Japan Airlines Domestic First Class Routes: A Complete Guide

While we often focus on international premium cabins, there's something fascinating happening in Japan's domestic market. Japan Airlines (JAL) offers a proper First Class service on several domestic routes - something that's increasingly rare worldwide. Let's dive into where you can find these premium seats.

Current JAL Domestic First Class Routes All routes operate from Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND):

• Osaka (Itami)

• Sapporo (New Chitose)

• Fukuoka

• Okinawa (Naha)

• Ishigaki (seasonal service)

• Hiroshima

• Kagoshima

Plus one additional route:

• Osaka (Itami) to Okinawa (Naha)

What Makes It Special? Unlike many domestic first class products worldwide (looking at you, US carriers), JAL's domestic First Class offers:

• Dedicated check-in counters (except at Hiroshima, Kagoshima, and Ishigaki airports)

• Priority security lanes

• Lounge access

• 45kg baggage allowance

• Priority boarding and deplaning

• Enhanced catering with seasonal meals from well-known Japanese restaurants

• 50% bonus miles when crediting to JAL Mileage Bank

Using Your Avios Here's where it gets interesting for us points collectors - you can book these seats using Avios! While availability can be tight, you can check using our Smart Redemptions tool. These short domestic hops can offer excellent value, especially if you're looking to experience First Class without breaking the bank.

My Thoughts

While domestic First Class might seem excessive for such short flights, Japan's impressive attention to detail and service standards make these routes intriguing. For those doing a multi-city tour of Japan, booking First Class on longer domestic segments (like Tokyo to Okinawa) could be a great way to make your journey more comfortable - especially if you're connecting from a long-haul flight.

Planning Tips

1. Book early - Japanese domestic routes can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons

2. Consider using Avios for these routes - the redemption rates can be quite reasonable

3. Don't forget your Airalo eSIM for easy navigation between terminals

4. Use our Flight Seatmap tool to pick the best seat in the cabin

Looking Ahead

Given Japan's increasing popularity, these premium domestic routes offer an interesting way to enhance your Japanese travel experience. Plus, with JAL's commitment to service excellence, it's a chance to experience something quite different from European domestic business class.

Have you flown JAL's domestic First Class? Or are you planning to? Let me know in the comments below - I'd love to hear your experiences!

Safe travels, Jack

P.S. If you're planning a larger trip to Japan, check out our guide on using Avios for JAL's international routes - the sweet spots might surprise you!