Four travel experts, four cabins, one plane.
Welcome to the video review of the travel site The points man of each seat type on a Japan Airlines Airbus A350-1000.
The four travelers will gather at Tokyo Haneda before spreading across economy, premium economy, business class and first class classes on a JAL flight to New York JFK.
Japan Airlines came sixth in this year’s ‘Oscars of Aviation’ Skytrax Awards, so it’s no surprise that the globetrotting crew is impressed by the many things it has to offer, including headrest speakers and fantastic bed bases.
But there are a few hiccups – with one complaint about slow service in one of the cabins. Read on for the full verdict. What do you think of Japan Airlines? Vote in our poll…
ECONOMY. TPG PAID: £701 ($901)
Senior editor Ben Smithson tested the economy class
Ben (above) told MailOnline Travel that ‘the leg room and general seat comfort were excellent’
The economy class test was editor-in-chief Ben Smithson.
He told MailOnline Travel that ‘the legroom and general seat comfort were excellent for a standard economy class seat’ and that he ‘arrived in New York feeling much fresher than expected’.
He continued: ‘There was a large, bright inflight entertainment screen with useful modern tech features such as USB charging through the screen and Bluetooth connectivity to connect your own wireless headphones.
‘The toilet was the largest I have ever seen in economy class and there was plenty of room to get changed.’
Ben said: ‘There was a large, bright inflight entertainment screen with useful modern tech features such as USB charging from the screen and Bluetooth connectivity to connect your own wireless headphones’
The cheap food? ‘Unusual if you don’t have an adventurous palate’
Ben’s economy ticket cost £701 ($901)
And disadvantages? A few.
Ben said: ‘The Inflight Entertainment screen kept freezing when you selected the moving map and the crew had to be called to reset it manually, which was frustrating on a brand new aircraft.
‘Also, there were few non-Japanese film options and the food selection was unusual if you don’t have such adventurous tastes.’
PREMIUM ECONOMY. TPG PAID £1,878 ($2,415)
Video producer Lauren McCay tested the premium economy sector
Lauren (above) told MailOnline her premium economy seat was ‘well thought out’
Video producer tested the premium economy Lauren McCay.
What were the highlights?
She told MailOnline: ‘The premium economy seat was well thought out. Very user friendly in that it had lots of pockets and compartments, along with good use of tech features such as USB and USB-C chargers.
Lauren described the premium economy service as ‘a bit slow’. Above – her compartmentalised meal, which she called ‘delicious’
‘The chair was comfortable and easy to lean back in.’
And the food? ‘Delicious.’
Are there any drawbacks? Japan Airlines fell short in terms of service.
Lauren said: ‘The service was friendly and helpful, but a little slow and not as attentive as you would expect from a premium economy aircraft.’
BUSINESS CLASS. TPG PAID: £2,896/$3,724
Liam Spencer, Senior Marketing Manager, stepped on board and turned left – to test Japan Airlines’ business class
Liam stated that JAL’s business class ‘matches Qatar Airways’ QSuite as the best in the sky’
Liam SpencerSenior Marketing Manager, boarded and turned left to try Japan Airlines business class.
And he was full of praise for the cabin – even declaring it could be the very best business class on the planet.
He raved: ‘JAL’s new business class product rivals Qatar Airways’ QSuite for the best in the sky. There was a huge amount of privacy thanks to the deep suite and sliding door, unsurpassed comfort and an elegant full-length wardrobe. My experience was further enhanced when the seat converted to a fully flat bed.’
Any more positives? Definitely.
Liam told MailOnline: ‘There was a huge amount of privacy thanks to the deep suite and sliding door, unrivalled comfort and an elegant full-length wardrobe’
The “fresh” food, Liam noted, gave him a “taste of Japanese culture”
Liam continued: ‘My suite was packed with innovation and cutting-edge technology. In particular, I was able to play my in-flight entertainment audio through speakers in my headrest – something I’ve never seen on a plane before.’
Liam also really liked the food.
He added: ‘On-demand dining helped make my experience more like first class, rather than business. The meals were fresh and gave me an immediate taste of Japanese culture. I would highly recommend the pork cutlet sandwich.’
And the downsides of the potential world improver? The nightwear, it turns out.
Liam said: ‘The pyjamas provided were extremely thick, had a hood and basically felt like a towel dress. After a few minutes of wearing them it became far too hot in the hut.’
FIRST CLASS. TPG PAID: £5,871/$7,550
Nicky Kelvin, editor-in-chief, settled into the first class
In the video, Nicky summarizes JAL’s first lesson as ‘spectacular’
Nicky told MailOnline: ‘Japan Airlines’ first class has some of the widest seats and beds in the sky’
The first-class dining experience is ‘incredibly high-end’
Nicky shows his headrest speakers
Nicky KelvinEditor-in-chief, settled in the first class.
There were no downsides to the experience, he told MailOnline, just a long list of positives for a cabin that he summarises in the video as ‘spectacular’.
He said: ‘Japan Airlines’ new first class has some of the widest seats and beds in the sky. With the thick mattress and luxurious bedding, I was able to get the kind of sleep normally reserved for beds on the floor.’
The travel guru continues: ‘The suite’s high walls and doors made the space incredibly quiet and private.’
Japan Airlines jetliners docked at Tokyo Haneda Airport
And we expect the food to be delicious.
Nicky confirmed: ‘The food and drink offerings are incredibly high-end and a truly Japanese experience and event in itself. I loved the luxury dining experience but actually the ‘snacks’ later in the flight, such as the katsu curry, were superb.’
For more from The Points Guy visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel. To watch the full video, click here.