellent too.
ANA 777-300ER has an external camera too, but at the nose gear. Very nice on the huge screens in ANA The Room.
ANA's non Room business class is generally superior to JAL's old business class, especially if you get a plane without Apex suites. After all ANA is using the same seats as Emirates' A380 business.
Just flew jal from jfk to hnd. Cabin is hyped, I do not see why. Service was really not good, food was cikd, forgotten drinks. Will not waste my time with them. Next is ana
The JAL Business Class Lounge at NRT is definitely better than ANA's. And I agree that the JAL flight attendants are a bit more personable.
ANA is excellent - and very comfortable way to fly 14+ hours on the LHR - HND long flight. Cabin ambience is good, service is excellent and food is really very classy.
I look forward to flying JAL on the same route in new business class soon!