I had the opportunity to choose our return flight from Japan on the A350‑1000, which gave me extra motivation to write a short report. The very early morning departure didn’t help: still half‑asleep, I clearly lacked the energy to capture as many photos as I would have liked.
Since the JAL product has already been widely presented here and on social media, I had no ambition to reinvent it.
I still hope this small overview offers a useful and pleasant look for the curious.
CHECK IN
As soon as we arrived at Terminal 3 after an Uber ride from central Tokyo (Kanda – JPY 9,310), we came across a rather unexpected scene: dozens of gigantic boxes, almost the size of refrigerators, piled up in the arrivals area waiting to be transferred to departures.
A sticker on one of them immediately reminded me that Paris Fashion Week starts in a few days — a period I dread because of overloaded flights and all kinds of celebrities. It was clear we could expect a full aircraft.
Upon reaching the Business check‑in area, we discovered that almost all counters had been replaced by automatic bag‑drop machines. Only two “classic” counters remained, and a long line awaited us.
The welcome agent insisted on directing us to the machines, but we preferred a traditional counter: the information is clearer, and the baggage tags are properly attached.
The counter staff, visibly under pressure from Fashion Week passengers, processed everything quickly and without a smile. They even almost forgot the Fragile tag we had requested. The welcome left a slightly bitter taste, especially from an Asian airline where one usually expects warmer and more attentive service.
JAL SAKURA LOUNGE
After check‑in, we continued without difficulty through security and immigration, both surprisingly quick at this early hour. The shops were still closed, giving us time to head toward the JAL lounges.
We first spotted the Sakura Lounge on the 4th floor but decided to wait a few minutes for the Sakura Lounge Skyview to open, located one floor above, hoping for a better view. Opening was scheduled for 7:00, and the lounge opened almost on time after some issues with the entrance doors (which amused us, given the usual precision of Japanese operations). Yes, the lounge opened one minute late, with many apologies from the staff as we entered.
To our surprise, the first Japanese passengers in line rushed almost running to choose the best seats. The atmosphere suddenly became competitive, but we managed to settle in front of the large windows just in time to admire a superb sunrise over the runways.
We enjoyed a decent breakfast, with a special mention for the curry (their specialty). To accompany it, a glass of champagne and the signature SKYTIME juice.
Lounge view :
BOARDING & DELAY
We arrived at the gate at the indicated time, respecting the usual priority rules… and excited to finally discover the A350‑1000 (JA‑01WJ) and JAL’s new Business cabin. The crew’s welcome was warm from the very first moments. The flight seemed full, and the Business cabin was 95% occupied by Japanese passengers.
Very quickly, an announcement was made: the flight would be about one hour late on the ground. Loading the cargo hold was taking longer than expected (Fashion Week boxes, perhaps?). We waited patiently, especially since this delay ultimately gave us a bonus: a bit more time to enjoy the cabin while still on the ground.
BUSINESS SUITE
Once seated, my first impressions of the Business product were slightly below expectations. The partitions, quite high, immediately create a feeling of being enclosed when seated. Fortunately, we were traveling together and could lower the central divider, which opened the space a bit. The very dark color palette also doesn’t help create a more open atmosphere. Window seats are preferable if traveling solo.
Looking more closely, the seats already showed some signs of wear (scratches), which is surprising for such a recent cabin (apparently 2023). Cleaning also seemed rushed after the previous flight from LAX: I found a pair of slippers stuck deep in the footwell under the screen. Not exactly what one expects from an airline known for attention to detail.
At the seat, we found slippers, a mattress pad, a blanket, and pyjamas… whose style was frankly disappointing. More like a hospital gown than a premium garment, and they must be left onboard after the flight (no regrets). The amenity kit, while not luxurious, was small but fairly complete. It included charging cables — an excellent idea — as well as a very practical phone holder.
In terms of equipment, the IFE is truly impressive in size, although reflections on the screen slightly spoil the experience. The speakers integrated into the headrest, meant to offer extra immersion, turned out to be rather useless — even annoying when some passengers overused them, breaking the usual calm of a Business cabin. I used my own Bluetooth headset.
There are several well‑designed storage spaces: a practical spot for the amenity kit, another near the side table for glasses or a phone, a small closet that can hold a light garment (my thick sweatshirt fit perfectly), and a dedicated shoe compartment.
All these elements have already been widely detailed in other reports, so I won’t dwell on them further.
Bedding items :
Note that the free Internet access for premium passengers was practically useless on this flight. The satellite network does not cover a large part of the route over the northern Pacific and the United States, which severely limits connectivity. Better not rely on it for work or staying connected continuously.
ROUTE
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, we have become accustomed to this new trajectory that avoids the area and passes over North America. This detour is now part of the landscape for flights between Japan and Europe, even if it significantly lengthens the journey.
MENU
We had the option to select our meal in advance via the JAL website, something we always do. We always choose the regional dish of the airline from the departure country: it is usually the most refined, the most authentic, and the one that best reflects the local culinary expertise.
This time, we chose the Japanese Washoku menu, created by chef Jun Mishina.
Only the first service can be pre‑ordered. The second service is available on demand until 1h30 before landing. In principle, this is convenient, but in reality it can be frustrating: depending on when you order, choices may quickly run out, especially on a very full flight like this one. This happened to my companion, who was limited to the second choice — still delicious, according to him.
MEAL SERVICE
We had the chance to enjoy all the dishes from the first service, all very well executed and faithful to the finesse of Washoku.
During the rest of the flight, we also enjoyed snacks available on demand, directly orderable through the IFE. A practical option that allows you to snack or complete your meal whenever you want, without waiting for the crew to pass.
FIRST MEAL SERVICE :
SNACK SERVICE :
SECOND MEAL SERVICE (BOTH CHOICES) :
COMFORT
After the first meal, and after nostalgically watching Lilo & Stitch, I prepared my bed for a few hours of sleep. The bedding was quite comfortable, although I quickly realized I would need earplugs: the passenger in front of me was snoring loudly.
LAVATORIES
Taking advantage of our hour of ground delay due to cargo loading, I decided to take a first look at the Business Class lavatories. The IFE even offers a small map to guide you from your seat — an amusing but practical detail.
The equipment itself is standard, with the usual features… and of course Japanese toilets, always a nice touch. However, a strong smell of urine greeted me as I opened the door, which was surprising for an aircraft that hadn’t even taken off yet. The place didn’t inspire confidence, and I carefully avoided that lavatory for the rest of the flight. Surprising and a bit disappointing.
ARRIVAL IN PARIS
We landed in Paris without issue and quickly disembarked, passing by the many agents waiting to welcome personalities arriving for Fashion Week. We then took the monorail to reach the main terminal.
At immigration, it was almost surreal: not a single person. We passed through both PARAFE (European passport) and the regular counters (US passport) instantly.
We then reached the baggage claim area, where the wait began. An announcement eventually apologized for the delay, due to the time needed to unload the aircraft and the exceptional volume of luggage — unsurprising after what we had seen at departure. Fortunately, our bags appeared quickly.
We then left the airport and got into our Ur for a well‑deserved return home.
