JAL - Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo Haneda) now intends to commence A350-1000 revenue operations on January 24, 2024, deploying its first of the type on the Tokyo Haneda - New York JFK route. The airline confirmed the start date in a December 10 press release, which also said Dallas/Fort Worth would be the second non-Japanese airport to be served by a JAL A350-1000.
Japan Airlines has 13 of the long-range Airbus widebodies on order and has experienced some minor delivery delays, with the carrier initially intending to put the planes into service this year. The first of the A350-1000s is yet to ferry to Tokyo. However, the airline expects delivery imminently and a second by March 31, 2024, allowing the initial every second-day A350-1000 frequencies on the route to ramp up to daily services.
According to ch-aviation schedules data, Japan Airlines currently operates twice daily B777-300ER roundtrips on the Tokyo Haneda - New York JFK route. Initially, the new Airbus aircraft will work the late morning departure (JL6) out of Haneda and the early afternoon departure (JL5) out of New York.
"To enhance customer satisfaction and to strive towards a sustainable future, JAL will be replacing its fleet of B777-300ERs with new A350-1000 international aircraft," the press release said.
The airline did not provide a start date for the A350-1000s' deployment onto the Tokyo Haneda - Dallas Fort Worth route, only saying it would occur after delivery of the third A350-1000. Japan Airlines presently has a daily B777-300ER operated roundtrip on that sector.
