JAL will start using its new flagship Airbus A350-1000 on one of its two daily Tokyo Haneda – London Heathrow rotations on alternating days from October 24, 2024.
The A350-1000 will be used on the JL43/JL44 rotation departing Tokyo in the morning and operating as follows:
- JL43 / Tokyo Haneda – London Heathrow / 9:45AM – 3:50PM
- JL44 / London Heathrow – Tokyo Haneda / 7:20PM – 5:20PM+1
For the time being, the A350-1000 is scheduled to be used on the flights every other day until the end of March 2025, with the remaining days continuing to be operated by Boeing 777-300ERs and the rotation departing Tokyo at night by 787-9s.
London Heathrow will be JAL’s third destination to be operated by the A350-1000, following New York JFK and Dallas Forth Worth in the United States. The former became the type’s inaugural destination in late January 2024. The latter was partially switched from the 777-300ER to the A350-1000 in April and fully in August of this year.
JAL currently has five A350-1000s in its fleet with further eight on order. Three of the remaining eight are expected to be delivered within this fiscal year, i.e., by the end of March 2025. The airline plans to replace its aging 777-300ER fleet with the type on a one-to-one basis.
The A350-1000s are equipped with 239 seats in four classes, including six in first, 54 in business, 24 in premium economy, and 155 in economy class. The seats have been completely revamped compared to the ones used on the 244-seater 777-300ERs (eight in first, 49 in business, 40 in premium economy, and 147 in economy class).
JAL has not announced its planned fourth A350-1000 destination yet.
