ANA Vs. JAL Business Class: Which Japanese Airline Is Better?

Japan has two world-class airlines, in the form of Star Alliance’s All Nippon Airways (ANA), and oneworld’s Japan Airlines (JAL).

In 2019, ANA made headlines with the introduction of its “The Room” Boeing 777-300ER business class, which is to this day the world’s most spacious business class seat. Then this year (in 2024), we saw JAL roll out an amazing Airbus A350-1000 business class, which I recently had the chance to fly.

I’ve had several readers ask me which of the two business class products I prefer, so I wanted to address that topic in this post.

ANA & JAL both offer amazing business class experiences

The new products of both ANA and JAL are among the best business class products in the world. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about which product I like more, and… I actually still don’t know. Consider that a big endorsement of the experience offered by both airlines. It’s like asking me whether I prefer pizza or tiramisu… don’t make me decide!!

I almost feel like deciding which product is better is a silly exercise, because if I were deciding between the two airlines, I’d go based on another factor, like which represents a better value, which has a better schedule, etc. That being said, I’ll still share what I prefer about each of the two experiences.

Before I do, though, let me note what both airlines have in common with their latest business class products (both positive and negative):

• Since we’re talking about Japanese airlines, both airlines have consistently friendly service (I’ve found JAL flight attendants to be a bit more personable, on average, but not in a material way)
• Both airlines have comfortable staggered business class seats with doors
• Both airlines offer free Wi-Fi in business class, which isn’t the fastest in the world, but is usable
• Both have a lackluster inflight entertainment selection, so I recommend bringing your own entertainment
• Both have excellent food and drinks (though maybe I’d give JAL the slight edge, because the airline generally has a more extensive menu on late night/early morning departures)
• Both airlines have solid bedding, and nice amenity kits

With that out of the way, let me share what I view as the biggest benefits of each airline (and let me emphasize that in the case of both airlines, not all long haul aircraft feature these seats, so you’ll need to book certain routes to experience this).

What I like more about ANA’s 777 business class

As I view it, there are a few significant advantages that ANA’s “The Room” 777 business class has. For one, the seat is simply on a different level in terms of how big it is. I still can’t believe that this is business class, because the seat is almost of first class proportions.

While I love the amount of personal space, let me mention that it’s almost so spacious as to not be particularly cozy. For example, when you’re lounging, you have to use the pillows to prop your arms up on one side, since you can’t possibly reach both armrests.

In bed mode, the amount of personal space is especially awesome, as this seat is larger than just about any other business class bed, and that includes the footwell area.

Another significant advantage is for those traveling with a companion, who actually want to sit with the person they’re traveling with. While both airlines have a staggered layout, ANA has true “honeymoon” seats in every other row, while on JAL, the center seats are equally far apart from one another in each row.

If you’re traveling with someone, there’s something to be said for being able to actually enjoy the flight while sitting right next to them, rather than having to lean forward uncomfortably. If you’re traveling alone, don’t worry, as there’s a full privacy partition between these seats.

Last but most definitely not least, I love the fact that ANA has individual air nozzles on its 777s with the new business class, as this is a highly underrated feature, especially given how warm many Asian carriers keep their cabins.

What I like more about JAL’s A350 business class

JAL’s new A350 business class isn’t actually exclusive to the airline, but instead, the carrier is the launch customer for the new Safran Unity seat, which we’re going to see on several more airlines as time goes on.

If you ask me, one of the biggest advantages of JAL over ANA is that the A350-1000 is just such a pleasure to fly. You really feel the quieter cabin, the better cabin humidity, etc. I think people underestimate the value of flying on “next generation” jets in that regard, and to me, that makes a difference. The A350 is also super, super sexy, but I realize I’m getting into weird avgeek territory there…

Speaking of the A350, I love JAL’s high definition tail camera, which makes up for the otherwise lackluster entertainment selection. Seriously, I could watch this all day long, even just at cruise altitude.

Next, JAL’s seat tech is on a different level than ANA, ranging from the charging options (AC, USB-A, USB-C, wireless), to the headrest speakers and bluetooth audio. It’s amazing how quickly technology has progressed on those fronts in recent years, and it makes a difference compared to the products we saw a few years back.

Next, while JAL’s business class seat isn’t quite as spacious as ANA’s, I think that in many ways it’s cozier and perhaps even more comfortable. Unlike some other staggered configurations, it didn’t feel restrictive to me, though it also didn’t feel as overly spacious as ANA’s product. For just lounging around, I think the JAL seat might be more comfortable than ANA’s, at least by some metrics.

While I do prefer the width of ANA’s bed, JAL has a better mattress pad, and an all-around softer sleeping surface, which is my preference, personally. My biggest frustration with sleeping on JAL is the lack of individual air nozzles.

Bottom line

While the new flagship business class products of ANA and JAL have a lot in common, they also have quite some differences. Despite that, I’m not actually sure I prefer one over the other.

I will say that if you’re traveling with someone and want to sit together in the center, or if you’re very temperature sensitive and that can make or break a flight, then ANA might be a better option (for the honeymoon seats and individual air nozzles).

However, for everyone else, I really think it’s a toss-up, I have a slight preference for JAL in general, since I think the airline has a stronger lounge game and a slightly better onboard soft product, but we’re really splitting hairs. Regardless of which you fly, you’re in for a treat…

Which Japanese business class product do you think is best?