Japan Airlines (JAL) announced plans to introduce a total of 42 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing as part of its fleet renewal strategy, the airline said in a press release on March 21, 2024.
For international routes, JAL will add 20 Airbus A350-900 wide-body jets and 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to enhance capacity on routes to North America, Asia and India where demand is expected to grow. The Airbus A350-900 is already deployed on JAL’s domestic network.
The new Boeing 787-9s will join JAL’s existing fleet of over 50 787 Dreamliners. The airline plans to increase international flying by approximately 40% by 2030 using a combination of full-service and low-cost carriers while adopting newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft.
On domestic routes within Japan, JAL will take delivery of 21 Boeing 737-8 single-aisle jets starting in 2026 to replace its aging 737-800 fleet. The carrier is also introducing 11 Airbus A321neo aircraft, marking the first time it will operate this model.
The A321neos will be deployed from 2028 on domestic trunk routes like those from Tokyo Haneda, complementing JAL’s existing Boeing 767 fleet. One additional A350-900 will also join the domestic configured fleet as a replacement.
The introductions are scheduled to occur over a six-year period beginning in fiscal year 2027. JAL cites the new planes’ improved fuel efficiency as a key reason for the orders, aiming to reduce carbon emissions 10% by 2030 versus 2019 levels.
“JAL Group remains committed to steadily advancing the introduction of fuel-efficient aircraft as part of its efforts to achieve CO2 emissions reduction targets,” the airline stated.
Based on latest data from Planespotters.net, Japan Airlines currently operates 17 Airbus A350, 42 Boeing 737, 27 Boeing 767, 13 Boeing 777, 45 Boeing 787 planes.
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