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 A350 business class, and they’re both spectacular, among the best in their respective competitive sets. If you want to redeem miles for these experiences, see my guide to doing so.
In this post, I’d like to provide an update on the routes on which you’ll find the A350-1000. Currently, the plane is in service to five different destinations, all in North America and Europe.
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 10 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
- JA08WJ operated its delivery flight on December 6, 2024
- JA09WJ operated its delivery flight on January 29, 2025
- JA07WJ operated its delivery flight on April 23, 2025
- JA10WJ operated its delivery flight on July 17, 2025
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. The airline has certainly done an impressive job with the pace at which these deliveries have started, as 10 aircraft have joined the fleet within around 19 17 months.
When should we expect additional A350-1000s to join the fleet? The airline anticipates having a total of 11 of these aircraft by the end of Japan’s 2025 fiscal year, which would be by March 31, 2026. So we should only expect one more A350-1000 to join the fleet over the next eight months, meaning the delivery pace is slowing down considerably.
Japan Airlines’ A350-1000 routes & flights
Japan Airlines currently operates the Airbus A350-1000 daily on up to six daily frequencies to five destinations — New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas (DFW), London (LHR), and Paris (CDG).
Japan Airlines flies the 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)
Japan Airlines flies the A350-1000 daily between Tokyo (HND) and Los Angeles (LAX), on the following frequency:
JL16 Tokyo to Los Angeles departing 5:00PM arriving 11:00AM
JL15 Los Angeles to Tokyo departing 1:30PM arriving 5:25PM (+1 day)
Japan Airlines flies the A350-1000 daily between Tokyo (HND) and Dallas (DFW), on the following frequency:
JL12 Tokyo to Dallas departing 10:55AM arriving 8:40AM
JL11 Dallas to Tokyo departing 11:05AM arriving 2:40PM (+1 day)
Japan Airlines flies the A350-1000 daily between Tokyo (HND) and London (LHR). The airline operates this route twice daily, and the following frequency features the A350:
JL43 Tokyo to London departing 9:50AM arriving 3:15PM
JL44 London to Tokyo departing 6:30PM arriving 5:20PM (+1 day)
Lastly, Japan Airlines flies the A350-1000 every other day between Tokyo (HND) and Paris (CDG), on the following frequency:
JL45 Tokyo to Paris departing 10:20AM arriving 5:55PM
JL46 Paris to Tokyo departing 8:25PM arriving 5:20PM (+1 day)
Note that the plane will fly the route daily between July 27 and September 30, 2025, but then as of October 1, 2025, the plane returns to operating the route every other day.
Bottom line
Japan Airlines put its Airbus A350-1000 into commercial service in early 2024, and its footprint is expanding quickly. The airline has 10 planes in this sub-fleet, operating up to six daily frequencies to five destinations, including New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas (DFW), London (LHR), and Paris (CDG).
If you have the chance to fly one of these jets, I’d highly recommend it, as it’s a great experience across the board.
What do you make of Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000 routes?
WHEN will JAL launch the much anticipated, much negotiated, nonstop to MIA..??
I have heard that the seats are beginning to show wear and tear and becoming uncomfortable. Surprised, since these are new.
I have first class ticket on its service to and from Chicago in September. Sadly, I suspect SFO will see this product before ORD does.
Any idea when ORD might get the A35K? It’s currently served by a 773.
JAL announced that HND-CDG will get daily A350 service from 27 August to the end of September. From October, I did a quick search and HND-CDG goes back to every other day A350 service - maybe JAL does not update October schedule on their website.
Howdy Ben. Thanks for the update on the A350-1000 routes. Everytime you post these updates, I always think to ask if you would consider an article on other locations the 77Ws are flying with F. I’ve noticed them on some intra-Asia short/medium haul routes and more recently on HEL HND. The hard product certainly is dated but the soft product still remains a lovely experience. Thanks for your consideration. Always enjoy checking in here each day. Cheers!
On a side note, we just flew LH F MUC IAD yesterday. Must say the renovated F lounge at MUC is nothing special. We had a drink and went on to the satellite L gates lounge. Did get a new translucent duck to add to my collection. The cabin was a bit worn and my privacy divider in seat 1K was broken but they told me in advance which was a nice touch and it...
On a side note, we just flew LH F MUC IAD yesterday. Must say the renovated F lounge at MUC is nothing special. We had a drink and went on to the satellite L gates lounge. Did get a new translucent duck to add to my collection. The cabin was a bit worn and my privacy divider in seat 1K was broken but they told me in advance which was a nice touch and it was not a big deal for the day flight. I had wanted the 380 specifically as it marked my 7th airline for F on a 380 (the others being BA SQ EK EY KE and MH). Anyhow, cheers and safe travels!
I have 1st class on JL 16 (HND - LAX) booked for June 2, 2026. JAL’s website currently has this flight designated to be on the 777; however; I’m hopeful that is simply because the schedule has not been updated that far ahead. Since late last month, the A350-900 has been providing service on that route on a daily basis. My wife and I experienced business class on the DFW to HND (and back) route last year. We found the hard product to be as good as Qatar QSuites.
@ JAMAL -- Yeah, the schedule just hasn't been updated that far out, so I think it's highly likely that your flight will be operated by an A350. Hope you have a great trip!
Thanks so much. I’m very much looking forward to my first time flying in an international wide body aircraft in first class.
Any ideas on which routes the final 3 aircraft will be used on?
@ Nikojas -- It would likely be existing 777-300ER routes, so ORD and SFO seem like the most likely destinations.