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 11 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
- JA11WJ operated its delivery flight on February 27, 2026
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 11 aircraft joined the fleet within a little over two years.
There is one additional quirk, worth pointing out. The plane with the registration code JA10WJ was damaged in a ground incident in New York (JFK) in December 2025, and hasn’t flown since. It would appear that the plane is being fixed, and will reenter service this fall, based on the latest updates to the flight schedule.
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 (as of November 9, 2025, the plane will operate the route daily):
JL45 Tokyo to Paris departing 10:20AM arriving 5:55PM
JL46 Paris to Tokyo departing 8:25PM arriving 5:20PM (+1 day)
There are two more developments coming soon. First of all, as of September 1, 2026, the Paris route will go back to having the A350-1000 daily. I suspect that this coincides with when the airline expects the damaged A350 to be repaired.
Furthermore, as of October 1, 2026, we’ll see the A350-1000 operate the second daily flight to London, and that operates with the following schedule:
JL41 Tokyo to London departing 1:00AM arriving 6:25AM
JL42 London to Tokyo departing 8:40AM arriving 7:35AM (+1 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 11 planes in this subfleet, operating up to six daily frequencies to five destinations, including New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas (DFW), London (LHR), and Paris (CDG).
On top of that, we’ll soon see the Paris route get the A350 daily (rather than just every other day), and London will see a second daily frequency with the plane. 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?
Flying the new A350-1000 was amazing, but booking it as an award has gotten harder and harder despite all the new aircraft.
Also was surprised to find JAL wasn't upgrading the 777-300ER that flies ORD - TYO, that seems like a conspicuous gap.
Conspicuously missing is San Francisco.
Then again, may just be the function of alliance/partners, in addition to demand, since ANA offers First to San Francisco, but not Los Angeles, in the inverse.
San Francisco is not a OneWorld hub, so presumably that's not a priority
Such a delight to fly in this jet whether it's in Economy, Premium Economy, or Business. I chase it any opportunity I get!
Still hoping/waiting for SFO service.
Finally matching two daily flights to London by ana. A long overdue
Huh? JAL fly to London twice a day already. ANA flies once a day.
Is JL only getting 2 more A350-1000s? JL still flies 777-300 to HEL, SFO, ORD and BKK. Any guess on which route will get the last 2 A350-1000s?
I flew this bird in business class on both the inbound and outbound portions of the DFW to HND route. I was hoping that the plane would be deployed on the ORD route sometime soon to relieve the competition for premium award availability to Japan.
Flew JFK-HND in J on the 35K last November; it is one of my favorite hard-and-soft products, other than ANA's The Room and QR's Q-Suite. It's honestly hard to pick favorites between those three. One thing is for sure, if you're into Japanese cuisine, always go with their Japanese menu over the Western options. Wish there were easier ways to redeem AA points for these routes (hardly any availability these days), but sometimes you gotta...
Flew JFK-HND in J on the 35K last November; it is one of my favorite hard-and-soft products, other than ANA's The Room and QR's Q-Suite. It's honestly hard to pick favorites between those three. One thing is for sure, if you're into Japanese cuisine, always go with their Japanese menu over the Western options. Wish there were easier ways to redeem AA points for these routes (hardly any availability these days), but sometimes you gotta splurge if you really want something (cash prices are fairly consistent). With their after-midnight departure from NYC, Soho/Chelsea lounges close, so Greenwich becomes the OW lounge at JFK T8 after 10:30PM. If you get to experience this, it's a treat!
1990…..
Is one to assume that we will have to wait to see what you make of SQ’s F Suites and AF’s La Premiere?
*sigh* ...and EY's F ...and LH's F. (Sorry, I'm not Ben or Matt, etc.)
1990, don’t be sorry, I was hoping that you might have tried them, that is all. I would have liked to read what you thought. Another opinion is always welcome.
Agreed, more opinions, please. I'll say, I've sat as close as the first row of Business Class on AF's new J on the 773 (suite with the door), just behind new La Premiere (with its curtains). Close, but no cigar...
Was your AF J, enjoyably, what did you think?
For us flying AF is only worthwhile on our outward leg. Having experienced AF’s LP (once) I am quite keen to try it again. On any return journey Mrs ‘A’, likes to end our excursions at LHR. Very close to home you see, not too much messing around.
Qantas look to be bringing a similar sort of arrangement for their Project Sunrise endeavour. Mrs ‘A’ would...
Was your AF J, enjoyably, what did you think?
For us flying AF is only worthwhile on our outward leg. Having experienced AF’s LP (once) I am quite keen to try it again. On any return journey Mrs ‘A’, likes to end our excursions at LHR. Very close to home you see, not too much messing around.
Qantas look to be bringing a similar sort of arrangement for their Project Sunrise endeavour. Mrs ‘A’ would not entertain such a long confinement, but I would like the experience. Maybe meet Ben on board? …. :-)
As I've said many times before, AF J for the food; KL J for the Delft Blue Houses and reliability.
Huge fan of QF, in general... "Qantas never crashed" (Rain Man, 1988). Scheduled on their 787 from JFK-AKL-SYD; trying their a220 (technically, Qantaslink); and also a380 SYD-LAX. All J, lie-flat for long-haul; recliners for regional. Great transfers from Amex to their program; now, mostly useful for domestic AU flights, but used to be amazing...
As I've said many times before, AF J for the food; KL J for the Delft Blue Houses and reliability.
Huge fan of QF, in general... "Qantas never crashed" (Rain Man, 1988). Scheduled on their 787 from JFK-AKL-SYD; trying their a220 (technically, Qantaslink); and also a380 SYD-LAX. All J, lie-flat for long-haul; recliners for regional. Great transfers from Amex to their program; now, mostly useful for domestic AU flights, but used to be amazing for partner J awards on EK, etc. (Not as much anymore. *sigh*)
To be fair, both they and ANA have better Western food than more than a few Western airlines.
Touché, Aaron. Touché.
Out of the two JAL F flights I've taken from the US, I liked the western meal I had out of ORD much better than the Japanese meal I had out of JFK. In reviewing the pics and menus I saved, from ORD I had as main dish the "US Prime Beef Tenderloin with Swisschard Gratin, Migas Dip, Pedro Ximenez Sauce", which was excellent. I wasn't impressed with none of the dishes of the Japanese...
Out of the two JAL F flights I've taken from the US, I liked the western meal I had out of ORD much better than the Japanese meal I had out of JFK. In reviewing the pics and menus I saved, from ORD I had as main dish the "US Prime Beef Tenderloin with Swisschard Gratin, Migas Dip, Pedro Ximenez Sauce", which was excellent. I wasn't impressed with none of the dishes of the Japanese meal, including the main dish (Dainomono) of "Beef Fillet Steak with Aromatic Vegetables, Grilled Tofu, Konjac, Baby Corn", which was insipid and to make matters worse I made the mistake of ordering it with Ginger Rice (instead of steamed rice), which was too bitter for my taste. Of course, the hard product and service are fantastic in F. So maybe the issue is with the flights out of the US like some people have suggested cause my meal in F from HND to Osaka was great with grilled salmon as the main dish and that was only a one-hour flight! Which BTW the USA airlines should be ashamed of themselves by not serving anything in F in flights twice as long.
Ricky, I've heard JAL F is on a different level (compared to even J). "USA airlines should be ashamed of themselves"... that applies to so, so, so many things about them... including food (or lack-there-of).
“Japan Airlines flies the A350-1000 daily between Tokyo (HND) and London (LHR). The airline operates this route twice daily”
Isn’t it just currently once daily? As you said, the second daily flight won’t start till October.
Ah nevermind, I see what you meant, they fly two flights to LHR but only one (so far) with the A350-1000.