Which Class Has the Best Value on JAL’s Airbus A350-1000? A Full Comparison from First to Economy

It goes without saying that Japan Airlines’ (JAL) Airbus A350-1000, featuring ultra-luxurious enclosed First Class suites and other cutting-edge cabin products, continues to attract significant attention even two years after its debut.

I have flown in all four cabins on the A350-1000: First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. Looking back on each class, I would like to decide, purely from my own point of view, which cabin offers the best overall “value for money.”

Is this really an airplane? A First Class that makes you forget you’re in the air

Right after the new aircraft entered service (February 2024), I reported on my First Class experience in two parts: an initial review focusing on first impressions and a follow-up focusing on how to spend time on a long-haul flight. Even back then, there was no doubt that this was a revolutionary space that made it hard to believe you were actually inside an airplane. Needless to say, JAL’s cabin crew service also matches the quality of this exceptional environment.

When I first published that article, there were almost no media trip reports about the product, but these days you can find many articles from various media outlets and personal blogs. The topic itself may have lost some novelty from a news perspective, but this luxurious space is difficult to fully convey even with words and photos, so I strongly recommend that readers experience it for themselves.

As for its “value for money,” it is honestly hard to quantify. A paid round-trip First Class ticket to Europe or North America costs well over 1 million yen, and it is extremely difficult to secure an award ticket using miles in the first place. It is true that the product is worthy of both that high price and the difficulty of booking, but let’s take a look at the other cabins as well.

Almost like First Class? A more private Business Class

Both First Class and Business Class on the A350-1000 are equipped, for the first time on JAL, with doors. In addition, the wide seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration in Business Class form such a strong product that it would not be out of place if someone introduced it to you as First Class.

In fact, the seat layout is the same as First Class on JAL’s flagship Boeing 777-300ER. And since the First Class seats on the 777-300ER (pictured) do not have doors, if you look only at the seats themselves, I personally feel that A350-1000 Business Class can hold its own.

However, when I flew the Tokyo/Haneda – London/Heathrow route, I noticed that there are a total of 54 seats in Business Class, and only a limited number of cabin crew serving meals. When the cabin is almost full, it takes time for in-flight meals to be delivered. The first meal service took roughly an hour to begin, and after finishing a course, the next dish did not arrive immediately; there was always a bit of a wait. (This was even more noticeable because I had flown First Class beforehand, as mentioned above.)

There are many enjoyable elements such as à la carte options (for example, a limited-time menu inspired by the popular Japanese ekiben boxed meal “Gyūniku Domannaka,” adapted for in-flight service). That said, this Business Class with its strong sense of a private suite is, in terms of the hard product, very well executed.

Still, overall satisfaction including service quality probably varies greatly depending on flight, situation, and personal expectations. After experiencing First Class and then flying Business Class, I felt that the service pace in Business was slower, and during the meal courses I sometimes became sleepy. The seat itself may be comparable to First Class, but the overall quality is clearly not the same as in First Class—that was my strong impression.

Comfortable but slightly disappointing? Premium Economy

As with JAL’s previous aircraft, a key feature of Premium Economy is that your personal space is not encroached upon even when the passenger in front of you reclines their seat. It also introduces electric recline for smoother adjustment, and offers an electric leg rest that can be raised to a horizontal position, allowing even a cross-legged sitting posture.

I boarded with especially high expectations for the leg rest that can be adjusted to a horizontal position. While it does give the feeling that your legs are supported, the structure flexes slightly when you put real weight on it, which made it feel somewhat half-baked. The sensation is very different from the complete relaxation you get from a fully flat bed in Business Class. It left me a little underwhelmed.

That said, I strongly felt that privacy is well secured so that you do not have to worry about the person seated next to you. Compared with Economy Class, this sense of privacy was the one aspect where the actual impression exceeded my expectations.

Beyond that, however, it is honestly difficult to identify differences that truly match the fare premium over Economy Class. The meals and drinks are almost identical to Economy, and while Premium Economy comes with lounge access, this is less meaningful for elite frequent flyers who already have lounge privileges.

The hard product itself is fairly good, but it lacks the level of innovation seen in Business Class and is also being squeezed from below by the quality of Economy Class. As a result, Premium Economy ends up being a cabin that is, frankly, hard to evaluate.

More seats, but comfort maintained: Economy Class

Compared with JAL’s previous flagship aircraft, the A350-1000 carries more Economy Class seats. Hearing that the seat count has increased might make you imagine a “crammed layout,” but I personally felt that overall comfort has not changed much.

The leg rests have been slimmed down, which, under the condition that your neighbor does not spill over into your space, gives the impression that the personal area and comfort level you can enjoy have been maintained.

Seat pitch between rows is also sufficiently secured, and I felt that the concept behind JAL’s previous “New Sky Wider Economy” has been carried over. While in-flight meals catered from overseas stations can admittedly be hit or miss, most Japan-departing meals are well thought out and creative. Not only are they tasty, but they also provide a welcome bit of stimulation during an otherwise monotonous time onboard.

Judging from the aircraft’s overall specifications, you can say that the A350-1000 successfully maintains a high level of comfort in Economy Class. That said, JAL’s existing Economy product (JAL SKY WIDER seats on the Boeing 777 and 787) was already excellent to begin with, so there is virtually no major change in seating or service. In terms of in-flight entertainment screens and the inherently quiet cabin of the Airbus A350, the A350 does come out ahead, so if you have multiple options, I would honestly prefer to choose a flight operated by the A350. Still, I do not feel that JAL’s previous-generation aircraft are in any way a poor choice.

Which cabin offers the best value for money?

Considering the current exchange rates and high prices worldwide, it is not easy to travel frequently. So, if you focus on “value for money” on JAL’s Airbus A350-1000, which class is the best choice?

In terms of seat and cabin product alone, Business Class probably offers the best cost performance. Compared with the previous generation (JAL SKY SUITE), it has taken a clear step forward, delivering a very comfortable private suite; it is no exaggeration to say that, on JAL’s current international network, this cabin provides a generously spacious and relaxing environment.

However, Business Class fares tend to remain high, and the competition in international Business Class products and service is extremely intense. To be honest, there are airlines that offer quicker and more consistent meal service, better-tasting food overall, and equally excellent or even superior private Business Class suites.

First Class performance is extremely impressive, but considering the very small number of seats and the high price of paid tickets, its cost performance is somewhat weaker. Frankly, given that Business Class now has aspects that are comparable to—or in some ways exceed—the previous-generation First Class, the value for money clearly tilts in favor of Business Class.

Yet, when I think about true value for money, I increasingly feel that Economy Class may actually offer the best cost performance. The A350-1000’s Economy Class refines the already high-quality Economy product established in the previous generation (JAL SKY WIDER) and makes it even more polished.

Premium Economy does provide additional comfort and privacy, but judging from recent fare trends, my impression is that it often costs about twice as much as the lowest Economy Class fares. Honestly, if I have to pay double the price of Economy, my straightforward feeling is that I would rather fly Economy and splurge at my destination instead.

I fully understand that comparing Business Class and Economy Class is, in a sense, highly “guilty,” but having flown the Airbus A350-1000 more than ten times (although I have had even more opportunities on JAL’s previous-generation aircraft) and experienced every cabin class, I will go out on a limb and say that Economy Class offers the best value for money.

Of course, perceptions will differ from person to person. Using this article as a reference, I hope you will compare the different cabins on JAL’s new flagship, the Airbus A350-1000, and find the one that best suits your own travel style and priorities.