Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines (ICAO: JAL) is a prominent Japanese airline known for its extensive network and commitment to service.

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. was initially established on August 1, 1951, to fulfill Japan's need for a reliable air transportation system in the post-World War II era. It began as a private entity, operating domestic flights with leased aircraft, before becoming a state-owned enterprise in 1953, serving as Japan's national flag carrier for decades. JAL was fully privatized in 1987 and later merged with Japan Air System (JAS) in 2002, becoming one of the world's largest airlines by passengers carried at that time.

The airline operates with its main hubs at Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT). It also utilizes secondary hubs at Osaka's Kansai (KIX) and Itami (ITM) airports, along with focus cities like Fukuoka, Nagoya–Centrair, Naha, and Sapporo–Chitose. As of March 2024, the JAL Group, including subsidiaries like J-Air and Japan Transocean Air, operates a fleet of 145 mainline aircraft, with a total group fleet of 279 aircraft. The fleet primarily consists of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing, including the Airbus A350-900, Airbus A350-1000, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-8, and Boeing 787-9. The airline is actively modernizing its fleet with orders for new aircraft like the Boeing 737 MAX 8, Airbus A321neo, additional Airbus A350s, and Boeing 787s, aiming for 73% next-generation aircraft by 2030.

JAL's extensive route network covers 52 domestic destinations and 37 international destinations in 21 countries as of November 2025, with scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo services to 220 destinations in 35 countries worldwide (including codeshares). The airline has a strong regional focus through its group companies such as Hokkaido Air System, J-Air, Japan Air Commuter, Japan Transocean Air, and Ryukyu Air Commuter, providing feeder services and connecting regional cities and outlying islands within Japan. Japan Airlines is a full member of the Oneworld airline alliance, which it joined in 2007, alongside several of its subsidiaries as affiliate members.

Notable services and cabin classes offered by Japan Airlines for long-haul international flights include First Class, Business Class (Sky Suite), Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class (Sky Wider). On domestic routes, First Class and Class J (Business Class) are available. The Sky Suite in Business Class features fully flat seats for enhanced comfort and privacy, while Class J on domestic flights offers wider seats and more space than standard economy. JAL's Economy Class is particularly recognized for its comfort, offering wider seats and generous legroom with a 2-4-2 configuration on some aircraft like the Boeing 787, and has received multiple awards for being the "World's Best Economy Class".