If you’re heading to Japan, you’re in for a treat – especially if you pick the right airline. We chatted with our aviation nerds here at Netflights HQ and compared the best airlines for flying to Japan from the UK based on their frequency of flights, whether they offer direct routes, their Skytrax rating (kinda like the Oscars of the aviation world) and – obvs – what sort of experience you can expect on board.

Japan Airlines is traditional Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) meets modern luxury. Their service is so polished it feels like they’d iron your napkin if you let them. You’ll find seats with 34 inches of pitch in Economy, which is pretty roomy by aviation industry standards. But their Premium Economy class is the real star of the show – it’s considered the best in the world, with proper recliner seats, great legroom, and priority services on top. You’ll get a business class-style meal – multi-course, beautifully presented, and Japanese cuisine is an option. Plus there’s free-flowing champagne, sake, and wine. Economy-class drink cart? Never heard of her.

Business Class is also pretty top-notch, with lie-flat seats, privacy screens, plush bedding, and storage galore in their ‘Sky Suites’. Kaiseki-style gourmet meals are the order of the day, curated by Michelin-starred chefs. Expect dishes like wagyu beef, sushi, miso black cod, and delicate seasonal appetizers that look straight out of a high-end Tokyo restaurant, or opt for premium steak, seafood, and pasta dishes. JAL’s Business Class amenity kits are with HERALBONY, featuring unique designs by artists with disabilities. Don’t expect loads of stuff you won’t actually end up using though, the kits are designed to be compact and functional, reflecting JAL’s commitment to quality and practicality.

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First Class are suites that come with leather seats, cashmere blankets, and the kind of space that makes you question why you don’t always fly just like this. Think understated, refined, deeply personal luxury – like a 5-star ryokan in the sky. Only available on the Boeing 777-300ER, it’s one of the most private and spacious First Class cabins in the world. The dining is legendary – everything from caviar and sashimi to miso-marinated black cod and matcha-inspired desserts. Plus you’ll bag a 23-inch 4K screen – huge, crisp, and perfect for watching Studio Ghibli films with some Sony Noise-Cancelling headphones whilst you fish around for goodies in your HERALBONY amenity kit.

Japanese Airlines’ MAGIC in-flight entertainment system is packed with movies, TV shows, games, and even language courses. The selection leans heavily on Japanese content, so if you’re into anime or samurai flicks, you’re in for a treat.

Network

Japan Airlines has pretty much got Japan covered (unsurprisingly), and dominate the domestic market here, with smooth transfers at Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports. If you wanna fly direct, they have two direct flights a day from London Heathrow to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.

Destinations within Japan include: Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sappore, and Okinawa, but they fly to pretty much every airport in Japan.

Which UK airports does Japan Airlines fly from?

Japan Airlines currently only flies from London Heathrow, with direct services to Tokyo twice a day for connections across the country.

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JAL are consistently awarded for their cabin comfort and customer satisfaction.

This way for cheap flights with Japan Airlines

Singapore Airlines is mega popular, and for good reason. Whilst they don’t offer direct flights to Japan from the UK currently, they offer routes with layovers at Singapore’s incredible Changi Airport.

Economy Class on Singapore Airlines comes with ergonomic seats, adjustable headrests, and a decent amount of legroom too – the airline is actually known for its pretty generous seat pitch, which is slightly more spacious than other airlines. The meal service here is a highlight too, with a selection of Asian and international dishes, often featuring Japanese-inspired meals on flights to Japan. You can even use the “Book the Cook”, a service that allows pre-ordering of special meals – even in Economy. You’ll even bag a small but sweet amenity kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and socks. Always handy.

When it comes to their Premium Economy, it could easily rival Business Class on some other airlines. Think wider seats, more recline, a nifty calf rest, and way more inches on your entertainment screen. You’ll get a more refined amenity kit too, with a sleep mask, socks, and basic toiletries. Meal service is fancier too, with premium dishes, whether you opt for Western-style (like grilled chicken, steak, or pasta), or an Asian option (such as a stir-fry or curry). There’s a veggie selection too, of course. Flights to Japan often include a Japanese-inspired dish, such as a teriyaki chicken bowl, miso-marinated fish, or a soba noodle dish. Singapore Airlines is also known for offering champagne, even in Premium Economy .

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Their Business and First Class offerings, meanwhile, are just down right ridiculous and are the stuff of travel legend.  In Business Class, the seats are wide and plush, with direct aisle access for everyone – no awkwardly climbing over strangers. And if you’re on the A380, you might get the “double bed” option if you’re flying with a partner. Ultra-luxury, rockstar treatment, Singapore Airlines’ First Class is rare – they only have it on select Boeing 777-300ERs and the A380, where it’s called the “Suites” class (it comes with private room with a sliding door and a separate armchair and an actual full-size bed, not a converted seat).

In Business, you’ll get kits created in partnership with boutique fragrance brand Le Labo. First Class passengers, on the other hand, receive indulgent kits from luxury French brand Lalique. When it comes to dining, think serious gourmet. Lobster thermidor, beef rendang, or an exquisitely prepared vegetarian curry are just a few options to expect in Business. Upgrade to caviar service, Japanese kaiseki meals, and prime steak in First (and you’ll dine on Givenchy-designed tableware).

Entertainment on board is equally impressive, thanks to the KrisWorld system. With a vast selection of movies, TV shows, games, and music at your fingertips, you may actually wish your flight lasted longer to enjoy it all. Well, almost.

Network

Singapore Airlines has daily flights to Tokyo via Singapore from London Heathrow.

Which UK airports does Singapore Airlines fly from?

You’ve got a few options – London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Manchester Airport. Currently Singapore Airlines only fly to Tokyo from London Heathrow.

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The cabin crew undergo a four-month training programme, one of the longest and most comprehensive in the industry.

This way for cheap flights with Singapore Airlines

Japan’s largest airline, ANA, is celebrated for its blend of traditional Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) and modern amenities. It’s a bit like stepping into a meticulously crafted Japanese art piece – minimalist, precise, and designed to make you feel slightly inferior in your ability to organize anything.

In Economy, the seats are wider than you’d expect, and the legroom is generous enough to avoid a knee-to-back confrontation with the person in front. Plus, there’s a little cup holder for when you’re too lazy to unfold your tray. Thoughtful, right? You’ll get the usual extra legroom in Premium Economy, whilst their business class is highly rated, featuring “The Room” – seats with spacious, semi-private pods.

Even in Economy and Premium Economy, ANA doesn’t skimp. You’ll get a pillow, blanket, and slippers. In Business Class, meanwhile, you’ll get a kit from AVEDA in a pouch whose shape and colour varies depending on the time of year. In First Class, the kit has been developed in collaboration with ETTINGER, a renowned British leather goods manufacturer – ANA are the only airline to offer this brand.

In all classes, they serve up authentic Japanese meals (bento boxes, sushi, and soba noodles) alongside Western options, just in case raw fish isn’t your thing. Business and First Class passengers can pre-order their meals, including seasonal dishes curated by Michelin-starred chefs.

Network

ANA have extensive domestic and international flights, connecting you to key cities in Japan and across Asia, including direct services to Tokyo from London Heathrow.

Which UK airports do ANA All Nippon Airways fly from?

ANA All Nippon Airways currently only fly from London Heathrow, with direct services to Tokyo for connections across Asia.

Wanna know something else?

If you like being on time, you’ll like ANA – they have high ratings for punctuality. Safety, too.

This way for cheap flights with ANA All Nippon Airways

One of the few airlines to offer direct flights from the UK to Japan, British Airways offers a solid experience to get you from A to B.

In Economy (World Traveller) you can expect around 31 inches of pitch, while the in-flight entertainment system offers a variety of movies and TV shows, from new cinema releases and selected shows from Paramount+ (long-haul only) to The National Gallery: Behind the Scenes in Conservation. In terms of nosh, you can enjoy a starter, main and dessert, with a choice of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks. They also offer mid-flight snacks and a second meal on longer flights.

Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) offers more comfort, making it a pretty popular choice for those seeking additional space without upgrading all the way up to Business Class. Seats come with extra legroom (38-inch pitch) and more recline, and passengers enjoy benefits like priority boarding and a more refined meal service (with real cutlery and glassware!) Pus you’ll get a nifty amenity kit with all the usual suspects.

What happens if you miss a flight?

One of the standout features in Business Class (Club World) is the lie-flat beds (they were one of the first to introduce them!) The cabin used to feature a 2-4-2 seating arrangement, but they’ve gradually been transitioning to a 1-2-1 layout with their newer aircraft and updated cabins, like the the Club Suite, BA’s newest Business Class product. In Club Suite, you’ll get privacy doors and direct aisle access in all seats, plus a larger entertainment screen (18.5 inches). Bedding is provided by The White Company, and so are the amenity kits. Dining in Club World includes pre-flight champagne, a three-course meal (with a choice of mains, including British classics), a solid wine selection (BA loves a good Bordeaux), mid-flight snacks (including mini tubs of Jude’s ice cream), and a proper English breakfast before landing (bacon rolls on morning flights).

First Class is like stepping into a posh private club at 35,000 feet – think champagne on arrival, lie-flat beds, designer amenity kits, and white tablecloth dining. Unlike Emirates, Singapore Airlines, or ANA, BA’s First Class does not have a fully enclosed suite – but it does offer a large fully lie-flat seat, a personal wardrobe (because First Class passengers don’t just “stuff things in overhead bins”), a whopping 23-inch HD entertainment screen, and nifty windows with electronic blinds (because reaching for a manual shade is so… Economy). Amenity kits are provided by Temperley. Dining is similar to Business Class, with a few essential perks: enjoy  stuff like lobster thermidor, steak, or afternoon tea with scones, and enjoy it on proper bone china and glassware –  none of that flimsy plastic stuff. Plus you can dine whenever you want.

Network

British Airways fly daily from Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda Airport, and through its codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines, they offer seamless flights to several other Japanese cities, including Miyazaki, Kumamoto, Komatsu, and Matsuyama.

Which UK airports does British Airways fly from?

You’ve got loads to play with – British Airways’ hub can be found at London Heathrow, but they also fly from Gatwick and London City too. For the rest of the UK, they also fly out of Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. Note that most flights from regional airports will include a stop at one of the London airports.

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They hold the record for the fastest transatlantic flight by a passenger plane – a Concorde flight from New York to London in 1996, clocking in at 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds. That’s faster than most people take to get through airport security today.

This way for cheap flights with British Airways