ANA vs JAL Business Class: Compare by Route, Not Brand

ANA vs JAL business class comes down to the aircraft on your route. Each airline's best seat flies on only some of its flights. As a result, picking the airline first can land you in the older cabin. Picking the gateway first often settles the choice.

The route details below follow the summer 2026 schedules, which ran to late October. However, the winter timetable can differ, so confirm the aircraft when you book. For the wider decision about fares and timing, see our guide to business class to Japan.

ANA vs JAL Business Class: The Two Flagships

Each airline sells several business class seats under one brand. JAL's seat page lists six, from the new A350-1000 to the deep-recline seat on the 737-800. ANA also offers several designs. They range from THE Room on the 777-300ER to the cradle-style seat on the 787-8 and the 767-300ER.

JAL's A350-1000 Suite

JAL describes the A350-1000 seat as a private space with translucent panel doors. It also has a 24-inch 4K screen and headrest speakers. Then come the practical extras: a personal wardrobe, a wireless charger and storage for a standard carry-on bag. JAL's other business class seats are separate products. For example, the SKY SUITE on its 787s and 777-300ER also gives every passenger direct aisle access.

ANA's THE Room

THE Room sits on ANA's new-cabin 777-300ERs. According to ANA's seat page, every seat has a door and direct aisle access. The rows alternate between forward and rear facing. The cabin has 64 business class seats, and each seat has a 24-inch 4K monitor. Paired seats also share a movable partition.

ANA lists a newer THE Room FX for the 787-9 as well. One Mile at a Time expected the first aircraft in August 2026, so check whether it flies your route yet. Meanwhile, ANA's staggered seat on its 787s, 777s and A380 also gives direct aisle access. Its cradle seat, by contrast, is a different design with a 12.1-inch touch-panel screen.

Which Flagship Flies From Your US City

This is where ANA vs JAL business class becomes practical. The map below uses JAL's US schedule (as of 18 June 2026). It also uses One Mile at a Time's ANA route guide (updated 3 June 2026). Summer 2026 looked like this:

• New York: both flagships. JAL's JL003 to Haneda ran daily on the A350-1000. ANA expected THE Room on all of its Haneda flights from JFK.
• Los Angeles: JAL. Its Haneda flights, JL015 and JL016, ran on the A350-1000. ANA, however, served Los Angeles with 787s.
• Dallas/Fort Worth: JAL. JL011 to Haneda ran daily on the A350-1000. ANA's US routes in that guide do not include Dallas.
• Chicago and San Francisco: ANA, on select flights. THE Room flew some frequencies, yet the older cabin flew others. JAL's flights there were not marked for the A350-1000.
• Seattle, Houston, Washington, San Diego and Boston: neither flagship on the schedules we read. ANA used 787s from Houston, Seattle and Washington. JAL's Seattle, San Diego and Boston flights went to Narita without the A350-1000.

Because both airlines can swap aircraft, treat this as a starting map rather than a promise. JAL notes that the schedule and aircraft may differ by departure date. ANA, likewise, says its aircraft and seat specifications can change without notice.

How to Tell Which Seat You Booked

For ANA, the seat map is the quickest test. First, count the seats. One Mile at a Time says the new business cabin has 64 seats, while the old one has 52 or 68. Second, check the rows, because a cabin that runs to row 20 is the new one. Third, try Google Flights, where an "Individual suite" label points to THE Room. A "Lie flat seat" label points to the older cabin.

For JAL, look for the A350-1000 in the flight details. JAL's schedule marks those flights. Its seat page also links to a tool that checks the aircraft type for a booking. Then recheck a few days before departure, since swaps happen.

From New York you can pick between the two flagships. From Los Angeles or Dallas the choice is made for you. Tell us your city and week, and we will quote the flight that carries the seat you want.

Check Each Leg Before You Pay

A round trip has two aircraft decisions. JAL's schedule marks the A350-1000 on both Los Angeles flights, JL015 and JL016. For New York and Dallas, however, it marks only the flights toward Haneda, JL003 and JL011. The return flights, JL004 and JL012, carry no such note, so check them separately.

ANA works the same way. THE Room flies on select Chicago and San Francisco frequencies, and those vary by day of the week. As a result, your outbound and return dates can land on different cabins. Then, if you change dates later, check again, because a new date can mean a new aircraft.

Price, Miles and Alliances

In ANA vs JAL business class, neither airline is reliably cheaper. Fares follow the date, the gateway and the seats left. As a result, one carrier can win in March and lose in June. The only dependable test is to price both on your dates. Current starting fares are on our business class flights to Tokyo page.

Alliances matter if you pay with miles. ANA is a Star Alliance member, according to One Mile at a Time. JAL, meanwhile, runs a joint business with American Airlines on transpacific flights, as its own schedule page notes. For a cash ticket, however, the seat and the schedule usually matter more.

How to Choose Between ANA and JAL

Use these rules, in this order, to settle ANA vs JAL business class for your own trip.

1. Flying from Los Angeles or Dallas? JAL's A350-1000 is the flagship you can reach.
2. Flying from Chicago or San Francisco? ANA's THE Room is the better bet, but check the seat map because it flies on select frequencies only.
3. Flying from New York? Compare both, then choose on fare, departure time and aircraft.
4. Flying from anywhere else? Neither flagship flies nonstop, so compare the older seats or connect through a gateway.

For more on the seats themselves, see our ranking of the best business class seats. You can also read our Boeing 787 vs Airbus A350 comparison for the aircraft behind them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more expensive, ANA or JAL?

Neither is consistently more expensive. Business class fares follow the date, the gateway and the seats left. As a result, the cheaper airline changes from week to week. Price both on your dates before you decide.

Which Japanese airline has the best business class?

The best seat on each airline is its flagship: JAL's A350-1000 suite or ANA's THE Room. Which one you can fly depends on your city. For example, Los Angeles and Dallas get JAL's flagship, while Chicago and San Francisco get ANA's on select flights.

Are ANA and JAL the same airline?

No. They are competing airlines with separate fleets, seats and schedules. ANA belongs to Star Alliance, and JAL also works with American Airlines on transpacific flights.

Is ANA business class worth it?

It can be, if your flight has THE Room. That cabin has 64 seats with doors and direct aisle access. However, on a flight with an older cabin, compare the fare against JAL or another carrier before you commit.

Can a flight concierge price both airlines?

Yes. An agent can quote ANA and JAL for the same dates and check the aircraft on each flight. Whether either quote beats the published fare depends on the route and the date.