Japan Airlines A350-1000 route and flight updates

Japan Airlines-JAL/JL is currently updating its international long-haul fleet, switching from Boeing 777-300ER toAirbus A350-1000, as part of its modernization efforts. Airbus A350 is famous for its comfortable flight experience and good fuel economy. At the same time, the introduction of a new passenger experience on these Japan Airlines A350s has taken this experience to a new level. For those interested in experiencing this luxury by redeeming miles with JAL or oneworld partners, you can refer to our mileage redemption guide.

Currently, JAL deploys Airbus A350-1000 on two specific international routes. It’s worth noting that these A350-1000s are different from the A350-900s that have been in the news lately, which are reserved for JAL’s domestic operations.

Japan Airlines’ international fleet evolution history

JAL has been receiving deliveries of Airbus A350-1000 aircraft recently, and has received 3 of the 13 ordered:

• The first A350-1000, registration number JA01WJ, completed its delivery flight from Toulouse, France (TLS) to Tokyo, Japan (HND) on December 14, 2023.
• The second aircraft, registration number JA02WJ, will be delivered on January 13, 2024.
• The third aircraft, registration number JA03WJ, completed its delivery journey on March 30, 2024.

JAL plans to continue receiving A350-1000 aircraft and plans to complete all orders in 2028. This timetable is consistent with the time when JAL will retire its old Boeing 777-300ER. Although a specific future delivery schedule has not been disclosed, more A350-1000s are expected to join the fleet in 2024 as part of JAL's modernization efforts.

Japan Airlines is currently deploying its Airbus A350-1000 on select international routes

Japan Airlines currently operates A350-1000 daily between Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) and New York JFK International Airport (JFK). There are two flights per day on this route, one using an A350-1000 and the other using a 777-300ER. The specific flights using this A350-1000 are as follows:

Round-trip flights from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to New York JFK (JFK):

• JL6The flight departs Tokyo at 11:05 a.m. and arrives in New York at 10:50 a.m.
• JL5The flight departed New York at 1:45 pm and arrived in Tokyo at 5:15 pm the next day.
• JAL A350-1000 Tokyo-New York limited time commemorative travel special(2024/3/14-2024/5/31)

Round-trip flights from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW):

• JL12The flight departs Tokyo at 10:55 a.m. and arrives in Dallas at 8:40 a.m.
• JL11The flight departed Dallas at 11:05 a.m. and arrived in Tokyo at 2:40 p.m. the next day.

Different from the fixed schedule of one A350-1000 flight from Tokyo to New York every day, the JAL A350-1000 will serve the route from Tokyo to Dallas every other day, which will be different from the 777-300ER that alternately flies the route from Tokyo to Dallas. Operation schedule:

• In April and May, JAL A350-1000s will operate on odd-numbered dates.
• In June and July, it will operate on even-numbered dates, but from July 1 to 17, 2024, the A350-1000 will not serve this route.
• August, returns to run on odd dates.
• In September, the schedule switches again to even-numbered dates.

These routes underscore Japan Airlines’ commitment to enhancing passenger comfort and modernizing its fleet, adding more A350-1000s known for their advanced features and efficient performance.

Japan Airlines A350-1000’s future wingspan plan

JAL currently has three Airbus A350-1000s, all fully operational, offering daily flights to New York and alternate-day flights to Dallas. However, with the arrival of the fourth A350-1000, JAL plans to further expand its international routes.

Short-term expansion plan launched: JAL plans to upgrade the Dallas route to daily service starting from October 26, 2024. This date may be adjusted earlier.

New routes will be launched in the future: After updating the Dallas route, JAL plans to deploy the A350-1000 on more international routes:

JAL will put the future A350-1000 on the second daily flight from Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to New York (John F. Kennedy International Airport), flight number JL3/JL4. Or it will start flying from Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to London (Heathrow Airport), flight number is JL43/44. These additional flights are expected to be gradually rolled out over the 2024 financial year, which ends on March 31, 2025. While this timetable is ambitious, it also reflects JAL's strategic focus on expanding its most advanced and efficient aircraft on its key international routes.

Why leave out Los Angeles and San Francisco? The mystery of JAL’s market choices

When JAL announced that its newest Airbus A350-1000 would be put into service, aviation fans were already gearing up to see what exciting destinations this modern aircraft would spread its wings to. However, when the route was announced, an unexpected discovery made people raise their eyebrows: Why were Los Angeles and San Francisco, two major cities that are JAL's main gateways in the United States, not included?

Market dynamics and the logic behind strategic choices

For an aircraft capable of supporting ultra-long-distance flights, Los Angeles and San Francisco seem to be ideally located—especially San Francisco, which is easily a same-day round trip on just one plane. The potential benefits of these routes are huge, and the status of the cities is also very attractive. After all, they are important towns in the technology and entertainment industries, attracting countless business and tourist passengers every year. However, how come these two portals were missed like this?

Competition is like a battlefield, challenges are like a maze

Delving further, the highly competitive international aviation market gives us some clues. Transpacific flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco are frequent but not always profitable. It is undoubtedly a shrewd strategic decision for Japan Airlines to use its newest and most efficient aircraft on more profitable routes. In addition, Japan Airlines has not continued to open first-class services to these West Coast destinations recently, which also reflects its cautious consideration in the face of market changes.

This move by Japan Airlines not only allows us to see the airline's precise calculations in global strategic deployment, but also gives people an insight into the glamorous aviation market. Every aircraft takeoff and landing is a carefully planned calculation. The world of the aviation industry is full of competition and challenges, and this strategic choice of Japan Airlines is an exquisite move in this grand chess game.

Conclusion: Summary of Japan Airlines A350-1000 strategic deployment

Japan Airlines has successfully integrated the Airbus A350-1000 into its fleet and currently has three aircraft of this type serving two key international routes. The A350-1000 currently operates one daily flight to New York and one every other day service to Dallas. With the addition of the fourth A350-1000, the Dallas route is expected to be upgraded to a daily flight by the end of October 2024 at the latest.

Going forward, Japan Airlines plans to use the A350-1000 for a new second daily flight to New York, as well as a new route to London. These expansions are expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2024, although this timeline may be slightly ambitious.

Japan Airlines' strategic deployment of the A350-1000 raises some questions about route prioritization, especially with important West Coast gateway cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco not being included despite their geographical proximity and large markets. The decision highlights the complex issues airlines must manage around route profitability, aircraft efficiency and market competition.

What do you think of the strategic choices Japan Airlines has made in deploying its Airbus A350-1000s?