Japan Transocean Air (JTA) is a Japanese regional airline based in Okinawa, known for its domestic services and close affiliation with Japan Airlines.
Japan Transocean Air (JTA) was established on June 20, 1967, initially operating as Southwest Air Lines. The airline rebranded to Japan Transocean Air in July 1993 and operates as a subsidiary of Japan Airlines (JAL), focusing on services within Japan. Its primary operational base and main hub are located at Naha Airport in Okinawa, Japan.
JTA's fleet primarily consists of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. As of recent data, the airline operates a fleet of 14 Boeing 737-800s, with an average age of 8.6 years. The airline's route network is predominantly domestic, connecting Okinawa with various key Japanese cities and islands, particularly within southwestern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. JTA is set to launch its first scheduled international service between Okinawa (Naha) and Taipei (Taoyuan) on February 3, 2026. As an affiliate of Japan Airlines, JTA is a member of the Oneworld global airline alliance.
For passenger comfort, JTA offers Economy Class and a premium domestic product called Class J. Class J features wider leather seats and headrest covers adorned with Okinawa's traditional dyed Red Mold design, providing enhanced comfort and legroom. In-flight services typically include a selection of complimentary hot and cold beverages and in-flight magazines. Some flights also provide Wi-Fi access, though browsing performance may vary.
Travelers generally have a positive view of Japan Transocean Air, with an average rating of 7.9/10, indicating good service quality compared to other carriers.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall sentiment suggests that JTA provides reliable and pleasant domestic travel, particularly excelling in customer service and cabin comfort for its flight duration. The primary areas for improvement revolve around in-flight entertainment and meal offerings.
Japan Transocean Air maintains a strong safety record, boasting an unblemished history of zero accidents involving human fatalities since its inception in 1967. However, an incident occurred on October 3, 2022, when a Boeing 737-800 encountered severe turbulence during a flight from Naha to Komatsu, resulting in an injury to a cabin crew member. Historically, a runway overrun accident occurred in 1982 at Ishigaki Airport under its former name, Southwest Air Lines, which caused injuries but no fatalities.
JTA holds the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system that assesses an airline's operational management and control systems. This certification signifies adherence to stringent global safety standards.
The airline's fleet comprises Boeing 737-800 aircraft with an average age of 8.6 years. JTA also provides maintenance services for Japan Airlines Group Boeing 737-400 aircraft, indicating a robust and reputable maintenance capability. Based on available data, JTA demonstrates a high commitment to safety, emphasized through continuous safety awareness programs and learning from past incidents within the broader JAL Group.
While specific safety awards for JTA are not prominently listed, its parent company, Japan Airlines, has received notable recognitions for its commitment to safety, including the APEX WORLD CLASS status for safety and well-being, and the Richard Crane Award. JTA's close integration with JAL's operations ensures adherence to the group's high safety standards.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISG → OKA |
Naha
Naha
|
169 | 246 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| KMQ → HND |
Tokyo Int'l (Haneda)
Ota
|
128 | 198 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| OKJ → HND |
Tokyo Int'l (Haneda)
Ota
|
101 | 339 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| OKA → ISG |
Ishigaki
Ishigaki
|
92 | 246 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| OKA → MMY |
Miyako
Miyakojima
|
77 | 176 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| OKA → FUK |
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
|
74 | 538 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| FUK → OKA |
Naha
Naha
|
51 | 538 mi | B738 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| OKA → KIX |
Kansai Int'l
Izumisano
|
49 | 728 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| OKJ → OKA |
Naha
Naha
|
38 | 698 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| KMQ → OKA |
Naha
Naha
|
36 | 874 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| MMY → OKA |
Naha
Naha
|
28 | 176 mi | B738 | Oct 2, 2025 |
| OKA → NGO |
Chubu Centrair Int'l (Centrair)
Chita
|
21 | 810 mi | B738 | Dec 3, 2025 |
| HND → KMQ |
Komatsu
Komatsu
|
20 | 198 mi | B738 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| KIX → MMY |
Miyako
Miyakojima
|
17 | 895 mi | B738 | Nov 18, 2025 |
| ISG → HND |
Tokyo Int'l (Haneda)
Ota
|
15 | 1206 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| UEO → OKA |
Naha
Naha
|
14 | 59 mi | B738 | Nov 28, 2025 |
| OKA → OKJ |
Okayama
Okayama
|
11 | 698 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| NGO → OKA |
Naha
Naha
|
11 | 810 mi | B738 | Aug 15, 2025 |
| ISG → KIX |
Kansai Int'l
Izumisano
|
10 | 958 mi | B738 | Dec 4, 2025 |
| KIX → OKA |
Naha
Naha
|
7 | 728 mi | B738 | Nov 11, 2025 |
| HND → OKJ |
Okayama
Okayama
|
7 | 339 mi | B738 | Oct 30, 2025 |
| HND → ISG |
Ishigaki
Ishigaki
|
2 | 1206 mi | B738 | Oct 27, 2025 |
| OKA → KMQ |
Komatsu Airport / JASDF Komatsu Air Base
Kanazawa
|
1 | 1083 mi | B738 | Nov 19, 2025 |
| HND → MMY |
Miyako
Miyakojima
|
1 | 1140 mi | B738 | Nov 20, 2025 |
| OKA → HND |
Tokyo Int'l (Haneda)
Ota
|
1 | 967 mi | B738 | Jul 26, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.