Quantcast

Japan Airlines outlines plan for major fleet renewal and expansion through to 2030

Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 22, 2025)
First new Qantas Airbus jets come with one toilet for every 90 economy passengers – worse than Jetstar, Scoot and Ryanair
Breeze Airways becomes the first new US flag carrier in a decade — just as rival Spirit fights its 2nd bankruptcy
Airport runway close calls spur hopes for wider adoption of cockpit alert technology
Family sues American Airlines over deadly crash near National Airport
United Airlines briefly grounds all flights in US, Canada for second time in 2 months
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike
Spirit Airlines preparing to furlough one-third of its flight attendants
‘Hypocrisy’ and ‘blackmail’: Ryanair’s feud with Spain
Exclusive: Turkey's surprise Air Europa deal came down to one key thing: control
Major airline launches exciting new route from Scotland to popular US location
Airlines fear carbon tax as flagship climate scheme develops holes
Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
Turkish Airlines has no intention of raising stake in Spain's Air Europa, chairman says
US lawmakers want Trump to reinstate delay compensation plan for air travelers
IATA pushes to raise international pilot retirement age to 67
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest’s New Wheelchair Policy Will Require Passengers to Remove 1 Item Before Boarding — What to Know
Aviation expansion: IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Copenhagen flights from Oct 8; marks entry into Nordics - The Times of India
Major change for ALL Aer Lingus passengers flying from busy airport to offer 'modern and streamlined' experience
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Southwest requiring removal of batteries from mobility devices before boarding
Qantas’ milestone move for huge, new planes
EasyJet to launch 11 new flight routes from small UK airport named the best in Europe
Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
50 New Routes Launching In September 2025
JetBlue's Network Shake-Up: Its Top 10 Routes This Month
Japan Airlines outlines plan for major fleet renewal and expansion through to 2030
Policy
Webp mm
Mitsuko Tottori, CEO | Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines has detailed its planned fleet transformation through 2030, focusing on modernizing both domestic and international operations with more fuel-efficient aircraft. The announcement was made in the airline’s annual report released on October 1.

According to the report, Japan Airlines intends to expand its long-haul route network by up to 50% by 2030, with a particular emphasis on North America and Asia. To support this expansion, the airline placed an order for an additional 20 Airbus A350-900s at last year’s Farnborough Airshow. These new aircraft will help replace older Boeing 777 models and enable further international growth.

For domestic routes, Japan Airlines is awaiting delivery of 38 Boeing 737 MAX 8s following an order for 17 more units earlier this year. These jets will replace the current fleet of Boeing 737-800s, with deliveries starting next year. The company also plans to reduce the use of widebody aircraft domestically; while widebodies now account for nearly half of all seats flown on domestic routes, narrowbody planes are expected to make up two-thirds of domestic capacity by the end of the decade.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

A significant factor behind these changes is improved fuel efficiency as part of Japan Airlines’ goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Over the next five years, the share of next-generation aircraft in its fleet is projected to rise from 45% today to 73% in 2030. Mitsuko Tottori, president of Japan Airlines, stated:

"The next generation aircraft being introduced to the fleet are low-noise and fuel-efficient, capable of providing CO₂ emissions reductions of 15–25% compared to the current aircraft that we operate."

The airline currently operates a mainline fleet consisting of five variants across approximately 150 planes but aims to consolidate down to four variants over time. Its oldest types—the Boeing 767 and Boeing 777—are gradually being retired and replaced primarily by Airbus A350s and Boeing Dreamliners (787-8/9).

Japan Airlines’ remaining ten Boeing 777-300ERs are being phased out in favor of Airbus A350-1000s used exclusively on long-haul flights such as those serving London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Meanwhile, A350-900s continue operating high-capacity domestic routes like Tokyo-Sapporo and Tokyo-Fukuoka; upcoming deliveries include replacements for recently lost aircraft as well as internationally configured versions set for service beginning in 2027.

As for regional operations managed through four subsidiaries—J Air, Japan Air Commuter, Hokkaido Air System, and Ryukyu Air Commuter—the carrier is evaluating options for standardizing its regional jet fleet. Possibilities include consolidating around Embraer E2 series jets or ATR turboprops. Another potential option involves partnership with Maeve Aerospace—a Dutch startup developing a hybrid-electric regional plane designed for substantial fuel savings.

The outlined strategy underscores Japan Airlines’ commitment to sustainability goals while adapting its fleet composition to anticipated market demand trends over the coming decade.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025

The SFO Facility recently hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which was deemed a success by organizers.

Oct 22, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. recently held an appreciation event at its SFW facility to honor its employees.

Oct 22, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced that it contributes all of its taxable income annually to the Chicago-based Sue L. Gin Foundation Trust, which supports healthcare, education, legal aid, and immigration rights.

Oct 21, 2025

Eileen Ho, the Human Resources Manager of Flying Food Group, announced that the company will implement wage increases for cooks and coordinators following a lack of response from Unite Here to its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Oct 21, 2025