JAL offers the most extravagant champagne of any airline in First Class... on flights departing Japan. Today it was Salon 2013 which retails for a mere $1,200+ a bottle. The bad news is that they only load one bottle per flight. The good news today is that, except for one small glass to another passenger, I was the only one drinking so I enjoyed virtually the entire bottle. Serving cheap champagne at the gate apparently makes passengers less likely to have another glass once in flight.





Very strange amuse bouche. No idea as the identity was lost in translation. Another one taste and done.



Today's menu...





After the Salon, the wine list is rubbish. Unlike a 777 galley, the A350 galley is really exposed and takes up most of the area up front. In service, it is just a mess. Service on my flight was well meaning but seemed challenged at times even with just 6 pax. It took nearly an hour after wheels up for drinks and service to start.



The white wines shouldn't even be served in Business Class. An $18 featured Chardonnay??



Reds are a little better but only acceptable on a Business Class wine list.



Showtime: JAL First Class style. I should have gone Japanese especially ex-Japan but just didn't feel like doing another round. So I went with the International menu and a bottle of Salon.



The breads were warm and wonderful.



Sadly, the Goat Milk Bavarois amuse-bouche was gross and inedible.



The Nicoise Salad Terrine was better but still a meh.



Next up was a Seafood Sausage with a spicy tomato salsa. Tasted OK but with an odd texture. Now regretting my meal choice.



Finally a winner. The Sea Bream & Spring Vegetables with Marinière Sauce... prepared sous vide.



And was absolutely spectacular.



By now, I'd finished off the bottle of Salon and decided to move on to. LOL. Pleasant but not memorable $40 Burgundy.



The Wagyu Beef Fillet with Morel Mushroom Sauce was very good albeit a little too well done. But Burdock? That's a hard pass.



And to finish, although it was tasty, the strangest Strawberry Shortcake that I have ever seen.



Nap time! I slept for more than 4 hours which is very good for me. Excellent thick mattress pad (with a choice of soft or firm) and the cabin temp today was reasonable. But the seats don’t actually fully lie flat with a bump/gap where the seat and seat-back meet. Unless you hit the right sweet spot, your back feels it.



Massive amount of room and the door provides excellent privacy.



For my pre-landing meal, I decided to try a couple of Japanese options from the a la carte portion of the menu. Sadly, the Miso-grilled Butterfish was dry and very firm not moist and soft.



And the JAL's Recommendation Braised Pork Belly Rice Bowl was disappointingly bland and flavorless.



Prior to landing I checked out the amenity kit. Meh.



And more meh.



We arrived on time at DFW and parked at D15.



JAL's A350-1000 was great experience and I'm very happy to have had the chance to experience it. But it is not without its flaws and the JAL soft product could be better. Having flown virtually all of the world's international First Class products, for a overall First Class experience, I’d still rather be on Emirates, Singapore or Air France La Première.

More pics and an HD version of this report is available at SFO777.com