Japan Airlines First Class (2026)

Is this an annual tradition now? Today is Miki’s birthday and we celebrated again by flying her favorite airline in the world. For the past decade, Japan Airlines has always been her top of the list when she travels to/from Asia. This time, we dialed it up to 11 by booking a party together for this special occasion — all thanks to the stars aligning with the power of miles and points

Booking

With airlines shifting to dynamic revenue algorithms, award availabilities for Japan Airlines First Class (consistent with other ultra-premium products) are starting to get annoyingly rare. Nevertheless on the off-chance you can find award space, the single best way to book this flight at a steal is thru its partner on American Airlines for 80,000 miles/passenger

Alternatively you can find it thru its other partners like Cathay Pacific with Asia Miles. If the award space is available, you can book it for 135,000 miles/passenger.

For best availability, it is recommended to book with Japan Airlines directly through their JAL Mileage Bank. It is a lot easier to snatch and the pricing starts at 110,000 miles/passenger.

Haneda

If you have a choice, try to choose Haneda Airport when you’re flying in Tokyo. As covered from this review, the whole experience feels more seamless compared to Narita Airport. You can easily hop into your car, get escorted to first class check-in, and stroll into the lounge all within an hour leaving from your hotel.

Japan Airlines First Class lounge in Haneda has its own dedicated sushi bar, which makes the experience feel like you’re at a fancy Japanese restaurant. Chloe went slurrrpin’ on the Afuri Ramen.

Remember to check out their unique aviation themed Red Suite which has a speakeasy vibe where you can shine your shoes, see the history of Japan Airlines, and more importantly for Chloe… play foosball

First Class

No matter how many times, the aura of boarding Japan Airlines First Class never gets old. It’s a butterfly feeling that’s hard to describe in words. The seat is so big to the point it can fit all three of us comfortably.

The omakase(s) is as fancy as we remembered

Since the flight is originating from Japan, we get the famous ultra-rare Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs that retails over $1300/bottle. We easily finished the whole bottle.

A special new addition is the limited edition Hibiki 100th Anniversary. It’s another rare bottle that retails around $1000.

Not going to lie, I started getting a little buzzzzzed after going to town on these expensive drinks

When Chloe is sleeping, it’s adult time for mommy and daddy to have a little date night in the sky.

Overall, it’s always a pleasure to fly Japan First Class. My only critique/reminder to the airline is not forgetting its understated elegance in Japanese service. With rising flight cancellations and “consolidations”, this flight including the First Class cabin was completely full. Understandably it can be harder to manage, but there are signs of cracks that didn’t have the wholehearted hospitality that we’re used to.

That being said, Japan Airlines (like Miki 😘) has aged like fine wine and it’s opening up beautifully into a product that is amongst the pinnacle of travel for commercial aviation. Swipe left & right… Chloe is such a big girl now!