For my fast journey to Japan & Korea, it’s secure to say that I saved the very best for final. For the ultimate section, I flew Japan Airways’ Airbus A350-1000 enterprise class on the 11hr40min flight from Tokyo (HND) to New York (JFK).
I’m completely satisfied to report that this flight was merely very good, and that is simply one of many world’s finest enterprise class experiences. Japan Airways is the launch buyer for the Safran Unity seat, and suffice it to say that we’re in for a deal with, as extra airways introduce this product. The good expertise goes past the seat, as there was additionally heat and attentive service, scrumptious meals and drinks, nice facilities and tech, free Wi-Fi, and rather more.
I flew Japan Airways’ Airbus A350-1000 top quality a number of months again, and it’s additionally one of many world’s finest top quality experiences. I’d argue that the service’s A350-1000 could be the all-around sexiest passenger aircraft in service. What a delight…
How I booked my Japan Airways enterprise class ticket
I booked my Japan Airways enterprise class ticket utilizing American AAdvantage miles. Particularly, I booked the next award in enterprise class for 60,000 miles plus $45.41 in taxes and costs:
10/08 JL526 Sapporo to Tokyo Haneda departing 8:05PM arriving 9:45PM
10/09 JL6 Tokyo Haneda to New York departing 11:05AM arriving 11:00AM
I’d say that’s an unimaginable use of American miles! For what it’s value, award availability right here adopted married section logic. There was no award availability when reserving completely between Tokyo and New York, whereas there was award availability when originating in Sapporo — rating!
Within the earlier installment, I reviewed Japan Airways’ home A350-900 top quality, which I flew from Sapporo to Tokyo. I managed to attain a firstclass seat by upgrading with money at a sexy price.
Japan Airways enterprise class lounge & boarding
When flying Japan Airways enterprise class, you’re spoiled with alternative on the subject of lounges, as there’s the Japan Airways Sakura Lounge, Japan Airways Sakura Sky View Lounge, and Cathay Pacific Lounge, all of which you’ve gotten entry to as a enterprise class passenger. On high of that, oneworld Emerald members can use the Japan Airways First Lounge, even when in enterprise class.
My flight to New York was departing from gate 146, with boarding scheduled for 10:35AM, half-hour earlier than departure. As you’d count on in Japan, boarding began precisely on-time. Group 1 was invited to board first, which incorporates top quality passengers and oneworld Emerald members (in order that’s after I was in a position to board). Enterprise class can in any other case board with Group 2.
Japan Airways A350 enterprise class cabin & seats
Japan Airways’ A350 enterprise class footprint is very large, with a complete of 54 seats throughout two cabins, in a 1-2-1 configuration. There’s a ahead cabin with 20 seats unfold throughout 5 rows. That is positioned between the primary and second set of doorways, behind top quality.
Then there’s a rear cabin with 34 seats unfold throughout 9 rows, between the second and third set of doorways.
Japan Airways is the worldwide launch buyer for the Safran Unity seat, which we’ll additionally quickly see on carriers like Air India and Qantas. It is a staggered product with doorways, but it surely’s extremely spacious, extra so than another staggered configuration I’ve ever flown in. I’d argue that that is the most recent and biggest “generic” enterprise class seat, so I’m thrilled on the prospect of this changing into a widespread enterprise class product.
In relation to the configuration, some individuals touring as pairs might favor to pick out the middle seats. Observe that on this configuration there are not any middle “honeymoon” seats (the place the seats are actually shut to at least one one other), however as an alternative the middle pair of seats are all the time the identical distance from each other. What alternates between every row is which seat is nearer to the aisle, and which is nearer to the middle.
The window seats are equally staggered, with seats alternating between being nearer to the aisle and being nearer to the home windows.
In each different row you’ll discover seats which are nearer to the aisle and farther from the home windows. Whereas I’d select this over one of many middle seats if touring solo, it’s not my most popular seat on this configuration.
As a substitute, I’d take into account the best choice to be the “true” window seats, that are nearer to the home windows and farther from the aisle. I chosen seat 10A, the window seat on the left aspect within the third row of the rear cabin (it was the final actual window seat left after I booked). I can’t emphasize sufficient how rather more spacious I discovered this to be than the standard staggered product, because it’s materially extra snug.
I really feel like a lot enterprise class seat innovation in recent times has been about tech upgrades and privateness, reasonably than simply allocating a bit extra space to every passenger. So Japan Airways (and Safran) deserve credit score for this product.
It’s not simply that the seat is spacious, however there’s additionally a formidable quantity of storage, and the tech is high notch. There’s a big counter space to the aspect of the seat, the place you may place issues in the course of the flight. A part of that even lifts up, to reveal a shallow, enclosed storage space, large enough for a cellphone or passport.
Above that storage space is a bigger, enclosed storage compartment, the place you may place issues like headphones or a bottle of water.
Along with wi-fi charging on the counter, there’s additionally a panel with AC, USB-A, and USB-C shops, plus a headphone jack.
Then there’s an leisure controller, however because the leisure monitor is touchscreen, that’s not essentially wanted.
Talking of leisure and tech, Japan Airways provides headrest audio system in enterprise class on the A350, so you may watch leisure with out even placing on headphones.
All seat features (together with lighting) might be managed from a panel to the aspect of the seat, which is simple to make use of.
The tray desk folds out from the aspect of the seat, and is a single, massive tray. This may’t simply be moved round that a lot, so be sure you go to the toilet earlier than a meal, because you gained’t in any other case be capable of simply stand up.
One of many points with staggered configurations is that the footwells can typically be fairly tight, making it arduous to get snug. I discovered this seat to have some of the spacious footwells on the market. Better of all, you may even retailer stuff beneath the footwell.
Talking of storage, there’s yet one more storage compartment to the aspect of the footwell, meant for storing sneakers in the course of the flight. That’s a very progressive storage possibility that we don’t see typically sufficient on airways.
Subsequent to the attractive 24″ leisure monitor there’s additionally a wardrobe, the place you may hold garments. There’s basically a translucent, sliding door that can be utilized to shut the wardrobe, which slides over the leisure display screen.
This product additionally has a door, which extends to a top of 52″. The door can simply be opened and closed manually, and offers a big quantity of privateness.
As I see it, there have been solely two downsides to the seat. To begin with, Japan Airways doesn’t have particular person air nozzles on its A350s, which may make it arduous to manage airflow.
Second of all, for a brand new aircraft, there was a unprecedented quantity of damage and tear. For instance, the tray desk extends in a approach the place it mechanically hits the wardrobe space, except you particularly attempt to stop this. So there have been a bunch of scratches there.
Provided that the Safran Unity seat is a brand new product, I believe some kinks are nonetheless being labored out, in order that this doesn’t occur sooner or later.
However actually, I can’t emphasize what an outstanding product that is. The seat is tremendous spacious, there’s a ton of storage, the tech is spectacular, and the seat is (largely) very effectively designed. I don’t wish to say this seat is revolutionary, but it surely’s a big evolution over the opposite staggered configurations on the market, in the event you ask me.
Japan Airways enterprise class facilities
Japan Airways provides a formidable array of facilities in enterprise class on lengthy haul flights. Ready at every seat had been a pillow and blanket, each of which had been cozy. That was along with a mattress pad that was provided afterward within the flight, when it was time to sleep.
On high of that, every passenger was given a cardigan that they might use in the course of the flight. These are purported to be left onboard, and may’t be taken house (not like the pajamas that some airways provide).
There have been additionally slippers, permitting you to retailer your sneakers for the complete flight, after which use these to maneuver across the cabin.
There was additionally a reasonably amenity equipment, with a dental equipment, earplugs, eyeshades, tissues, and a charging cable (which you don’t typically see in amenity kits). As you may see, the equipment is on the essential aspect, and doesn’t have any skincare merchandise.
There have been additionally a pair of noise canceling headphones, although between bluetooth audio and headrest audio system, I discovered these to be form of pointless.
The menu and drink checklist for the flight had been additionally positioned at every seat.
Lastly, there was a big (600ml) bottle of water.
Towards the tip of boarding, the crew got here round with pre-departure drinks, providing the selection of orange juice or champagne. Japanese airways are tremendous lame with pre-departure drinks, however I bear in mind again within the day after they weren’t even allowed to serve them, so I assume that is progress.
Japan Airways A350 enterprise class leisure & Wi-Fi
Japan Airways’ A350 enterprise class has 24″ excessive definition leisure screens. The tech and interface are nice, although sadly the number of films and TV reveals isn’t large. It’s okay, and collectively there are a few hundred choices. Nevertheless, it pales compared to the leisure you’ll discover on another airways.
Thankfully the A350 has a stunning map characteristic, plus a wonderful tail digital camera, which is nearly my favourite leisure on any plane.
I additionally love the audio choices for the leisure, as Japan Airways is the primary service to provide you 3 ways to hook up with the leisure system. You need to use the headphones offered, the bluetooth audio, or the in-seat audio system.
Japan Airways additionally provides free Wi-Fi in enterprise class with no knowledge caps, with the service utilizing Panasonic’s platform.
For what it’s value, ordinarily the airline provides all passengers a free one-hour Wi-Fi go, whereas a 24-hour Wi-Fi go prices $18.80.
Now, the method of really getting the free Wi-Fi is amusingly sophisticated. This isn’t as simple as simply getting into your title and seat quantity, however as an alternative it’s a must to generate a promotion code.
There’s a pamphlet within the literature pocket explaining the method, and it’s 12 steps. They actually make you’re employed for it!
Japan Airways A350 departure from Tokyo
Boarding was tremendous environment friendly, and wrapped up by 11AM, simply 25 minutes after it began. Despite the fact that the A350-1000 is an enormous beast, Japan Airways has the least dense configuration of any airline, with simply 239 seats.
As soon as the door closed, the cabin chief introduced our flight time of 11hr40min, after which screened the protection video. At 11:10AM we began our pushback, after which we began our taxi 5 minutes after that. Sadly it was a wet day in Tokyo, making it arduous to take photos out the window.
We taxied out to runway 34R, which took round 10 minutes. Between the unimaginable wing and engine view out my window, plus the tail digital camera on the leisure system, I actually struggled with deciding which route to look.
There was a little bit of a queue for takeoff, and at 11:35AM it was lastly our flip, and we rocketed down the runway.
It was a reasonably bumpy climb out, with some excessive degree clouds. Even once we reached our preliminary cruising altitude of 35,000 toes, we needed to deviate our path a bit to keep away from climate, as there have been thick clouds at our altitude. The seatbelt signal stayed on for round half-hour, which is uncommon on a Japanese airline (the place it’s often turned off minutes after takeoff).
Japan Airways enterprise class lunch service
On this flight, Japan Airways served a most important meal after takeoff, after which had a dine on demand idea for the remainder of the flight. You will discover the first meal menu under, which included each a Japanese and Western possibility.
Then you’ll find the drink checklist under.
Service began somewhat underneath an hour after takeoff (this was delayed resulting from turbulence), with heat towels being distributed first, adopted by tablecloths.
At that time drinks and canapés had been provided. I had a glass of champagne — Japan Airways at present serves Champagne Delamotte Brut in enterprise class. The canapés consisted of candied walnuts plus some breadsticks with dip, which I discovered to be an fascinating mixture.
For the meal, I chosen the Japanese possibility. So somewhat underneath 90 minutes after takeoff, I used to be introduced the primary course. You possibly can see the menu above to see the main points of every merchandise. I discovered this to be wonderful, and had some sake to accompany the meal.
As soon as that was cleared, the principle course was served, which consisted of stewed beef cheek with Japanese mustard spinach, grilled salmon, deep fried lotus root, miso soup, rice, and extra.
Dessert consisted of the Japanese confection “yokan,” and inexperienced tea.
What a superb meal. The meals and drinks had been tasty, and repair was attentive, with the crew always checking if they might present the rest.
Japan Airways A350 enterprise class toilets
Japan Airways’ A350 enterprise class has three toilets, all positioned within the middle galley between the 2 enterprise class cabins. There’s one bathroom on the left aspect and two on the appropriate aspect, they usually’re all roughly the identical dimension. They’re not terribly spacious, however had been trendy and spotlessly clear. I really like how once you fly with a Japanese airline, the bathroom is as clear once you land as it’s once you takeoff.
I additionally respect how they’ve a bidet operate, and the toilets are additionally stocked with some additional facilities.
Japan Airways A350 enterprise class mattress
On the conclusion of the meal I made a decision it was time to get some relaxation, as I didn’t get a lot sleep the evening earlier than, on the First Cabin Haneda. So I made my mattress, which I discovered to be snug — it was spacious, and the seat was mushy because of the mattress pad. I additionally discovered the bedding to be cozy with out being overly heat.
Whereas I don’t like how Japan Airways doesn’t have particular person air nozzles, I’ve to provide the crew credit score for maintaining the cabin at an affordable temperature, as I didn’t discover myself heat at any level.
I ended up falling asleep with round 9 hours remaining to New York, as we had been off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
I awoke somewhat over 5 hours later, with round 3.5 hours remaining to New York, as we made landfall over North America, close to the USA and Canada border.
I’m not a fantastic airplane sleeper, so over 5 hours of interrupted sleep is superb, by my requirements.
Japan Airways enterprise class breakfast
The crew was always passing by the cabin, so inside minutes of waking up, one of many flight attendants stopped by my seat to see if I needed something. I ordered a cup of espresso with some milk, which was promptly served.
I popped open my laptop computer and received some work executed, after which round two hours earlier than touchdown, I made a decision it was time to have my second meal. You will discover the dine on demand menu under.
For breakfast, I made a decision to order the truffle omelet sandwich. This was ridiculously decadent and scrumptious, presumably the very best egg dish I’ve ever had on a aircraft.
I used to be nonetheless a bit hungry, so determined to order the falafel salad with miso mayonnaise dipping sauce, which was additionally excellent.
On the conclusion of the meal I used to be requested if I needed dessert, so I figured I ought to get some Haagen-Dazs, for the image, if nothing else. 😉
Japan Airways enterprise class service
Service in Japan Airways enterprise class was merely flawless. When speaking about Japan, after all you may depend on service being pleasant and effectively intentioned, and that was the case right here. However even past that, the complete crew had an eye fixed for element, and went above and past to always verify on passengers.
Japan Airways A350 arrival in New York
Earlier than I knew it, we had been already making ready for our strategy to New York. At 10AM the captain introduced that we’d be touchdown in round half-hour, and suggested the flight attendants to organize the cabin for touchdown.
On the descent, the crew distributed quite a lot of facilities that passengers may take with them. I used to be very excited after I noticed the steam eye masks, which I actually loved on my final Japan Airways flight in top quality. When the flight attendant noticed my enthusiasm, she handed me just a few. Ford makes enjoyable of me for a way a lot I like these… and he’s in all probability justified.
The seatbelt signal was turned on round 10:15AM, and I liked the views of the coast as we approached JFK.
We had a easy landing at 10:30AM…
…and from there had a roughly 15-minute taxi to our arrival gate, the place we pulled in at 10:45AM, quarter-hour forward of schedule.
Backside line
Japan Airways’ Airbus A350-1000 enterprise class is a winner in each approach, and is among the many finest on the earth. There’s a lot to like about this expertise. The Safran Unity seat is spacious, and has loads of storage, all whereas providing a number of privateness. Japan Airways additionally provides wonderful tech, from bluetooth audio, to in-seat audio system, to wi-fi charging.
That wonderful arduous product and tech combines superbly with a high notch mushy product, together with tasty meals and drinks, pleasant service, and spectacular facilities. That is simply one in all my favourite enterprise class merchandise on the earth, and I can’t wait to fly it once more.
Thanks for following together with this journey report sequence, and keep tuned for the subsequent one, which shall be printed shortly.
What’s your tackle Japan Airways’ A350 enterprise class?
