JAL Business Class: HND-CTS A350-900

When flying from Tokyo to Sapporo, you have plenty of options, with flights departing almost every hour on both ANA and JAL. I found a great fare for J Class (Domestic Business) on JAL, so I booked directly with them. The one-way fare was JPY 23,030, though prices for this route can drop as low as JPY 18,750. JAL primarily operates their A350-900 on this route, so you can expect a modern, comfortable flight for the quick 75-minute journey. The J Class cabin on the A350-900 is similar to international Premium Economy, as it features a recliner seat rather than a lie-flat one. Note that lounge access isn’t included with domestic J Class fares, so you’ll need to hold Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status to access JAL’s lounges.

After enjoying some time in the JAL Lounge, courtesy of my Oneworld Emerald status, I made my way to board the flight to Sapporo. Upon finding my seat, 9A, I settled in comfortably. The seat was surprisingly spacious for the short 75-minute flight and even featured a legrest. The recline, at 8 inches, was similar to what you’d find in most international Premium Economy cabins. A standout feature of this new A350 was the dual camera views available on the in-seat TV screen, an interesting touch, especially for those curious about the view from above. To top it off, there was a coat hook at the seat, which was especially handy during the colder winter months.

Shortly after takeoff from Tokyo Haneda, a light snack and drinks were served. There is no full meal service in J Class on this route, as you’ll need to book First Class for that. The flight itself was smooth, and we landed on time at snowy New Chitose Airport (CTS).

If you’ve booked an Economy class ticket but are hoping to fly Business, there’s still a chance. Day-of-departure upgrades, available at a very reasonable price (JPY 2,200) but in high demand, can be secured if you’ve provided your JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) membership number during booking. For more details, you can check the upgrade policy here: JAL Upgrade Information. If upgrading to J Class isn’t an option, the exit row seats 45H, 45J, and 45K in Economy offer a solid alternative for a more comfortable flight.

View from Seat 45H

Conclusion: If comfort is a priority for you on this route, I highly recommend flying J Class. The wide seat and 8-inch recline make for a very comfortable journey. After landing at CTS, we headed straight to the Park Hyatt Niseko for a few days on the slopes, and the little splurge on J Class was definitely worth it.