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Japan Airlines (JL) Guide

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Flights from Tokyo Haneda and Narita across Japan, Asia, North America and Europe, fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper JAL fares. Ask a question
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In short

Japan Airlines is the flag carrier of Japan, with hubs at Tokyo Haneda and Narita. It flies to about 90 destinations in Japan, Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania, covering domestic hops as well as long-haul trips to Japan. JAL is a oneworld member and runs JAL Mileage Bank. Long-haul aircraft carry First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

Japan Airlines (JAL) is Japan’s flag carrier and one of Asia’s largest airlines.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Japan Airlines. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Japan Airlines (JAL, IATA JL) is one of Japan's two major full-service airlines, with hubs at Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita. It flies a dense domestic network and international routes to Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania, and it suits travellers who want a oneworld airline into Japan with a strong Premium Economy and Business product.

From the 1951 founding to national airline

JAL was founded on 1 August 1951 and began flying in October that year. It became Japan's national airline in 1953, while still owned by the government, and was fully privatised in 1987. In 2002 it merged with Japan Air System, a large domestic carrier. JAL has been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since September 2012.

JAL was once the largest operator of the Boeing 747. Its red crane logo, the tsurumaru, was designed in 1958 and 1959 and returned as the main livery in 2011. In April 2024 Mitsuko Tottori became president and chief executive, the first woman in the job. The head office is in Shinagawa, Tokyo.

Haneda and Narita hubs and other bases

Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita are the two hubs. Osaka Itami and Osaka Kansai are secondary hubs, and Fukuoka, Nagoya Centrair, Okinawa's Naha and Sapporo New Chitose are focus cities. Wikipedia counts about 146 mainline aircraft serving roughly 91 destinations.

JAL joined oneworld in 2007, alongside partners such as American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair and Qantas. The group includes regional airlines J-Air, Japan Air Commuter, Japan Transocean Air, Hokkaido Air System and Ryukyu Air Commuter, plus JAL Cargo and two low-cost airlines: Zipair Tokyo for long-haul and Spring Japan. JAL also has a share in Jetstar Japan, from which Qantas announced in February 2026 it would exit by July 2026.

Food and lounges

International menus offer Western and Japanese meals, with seasonal choices, and a children's menu has been available since 2016. The signature lounge is the Sakura Lounge, named after the cherry blossom, and JAL also runs First Class lounges. Access depends on your cabin or your status with JAL Mileage Bank or the JAL Global Club.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
JAL official website

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  1. JAL official website
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Good to know

  • Founded1951
  • Other gatewaysNRT / ITM / KIX
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

JL · JAL

IATA · ICAO · callsign “JAPAN AIR”

Look for JL in front of the number on your ticket: that prefix marks a flight sold under the JAL code. Enter JL and the number to follow a JAL departure.

Key facts

Main hub

Tokyo (HND)

Tokyo Haneda

Also flies abroad fromTokyo Narita (NRT) · Osaka Itami (ITM) · Osaka Kansai (KIX)
Tokyo airport guide

Network

About 90 destinations

Japan · Asia · North America · Europe · Oceania

JAL links Tokyo with about 60 Japanese cities and around 40 international destinations, including New York, Los Angeles, London and Paris.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

and Premium Economy, Business, First

Up to four cabins: First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy, with JAL’s newest seats on the Airbus A350-1000.

Compare cabins

Good to know

JAL is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Its group includes regional airlines and the low-cost carriers Zipair, Spring Japan and Jetstar Japan. Official website: jal.co.jp.

Frequent flyer

JAL Mileage Bank

Member of oneworld

JAL is a oneworld member; its programme is JAL Mileage Bank.

How it works

Start a new search

One bookingMentor search puts a JAL ticket next to every other option on your route, so you can see which airline gives the better deal.

Wishing you a smooth trip with JAL.

Select dates

At a glance

Japan Airlines (IATA: JL, ICAO: JAL) is the flag carrier of Japan, founded in 1951 with hubs at Tokyo Haneda and Narita. A oneworld member, it flies about 146 mainline aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 and 777, to around 60 Japanese and 40 international destinations.

Key facts about Japan Airlines
HeadquartersShinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
Fleet typesAirbus A350-1000, A350-900, Boeing 787, 777, 767, 737-800
Frequent flyerJAL Mileage Bank
Official websitejal.co.jp

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
Destinations listed in JAL’s published network, grouped by region. Seasonal and new JAL routes come and go, so check the schedule for your dates. Search flights

Japan

Tokyo (HND) departures8 destinations

Check all
  • Tokyo (HND/NRT)
  • Osaka (ITM/KIX)

Fleet and aircraft

The international fleet is built around the Airbus A350-1000, the Boeing 777-300ER and the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9. Domestic routes use the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 767 and 737-800, and J-Air flies Embraer regional jets. The A350-1000, in service since January 2024, carries 239 passengers. It has six First Class suites in a 1-1-1 layout, 54 Business suites in 1-2-1, 24 Premium Economy seats in 2-4-2 and 155 Economy seats in 3-3-3. First and Business are enclosed suites with doors and built-in audio. Older long-haul aircraft use the JAL Suite in First and the Sky Suite in Business. The Sky Suite is a lie-flat seat with direct aisle access, fitted to the 777-300ER and the 787s. Premium Economy is called Sky Premium and Economy is Sky Wider, with extra legroom in a 2-4-2 layout on the 787. Skytrax named JAL's Premium Economy the best in the world for 2024. Domestic flights have three cabins: First, Class J and Economy.

  • Airbus A350-1000 Wide-body Flagship long-haul routes such as New York and London
  • Airbus A350-900 Wide-body Busy domestic trunk routes
  • Boeing 787-8 Wide-body International routes in Asia, North America and Europe
  • Boeing 787-9 Wide-body International routes in Asia, North America and Europe
  • Boeing 777 Wide-body Long-haul and domestic routes
  • Boeing 767 Wide-body Long-haul and domestic routes
  • Boeing 737-800 Narrow-body Domestic and short regional routes

Cabin classes

Four cabins on flagship long-haul flights; Class J and First on some domestic routes.

Economy All flights

Known for generous legroom

Meals on international flightsChecked bags includedEntertainment

Premium Economy Long-haul

More room and better meals

Extra legroomWider seatPriority check-in

Business International

Flat beds with aisle access on long-haul

Lounge accessPriority servicesExtra baggage

First Selected long-haul & domestic

JAL’s top cabin

On domestic routes JAL also sells First and Class J, an upgraded domestic seat.

Private suiteFine diningPremium lounges

JAL Mileage Bank

Earn points on JL flights with JAL Mileage Bank, which you can join on the JAL website.

Members earn miles on JAL, oneworld and partner flights and can redeem them for award flights and upgrades. Frequent flyers can also qualify for JAL Global Club, a long-term status tier.

JAL Mileage Bank is the frequent flyer programme. Members earn miles on JAL and oneworld partner flights, and the JAL Global Club is a status club for frequent travellers.

Travel tip: Tokyo flights can arrive at Haneda or Narita, which are far apart, so check the airport on your booking, especially if you connect to a domestic flight. Baggage allowances depend on your fare and route, and the official JAL website lists the current rules.

Baggage allowance

JAL does not give every passenger the same allowance: the route, the cabin and the fare you buy each change it. Your JL e-ticket shows what you have.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

International JAL flights generally use a piece concept with checked bags included, while domestic flights use a weight allowance. Check your e-ticket for the exact amount.

Pro tip: connecting from an international to a domestic flight? Domestic flights may have a lower allowance than the international leg.
Travel day

Online Check-in

JAL check-in comes down to four steps, from checking in online to dropping your bags at Tokyo Haneda.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Use jal.co.jp or app to check in for eligible flights. Have your JAL booking reference or e-ticket number and your surname ready.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    Pack your passport plus any visa, residence permit or entry papers your destination asks for. Domestic JL passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Get to the airport with time for JAL check-in, bag drop and security. The airline sets a deadline for each airport, shown in your booking, and late arrivals can lose their seat.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    At the airport, take your bags to the JAL bag-drop point. Collect a printed JL boarding pass there if you have not saved one to your phone.

    JAL counter
Departing from Tokyo? Terminals, lounges, food and transport at Tokyo Haneda, all in one guide.
Tokyo Airport guide Check in with JAL
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Cheap tickets

Ways to pay less for a JAL ticket, from the dates you choose to the fare type you buy.

  1. 01

    Be flexible with your JAL dates

    Compare a full week of JAL departures; midweek days are often priced below Fridays and Sundays.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Golden Week (late April–early May), Obon (mid-August) and New Year are the busiest times in Japan.

    Golden Week & Obon
  3. 03

    Check what each JAL fare includes

    Look at the next JAL fare up: if it bundles a hold bag or easier changes, it may beat the basic fare plus extras.

    Baggage & changes
  4. 04

    Compare Haneda and Narita

    JAL flies to many cities from both Tokyo airports; Haneda is closer to the city centre.

    HND vs NRT

  5. Ready to compare fares?

    Search JAL alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search JAL flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Japan Airlines.
Checked against jal.co.jp and public aviation references, with a review each season.

Getting there

Japan Airlines is a member of oneworld, which it joined in April 2007. This lets you earn and use miles and enjoy reciprocal benefits on partner airlines such as American Airlines, British Airways and Qantas.