Earlier today, Japan Airlines made a subtle announcement that the business class product for its new Airbus A350-1000s would be unveiled in October.

New premium product coming

Japan Airlines is already an operator of the Airbus A350-900 but has not received its first Airbus A350-1000. In an announcement about its winter schedule, the airline revealed that a new business class product is coming for the new Airbus widebodies. The new product will be unveiled on October 2.

Typically, a new business class product is a big deal, and an airline will pull out all the stops to make an announcement like Lufthansa did earlier this year. It is safe to assume that Japan Airlines will do precisely that in October, but interestingly, the date of unveiling was buried in a network announcement today.

Photo: Lufthansa

The airline said,

"Furthermore, preparations are underway for the new flagship A350-1000 aircraft, scheduled to start operating on the Haneda - New York route in late November. Information on launch date and other details, as well as interior and in-flight services, will be announced on October 2. "

If recent updates to business class cabins indicate what will come, we can expect several things from Japan Airlines' new widebodies. First, Bluetooth capability with the inflight entertainment (IFE) system. Second, 4K screens, bigger and better than before, with improved touch technology. Third, wireless charging. And finally, doors adding extra privacy. That last one is a toss-up, as some airlines have opted not to add doors to their premium products.

The Japanese carrier has 13 Airbus A350-1000s on order and expects to receive the first two this year. Seven are expected by the end of 2025, with Airbus completing deliveries in 2028. The -1000s will join the airlines' fleet of 18 A350-900s, sixteen of which are in operation and two yet to be delivered.

Where Japan Airlines flies its A350s

As mentioned above, Japan Airlines has 16 of the 18 A350-900s it ordered. The airline only deploys the type on four domestic routes, but the fleet is scheduled for 2,262 flights this month. Some routes have as many as thirteen daily flights on the A350s.

In the United States, widebodies are commonly used for transcontinental flights and sometimes for shorter hub-to-hub flights. For example, United Airlines flies Boeing 777s from Denver International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Japan Airlines is deploying its A350s on routes just over 500 miles.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

In August, Japan Airlines' busiest A350 route is from Haneda International Airport in Tokyo to Sapporo. The route has 403 flights in each direction, totaling thirteen daily operations. The distance between Tokyo and Sapporo is 510 miles.

The Tokyo-Haneda to Fukuoka route is almost as busy as the Sapporo route, with 402 flights in each direction. This route is slightly longer at 548 miles. Japan Airlines also sends the A350s to Okinawa, covering 965 miles. The Haneda-Okinawa route has 260 flights in each direction, going between eight and nine daily flights.

From Okinawa, Japan Airlines sends the A350 to Osaka International (Itami) Airport twice daily, covering 752 miles. On Sundays, the A350s travel between Haneda and Osaka, covering 250 miles.