Hi all, I haven't actually run the numbers to prove JAL's retaining the 777-300ERs while introducing the A350s, but based on their addition of new routes w/ a First Class cabin, it seems to be the case. A couple notable ones:
- Dallas-Fort-Worth got First in Spring 2023, and will maintain it with the A350 aircraft
- Returning First to CDG (not sure when after the pandemic this happened, but it's nice as an option alongside LHR)
- Started First to Sydney (planned in Fall 2020 initially, but... ya kno)
- Started First to Bangkok (sometime in 2023? iirc their only other intra-Asia First route from awhile back was Jakarta, which never made sense to me honestly)

In the meantime they haven't ended any pre-pandemic First Class routes, with the exception of the Narita flights no longer having First (and perhaps LAX-HND not having First daily? Not sure). JFK-NRT simply changed to a second daily JFK-HND, ORD-NRT swapped to ORD-HND, same with SFO-NRT => SFO-HND (altho SFO-NRT was only briefly a 777-300ER during the pandemic iirc). Given they have more A350s on the way, I'm curious what others think they may try in terms of First destinations that would make sense. My thoughts:
- Singapore? Probably the intra-Asia one that makes the most sense given flight length and wealth of both population centres. SQ runs First to both NRT and HND.
- Boston or Washington Dulles? CX did run First to Boston before the pandemic, but were the only ones from Asia to do so
- [Pipe dreamy]: Melbourne? Given Sydney's term w/ a First Class equipped aircraft has been extended, could be worth a shot?