Summary
- Japan Airlines introduces innovative first class suites on its new Airbus A350-1000 with maximum privacy and versatile seat configurations.
- Business class passengers will also have privacy doors and increased seating capacity, with seats extending to flat beds and featuring built-in headphones and a large screen.
- Premium economy offers unique privacy features, electrically operated reclining functionality, and a variety of amenities for working in-flight. The economy cabin provides ample legroom, updated entertainment systems, and sustainable tableware initiatives.
Japan Airlines has officially unveiled the interior for its upcoming long-haul fleet. The oneworld carrier showed off the revamped cabin interiors for the new Airbus A350-1000, which will become the airline’s new flagship for international service after nearly 20 years.
The first of thirteen aircraft is due to debut on flights from Tokyo Haneda Airport to New York (JFK) by the end of the year. The planes are bringing upgraded entertainment options, new seats, and privacy doors in both first and business classes.
First class to the front
There will be six first class suites. The seating arrangement is quite innovative, with several unique features. The cabin has been created to have a more spacious and airy feel by removing the overhead storage compartments for the first time. Carry-on luggage storage has been moved to a large compartment under the bed.
Photo: Japan Airlines
Each of the six suites features a door for maximum privacy. The seats themselves are pretty versatile with sofa, chair with bed, and double bed configurations. Designed by Safan, the seats feature what the carrier bills as the “world’s first headphone-free stereo” with built-in headrest speakers that allow the customers to enjoy inflight entertainment without using headphones.
The headrest also has a reclining function when in bed mode to allow for comfortable viewing throughout the flight. The screen is a full 43 inches, comparable to large home entertainment systems.
Photo: Japan Airlines
In addition to the storage compartment, each suite has a wardrobe to allow passengers to hang clothes and jackets. On top of the lights and seat recliner control panel is a built-in wireless charger for phones and electronic devices. Full-size power outlets are also conveniently located on the side for larger items like laptops and tablets.
Photo: Japan Airlines
New amenity kits will be included on the flight and feature non-petroleum-based products and the artwork of artists from the welfare experimental company, Heralbony, with a mission to “Unleash Your Exceptionality.”
The key is in the door.
Each business class seat will also feature privacy doors. The carrier is investing heavily in its new business class product and increasing the seating capacity to 54, up from 49 in the Boeing 777-300ER. This could be a defining feature of the plane, which will initially feature on business-heavy routes beginning with New York to Tokyo.
Photo: Japan Airlines
The seats will all extend to lay flat beds measuring 78 inches (198 cm) with a large amount of space at the foot area and thick cushions that evenly distribute body pressure. The headrest also has the same reclining function found in the first class cabin to enjoy entertainment while lying down and includes stereo technology for watching entertainment without headphones.
Photo: Japan Airlines
Wireless charging, built-in headphones, and a 24-inch screen round out some of the highlight features of the cabin. Passengers traveling together can take advantage of the electric privacy partition to chat with their travel companions.
Private wardrobes are also fitted in the cabin, a feature often reserved for first class customers. The overhead storage bins have all been moved to the window sides, allowing for a more spacious feel.
Photo: Japan Airlines
The carrier is also launching a rental service for inflight relaxing wear in business class exclusively on A350-1000 operated flights. Passengers flying in first class will still be provided with complimentary sleepwear.
Unique privacy features in the premium economy cabin are set to prevent your seatmate from falling asleep on your shoulder. The new seat design includes large partitions to significantly improve privacy and fixed seatbacks to ensure passengers always have the same amount of legroom.
Photo: Japan Airlines
The seats are also the first in the world to introduce electrically operated reclining functionality in premium economy, and the legrest also rises to a horizontal level for extra comfort on long journeys.
The premium economy also features several features for travelers looking to work in the sky. There is a convenient coffee table that slides out, a tablet stand, a wide table for laptops, an AC power outlet, and USB ports Type-A and Type-C.
Photo: Japan Airlines
The 16-inch 4K widescreen monitor has also been upgraded to 1.3 times larger than the current model.
Wide as can be
The economy cabin has not been neglected. The airline is already well-regarded for its economy class product. Each seat features 33-34 inches of pitch and a large fold-out table. Other highlights include pop-down cupholders to save on table space or allow passengers to have more legroom by leaving it up altogether. There is also an adjustable headrest for your preference to allow for a comfortable rest on long journeys.
Photo: Japan Airlines
The inflight entertainment system has been updated, and passengers can enjoy a large 13-inch 4K monitor and Bluetooth connectivity to enjoy the provided entertainment with their own personal audio devices. The standard headphone jack at the end of the armrest remains for those using traditional headphones, along with an AC power outlet and USB ports in Type-A and Type-C.
Photo: Japan Airlines
The airline is also working to introduce new tableware for inflight meals from spring 2024. This marks a key step in reducing the use of new petroleum-derived plastics and transitioning from disposable containers and lids to materials such as paper or 100% recycled plastic. In addition, 100% plant-derived materials will be used for reusable dishes and bags for cutlery.
Several other little upgrades are also being rolled out in conjunction with the new aircraft, such as a JAL exclusive “MISOKA” toothbrush, which can be used with just water and is made without petroleum-derived plastic, for customers on the first flight.