It’s an exciting year for Japan Airlines. Later this year, the oneworld carrier is expected to take delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, which will be the company’s new flagship aircraft, replacing the Boeing 777-300ER. Not only is the A350 a more modern and fuel efficient plane, but Japan Airlines is also promising “unprecedented” new premium cabins.
So far the airline hasn’t publicly shared any details about these new cabins, though reading between the lines, there are some clues.
In this post:
Japan Airlines’ new six seat first class cabin
While we don’t know anything about what Japan Airlines’ new first class will look like, I do think we have a sense of how many seats will be in the cabin. Japan Airlines currently has eight first class seats on its Boeing 777-300ERs, spread across two rows in a 1-2-1 configuration.
We know that later this year Japan Airlines will start flying its A350-1000 between Tokyo (HND) and New York (JFK), so I couldn’t help but do a quick availability search for the end of the year. While the airline still shows all flights listed as being operated by 777s, I was curious to look at inventory.
Specifically, starting later this year, Japan Airlines is selling at most six first class seats on one of its daily frequencies between Tokyo and New York. Even on the very last current day of the calendar, only six seats are available for sale on this flight.
So while I can’t say anything with 100% certainty, I think the implications here are pretty clear — Japan Airlines’ new first class will have six seats. Japan Airlines doesn’t want to oversell the cabin, which is why it’s adjusting inventory on this flight even ahead of officially posting an aircraft change.
We don’t know how those six seats will be spread out, but I imagine the most logical option would be two rows of seats in a 1-1-1 configuration. If that’s in fact the case, then this should be a pretty incredible first class product, likely surpassing competitor All Nippon Airways’ new first class.
You’ll also find a 1-1-1 configuration in Cathay Pacific’s 777 first class, as well as in Emirates’ new 777 first class.
Could this be Japan Airlines’ new first class?
We have absolutely nothing to go off of when it comes to which new seat Japan Airlines will introduce. The airline could choose something along the lines of Emirates’ new first class suite. However, I think it’s interesting that the airline chose to use the word “unprecedented” to describe the product.
That has a pretty clear definition, which is that it’s something that has never been done before. What design concepts are out there that no airline has yet introduced? Acumen’s “The First Place” seat comes to mind. This is the same company behind Etihad’s A380 First Class Apartment & The Residence.
Acumen’s “The First Place” essentially offers a seat and bed combination, and it’s rumored to be coming to an airline in the not-too-distant future.
There aren’t that many airlines introducing new first class products in the coming years — Air France and Lufthansa are, but this won’t be the product for either airline, based on what we know. So maybe Japan Airlines will be the launch customer for this product? That would be mighty exciting!
When will Japan Airlines’ A350-1000 enter service?
Japan Airlines has only publicly stated that the airline will start flying its A350-1000s as of the winter schedule later this year, which in airline terms starts in late October. So, what do we know about the timeline beyond that?
I think it’s interesting to look at which flights are only selling up to six first class seats, since presumably that reflects the flights where Japan Airlines intends to fly the A350-1000. Admittedly this remains highly subject to change, and it’s also possible that Japan Airlines is just erring on the side of caution, but…
As of October 27, 2023, the following frequency pair is showing only up to six first class seats for sale:
JL6 Tokyo to New York departing 11:05AM arriving 9:50AM
JL5 New York to Tokyo departing 12:45PM arriving 5:15PM (+1 day)
So while a lot can change, it seems pretty clear that Japan Airlines intends to first operate its A350 on the JL6/5 frequencies.
Bottom line
Japan Airlines is introducing new premium products in late 2023, which the carrier is marketing as “unprecedented.” While we don’t have any official details beyond that, it seems likely that the new cabin will have just six seats. Furthermore, we also have a sense of which of the two daily frequencies is most likely to have the new product.
What’s your take on these details about Japan Airlines’ new 777 first class?
Japan Airlines is really phenomenal and quite underhyped, I feel. Even in business. Excellent food, excellent service, comfortable seats.
The only problem is the boiling cabin temperature norm which, on some flights, I find can get ridiculously comfortable.
Ben- As someone who regularly books JAL F with Alaska miles last minute, I’m excited to see what they come up with, but I’m concerned that the reduced capacity and heavy interest in the product will kill one of the most reliable F awards out there. The current product isn’t the sexist, but you can count on availability like clockwork!
When do you usually book last min availability?
I’ll be very intrigued to see what they come up with. I would imagine the new interiors will follow the design language of the A350-900s so it should look very different in terms of finishes.
I want the seat by the window so I can see the view. It’s the best thing about being high
While fun to enjoy the new, I’m hoping for the current in June for JFK TO HND
At the back of the plane, I would argue economy in JAL 777 is better than A350. Both are 9 across and the 777 obviously has a wider fuselage.
The A350 is more silent though and does have far better air quality (pressure+humidity) than the 777. Especially for the average Japanese person who does have less broad shoulders than the average European, that's both more important than seat width.
Airbus with the recent iteration of the A350 btw has increased the interior cabin width diameter without changing the exterior diameter of the plane.
As an East Asian who is well aware of what average widths are for Japanese people, I strongly prefer 777s in economy if I can get a 9-abreast product (JL, KE, and DL before they retired the type). Others who are particularly skinny or very sensitive to cabin pressurization differences might disagree, but I sleep much better with that extra half inch of width.
This is interesting. I just looked on AAdvantage award calendar and something is happening on award availability on JFK-HND nonstop on all classes for JL after Oct 28th. It's just empty.
Yikes! Saturday I found First award on JL 5 JFK HND for June 10
hope it holds
Ben- Is this going to be another one of those posts that gets updated a bunch of times, but without clear delineation of what's new/updated? It really is kind of frustrating.
They should go for three rows of 1-1 which would make each suite suitable for couples. I don't expect JAL would be amused when said couples inevitably, and with absolute certainty, start having sex though.
https://www.aircraftinteriorsinternational.com/image-galleries/factorydesigns-en-suite-concept.html ?
From an emergency evacuation standpoint, would one aisle satisfy regulators? I suspect not (but hey, see what SQ and EK have done in their upstairs first class cabins...), but it would be an awesome product if they did this!
A likely customer for this seat should be Qantas A350-1000
The seat map presented last year shows a seat and a bed.
It also clearly stated a 1-1-1 layout for first class cabin.
It doesn’t look entirely dissimilar conceptually to the renderings Qantas has released but I think the QF Sunrise first was designed by David Caon. I could be wrong, though.
The new A350 Qantas first has the “head” of the bed next to the seat, IIRC.
Neat concept, but eating at that seat looks weird like on SQ First. Has more of a dentist chair vibe
"There aren’t that many airlines introducing new first class products in the coming years — Air France and Lufthansa are, but this won’t be the product for either airline..."
Why not for Air France? The drawings we've seen are extremely stylized artists' renderings. While they are saying five windows, all AF would need to do is stretch the length of the bed / couch / bedcouch and you have five windows, a couch, a chair,...
"There aren’t that many airlines introducing new first class products in the coming years — Air France and Lufthansa are, but this won’t be the product for either airline..."
Why not for Air France? The drawings we've seen are extremely stylized artists' renderings. While they are saying five windows, all AF would need to do is stretch the length of the bed / couch / bedcouch and you have five windows, a couch, a chair, and two video monitors.
That said, I really do hope AF introduces something that knocks the pants off the competition...
I guess we’ll have to wait & see. I think the a350-1000 is a great next step for Japan Airlines & keeping, even improving first class is a nice option for those with the opportunity to sit up front. Japan Airlines will always have a special place at the top of the airlines that I prefer.
Disappointing if true. The current massive recliner which turns into a bed is a better choice than taking up space with a separate bed and what looks like a rather small recliner.
And the changes from 8 to 6 seats probably will mean less easy AA redemptions available. Using AA miles for JAL F is currently one of the best deals going in AAdvantage.
I agree with this. Personally don’t see the benefit of a separate chair.. Likely less lounging positions, a narrower chair and a narrower bed! Just make a 36” chair that’s converts to a bed and you have a true single.
I agree with this too. Although I would usually look at Alaska to book rather than AA even though i have a stack of AA MILES. I just wish that like with Cathay you could use AS miles to fly from the USA to oz on JAL. anybody know why that anomaly exists?
I agree with you all.
1-1-1 is very precedented. Three rows of 1-1 on a single-deck plane, however, is not.
How is dividing precious space between a single bed and an armchair benefiting the passenger? On Lufthansa 747 upper deck at least it utilize the curved space better.
Still prefer Cathay and Qantas's way - make the seat as wide as possible so no limitation on shoulder space.
This sounds great! My only question is if JAL will let me book these first class seats from NY with my Avios! I’ve been unable to book any JAL first for a while now!
I was able to get a seat in Nov using Alaskan points
Excellent! My award was thru Cathey and much more but miles were expiring and no CX First. My first award was from ORD but down graded to DreamLiner
Checked and found award on JL 5. Daytime flight from JFK a day later. So a couple tight connections on rest of RTW flights
As a regular First class flyer, looking forward to try this one. Cathay and JAL are the best in that class of service. AF La Premiere is also very good.
Important note: I fly first class on paid fare only: no points or tricks
Yay
Endre is back in business which means the pandemic is over.
@Stanley
Wrong. He is back in First, not Business, and he only pays for it with cash.
Welcome back Endre.
Your comments are always far more entertaining than the boring posts from Julia or Dave who try act as if they were jetsetters
@Santastico
Coming from the biggest poser on here, that is saying something.
Good to hear from someone that actually pays for the privilege to sit in first class. Refreshing!
Welcome back Endre!
Sure can’t wait to see someone beat out Endre in this game by saying paid first class is for peasants as the top of the crème de la crème only fly in paid private jet flights. Haha!!!
Also, wasn't Lufthansa one of the first to come out with a chair and bed combo in First Class for the 747, even though it didn't last too long?
As a regular First class flyer, looking forward to try this one. Cathay and JAL are the best in that class of service. AF La Premiere is also very good.
Important note: I fly first class on paid fare only: no points or tricks
long time no see
Nice to hear that you pay for your first class travel. If it were this way for everyone there would be no lounge overcrowding.
@Endre
What does your unprovable copy-and-paste post add to this discussion?
"You’ll also find a 1-1-1 configuration in Cathay Pacific’s 777 first class, as well as in Emirates’ new 777 first class."
Also Qantas first class on the A380 is 1-1-1.
This seems to be the most logical option: https://thedesignair.net/2022/12/16/is-there-future-in-first-class-acumen-certainly-thinks-so/
But you can't watch the IFE from that extra chair, so...kind of pointless?
"The suite also has two monitors for viewing, a large 32 inch LED screen for lounging/ bed viewing from the chaise-longue, and also an 18 inch monitor for viewing whilst seated in the armchair." Moving on, if they go this route, I would hope that they add virtual windows.
Two monitors seems like overkill. A solution to a bad idea.
@ Mike O. -- Great point! I updated the post to reflect that, since that was also the first concept that came to mind (I wasn't going to speculate, but what's the fun of not doing so?). ;-)