Flight Lowdown: JAL’s Michelin-Star Spring 2026 Menu is Here

Jake Redman March 6, 2026

JAL just pushed the Spring 2026 refresh for all international long-haul routes as of March 1, and the JAL Business Class menu 2026 is looking sharp with seasonal transitions and high-end chef collabs.

The Talent

The carrier tapped two major names for the First and Business Class cabins.

Chef Natsuko Shoji
Asia’s Best Female Chef 2022. Owner of Tokyo’s ultra-exclusive restaurant été. Shoji’s work hits the second meal service on routes between Tokyo (Haneda/Narita) and Europe, the Americas, and Doha (not Australia). Expect high-concept plating and tight seasonal alignment. Australia routes: RED U-35 chefs (Economy / Premium Economy).

Featured chef. JAL Business Class Menu 2026 — Natsuko Shoji is Owner + Chef of été Photo: JAL

Chef Nae Ogawa
Executive Chef at natuRe waikiki. Ogawa is handling the Business Class menus on flights departing Hawaii back to Japan (Hawaii → Japan). The focus here is “beyond sustainability.” Think locally sourced Hawaiian ingredients processed with traditional Japanese techniques.

A person wearing a dark chef's jacket and apron stands in front of a decorative wall arrangement made of dried leaves, flowers, and greenery. The person is smiling and looking at the camera. — Nae Ogawa is Executive Chef of natuRe waikiki Photo: JAL

The Spring Specs: Key Ingredients

The March 1 rollout centers on ingredients that signal the end of winter and the start of the Japanese spring.

Bamboo Shoots (Takenoko): Used across First Class appetizers. Braised and served with kinome (prickly ash leaves).
Snow Crab (Zuwai-gani): Featured in the chilled starters. Clean, ocean-forward profiles.
Abalone (Awabi): Steamed and served with liver sauce in the premium cabins.
Sakura Themes: Not just for show. Cherry blossom leaves are used in salt-curing fish and in various dessert textures.

First Class Dining: The Highlights

Japan Airlines First Class dining remains the benchmark for “Air-Michelin” standards. The Spring 2026 menu includes a multi-course “Western” and “Japanese” (Washoku) option.

The Washoku Path:

Zai-ya (Appetizers): Firefly squid with mustard vinegar, bamboo shoot with miso, and seasonal greens.
Owan (Soup): Clear soup with clam cake and a hint of yuzu.
Shiosai (Seafood): Sashimi-style kelp-cured sea bream.
Dainomono (Main): Wagyu beef with seasonal vegetables or grilled sea bass.

The image shows a neatly arranged meal consisting of three dishes. On the right, there is a white plate with a serving of ratatouille, featuring slices of zucchini and eggplant on a bed of tomato sauce. On the left, there is a square piece of rice with herbs on top, placed on a small white square plate. In the background, there is a small white bowl containing a creamy pasta salad garnished with herbs and almond slices. The dishes are presented on a white surface. — Photo: JAL

The Western Path:
Shoji’s influence shows in the second meal service: often the “Anytime You Wish” menu. Look for the truffle-scented egg dishes and the signature fruit-forward desserts that made été famous.

Business Class: The Pivot

JAL Business Class menu 2026 shifts away from heavy sauces toward lighter, more acidic profiles. The “Anytime You Wish” situation: still strong, but quick reality check. Starting March 2026, JAL’s moving the second meal toward a more tray-style service. The à la carte light bites are still around, but yeah—some frequent flyers are calling the tray shift a small step back vs the older format. Fair.

Current Picks:

JAL Curry: The staple remains. Don’t skip it.
Seafood Donburi: Freshly prepared bowls with spring whitefish and roe.
Plant-Based Options: Expanded for 2026. Includes “meatless” katsu curry that actually passes the taste test.

The Back of the Plane: RED U-35

Economy and Premium Economy aren’t ignored. JAL continues its partnership with RED U-35: Japan’s largest competition for young chefs.

The 2026 winners have designed “destination-inspired” trays.

Routes to US/Europe: Beef stew with red wine and seasonal root vegetables.
Southeast Asia Routes: Focus on spice-forward Japanese curry and grilled chicken with seasonal herbs.

The Beverage Program: Sake and Tea

The beverage list is where JAL separates itself from the Middle Eastern carriers. It’s less about price-tag flex and more about curation.

The Sake List:
JAL has moved to a rotating list of 55 premium sakes.

Iso Jihan: A regular First Class staple.
Seasonal Spring Brews: Unpasteurized “Namizake” options are available for the March-May window. These are rare in the air due to storage requirements.

Premium Tea:
If you aren’t drinking, the tea service is top-tier.

Royal Blue Tea: Served in wine glasses. This is cold-brewed for 3-7 days. The “Queen of Blue” is the standard for the 2026 spring season.

The image shows a row of various wine bottles arranged on a white surface against a neutral background. The bottles have different shapes, sizes, and labels, indicating a variety of wine types and brands. — But first, wine. Photo: JAL

Expert Tip: Haneda First Class Lounge

If you are flying out of Haneda, skip the buffet. Head straight for the Teppanyaki Station.

For the Spring 2026 launch, the chefs are doing:

Morning: Teppan-style French Toast.
Afternoon/Evening: Black Wagyu Beef and grilled bamboo shoots prepared to order.

Logistics and Availability

The new menus are live on:

Tokyo (Haneda/Narita) to: New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), San Francisco (SFO), London (LHR), Paris (CDG), and Frankfurt (FRA).
Hawaii Routes: Specific “natuRe” menus on Honolulu and Kona flights.

The Verdict

JAL’s 2026 spring pivot is less about reinventing the wheel and more about tightening the seasonal connection. If you’re a fan of Shoji’s work or a sake enthusiast, this is the window to fly. The inclusion of bamboo shoots and sakura-cured elements across all cabins shows a level of detail most domestic carriers won’t touch.

Pro Tips: How to Score These Seats

Award Booking
Partner programs to watch:

American AAdvantage: often the cheapest way into First.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: solid if you want a stopover play.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: weirdly good at surfacing real A350 space when others look dry.

Timing nerd note: seats tend to drop around 9 AM Japan time (8 PM EST) about 360 days out.

The 45k Trick
If you’re already in Business and space opens up, the upgrade to First can price at 45,000 JAL Mileage Bank miles. Not always available. When it is, it’s the definition of “don’t overthink it.”

Transfer Partners
JAL miles can come from:

Capital One
Bilt (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1, plus 5k bonus per 60k transferred)

Bid for Success
Paid ticket and feeling lucky: JAL’s bid/upgrade system lets cash-fare passengers shoot a number for a higher cabin. Not guaranteed. But if you’re already booked and the seat map looks empty… worth a swing.

Join the Conversation

Have you tried the new Shoji menus on JAL yet, or are you holding out for the sake program? Drop your inflight dining wins (and fails) in the comments.

Rate it

Author

Jake Redman

Modhop Host & Founder Jake Redman brings years of global exploration and travel tips to the podcast and our videos at Modhop. Jake is also a Producer and Host for SiriusXM.

Delta’s Accidental Upgrade: Inside the Massive Delta A321neo First Class Cabin

Jake Redman March 5, 2026

Intel: The Delta A321neo First Class Pivot Delta A321neo First Class fleet planning just hit a snag. The result? A windfall for anyone hunting a domestic first class upgrade. Seven […]