On May 17, 2024, The Asahi Shimbun reported that starting in July 2024, JAL will be staffing all Boeing 787 flights with at least eight flight attendants, one per emergency exit. Currently, domestic flights operated by the type are staffed with seven.
The 787-8s JAL uses on domestic flights are equipped with 291 seats in three classes, so having seven flight attendants onboard meets the regulatory requirement of a minimum of one flight attendant per 50 seats. However, according to the report, JAL decided to increase the number of flight attendants as “a result of comprehensively considering both safety and service.”
On international flights, JAL uses 787s in multiple different configurations. Its 787-8s come in 186- and 206-seat configurations while the longer 787-9s feature 186, 206, or 239 seats depending on the configuration. While in theory the flights operated by these aircraft could be staffed with less than eight flight attendants, JAL staffs all its international 787 flights with at least eight flight attendants due to their length and more elaborate service.
