First and Business Class Booking Strategies on JAL and ANA

138

Japan has surged in popularity since reopening its borders in 2022, and with it, the race to secure premium award seats on Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) has never been fiercer. These airlines not only showcase Japan’s world-class service but also connect travellers seamlessly across Asia, making their first and business class cabins some of the most sought-after awards in the points and miles game. Award availability is tight, but with the right strategies and points programs, it’s possible to unlock these aspirational seats. In this guide, I’ll break down why JAL and ANA are so desirable, the best programs to book through, and the key tactics you’ll need to maximize your chances.

Product Overview

Let’s take a look at each business and its first-class products for ANA and JAL, along with some of the routes they fly. Then, we will get into the booking strategies.

JAL First Class

When flying to Japan, JAL offers two distinct First Class products. On the 777, the layout is the classic 1-2-1 configuration, which features wide, open seats with a traditional wood-and-leather finish that transform into fully flat beds. While the design feels more traditional, JAL’s impeccable service and exceptional dining make up for the lack in the hard product.  By contrast, the Airbus A350-1000 showcases JAL’s most modern First Class yet, featuring just six enclosed suites in a 1-1-1 layout. These suites offer unmatched privacy, massive 43-inch 4K screens, Bluetooth audio, and the widest First Class seat in the sky.

 

In summary, 777 offers timeless comfort, and the A350-1000 delivers cutting-edge innovation, giving travellers two very different but equally memorable ways to enjoy their long-haul journey.

Here is a quick table comparing the features of the two products:

The routes that JAL flies in first class:

 

After recently flying in Japan Airlines’ new A350-1000 in First Class, it has quickly become one of my all-time favourite experiences. There are several reasons for this: as a tech enthusiast, I was fascinated by the cutting-edge features packed into the suite. Highlights included the massive 43-inch 4K screen, wireless charging capabilities, and seat controls that felt more like high-end gadgets than traditional airplane features.

Another standout aspect was the sheer width of the seat, which allowed me to sit cross-legged, stretch out, or sleep in various positions without ever feeling confined. Coupled with the A350-1000’s whisper-quiet, ultra-smooth ride and Japan Airlines’ signature service, the experience was unforgettable.

 

JAL Business Class

Japan Airlines (JAL) offers one of the most diverse Business Class lineups among global carriers, which can be somewhat confusing due to the variation in seat types depending on the aircraft and route.  Until recently, the airline’s flagship Business Class product was the Sky Suite. It has been available on long-haul 777s and 787s for several years, featuring a 2-3-2 configuration on the 787 and a 2-2-2 configuration on the 777. Thanks to its innovative Apex Suite design, every passenger enjoys direct aisle access.  The Suite, introduced on the A350-1000, JAL offers a staggered 1-2-1 layout with fully flat beds, large in-flight entertainment screens, and enhanced privacy. For shorter regional flights, you’ll typically find the Shell Flat Neo or recliner-style seats. Overall, JAL’s Business Class strikes a balance between comfort, service, and design.

Below is a table that breaks down the variety of Business Class products in JAL’s lineup.

 

 

The new Suite product is quite impressive, with some of the offerings as follows:

Japan Airlines has long delivered a solid premium cabin experience, but the debut of the A350-1000 with its all-new Suite product marks a clear step forward. It combines the spaciousness and privacy today’s travellers expect with the signature JAL touches of thoughtful service and refined design. While the carrier still operates several different Business Class seat types, The Suite sets a new benchmark. For anyone chasing comfort, technology, and a uniquely Japanese sense of hospitality, this is the product to aim for.

ANA First Class

All Nippon Airways (ANA) offers two distinct First Class hard product experiences, depending on whether you’re flying on their Boeing 777 or older aircraft. On select 777-300ERs, ANA debuted “The Suite”, a fully enclosed First Class product designed with privacy and modern tech in mind. Each suite features a massive 43-inch 4K screen, ample storage, and sliding doors, creating one of the most private First Class experiences in the world. By contrast, ANA’s older “First Square” layout is still found on some routes, feels more open and less modern. While the seats are spacious and arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, the design lacks doors, and the technology is somewhat outdated. However, the First Square excels in comfort and reliability: passengers still enjoy ANA’s renowned polished service, refined Japanese and Western dining, and a tranquil, understated cabin.  In short, while ANA gives travellers the choice between the latest in luxury innovation with The Suite and a more classic First Class feel with the First Square, it’s still best to aim for the Suite.

 

 

Here is a quick table comparing the features of the two products:

And here are the routes flown:

ANA Business Class

ANA offers a diverse range of Business Class experiences depending on the aircraft, from cutting-edge private suites to more traditional recliners.  While not as diverse as JAL’s business class lineup, there are still 4 varied types that exist.  The flagship product is “The Room” on select 777-300ERs and features a spacious 1-2-1 layout with sliding doors, enormous 24” 4K screens, and incredible privacy. On the 787s, 777s, and A380s, you’ll often find the Business Staggered seats, ANA’s long-standing lie-flat product that ensures direct aisle access and a comfortable sleeping surface. On some older 787-8s and 767s, ANA still operates the Business Cradle seat, a reclining product better suited for shorter routes. Looking ahead, ANA has announced “THE Room FX,” a next-generation Business Class debuting on 787-9s in 2026, featuring oversized non-reclining seats with sliding doors, sofa-like comfort, and advanced tech such as wireless charging and Bluetooth audio.

Here is a breakdown comparing the four products:

This is how the seats look like:

Booking Strategies

This is probably the section you came for: how do you actually snag those ANA/JAL First and Business Class awards when inventory is brutally tight? First, let’s understand why the award inventory is so limited. A few reasons:

1.  Increase in Japan’s popularity and the weak yen = increase demand for premium cabins
2.  High demand, Low Supply: Blogs and social media fuel the demand for the heavily advertised “Sweet Spots” awards
3. The desire to fly on top-tier first-class products that have limited 6 to 8 seats per aircraft.
4. An increase in competition from the rise of points-savvy travellers in the past few years.
5. Brokers snapping up seats the moment they appear
6. Quirks exist, like married-segment logic and partner-dependent availability

The result of all of these means that every seat that opens is contested.  Making preparation, flexibility, and strategy absolutely essential to grabbing these coveted award seats.

 

The Playbook

The most obvious tip that many blogs will share is to use award search tools and set alerts. While this advice is useful, it doesn’t provide the advantage you need for travelling to and from Japan on JAL and ANA. Why is that? Because these tools are not perfect. Do you really think that the moment you receive an alert is exactly when an award seat becomes available? This flaw in reasoning should be clear, and it’s why you shouldn’t rely solely on these tools. In my opinion, when the tools catch it, it’s often too late.

So, if we’re not using these tools, what should we do instead? Well, you might find some tips on my First Class Family Trip to Japan, but here is a fulsome list of strategies for you to consider, presented in a way that encourages you to think for yourself 🙂

1) Win the speed game

• Payment Ready: Save a card for the programs you are likely to book through.
• Passenger Profiles: Keep complete details for every traveller across those sites.
• Tools in Pairs: One tool fits in your pocket, while the other has a larger display. Perhaps one opens a door, while the other does not.

2)  “Aim” Smarter

• Gateways: Don’t get stuck on the big gateways; sometimes the path opens through smaller doors with a longer string attached.
• Honeymoon: Specific seats only come out to play on their honeymoon after being wed. However, divorces can be just as juicy.
• Seasons: Awards have seasons too, and their mood can vary depending on whether the flowers are blooming or the snow is falling.
• Bargains: When the shop’s shelves stay full, bargains appear late; when everything’s selling, don’t expect leftovers.

3) Respect the Clocks 

• Time Shifts: Award space doesn’t arrive at the altar on the dot—it drifts in like a changing season. Treat it as a window, not a wedding march to the minute..
• Time Cycles: Seats don’t sprout at a single sunrise—different gardens bloom at different hours. Check in cycles, not seconds, around the local daylight.
• Time Rhythm: Award space has a rhythm: last month’s drops often echo into this one, not identical, but close enough to guide your timing.
• Clowns don’t sleep—they refresh through the night, counting patterns like stars until the drop repeats.

4) Flex your Plan A / Plan B

• Plan A: the perfect nonstop/cabin/date.
• Plan B: adjacent dates, secondary gateways, or time to head to a wedding hopping like a rabbit.
• Plan C (families): split the party across two flights on the same day, or mix cabins (e.g., 2 in F, 1 in J) and fix it later if more seats appear.

5) Know the Rules of the Game

• Have points where you need them or know your fastest transfer methods, and be mindful of speculative transfers
• Be knowledgeable of the change/cancel rules of the different award programs that you’ll actually book with
• Behind every seat, an algorithm waits—hidden logic, constant rhythm, never chance. Chances are for the weak.
• Some seats are phantoms: they sing on one stage, then vanish in the dark—don’t chase shadows without checking twice.

Booking premium cabins to Japan is all about speed, smarts, and flexibility. Have your details saved, search beyond the obvious, treat release times as windows, not minutes, and always keep a backup plan. With points positioned and rules in mind, you’ll be ready to grab those rare seats before anyone else!

Final Word

Flying in First or Business Class on JAL and ANA is more than just transportation; it is a showcase of Japanese precision, innovation, and hospitality. Whether it’s the cutting-edge suites on JAL’s A350-1000 or ANA’s ultra-private “The Room” and “The Suite,” these cabins are some of the most coveted experiences in the points and miles world. Securing them isn’t easy, but with preparation, flexibility, and the correct booking strategy, these aspirational journeys are within reach. If Japan is on your horizon, aim high because when you finally settle into one of these seats, every ounce of effort will feel worth it.