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I have flown with Japan Airlines in First Class versus Business Class and have compared these classes. Is it worth paying to upgrade to First Class?
Japan Airlines in First Class is one of my favorite ways to fly long-haul, and I always look forward to traveling this way. While Japan Airlines is not one of the very best seats in the skies, it is still excellent. For the best First Class seats consider Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Etihad or Emirates with its First Class shower on the A380.
The best First Class airline lounge is the incredible Lufthansa First Class Terminal which beats any other First Class lounge, but overall Japan Airlines is a great product and First IS better than Business Class. Is it worth the upgrade? We investigate below.
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How much better is Japan Airlines First Class vs. Business Class?
Japan Airlines (JAL) offers a world-leading First class. In-flight service is faultless with smiling faces. Staff are polite, professional, and anticipatory. The food and the drinks menu is one of the best we have seen. The seat is oh so comfortable, especially in bed mode and the amenity kit is great – soft, snuggly pajamas, a useful unisex kit, plus gender-specific Shiseido face care kits.
Why don’t more airlines provide the latter with cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, which is definitely needed in the drying atmosphere of a plane? This is how long-haul travel should be.
Japan Airlines also ranks among my preferred airlines for Business Class. The seats are located in their own cocoon with high walls (earning them the designation “JAL Sky Suites”). The flatbed is almost as good as in First Class, and the food is mouthwatering. Japan Airlines codeshares with British Airways so you can sometimes book cheap tickets on JAL during British Airways sales.
If you fly on JAL from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) in Business, you will be given access to the British Airways Galleries lounge in Terminal 3.
Crucially, you will get one of the best night’s sleep in the skies if you choose to fly First vs. Business CLass. However good Business Class is, and it IS good, you will not get such a good night’s sleep. The seats are thinner, and there is more passing traffic. First offers an excellent comforter, duvet, and set of pillows.
Pre-flight Lounges
The Cathay Pacific First Class Wing Lounge in Hong Kong is good, just have a read of our reviews of the best airline lounges at Hong Kong airport. The Cathay Pacific First Lounge is The Wing. It’s great but not worth paying much more for. The Cathay Pacific Bridge Lounge and Qantas Lounge Hong Kong (for both First & Business Class passengers) are excellent too.
Seat
JAL First class is understated and sophisticated with none of Emirates’ bling but plenty of style and function. The seat itself is wide, clad in brown leather, and offers plenty of storage space. It is one of the best beds we’ve experienced in the sky (and we have flown Lufthansa new first with a separate bed which is not as good). Whilst not enclosed in suites, the seats are very private, and there is a buddy seat to dine opposite a companion if you wish. The mattress topper and totally lie-flat seat provided a most comfortable bed.
By comparison, the Business Class Sky Suite is functional but more compact. The seats are quite spacious. Around 25.5 inches by width and 74 inches by pitch. The seat can be reclined into a fully flat bed for sleeping. The seat controls, remote control, reading light, power supply, and storage space are all on the right side of the seat. There’s a large TV screen powered by the entertainment system on Japan Airlines, which is called MAGIC and is quite decent. You will get sleep in Business Class, but it is unlikely to be as good as the sleep you will experience in First Class.
Food
JAL’s First Class Japanese menu is, without doubt, the best food we have had at FL400. Our experience included a trio amuse-bouche, caviar, and champagne – the Salon 2002 was wonderfully rich and nutty. The multi-course Kaiseki menu then proceeded with Kozara (five tastes – scallop with cream cheese, crabmeat with caviar, simmered spring vegetables, grilled sea bream, soybean milk jelly). After this delightful beginning, we were served a clear soup with shrimp dumpling (Owan) and the next two courses together: Shiizakana (squid and potato sushi, skewered shrimp with vegetables, duck roll, smoked salmon roll, grilled yam) and Mukozuke (tilapia sashimi). The main of simmered sablefish, rice, and miso soup was delicious – perfectly cooked and delicately seasoned. We skipped the Japanese dessert (not to our taste) but enjoyed a green tea and dark chocolate to finish. After such a large dinner, fresh fruit provided a welcome breakfast, but we didn’t try anything else.
JAL’s First Class drink menu is truly impressive and a treat: the Champagnes (Salon 2002 and Philipponnat Clos des Gooses 2004) are really good top-end choices and ones not usually seen in-flight. Other wines were equally fine, and the choice of teas, including the exclusive Royal Blue (enjoyed cold as you would white wine), was exceptional. A truly First Class dining experience.
By comparison, Business Class food is very good but does not reach the excellence of the First Class menu. Our most recent Business Class experience included a Western dinner option grilled squid with couscous appetizer and a Wagyu sirloin steak as the main. The food was generally good, but I must say that Wagyu steak served in the air is probably not the best way to appreciate this fine meat. Of course, it was tasty, but I cannot help but wonder how much better it would be in the ground. See typical Business Class meal above. After the meal, you get a cup of tea and a tiramisu cake for dessert. You will not go hungry in Business Class, but if you want the WOW factor, you must surely choose First!
Should I Book Japan Airlines First over Business Class?
Is it worth paying for the upgrade to First vs. Business Class in points or cash? Should you pay (or get your company to pay) for First? Is it worth the extra money? Well, the answer varies from person to person. If you put a high value on fine wine, excellent food, and upgraded comfort on your flight, you should upgrade. If you aren’t that bothered about the food and just want some sleep, Business Class will probably suffice.
You will get the following in First Class:
- A better night’s sleep in First
- Caviar and Champagne
- If you enjoy fine dining, there is a much better and more personalised dining experience in First with better food
- You get a better amenity kit in First
In Business Class you do get good food, a comfy seat which goes lie flat and the experience is undoubtedly excellent. It won’t fail you, but she won’t excite you either. Business on Japan Airlines is very good, but it’s not as good as the experience in First.
Below you will find my most recent flight reviews on Japan Airlines in First and Business Class. You can draw your own conclusions:
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