About:[]
Japan Airlines is a Japanese airline headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo. It is Japan's second-largest airline after All Nippon Airways (ANA) and has been considered the flag carrier of Japan. The airline was established in 1951 as a government-owned business and became the national airline of Japan in 1953. After over three decades of service and expansion, the airline was fully owned in 1987. In 2002, the airline merged with Japan Air System (JAS), Japan's third-largest airline, and became the sixth-largest airline in the world by passengers carried.
JAL group operations include scheduled and non-scheduled international and domestic passenger and cargo services to 220 destinations in 35 countries worldwide, including codeshares.
Its main hubs are Tokyo's both Narita and Haneda Airports, as well as secondary hubs in Osaka's Kansai and Itami airports.
Hubs[]
Tokyo Haneda Airport:
JAL’s primary hub and where main operations are held. Located close to central Tokyo, Haneda handles a massive number of domestic flights and select international routes to major global cities.
Tokyo Narita International Airport :
The airline’s main international hub, Narita connects Japan to North America, Europe, and Oceania. It’s also a key link for Oneworld partners and cargo routes, mainly JAL’s long-haul gateway.
Osaka Kansai International Airport:
A major hub in western Japan, Kansai has many of JAL’s international flights to East and Southeast Asia. It’s a busy alternative for travelers from the Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe regions.
Osaka Itami Airport:
Focused on domestic operations, Itami connects western Japan to Tokyo and other major cities. While smaller and limited to domestic flights, it remains an important regional base for JAL’s network.
Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport:
Serving in central Japan, this hub supports both domestic and short-haul international flights to cities like Seoul and Taipei. It’s strategically placed between Tokyo and Osaka for regional connectivity.
Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA):
A southern hub connecting Japan’s islands and nearby Asian destinations. It also supports JAL’s leisure and resort routes, acting as a bridge between Japan and tropical Asia.
Concerns[]
Japan Airlines has faced several safety and operational concerns in recent years. Alcohol consumption by cockpit crew has led to flight delays and formal reprimands, highlighting the need for strict internal oversight. There have also been runway and taxiway incidents, including miscommunication or minor collisions during pushback or taxi operations. Regulatory authorities have issued warnings, prompting JAL to review procedures, improve safety culture, and strengthen crew training and monitoring.
Notable Incidents:[]
Flight 123 (1985):
A Boeing 747SR suffered catastrophic tail failure due to a previous faulty repair, causing the tail to break, which led to an explosive decompression and loss of flight controls. It crashed into Mount Takamagahara, killing 520 of 524 people onboard, it is known as the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history.
Flight 350 (1982):
A DC‑8 crashed during approach to Haneda after deliberate actions by the pilot, resulting in 24 deaths. This incident raised concerns about mental health monitoring and cockpit access.
Flight 446 (1972):
A DC‑8‑62 stalled and crashed shortly after takeoff from Moscow on a route to Tokyo. Pilot error and possible engine/spoiler issue pe were noticed. 62 people died.
Runway Collision at Haneda (2024, Flight 516):
A JAL A350‑900 collided with a Japan Coast Guard Dash 8 on landing. The JAL plane evacuated safely, however, the Coast Guard aircraft was destroyed and 5 of 6 crew members died. This was JAL’s first hull-loss since Flight 123.
Trivia[]
- JAL’s “Tsuru” crane logo symbolizes loyalty and long life in Japanese culture.
- The airline once operated the world’s first Boeing 747SR, a short-range jumbo built for Japan’s busy domestic routes.
- After its 2010 bankruptcy, JAL made a dramatic recovery and re-listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2012.