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.
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?
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.
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
ANA 777-300ER has an external camera too, but at the nose gear. Very nice on the huge screens in ANA The Room.
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.
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.
how is the seat storage, from photos above, it seems that ANA may have traded bigger seat for extra cubbys/storage?
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...
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.
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
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
Could you comment on JALs 777 J sears. Here in California, we only see 777 and 789.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Is there a clear winner when it comes to lounge experience?
@ 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.
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.
Despite that difference, ANA Suite Lounge doesn't seem any emptier than JAL First Class Lounge.
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 was not impressed by JAL lounge… ANA was much better.
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.
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 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.