[Feature] The New JAL Airbus A350-1000 International Aircraft – A First Look at the First-Class Suite with Private Doors

Japan Airlines (JAL) revealed their new flagship for international flights, the Airbus A350-1000, at the Airbus Delivery Center in Toulouse, France. This article will feature the world’s first ever First-Class cabin configured on this model.

The First-Class cabin has a total of 6 seats arranged in a ‘1-1-1’ layout. The seats, manufactured by Saffran Seats GB in the UK, feature private compartments with doors for the first time in JAL’s history. The walls of the private compartments reach about 157 centimeters, ensuring a high level of privacy.

The seat pitch is about 211 centimeters and the seat width up to 123 centimeters. The living space per seat has increased to about 1.3 times that of traditional First-Class seats. The overhead storage bins have been eliminated to create an open space taking advantage of the approximately 2.4-meter-high ceiling.

Seats are equipped with pressure-distributing cushions made by Yokohama Foam Rubber in Yokohama. Passengers can choose from three modes: ‘Sofa Mode’, which turns the entire seat area into a seating space; ‘Seat & Single Bed Mode’, which allows for both seating and a bed to be used simultaneously; and ‘Double Bed Mode’, which provides a full flat bed. In Sofa Mode, up to three people can sit side by side, envisaged for family gatherings or business meetings. The length of the bed, when fully extended, reaches up to about 203 centimeters.

The compartment doors are semi-transparent, which helps reduce the feeling of being closed in while ensuring privacy. According to the development team, this design was inspired by the continuity of space found in traditional Japanese architecture, like sliding doors and partitions.

In-flight entertainment (IFE) features a 4K resolution monitor with a screen size of 43 inches. It can be connected to passengers’ personal wireless headphones via Bluetooth. The headrests are equipped with speakers from French audio manufacturer Devialet, allowing passengers to enjoy music and movies without the need for headphones. JAL states this is the first time seat-integrated speakers have been implemented in an aircraft.

The Airbus A350-1000 will make its debut on the Tokyo/Haneda to New York route on January 24, 2024. Initially, it will be introduced on alternate days. By the end of the fiscal year, JAL plans to introduce the second and third aircraft, and after the introduction of the second plane, they will service the same route daily. Following the reception of the third aircraft, it will also begin operating on the Tokyo/Haneda to Dallas/Fort Worth route.