Japan Airlines is in the process of refreshing its long haul fleet. The oneworld airline is gradually replacing its Boeing 777-300ERs with Airbus A350-1000s.
Not only is the A350 a joy to fly in general, but these planes are particularly exciting, given that they feature an all-new passenger experience. I’ve reviewed Japan Airlines’ new A350 first class, and it’s spectacular, among the best first-class products in the world. If you want to redeem miles for this experience, see my guide to doing so.
The A350-1000 is currently in service on three daily frequencies across two routes. The airline has now revealed the next route to get this jet, so I wanted to go over all the details in this post. Let me emphasize that these A350-1000s are separate from the company’s A350-900s, which are exclusively used for domestic flights, and feature a completely different layout.
In this post:
Japan Airlines’ A350-1000 fleet progress
Japan Airlines has so far taken delivery of six Airbus A350-1000s out of the 13 that the airline has on order with the following registration codes:
- JA01WJ operated its delivery flight from Toulouse (TLS) to Tokyo (HND) on December 14, 2023
- JA02WJ operated its delivery flight on January 13, 2024
- JA03WJ operated its delivery flight on March 30, 2024
- JA04WJ operated its delivery flight on July 31, 2024
- JA05WJ operated its delivery flight on August 10, 2024
- JA06WJ operated its delivery flight on October 2, 2024
Japan Airlines is taking delivery of these jets progressively, and all 13 A350-1000s aren’t expected to join the oneworld carrier’s fleet until 2028, at which point the 777-300ERs will be retired. We don’t have an exact schedule for what deliveries will look like, but it’s expected that at least one more A350 will join Japan Airlines’ fleet before the end of the year, if not two.
Presumably there will be a gap in deliveries at some point, since Japan Airlines will have taken delivery of roughly half of its A350s within one year, with the remaining deliveries spread out over the next three to four years.
Japan Airlines’ current A350-1000 routes & flights
Japan Airlines currently operates the Airbus A350-1000 daily on three frequencies to two destinations — New York (JFK) and Dallas (DFW).
Japan Airlines flies the Airbus A350-1000 twice daily between Tokyo (HND) and New York (JFK). The airline operates two daily frequencies in the market, and both feature this special jet:
JL6 Tokyo to New York departing 11:05AM arriving 10:50AM
JL5 New York to Tokyo departing 1:45PM arriving 5:15PM (+1 day)
JL4 Tokyo to New York departing 6:30PM arriving 6:30PM
JL3 New York to Tokyo departing 1:40AM arriving 4:45AM (+1 day)
On top of that, Japan Airlines flies the A350-1000 daily between Tokyo (HND) and Dallas (DFW), with the following schedule:
JL12 Tokyo to Dallas departing 10:55AM arriving 8:40AM
JL11 Dallas to Tokyo departing 11:05AM arriving 2:40PM (+1 day)
Japan Airlines’ future A350-1000 routes & flights
Currently Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000s are maxed out with their schedule, as the planes can operate the three daily frequencies, but not much more. With the airline now taking delivery of another A350, there are plans for this jet to soon operate on yet another route.
As of October 24, 2024, Japan Airlines will fly the Airbus A350-1000 every other day between Tokyo (HND) and London (LHR). The airline operates two daily frequencies in the market, and the following frequency will feature this special jet on alternating days:
JL43 Tokyo to London departing 9:50AM arriving 3:15PM
JL44 London to Tokyo departing 6:30PM arriving 5:20PM (+1 day)
Currently the A350-1000 is expected to operate this route every other day through the spring of 2025, so it remains to be seen when this frequency will see the Airbus jet daily.
Bottom line
Japan Airlines put its Airbus A350-1000 into commercial service earlier this year, and its footprint is expanding quickly. The airline has half a dozen planes in this sub-fleet, operating three daily frequencies to two destinations, including New York (JFK) and Dallas (DFW). In the coming weeks, the A350 will start flying to London (LHR) on alternating days, and presumably with the next delivery, the A350 will start operating that route daily.
What do you make of Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000 routes?
Does anybody have a good guess about the likelihood JAL will be operating more A350's on the London route next November?
JL4 from Tokyo to New York will be operated by a Boeing 777 starting 3/30/25. Given that it's currently flown on an A350, I'm curious about the reasons behind this change. Currently booked to fly next summer. I wish they fly A350 by then.
Where did you find this information? They still have the A350 listed when you search the dates beyond this.
I'm in First on 9 Dec, and the seat map has just changed to the A350! So excited about this!
It was published in Business Traveller in August 2024 fyi
@ julian zentner -- Could you point me to the story you're referring to? The one I see published on Business Traveller on August 21 about the A350 flying to London notes that "the launch date for the rotation has yet to be decided."
I've also written in the past about how London is the next destination to which Japan Airlines will fly the A350, but the date hasn't been known until now, which is why I provided the update. So please let me know what I'm missing. :-)
Not in UK Ben.Sorry but you are wrong and you also sent previous information regarding this so perhaps you are having a quiet time and feel the need to resend it again.I am not being abnoxious but just think sometimes misinformation happens.
I am booked on the London route in January but the day of the old service
Thanks, useful update. My December flight just got changed and I had to redo my seats.
It is surprising that A350-1000s have not been scheduled for any routes on the US West Coast (SEA, SFO, LAX) as of yet, and I have barely even seen any speculation on when or if it might eventually happen. Hopefully with the some of the upcoming deliveries in 2025...
Well it has been common knowledge in UK for 2 months and you did write an article about this recently but perhaps not with confirmed start up dates for London service.
Have just flown JL3 JFK-HND (A350-1000), continuing to CGK on a 787 (which is also very solid as long as you get a window seat).
An update on free wifi - it’s a cumbersome process. You need to open one window to start connecting to wifi, then a separate window to access a free wifi “promo code” (which requires entering the seat number and record locator), then copy that code, switch back to the first...
Have just flown JL3 JFK-HND (A350-1000), continuing to CGK on a 787 (which is also very solid as long as you get a window seat).
An update on free wifi - it’s a cumbersome process. You need to open one window to start connecting to wifi, then a separate window to access a free wifi “promo code” (which requires entering the seat number and record locator), then copy that code, switch back to the first window and paste it there.
On both flights the crew initially tried to steer me towards the 1h free-for-all wifi as I sensed the process was too difficult for them to explain - and only when pressed/confronted about the free wifi, they showed me the new thing.
This is just the news I have been waiting for. JL43 from HND to LHR on November 16th in business.
actually, I think i am on the alternate day so tuck with 777!
You have already posted this a few weeks ago so old news.
@ julian zentner -- The addition of service to London with the A350 is new news as of today, hence the update. :-)
Well, this news just made my day! I will be on the second A350 rotation from LHR to HND. Thanks Ben.
I’m flying JL3 JFK-HND next year in June and surprised to see it’s still showing as a 777? I wonder if/when they will update their Summer 2025 schedule.
Yeah I'm on JL4 in May and it's showing a 777 for me as well.
Yes, same. I've checked both JAL and AA sites: both still show JL3/4 as 777.
It should update closer to the date. My January flights only updated to reflect the A350 in late July.