Japan Airlines (JAL) has revealed its new first and business class suites for its upcoming Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, which will debut on the Tokyo Haneda-New York JFK route in late November 2023. The new products promise to offer more space, privacy, and comfort for the premium passengers on the long-haul flight.
A new first class experience with individual doors
The new first class cabin will feature only six suites, arranged in two rows of a 1-1-1 layout, compared to the eight first class suites of the current Boeing 777-300ER fleet. Each suite will have a sliding door that stands 157 cm (62 in) tall, creating a private and spacious environment for the guests.
The seat width is an impressive 123 cm (48 in), and the bed length extends to just over two metres. The airline claims that the new product is 30% larger than the existing first class seat. Each suite will also boast a high resolution 4K screen spanning 43 in, one of the largest in the industry, matching that of rival ANA in its newest first class cabins.
The seats are designed by the United Kingdom’s Safran Seats GB, and will offer three seating modes: sofa, seat & single bed, and double bed. The sofa mode is the standard configuration, which allows the passengers to relax or dine on a comfortable couch. The seat & single bed mode provides the option to move between a seated position and a sleeping position without changing the seat configuration. The double bed mode is the largest bed configuration, which gives ample room to stretch out on a 123 cm x 203 cm surface.
A new business class seat with wrap-around shell
The new business class cabin will have 56 seats, arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 layout, ensuring direct aisle access for every passenger. The seats are developed by JAL with Jamco Japan, and will offer a wrap-around shell that provides a subtle degree of privacy. A sliding partition between the paired seats will allow more flexibility for solo or duo travellers.
The seat width is 51 cm (20 in), and the bed length is 198 cm (78 in). The airline says that the new product is 10% larger than the existing business class seat. Each seat will also have a 15.6-inch video screen and access to their own AC and USB power sockets.
The seats are designed to offer “sofa-like comfort”, with an adjustable headrest, footrest, and lumbar support. The seats will also have multiple storage compartments, including a personal stowage bin and a side table.
A modern and elegant cabin design
The new first and business class suites are part of JAL’s vision to create a “cabin experience like no other”, elevating travel and comfort for its guests. The airline has chosen a modern and elegant design for its new products, using high-quality materials and sophisticated colors.
The first class suites will feature a dark wood finish, leather upholstery, and gold accents, creating a luxurious and refined atmosphere. The business class seats will have a light wood finish, fabric upholstery, and silver accents, creating a cozy and relaxing ambiance.
The airline has also eliminated the overhead storage compartments in both cabins, increasing the sense of openness and spaciousness. Instead, each suite or seat will have its own dedicated storage space.
A flagship aircraft for JAL’s international network
JAL will receive its first two A350-1000s by the end of this year, with seven more due before the end of 2025 and the final four rolling into the hangars by 2028. The 13-strong fleet of A350-1000s will allow JAL to retire its 13 ageing Boeing 777-300ERs in a 1:1 replacement.
The A350-1000 is Airbus’ largest twin-engine wide-body aircraft, capable of carrying up to 440 passengers in a single-class configuration. It has a range of 16,100 km (8,700 nmi), making it suitable for long-haul flights across continents.
JAL has configured its A350-1000s with four classes of service: first, business, premium economy, and economy. The total capacity is 318 seats, with six in first class, 56 in business class, 46 in premium economy class, and 210 in economy class.
The A350-1000s will join JAL’s existing fleet of mid-sized A350-900s, which operate on domestic routes within Japan. JAL is the first airline in the world to use both variants of the A350 for its operations.
