Japan has two major airlines, both of which are incredible. Is one airline materially better than the other? Well, my opinion on this is starting to evolve a bit.
In this post:
Both ANA and JAL are fantastic airlines
Japan’s two global airline players are All Nippon Airways (ANA), which is a Star Alliance member, and Japan Airlines (JAL), which is a oneworld member. These are both excellent airlines, for a variety of reasons.
Part of the reason both airlines are so high quality is cultural. Japan simply operates on a different level when it comes to the quality of service, and the pride that’s put into offering a great experience. Even at a convenience store in Japan, you’re going to be treated with respect. The same is true when it comes to reliability, which is an important aspect of airline operations.
So when you look at the global aviation landscape, there’s no denying that the Japanese-ness of both airlines is a major factor.
However, beyond that I think the two airlines are high quality because they have one another to compete with. There’s something to be said for the power of two pretty comparable rivals, and how that encourages airlines to be the best versions of themselves. Okay, maybe that’s not always the case in the US, but it often is in other markets.
Historically when I’ve ranked the two airlines, I’ve given ANA the edge over JAL, and have found the airline to be ever-so-slightly higher quality. However, I’ve often said that it’s basically a coin toss.
Well, my thinking on this has evolved a bit, and I now actually do have a preference as to which airline I prefer. To be clear, I’m not saying anyone should care about my opinion here, and for that matter, I’d love to hear what preference OMAAT readers have.
Here’s why I now prefer JAL to ANA
I don’t want to suggest that JAL is better than ANA in every way, because that’s not the case. However, I do believe that the airline now has the edge. Both airlines are fantastic in terms of service, food, drinks, etc. It’s the fleet and lounges that differentiate the carriers a bit, if you ask me.
When it comes to premium cabins in the international fleet, ANA’s flagship aircraft is the Boeing 777-300ER, which has the carrier’s amazing “The Suite” first class and “The Room” business class. These are really great products.
However, I have to say that I think JAL’s Airbus A350-1000 is a bit swankier. JAL’s new A350 first class has the edge, and I’d say the carrier’s A350 business class is roughly comparable to ANA’s business class. What’s different is that the A350 is a much more enjoyable plane to fly, and that JAL has better tech, due to having more modern cabins.
Now, let me acknowledge the reason for this uneven fleet renewal. JAL is replacing its 777-300ERs with A350-1000s, while ANA plans to replace its 777-300ERs with 777-9s. Those have been delayed by at least six years, from 2020 to at least 2026. That’s obviously challenging, and several years down the road, this could be a very different story.
Even in economy, I’d say there are significant advantages to JAL over ANA, when looking at the international fleet. JAL’s A350-1000s have nine seats per row, while ANA’s 777-300ERs have 10 seats per row. Meanwhile looking at international 787s, JAL has eight seats per row, while ANA has nine seats per row.
I’d also argue that JAL’s domestic fleet is superior to ANA’s domestic fleet. JAL has Airbus A350-900s in a three-cabin layout, with a really beautiful first class, plus a spacious Class J (essentially premium economy). Meanwhile ANA has Boeing 787-8s and Boeing 787-10s, which are in a two-cabin layout, and aren’t quite as snazzy.
In my opinion the overall lounge and elite status situation is better with JAL than ANA. The oneworld alliance has oneworld Sapphire and oneworld Emerald. Top tier members get access to first class lounges, which are excellent. Getting that perk while flying in another cabin is awesome.
Meanwhile there’s not much incremental benefit to having Star Alliance Gold status with ANA, compared to just flying business class. For that matter, I find JAL’s first class and business class lounges to be better than ANA’s comparable lounges, especially at the Tokyo Haneda hub.
Let me acknowledge that there are some advantages to ANA as well — some may prefer the carrier’s 787 business class to JAL’s, and there are some minor elements of the first class soft product that some may prefer on ANA vs. JAL.
However, personally if I could only pick one Japanese airline to fly, I’d be on #TeamJAL, at least as of now. Of course that could change again in the future.
Bottom line
Japan has two excellent global airlines, and I’m delighted every time I get to fly with either of them. They’re both excellent, and historically I’ve thought that ANA had the edge. However, JAL’s international fleet of A350-1000s, and domestic fleet of A350-900s, has really given the airline an advantage, in my opinion.
Of course the beautiful thing is that we don’t actually have to decide between the two airlines, and it’s an absolute pleasure to fly them both. But still, JAL has really grown on me in recent times.
I’m curious if I’m alone on this, or where others stand — do you prefer ANA or JAL, and why?
You didn't mention their websites. The JAL website is superior to ANA (IMHO), especially in securing award tickets. Given how good the airline service is, it always surprises me how kludgy the ANA site is.
And Ben, thanks for teaching us how to pronounce 'ANA'!
#KOREANAIR
The biggest problem of both Japanese airlines is that their lounges are too basic, no matter first or business. No less than every lounge needs to have, but don’t expect a single bit more. At home, JAL’s Sakura Lounge even cannot compete with Cathay’s.
In the air, I constantly believe JAL is better than ANA. On catering, JAL collaborates with Ishikawa Group on Japanese and two top-tier French restaurants in Tokyo on western choices....
The biggest problem of both Japanese airlines is that their lounges are too basic, no matter first or business. No less than every lounge needs to have, but don’t expect a single bit more. At home, JAL’s Sakura Lounge even cannot compete with Cathay’s.
In the air, I constantly believe JAL is better than ANA. On catering, JAL collaborates with Ishikawa Group on Japanese and two top-tier French restaurants in Tokyo on western choices. For anyone visiting Tokyo, I highly recommend them to visit one of their flagship restaurants if you can find a seat. JAL also has better sake choices such as Juyondai, Aramasa, and Jikon. For champagne, there’s the respected Salon.
On the other hand, ANA’s catering partner is Okuda, still good but not as premium as JAL’s (that being said, still WAY better than its blue neighbor who serves the same mixed rice for all three classes, and its most premium partner across the pacific ;-)). ANA’s sake partner Noguchi Naohiko is not bad, but just not as “cult sake” than JAL’s choices.
That being said, I’m not saying ANA is completely worse than JAL. ANA’s The Ginza amenities are better than JAL’s CPB / Shiseido. ANA is a more international company while JAL is traditional and sometimes stubborn. Suite Lounge is way quieter than its competitor due to Diamond o & First entrance requirement. If you like whisky, then ANA is definitely better. ANA also wins on smell management, and music - even I personally prefer JAL’s Ashita no Tsubasa.
Comprehensively, it’s true that JAL is better. But ANA does better than JAL on many things.
Sure am glad there is a quality sky team partner in Asia :( They could be half as great and still destroy KE
I'd also give JAL the edge, simply because they have more routes with First class available. Other than a couple US destinations, ANA doesn't really offer First.
Hey there, Ben! Longtime user, new username. IYKYK!
I knew the winner would be JAL even before that A350-1000 picture loaded. Things are definitely going in its favour nowadays, and the 777X delays aren’t putting things in ANA’s favour. Service-wise, too, JAL has the beating of ANA nowadays, but I can’t forget ANA’s ‘This is Japan Elevated’ campaign from a few years back. That was a masterclass, and ANA has very well lived up to...
Hey there, Ben! Longtime user, new username. IYKYK!
I knew the winner would be JAL even before that A350-1000 picture loaded. Things are definitely going in its favour nowadays, and the 777X delays aren’t putting things in ANA’s favour. Service-wise, too, JAL has the beating of ANA nowadays, but I can’t forget ANA’s ‘This is Japan Elevated’ campaign from a few years back. That was a masterclass, and ANA has very well lived up to that.
I suggest you change #TeamJAL to #TeamOneworld (just kidding). Seriously, if JAL beats ANA, Qatar beats Emirates, Cathay’s new Aria Suite beats SQ and Starlux (when it joins) beats EVA, that will give all Emeralds the ultimate bragging rights!
I mean, we all knew based on Lucky's recent ravings of JAL in all his recent posts about them.
While I think JAL is definitely better nowadays, I'd still say I like ANA more.
This reminds me of something, that apparently Japanese people still are traumatised by the JAL 123 crash, and many prefer ANA to JAL because ANA's safer.
"The two carriers competing in the same market" is really important..
KE and OZ used to be great, but since the merger process started, KE's service quality has deteriorated significantly. They're not gonna have a competitor in Korea, and they need more money to close the merger, so they're cutting cost from everything.
Both JAL and ANA wouldn't be what they are now if they had no competition.
Not anymore nowadays, given how many of convini workers are Gen Zs and foreigners. A lot of Japanese people complain about the way they work.
Another thing to notice is, Japanese people are nicer to white people than to other Asians or other races. It also applies to the airlines.. The FAs of both JAL and ANA are more attentive to white or Japanese people. Non-Japanese Asians normally don't get the same level of service from them.
@S-LEE
Imagine any other country had that kind of thing, and the OMAAT audience would have straight classified that as racism. But because it's JAPAN, they don't.
OMAAT audience's double standards never fail to amaze me!
As someone who is neither white nor Japanese, I usually get treated well in Japan and on their airlines.
@Aaron, I agree with you. I have flown a few JAL business class segments this year. I don't even have status with them, I usually credit to Air France or Alaska. I only received top notch service level from them. I do notice they are more attentive to people who speak Japanese. I am non-white American.
I have status with Sky Team and the Pursers, whether it is China Airlines or KE, will introduce themselves...
@Aaron, I agree with you. I have flown a few JAL business class segments this year. I don't even have status with them, I usually credit to Air France or Alaska. I only received top notch service level from them. I do notice they are more attentive to people who speak Japanese. I am non-white American.
I have status with Sky Team and the Pursers, whether it is China Airlines or KE, will introduce themselves on most flights whether I was flying Business or Premium Economy, and also provide extra attention during the flight.
Is there a case for Delta being better than ANA and JAL?
They both need new business class seats on their 787s. And you still need to try out ANAs A380!
Team ANA, based on nearly 30 years of flying both. JAL is just so stodgy. Both need to up their lounge game.
Which one is better? The one that has award availability on the days, times and routes when I am able to fly.
ANA is better because it's Star Alliance. End of argument.
We have United/SA version of Tim Dunn here.
I can't tell if you're serious, ORD. Please tell us you're not.