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I flew the new Japan Airlines (JAL) A350 First Class on my return trip from Tokyo, and it may just be the best first-class product in the sky today. With massive private suites, Michelin-starred dining, and exclusive luxury touches, JAL’s new first-class experience is a game-changer.

I booked this flight for just 80,000 miles from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Dallas (DFW) using Roame award availability alerts, and what I experienced exceeded all expectations. From the $1,400 bottle of Salon Champagne to the exceptionally designed private suite, here’s my full review of the new JAL A350 First Class.

How I Booked JAL First Class For 80,000 Points

JAL First Class awards are some of the hardest to find, but I managed to book this seat for just 80,000 miles plus $44 in taxes and fees by setting up an alert through Roame. Typically, JAL First Class seats can be booked through American Airlines AAdvantage (80K miles one-way) or JAL Mileage Bank for those who have access to its currency.

Award space is highly competitive, but by using Roame’s SkyView tool and alerts, I was able to jump on availability as soon as it opened up.

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JAL First Class Lounge
Before boarding, I had access to the Japan Airlines First Class Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), which serves as JAL’s flagship lounge. The space felt understated but elegant, with a mix of traditional Japanese design and modern touches. While not as flashy as some other first-class lounges, it offered a peaceful and quiet retreat from the busy terminal.
The highlight of the lounge was the dining area, where guests can order made-to-order sushi, including fresh tuna nigiri from the dedicated sushi chef. 

There was also a well-stocked buffet with a variety of Japanese and Western options.

An extensive drink selection was featured, including premium sake and champagne.

After my meal, I check out the showers that I pre-booked on the lounge website accessed via scanning my boarding pasas. The toilets were outfitted with a nice bidet, as one would expect for Japan. The shower was large and stocked with Prédia amenities.

The lounge wasn’t overly crowded during my visit, and while it lacked some of the over-the-top luxury seen in lounges like The Lufthansa First Class Terminal or Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge, it was a comfortable spot to relax before the flight.

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JAL A350 Cabin & Seat – A Massive, Thoughtfully Designed First-Class Suite
JAL’s A350 First Class features just six suites arranged in a 1-1-1 layout, making it one of the most private and exclusive cabins in the world.

This suite is 30% larger than JAL’s 777 First Class, and the added space completely transforms the experience. The suite is so spacious that three people can comfortably sit inside, making it easy to eat or hang out with a companion.
There are no overhead bins, giving the cabin an open, airy feel. Instead, each passenger has a dedicated storage compartment beneath the ottoman, a personal closet near the door, and smaller compartments for everyday items.
With only two passengers in the cabin on my flight, I had almost the entire space to myself.

JAL’s A350 First Class is designed by Safran, and the Japanese attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the suite. The rose red leather seats, gold chrome lantern-style lighting, and polished wood finishes create a refined and elegant aesthetic.

Unlike many first-class cabins, JAL’s in-seat speakers actually work without disturbing neighboring passengers, a small but notable touch. The suite itself felt solid and well-built, unlike some first-class products that use cheaper materials.

Japan Airlines First Class entertainment and amenities

JAL offers one of the largest in-flight entertainment screens in first class, a 43-inch 4K display controlled via a detachable tablet. The screen quality is excellent, making it one of the best setups for watching movies in the sky.

Each passenger receives a HERALBONY-branded amenity kit, slippers, two pillows, and an Air Weave blanket and mattress pad. JAL also offers a Shiseido skincare kit, though oddly, they had run out on my flight.

While the bathrooms were clean and included a bidet, they weren’t as extravagant as Emirates’ First Class shower suites.


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The JAL A350 First Class Dining: A Michelin-Starred Experience at 35,000 Feet

Japan Airlines takes in-flight dining to a whole new level in A350 First Class. The menu was designed by some of Japan’s best chefs, including three with a total of ten Michelin stars. This wasn’t just good for airplane food—it was the kind of meal you’d expect in one of Tokyo’s top restaurants.

Service started with a glass of Salon Cuvée “S” Champagne, a $1,400 bottle that no other airline serves. It was crisp, smooth, and a perfect way to kick off the meal.

For dinner, I chose the Japanese Washoku menu, which was served in a traditional kaiseki-style. The first course was a beautifully arranged plate of appetizers. The highlights included wagyu beef, lobster with caviar, and deep-fried blowfish.

JAL also offered a Western menu, with dishes like caviar service, seared foie gras, and black beef tenderloin with red wine sauce. While I didn’t try it, it looked just as fancy and well-prepared as the Japanese option.

For dessert, I went with a brown sugar jelly with Hibiki mousse. The light sweetness mixed with the whiskey flavor made it a great way to end the meal. I also got a fruit platter, which means something different in Japan. Their fruits are grown with such care for flavor that a melon can sell for $30,000! While there was a delicious melon slice in the fruit platter, it was definitely not $30K.

A few hours later, I ordered some snacks off the menu. The yakitori skewers were smoky and juicy with a tasty glaze. The beef rice bowl had thin, tender slices of marinated beef over fluffy rice, and the yuzu-flavored noodles were light and refreshing.

JAL’s drink menu was just as impressive as the food. Alongside the Salon Champagne, I tried the Hibiki 100th Anniversary Whiskey, which costs around $1,800 per bottle. The deep, rich flavors of dried fruit and vanilla made it something truly special. For a non-alcoholic drink, I had the Royal Blue Tea, a premium Japanese cold brew tea.
This was easily the best meal I’ve ever had on a plane. Every dish was beautifully made, the ingredients were top-notch, and the flavors were incredible. Japan Airlines has always been known for great food, but this was next level. If you ever get the chance to fly JAL First Class, the Washoku meal is a must.
Sleep Experience – Ultimate Comfort with Air Weave Bedding
After dinner, the flight attendant made my bed in the empty suite next to me. I had the option of either hard or soft. I chose the soft Air Weave mattress topper, which shockingly retails for $1,349.
The bed was extremely comfortable, and the cabin temperature was kept cool, unlike many airlines that overheat their first-class cabins. The blanket was slightly small, but the overall sleep experience was excellent.
I was only able to sleep 1.5 hours before waking up. To kill time, I watched a movie while eating more food. While the in-seat speakers were good, I still preferred the Bang & Olufsen headphones JAL provided.
Final Thoughts: Is This The Best First Class Bookable by Points in The World? – 10/10
The new Japan Airlines A350 First Class is probably the best first-class experiences available today. I rate flights on a few general criteria:
  • Food Quality: 10/10
  • Drinks Quality: 9/10
  • Cleanliness: 10/10
  • Cabin Design: 9/10
  • Seat: 10/10
  • Service: 10/10
JAL has delivered a spacious and beautifully designed suite, Michelin-starred dining, and an exclusive selection of luxury drinks. The combination of attentive service, over-the-top luxury, and private suites makes this an exceptional redemption for 80,000 miles.
With Roame’s award search and alerts, this bucket-list flight is now easier to book than ever. If you're looking for the ultimate first-class experience, Japan Airlines A350 First Class should be at the top of your list.

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