Japan Airlines to Buy 17 737-8 Aircraft from Boeing

Amid continued record-breaking tourism, Japan Airlines (JAL) on Tuesday signed an agreement with Boeing to finalise an order for 17 737-8s to leverage the fuel efficiency and flexibility of the 737 MAX, the airlines said.

JAL aims to introduce the new 737 MAX jets on its robust domestic network and this marks the airline’s second order for 21 737-8, which will replace the single-aisle Boeing 737-800 aircraft currently serving mainly on domestic routes, and nearly doubles its 737 MAX backlog to 38 firm orders.

In addition to the Boeing 737-8 aircraft added to the domestic fleet, 11 Airbus A321neo aircraft will be introduced to replace the Boeing 767 aircraft, primarily on routes to and from Haneda. Renewing the fleet in line with supply and demand will further enhance profitability.

JAL President Mitsuko Tottori said that the 737 has been the backbone of the airline’s single-aisle fleet for nearly 50 years, and they were excited to additional 737-8s to deliver a safe and secure journey to their valued customers with a sophisticated flying experience.

JAL will benefit from the market-leading capabilities of the 737-8, which reduces fuel use and carbon emissions by 15% compared to the Next-Generation 737-800s the airline is replacing. Commonality across the 737 family allows JAL to seamlessly integrate the 737-8 into its existing fleet.

Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing Brad McMullen said that they valued their long-standing partnership with JAL and honoured by their decision to double down on the 737 MAX for the airline’s fleet modernisation program.

He added: “By selecting the 737-8, Japan Airlines will gain operational and economic efficiencies, positioning them for success in the years ahead.”

With the 737-8, JAL will debut the Boeing Sky Interior, offering passengers an elevated cabin experience featuring advanced LED lighting, larger windows and spacious overhead bins.

As a long-time Boeing customer, JAL currently operates 767s, 777s and Next-Generation 737-800s, and was among the first airlines to operate the 787 Dreamliner. With a mix of more than 50 787-8s and 787-9s already in operation, JAL recently ordered 10 additional 787-9s to meet growing demand for international travel.

ZIPAIR to Increase Capacity

JAL’s subsidiary, ZIPAIR Tokyo, has recently announced plans to increase capacity on its international network by integrating 10 787-9s, previously operated by JAL, into its fleet. Boeing Global Services was selected to provide nose-to-tail interior modifications on these airplanes.

In the international market, JAL plans to introduce 10 Boeing 787-9 aircraft and 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. By fiscal year 2030, the scale of the international business is expected to expand by approximately 1.5 times compared to fiscal year 2023, including growth in both full-service carriers and LCCs.

The business will particularly expand by increasing the number of flights, especially on North American and Asian routes, which are expected to see significant growth in the future, and by increasing the number of seats offered through larger aircraft, thus improving service quality and convenience.

Including the newly introduced Boeing 737-8 aircraft, the JAL Group will have a total of approximately 90 aircraft in its fleet and is preparing for the introduction of new aircraft with a flexible fleet plan. This plan aims to ensure growth by placing aircraft orders early in anticipation of growth beyond 2030.

By accelerating the introduction of state-of-the-art aircraft, JAL strives to significantly enhance the quality of service provided to customers. Additionally, by upgrading to more fuel-efficient aircraft, the company is committed to further reducing CO2 emissions, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.