Flying to Japan with kids can be a challenge, especially when you’re looking at a long-haul flight of eight hours or more. Keeping little ones entertained, getting everyone comfortable and making it through the airport with luggage in tow can test even the most patient parent. That said, the more you travel with kids, the easier it becomes — and we’ve learned a few tricks along the way. An iPad loaded with movies and games certainly doesn’t hurt either!
Our family travels to Japan regularly, and we’ve had the opportunity to fly with both Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA). We genuinely enjoy flying with both airlines, and after travelling with our kids on multiple occasions, we’ve found that both JAL and ANA have plenty to offer families.
So, when it comes to JAL vs ANA, which airline should you choose for your next family trip to Japan?
The answer isn’t quite as simple as picking one over the other. JAL and ANA each have their own pros and cons, and the better option for your family can depend on everything from the flight schedule and ticket price to the airport you fly into, seating arrangements and the services available for children.
In this JAL vs ANA comparison, we’ll share our personal experiences flying with both airlines and look at some of the things that matter most when you’re travelling to Japan with kids, including booking, family seating, meals, children’s entertainment, convenience, pricing and customer service.
If you’re planning a family trip to Japan and are trying to decide between Japan Airlines and ANA, we’ll help you understand what we’ve liked about each airline, where they differ and what you should consider before booking your flights.
Check out our Zipair Review Article that we just posted from our most recent trip to Japan!
What is Japan Airlines (JAL)?
Japan Airlines (JAL) is Japan’s flagship full-service airline and one of the country’s best-known international carriers. Founded in 1951, JAL operates an extensive domestic and international network, with Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports playing important roles in its network. As of March 2026, the wider JAL Group served 71 countries and regions through its international network, including codeshare services.
JAL is also a member of the oneworld alliance, giving passengers access to a large network of partner airlines and frequent-flyer benefits. For families travelling from Canada to Japan, JAL can be particularly appealing when its schedules, fares and arrival airports line up with your plans.
What is All Nippon Airways (ANA)?
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is Japan’s other major full-service international airline. ANA operates flights throughout Japan and around the world, with Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports among its key Japanese airports.
ANA is a member of Star Alliance, which connects ANA with airlines including Air Canada and United Airlines. That can be particularly useful for Canadian travellers who already collect Aeroplan points or regularly fly with Star Alliance partners.
For our family, both JAL and ANA have been excellent airlines to fly with. Rather than saying one is universally better, we think the differences come down to things like flight schedules, airport, price, seating, family services and personal preference.
JAL vs ANA: Booking Flights With Kids
When you’re booking an international flight with kids, the process can feel a little more complicated than booking a flight for adults. You have to think about where everyone will sit, the ages of your children, meal requests and, of course, whether the flight schedule works for your family.
We’ve booked flights with both JAL and ANA, and we’ve found the online booking process for both airlines to be relatively straightforward. We have a slight preference for the JAL website based on our own experience, but this isn’t a major difference. Both airlines provide online booking for international flights and have additional support available if your family’s situation requires it.
One thing we recommend paying close attention to is seat selection. Both JAL and ANA allow eligible passengers to select seats in advance, although availability and whether there is a fee can depend on the fare and flight.
For families, this is something we’d check before buying the ticket, rather than assuming that everyone will automatically be seated together. JAL’s current policy for flights covered by Canada’s passenger-protection rules provides for children under 14 to be seated beside or close to their parent or guardian where possible, with the exact arrangement depending on the child’s age.
Both airlines also have specific services for families travelling with young children. JAL offers child and baby meals on eligible international flights, while ANA offers child and baby meals, bassinets on international aircraft and other assistance for families travelling with infants and young children. These services generally need to be requested in advance.
Our Family Takeaway
For us, there isn’t a clear winner when it comes to booking. We like both JAL and ANA, and we’d happily book either airline depending on the schedule, price and airport.
The biggest lesson we’ve learned from travelling to Japan with our kids is to look at the entire flight experience, rather than simply choosing the cheapest ticket. A slightly different departure time, a better arrival airport or the ability to select seats together can make a big difference when you’re travelling with children.
Our slight preference: JAL’s website has generally been a little easier for us to navigate, but we wouldn’t choose an airline based on the booking website alone. The flight schedule, price, airport and family seating options are much more important to us.
JAL vs ANA: Family Seating and Seats for Kids
When you’re flying internationally with kids, where everyone sits can be just as important as the price of the ticket. Nobody wants to board an eight- or nine-hour flight and discover that their young child has been assigned a seat several rows away.
One of the things we really appreciate about both JAL and ANA is that they make an effort to keep children seated close to their accompanying parent or guardian. While you should never assume that you can choose any seat you want for free, both airlines have specific policies designed to keep families together or close to one another.
JAL Family Seating
JAL has a particularly clear policy for flights to and from Canada. For children under 14, JAL says it will facilitate seating next to or close to their parent or guardian where possible, based on the child’s age. You can read the current details on JAL’s passenger rights and family seating information.
The current JAL policy breaks this down as follows:
- Children 4 and under: JAL aims to seat the child adjacent to their parent or guardian.
- Children 5–11: JAL aims to seat the child in the same row as their parent or guardian, with no more than one seat separating them. This can include seats across the aisle.
- Children 12–13: JAL aims to seat the child no more than one row away from their parent or guardian.
If JAL can’t arrange the appropriate seating before check-in, the airline says it will make efforts to do so during check-in or at the boarding gate.
There is an important distinction here, though: family seating doesn’t necessarily mean every seat is free to select in advance. JAL’s current seat-selection policy explains that advance seat selection depends on the flight, fare and available seats, and fees may apply to certain seats.
ANA Family Seating
ANA has a very similar approach. Its Canadian customer-service policy says the airline makes every effort to seat children under 14 close to their parent, guardian or tutor at no additional cost, with the exact proximity depending on the child’s age. You can read the current information on ANA’s customer service plan for Canada.
ANA’s current policy states:
- Children 4 and under: Adjacent to their parent, guardian or tutor.
- Children 5–11: In the same row, with no more than one seat separating the child and accompanying adult, including across the aisle.
- Children 12–13: In a row no more than one row away from their parent or guardian.
Just like JAL, ANA says it will try to arrange appropriate seating before check-in. If that isn’t possible, ANA may try again at check-in or ask passengers to change seats at boarding.
ANA also provides additional services for families travelling with infants and young children, including airport assistance and bassinets on eligible international aircraft. Some services need to be requested in advance and availability is limited. You can see the current information on ANA’s family travel services.
What Does This Mean for Families?
For us, this is one of the reasons we feel comfortable flying both JAL and ANA with our kids.
We’ve travelled enough with children to know that being separated from your kids on a long international flight can make an already challenging journey much more stressful. Having both airlines make a genuine effort to keep young children close to their accompanying adults gives us some extra peace of mind when booking.
That doesn’t mean you should simply book a flight and forget about seating. We still recommend checking the seat map and the airline’s current family-seating policy before you book, particularly if you have young children or want your entire family sitting together in a specific configuration.
It’s also worth remembering that a family being seated “together” doesn’t necessarily mean that every family member will be sitting directly beside every other family member. Depending on the aircraft and available seats, families may be split across an aisle or have one seat between a child and parent while still meeting the airline’s family-seating policy.
For example, if you’re travelling with two adults and two children, you might not always get four seats directly beside one another. But having the children in the same row or immediately nearby is very different from having a young child sitting several rows away.
Our Family Takeaway
This is an area where we’d give both JAL and ANA a thumbs up.
We’ve flown with both airlines and have always felt comfortable travelling with our kids. More importantly, both airlines have policies showing that they understand the importance of keeping children close to their accompanying adults.
For parents planning a trip to Japan, we’d still recommend checking your seating options as soon as you book and contacting the airline if you have specific needs. But knowing that both JAL and ANA try to accommodate families is reassuring, especially on a long international flight.
For us, family seating isn’t a reason to choose JAL over ANA, or ANA over JAL. It’s one area where we’ve been happy with both airlines.
JAL vs ANA: In-Flight Meals for Kids
Let’s be honest: airline food can be a bit of a gamble with kids, and even for adults! Even if you think you’ve chosen something they’ll like, there’s always a chance they’ll take one bite and decide they’re suddenly not hungry!
We’ve had good experiences with the food on both JAL and ANA, and both airlines offer dedicated meals for children and infants on eligible international flights. If your child has an allergy or specific dietary requirement, both airlines also offer special meal options that can be requested in advance.
You can check the current options directly on the airlines’ websites before your trip:
Our Experience Flying JAL vs ANA With Kids
After travelling to Japan more than ten times, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to fly with our kids. We’ve travelled with both Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), and we’ve genuinely enjoyed both.
From the meals and children’s toys to the overall experience of travelling as a family, we’ve found plenty to appreciate about each airline. Our experience booking front-row seats with ANA also reminded us that it’s worth contacting an airline directly when you have a specific request that you can’t manage online.
Ultimately, we don’t feel that we need to choose one airline every time. The schedule, price, arrival airport and available seating can all change which flight makes the most sense for our family.
Both JAL and ANA are airlines we’d happily fly with again.
Our Family Takeaway
We’d give JAL a slight personal preference for the food, but both airlines do a good job of catering to families.
If your child has allergies or specific dietary requirements, don’t rely on the standard children’s meal. Check the airline’s current special-meal options and request the appropriate meal well before your departure.
JAL vs ANA: Entertainment and Toys for Kids
Keeping kids entertained on a long flight to Japan is a big deal. An eight- or nine-hour flight can feel like a very long time when you’re travelling with young children, so we’re always happy when an airline gives them something extra to keep them occupied.
The good news is that both JAL and ANA are very family-friendly when it comes to children’s entertainment. Both airlines provide personal entertainment systems on many international flights, with movies, television programs, games and other content. The exact selection depends on the aircraft and route, so it’s worth checking your specific flight before you travel. JAL’s current international entertainment options include movies, TV programs and games, while ANA’s international entertainment includes movies, television, music and other programming.
JAL vs ANA: Toys for Kids
This is one area where we’ve always enjoyed the little extras from both airlines.
JAL provides original giveaway items for children on its international flights. The exact toy or item can vary depending on the flight, operating carrier, stock and season, so you never quite know what the kids are going to receive.
ANA also provides original toys and souvenirs for children on its international flights. Again, availability and the particular item can vary.
Over the years, our kids have received everything from inflatable airplanes and wooden toys to playing cards, and we’ve even received a really cute cup and plate set from JAL that our kids still love using.
These little gifts obviously aren’t going to make or break a flight, but when you’re travelling with kids, it’s amazing how much excitement a small surprise can create. Sometimes a new toy is enough to buy you another 20 or 30 minutes of peace!
Bring Your Own Entertainment Too
As much as we like the entertainment and toys provided by JAL and ANA, we wouldn’t rely on the airline alone to keep your kids occupied.
We always recommend loading a tablet with movies, TV shows, games and other activities before leaving home. Having some familiar entertainment that your children already enjoy can be a lifesaver, particularly if they’re tired or don’t find anything interesting on the inflight entertainment system.
Headphones are also worth bringing, especially if you have more than one child. We’ve found that having a combination of airline entertainment, tablets, games, books and small activities gives us plenty of options throughout the flight.
Our Family Takeaway
This is another area where we’d happily recommend both JAL and ANA.
There isn’t a huge difference between the two airlines from our family’s perspective. Both provide entertainment, both offer children some fun extras, and both understand that keeping young passengers occupied makes a long international flight easier for everyone.
Our kids have enjoyed the toys they’ve received from both airlines, and the inflight entertainment gives them plenty to watch and play with. But our biggest piece of advice is simple: don’t forget to pack your own backup entertainment.
When you’re flying to Japan with kids, you can never have too many options!
Haneda vs Narita: Which Tokyo Airport Is Better for Families?
When you’re travelling to Japan with kids, the airport you fly into can make a surprisingly big difference. After a long flight, the last thing most parents want is a complicated journey into the city with tired children, luggage and possibly a stroller in tow.
This is one of the biggest things we consider when comparing JAL vs ANA. We genuinely like flying with both airlines, but when we’re planning a trip to Tokyo with our kids, we pay close attention to whether our flight arrives at Haneda or Narita.
Why We Love Flying Into Haneda With Kids
For us, Haneda is incredibly convenient.
Haneda Airport is much closer to central Tokyo than Narita, and getting into the city is surprisingly easy. The airport is directly connected to both the Keikyu Line and Tokyo Monorail, meaning you can get on public transportation without having to arrange a complicated transfer first.
According to Haneda Airport’s current access information, approximate travel times by train or monorail include:
- Shinagawa: about 15 minutes
- Hamamatsucho: about 20 minutes
- Tokyo Station: about 30 minutes
- Shibuya: about 45 minutes
- Shinjuku: about 50 minutes
- Ueno: about 40 minutes
These are approximate journey times and can vary depending on the service and your final destination.
For a family, that convenience is huge.
Imagine getting off an eight- or nine-hour flight with two tired kids. You’ve got four pieces of luggage, backpacks, a stroller and everyone is ready to get to the hotel. Being able to walk through the airport, find the train and start heading into Tokyo without a long airport transfer is exactly what we want.
We’ve found that getting from Haneda into Tokyo feels like part of the trip rather than another travel challenge.
What About Narita?
Narita isn’t a bad option at all. Tokyo’s Narita International Airport has several ways to reach the city, including trains, buses and taxis.
We’ve used the Narita Express (N’EX) to get into Tokyo with our family, and it can be a convenient way to travel after landing. If you’re considering taking it with kids, we’ve put together our full Narita Express review, where we cover what it’s like travelling on the train and what families should know before they go.
The difference is simply that Narita is farther from central Tokyo, so getting to your hotel generally takes more time than it does from Haneda.
That doesn’t mean you should automatically rule out a flight to Narita. If a JAL or ANA flight from your home airport has a significantly better schedule or price, the extra journey may be completely worthwhile.
We’ve flown into Narita plenty of times ourselves, and Japan’s transportation system makes the journey manageable. But after travelling with kids, we really appreciate the convenience of landing at Haneda.
Why Haneda Can Be a Big Deal With Kids
One of the biggest advantages of Haneda isn’t necessarily saving money — it’s saving time and effort.
When you’re travelling without kids, an extra hour getting from the airport to your hotel might not seem like a big deal. With children, it can feel very different.
Kids can be exhausted after a long flight. They may be hungry, uncomfortable or simply done with travelling for the day. The sooner you can get them to your hotel, drop off the luggage and start exploring — or, more realistically, let everyone take a break — the better.
That’s why Haneda is one of the first things we look at when comparing flights to Tokyo.
We don’t automatically choose ANA over JAL, or JAL over ANA. Instead, we look at the entire itinerary. If one flight lands at Haneda and another lands at Narita, we’ll consider the difference in arrival time, ticket price, flight schedule and how much easier the journey will be for our family.
Our Family Takeaway
For us, Haneda gets a big thumbs up.
Being able to reach Shinagawa in roughly 15 minutes and Tokyo Station in around 30 minutes by rail makes a huge difference when you’re arriving with kids.
We’ve travelled to Japan enough times to know that the first few hours after landing can set the tone for the entire trip. When we can get off the plane, clear the airport and quickly make our way into Tokyo, we’re much happier.
So when you’re comparing JAL vs ANA for flying to Japan with kids, don’t just look at the airline. Look at the airport.
For our family, a convenient Haneda arrival can be worth a lot — especially after a long flight with two tired children.
JAL vs ANA: Pricing
When comparing JAL vs ANA, the price of your flights is obviously going to be a major factor, especially when you’re booking for a family. With four tickets to purchase, even a small difference in the fare can add up quickly.
We’ve found that there’s no consistent answer to which airline is cheaper. Sometimes JAL has the better fare, sometimes ANA does, and sometimes the difference is relatively small. It depends on your departure city, travel dates, how far in advance you book and the type of ticket you’re looking at.
That’s why we’d recommend checking both airlines before making a decision. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, comparing a few different departure days can also help you find a fare that works better for your family.
Look Beyond the Ticket Price
One thing we’ve learned from travelling with kids is that the cheapest ticket isn’t always the best value.
When comparing JAL and ANA, make sure you’re looking at the details of each fare, not just the price shown in the search results. Consider things like:
- Checked baggage: Check how much baggage is included, particularly if you’re travelling with children and need extra room for clothes, toys and other essentials.
- Seat selection: Some advance seat selections may come with additional fees, depending on the airline, fare and seats available. If sitting together is important to your family, check the options before booking.
- Flight schedule: A flight that arrives at a more convenient time can make a big difference when you’re travelling with tired kids.
- Airport: If you’re flying into Tokyo, consider whether the flight arrives at Haneda or Narita. As we mentioned earlier, getting into the city from Haneda can be especially convenient for families.
- Connections: A cheaper flight with a connection might not be worth the extra travel time and airport hassle for your family.
It’s also worth comparing the fare rules. A ticket that costs a little more may offer flexibility that matters if your plans change, while a lower fare may have more restrictions.
Our Family Takeaway
For our family, we wouldn’t choose JAL over ANA, or ANA over JAL, based on price alone.
We genuinely enjoy flying with both airlines, and we’d be happy to book either one if the schedule, fare and arrival airport worked for our trip. If one airline is significantly cheaper, that’s certainly worth considering. But if the difference is relatively small, we’d also think about the overall experience and how convenient the flight would be with our kids.
Our advice is to compare the total cost for your whole family, including any extras you need, rather than focusing only on the advertised ticket price. When you’re travelling to Japan with children, a convenient flight and a smoother arrival can be worth considering alongside the savings.
JAL vs ANA: Customer Service
Customer service is another important consideration when you’re travelling internationally with kids. Even when everything goes according to plan, having helpful staff can make the airport experience feel a little less stressful. And if something does go wrong, knowing how to get assistance is even more important.
We’ve had positive experiences flying with both Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA). We genuinely enjoy travelling with both airlines, and customer service is another area where we wouldn’t say there’s a clear winner based on our family’s experience.
Getting Help Before Your Flight
One thing we appreciate about both airlines is that they provide dedicated information and support for families travelling with children.
JAL has information about travelling with babies and young children, including child meals and situations where families may need to contact the airline directly rather than complete a booking online. ANA also provides family travel assistance, including support at the airport for eligible passengers travelling with very young children. Some services need to be requested in advance, and availability or conditions can vary.
If you’re travelling with an infant, have specific seating needs or require additional assistance, we’d recommend contacting the airline before your trip rather than waiting until you get to the airport.
Our Experience With JAL and ANA
For us, the overall experience with both airlines has been very good. We’ve felt comfortable flying with JAL and ANA as a family, and we appreciate the attention both airlines give to passengers travelling with children.
Of course, customer service can be difficult to compare because every trip is different. The experience can depend on the airport, the staff you encounter, the flight itself and whether you need help with something specific.
We also think it’s important to separate the service you receive onboard from the support you might need when booking or dealing with a flight change. A friendly cabin crew can make a long flight more enjoyable, but having clear information and accessible support before departure matters too.
Our Family Takeaway
Customer service isn’t a deciding factor for us when choosing between JAL and ANA. We’ve been happy flying with both, and we’d feel comfortable booking either airline for our family.
Our advice is to look at the support you’ll need before you fly. If you have young children, special meal requests or other specific requirements, check the airline’s family services and make arrangements ahead of time.
One example that stands out from our experience was when we were booking with ANA. We wanted to reserve the front-row seats for our family, but they were showing as blocked off when we tried to select them online.
Rather than giving up on those seats, we contacted ANA’s customer service team to ask whether there was anything they could do. They were able to help us book the seats for our family, including our kids.
It was a small thing, but it made a big difference to our booking experience. It also reminded us that it’s worth reaching out to an airline directly if you have a specific request that you can’t sort out online. Some seats may not be available for selection through the website, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the airline can’t help.
This is one of the reasons we’ve been comfortable flying with both JAL and ANA. Having support available when you need it can make travelling with children feel a lot easier.
Both JAL and ANA offer dedicated information for families, but the exact services and eligibility requirements can differ. You can review their current guidance here: JAL’s information for families travelling with children and ANA’s family travel services.
Our Experience Flying JAL vs ANA With Kids
After travelling to Japan more than ten times, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to experience what it’s like flying with kids. We’ve flown with both Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), and we genuinely enjoy both airlines.
There are things we’ve liked about each experience, from the meals and children’s toys to the overall comfort of flying with our family. We’ve also found that the little details can make a big difference when you’re travelling with young children.
We’ve also come to appreciate the convenience of flying into Haneda, particularly after a long flight with tired children and luggage. While we’ve flown into Narita plenty of times too, getting into Tokyo from Haneda is often a much simpler start to the trip for our family.
Ultimately, we don’t feel that we need to choose one airline every time. Sometimes the schedule or price makes the decision for us, while other trips come down to the arrival airport or available seating.
Our experience has been that both JAL and ANA are airlines we’d happily fly with again as a family. Rather than focusing on which one is better overall, we’d encourage parents to compare the specific flights available for their dates and think about what matters most for their own children.
The Bottom Line: JAL vs ANA for Families
So, when it comes to JAL vs ANA, which airline is better for flying to Japan with kids?
After flying with both airlines, we’d happily recommend either one. We’ve had positive experiences with JAL and ANA, and both offer services and little extras that can make travelling with children more comfortable.
For our family, the biggest deciding factors are usually the flight schedule, total price, seating options and arrival airport. If you’re flying into Tokyo, pay particular attention to whether your flight lands at Haneda or Narita. As we’ve learned, a convenient arrival can make a real difference after a long flight with kids.
Before booking, compare the total cost, check the family-seating policy and consider which itinerary will work best for your children.
Our advice? Look beyond the airline name and choose the flight that makes the most sense for your family.and choose the flight that makes the most sense for your family. Whichever one you book, we hope you have a wonderful trip to Japan!
FAQs: JAL vs ANA for Flying With Kids
Is JAL or ANA better for flying to Japan with kids?
Both Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) offer family-friendly services, including children’s meals, inflight entertainment and assistance for families. We’ve enjoyed flying with both airlines, and we don’t think there’s one choice that’s best for every family. Compare the flight schedule, ticket price, arrival airport and seating options before booking.
Is ANA good for travelling with kids?
Yes, we’ve had positive experiences flying with ANA as a family. The airline offers services for passengers travelling with young children, including airport assistance for eligible families and bassinets on international aircraft, subject to availability. We also had a helpful experience contacting ANA when we couldn’t select the front-row seats we wanted online — customer service helped arrange seats for our family. Check ANA’s current family travel information before your trip.
Is Japan Airlines (JAL) kid friendly?
Yes. JAL offers services for families travelling with children, including child meals on eligible flights and assistance for passengers travelling with infants and young children. JAL also has a policy for helping children under 14 sit close to their accompanying adult on flights covered by Canada’s passenger-protection rules. We’ve enjoyed flying with JAL and appreciate the little extras that can make a long flight more enjoyable for kids. You can find details in JAL’s guide to travelling with children.
Do JAL and ANA seat families together?
Both airlines have policies to help children under 14 sit close to their accompanying adult on flights to and from Canada. The required proximity depends on the child’s age, and the airlines may need to arrange seats at check-in or the boarding gate if they cannot do so earlier. This doesn’t necessarily mean every family member will be seated directly beside one another, so check the current policy and seating options before booking.
Is Haneda or Narita better for families visiting Tokyo?
For our family, Haneda is often more convenient because its rail connections make it relatively easy to reach central Tokyo after a long flight. Narita is also a manageable option, with trains and other transportation available into the city. If you’re considering Narita, check out our Narita Express review to see what travelling on the train is like.
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