View source for Japan Airlines

{{Short description|Flag carrier of Japan}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Air Japan]], the charter carrier}}
{{For|other airlines based in Japan|List of airlines of Japan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.<br />{{nobold|{{nihongo2|日本航空株式会社}}<br />{{transliteration|ja|Nihon Kōkū Kabushiki-gaisha}}}}
| image = JA01WJ JFK Climb Out 31L JL A350 1041 A350 1000 Red Sticker Beacon Small.png
| caption= A Japan Airlines [[Airbus A350-1000]]
| image2 = 
| logo = Japan Airlines Logo (2011).svg
| IATA = JL
| ICAO = JAL
| callsign = JAPAN AIR<ref>{{cite web|title=JO 7340.2J – Contractions – Including Change 1|url=https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7340.2J_Chg_1_dtd_10_10_19.pdf|website=Federal Aviation Administration|access-date=22 November 2019|page=3-1-50|date=10 October 2019|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214071350/https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7340.2J_Chg_1_dtd_10_10_19.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| aoc = 
| hubs = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Haneda Airport|Tokyo–Haneda]]
  | [[Narita International Airport|Tokyo–Narita]]}}
| secondary_hubs = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Itami Airport|Osaka–Itami]]
  | [[Kansai International Airport|Osaka–Kansai]]}}
| focus_cities = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Fukuoka Airport|Fukuoka]]
  | [[Chubu Centrair International Airport|Nagoya–Centrair]]
  | [[Naha Airport|Naha]]
  | [[New Chitose Airport|Sapporo–Chitose]]}}
| frequent_flyer = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | JAL Mileage Bank
  | JAL Global Club }}
| alliance = [[Oneworld]]
| fleet_size = [[Japan Airlines fleet|146]] (mainline)
| destinations = [[List of Japan Airlines destinations|91]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/JL | title=JAL - Japan Airlines on ch-aviation.com | website=ch-aviation.com | access-date=21 November 2023 | archive-date=21 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121073634/https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/JL | url-status=live }}</ref>
| parent = JAL Group
| num_employees = 
| founded = {{start date and age|1951|08|01|df=yes}}<br />(as ''Japan Air Lines'')
| traded_as = {{tyo|9201}}<br>[[TOPIX]] Large70 component
| headquarters = [[Shinagawa, Tokyo|Shinagawa]], Tokyo, Japan
| subsidiaries = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | JAL Cargo
  | [[J-Air]]
  | [[Japan Air Commuter]] (60%)
  | [[Japan Transocean Air]] (72.8%)
  | [[Jetstar Japan]] (46.7%)
  | [[Hokkaido Air System]] (57.3%)
  | [[Ryukyu Air Commuter]] (74.5%)
  | [[Spring Japan]] (70%)
  | [[Zipair Tokyo]]}}
| revenue = {{increase}} {{currency|1375.589 billion|JPY}} ({{Abbr|FY|fiscal year}}2022)<ref name="2022annualreport">{{cite report |date=2 May 2023 |title=Consolidated Financial Results for the year Ended March 31, 2023 |url=https://www.jal.com/en/investor/library/finance/pdf/fy2022q4_en0331.pdf |publisher=Japan Airlines |page=1 |access-date=2 January 2023 |archive-date=18 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518210613/https://www.jal.com/en/investor/library/finance/pdf/fy2022q4_en0331.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| operating_income = {{increase}} {{currency|64.563 billion|JPY}} ({{Abbr|FY|fiscal year}}2022)<ref name="2022annualreport"/>
| net_income = {{increase}} {{currency|33.876 billion|JPY}} ({{Abbr|FY|fiscal year}}2022)<ref name="2022annualreport"/>
| key_people = {{bulleted list|
  | Yuji Akasaka ([[Chairman]] & Representative Director)
  | [[Mitsuko Tottori]] ([[President (corporate title)|President]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])<ref name="Strait Times">{{cite news |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Money/Story/STIStory_756618.html |title=Breaking News – Money |newspaper=The Straits Times |access-date=1 October 2012 |archive-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229185948/http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Money/Story/STIStory_756618.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Executive Officers">[http://www.jal.com/en/outline/corporate/directors.html Executive Officers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014160900/http://www.jal.com/en/outline/corporate/directors.html |date=14 October 2012 }} Corporate Information, Japan Airlines</ref>}}
| caption2 = 
| website = {{URL|www.jal.co.jp/ar/en/|jal.co.jp/ar}}
}}

'''Japan Airlines''' <!--Please refrain from adding the Japanese name to this section, as it have already been clearly specified in the Infobox. Reiterating the native name in the Lede is unnecessary and redundant.-->('''JAL''') 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 due to its history. Its main hubs are [[Tokyo]]'s [[Narita International Airport|Narita]] and [[Haneda Airport|Haneda]] airports, as well as secondary hubs in [[Osaka]]'s [[Kansai International Airport|Kansai]] and [[Itami Airport|Itami]] airports. The JAL group, which includes Japan Airlines, also comprises [[Hokkaido Air System]], [[J-Air]], [[Japan Air Commuter]], [[Japan Transocean Air]] and [[Ryukyu Air Commuter]] for domestic feeder services, and JAL Cargo for cargo and mail services.

JAL group operations include scheduled and non-scheduled international and domestic [[passenger]] and [[cargo]] services to 220 destinations in 35 countries worldwide, including [[codeshare agreement|codeshares]]. The group has a fleet of 279 aircraft. In the [[fiscal year]] ended 31 March 2009, the airline group carried over 52 million passengers and over 1.1 million [[ton]]s of cargo and [[mail]]. Japan Airlines, J-Air, JAL Express, and Japan Transocean Air are members of the [[Oneworld]] [[airline alliance]] network.

JAL was established in 1951 as a government-owned business and became the [[flag carrier|national airline]] of Japan in 1953.<ref>{{cite book|last=Picken|first=Stuart D. B.|title=Historical Dictionary of Japanese Business|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=POxrDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA203|year=2016|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1-4422-5589-0|page=203|access-date=3 June 2018|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617094034/https://books.google.com/books?id=POxrDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA203|url-status=live}}</ref> After over three decades of service and expansion, the airline was fully [[privatised]] in 1987. In 2002, the airline merged with [[Japan Air System]] (JAS), Japan's third-largest airline, and became the [[Largest airlines in the world|sixth-largest airline]] in the world by passengers carried.

==History==
=== Regulated/Showa era ===
==== Founding ====
[[File:Japan Airlines Martin 2-0-2 Mokusei Air Hostesses 25 October 1951.png|thumb|Japan Airlines flight attendants in front of [[Martin 2-0-2]] {{Nihongo|''Mokusei''|もく星}} on the occasion of the airline's inaugural flight, 25 October 1951|alt=A black-and-white photograph of a Martin 2-0-2 aircraft with six cabin crew standing in front of the aircraft]]
[[File:DC-6AJapan Air LinesJA6203sf54 (4484589647).jpg|thumb|Japan Airlines [[Douglas DC-6]]A (named ''[[Nara, Nara|City of Nara]]'') at San Francisco International Airport in March 1954|alt=A black-and-white photograph of a JAL Douglas DC-6]]

The original Japan Airlines Co. was established on 1 August 1951, with the [[government of Japan]] recognising the need for a reliable air transportation system to help Japan grow in the aftermath of [[World War II]]. The airline was founded with an initial [[financial capital|capital]] of [[Japanese Yen|¥]]100 [[million]]; its headquarters were located in [[Ginza]], [[Chūō, Tokyo|Chūō]], Tokyo. Between 27 and 29 of August, the airline operated invitational flights on a [[Douglas DC-3]] ''Kinsei'', leased from [[Philippine Airlines]]. On 25 October, Japan's first post-war domestic airline service was inaugurated, using a [[Martin 2-0-2]] aircraft, named ''Mokusei'', and crew leased from [[Northwest Orient Airlines]] subsidiary [[Transocean Air Lines|TALOA]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=JAL - History of Aircraft|url=https://www.jal.com/en/outline/history/aircraft/|access-date=25 October 2020|archive-date=8 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708060819/http://www.jal.com/en/outline/history/aircraft/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 August 1953, the [[National Diet]] passed the {{Nihongo|Japan Airlines Company Act|日本航空株式会社法|Nihon Kōkū Kabushiki-gaisha Hō}} forming a new state-owned Japan Airlines on 1 October, which assumed all assets and liabilities of its private predecessor.<ref name=hist50s>{{cite web|title=History of JAL 1951–1960|url=http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_51-60.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=21 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110421040759/http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_51-60.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Rising Sun and Air|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1952/1952%20-%200918.html|pages=420–421|work=Flight|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|date=4 April 1952|access-date=7 September 2009|archive-date=3 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203190857/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1952/1952%20-%200918.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=News from Japan|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200343.html|page=341|work=Flight|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=13 March 1953|access-date=7 September 2009|archive-date=3 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203190241/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200343.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=F31Jul53>{{Cite news|title=Japanese Plans Announced|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200997.html|page=151|work=Flight|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=31 July 1953|access-date=7 September 2009|archive-date=3 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203190350/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200997.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1953, the JAL network extended northward from Tokyo to Sapporo and Misawa, and westward to Nagoya, Osaka, Iwakuni, and Fukuoka.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/jl53/jl53-4.jpg|title=1953 timetable scan|access-date=17 October 2013|archive-date=17 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017152006/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/jl53/jl53-4.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 February 1954, the airline began international flights, carrying 18 passengers from Tokyo to San Francisco on a [[Douglas DC-6B]] ''City of Tokyo'' via [[Wake Island]] and [[Honolulu]].<ref name=hist50s/><ref name=F31Jul53/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Brevities|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%200471.html|page=221|work=Flight|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|date=19 February 1954|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=14 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214113021/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%200471.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=JAL celebrates 50 years of international flights|url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-02-02-jal-intl_x.htm|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=2 February 2004|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=4 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604102733/http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-02-02-jal-intl_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The flights between Tokyo and San Francisco are still Flights 1 and 2, to commemorate its first international service.<ref name=SkedAmerica>{{cite press release|title=Schedule September 1, 2009 October 24, 2009 North America, Latin America, America, Canada, Mexico and Brazil |url=http://www.jal.co.jp/inter/time/pdf/america0901_1024.pdf |publisher=Japan Airlines |access-date=3 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007104921/http://www.jal.co.jp/inter/time/pdf/america0901_1024.pdf |archive-date= 7 October 2009 }}</ref> The early flights were advertised as being operated by American crews and serviced by [[United Airlines]] in San Francisco.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/jl5402i.htm|title=JAL - Japan Airlines|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017053617/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/jl5402i.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The airline, in addition to the Douglas&nbsp;DC-3, Douglas&nbsp;DC-6B, and Martin&nbsp;2-0-2s, operated [[Douglas DC-4]]s and [[Douglas DC-7]]Cs during the 1950s.<ref name=hist50s/> JAL flew to Hong Kong via Okinawa by 1955, having pared down its domestic network to Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/jl55d/jl55d-2.jpg|title=1955 timetable|access-date=17 October 2013|archive-date=17 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017151752/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/jl55d/jl55d-2.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1958, the Hong Kong route had been extended to Bangkok and Singapore.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/jl58/jl58-2.jpg|title=1958 timetable|access-date=17 October 2013|archive-date=17 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017151133/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/jl58/jl58-2.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> With DC-7Cs, JAL was able to fly nonstop between Seattle and Tokyo in 1959.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/jl5907.htm|title=JAL - Japan Airlines|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017053616/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/jl5907.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Jet era ====
[[File:DC-8 Japan Airlines.JPG|thumb|JAL's first jet, the [[Douglas DC-8]], named ''[[Yoshino, Nara|Yoshino]]'', in 1960|alt=A black-and-white photograph of a Douglas DC-8 aircraft on the tarmac]]
[[File:Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-114 JAL livery APM.jpg|thumb|A [[Tupolev Tu-114]] in [[Aeroflot]]/JAL livery, used between Japan and Europe via Moscow]]

In 1960, the airline took delivery of its first jet, a [[Douglas DC-8]] named ''Fuji'', introducing jet service on the Tokyo-Honolulu-San Francisco route. JAL went on to operate a fleet of 51 DC-8s, retiring the last of the type in 1987. ''Fuji'' flew until 1974 and was then used as a maintenance training platform until 1989; its nose section was stored at [[Haneda Airport]] and eventually put on public display at the JAL Sky Museum in March 2014.<ref>{{cite news|language=ja|script-title=ja:国内初のジェット機展示へ 日航「富士号」、羽田の見学施設に|url=http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDG2801B_Y4A320C1CR0000/?n_cid=kobetsu|access-date=31 March 2014|newspaper=The Nikkei|date=28 March 2014|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403144102/http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDG2801B_Y4A320C1CR0000/?n_cid=kobetsu|url-status=live}}</ref>

JAL also began flying to [[Seattle]] and Hong Kong in 1960. At the end of 1961, JAL had transpolar flights from Tokyo to Seattle, Copenhagen, London, and Paris via [[Anchorage, Alaska]], and to Los Angeles and San Francisco via [[Honolulu, Hawaii]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/jl61/jl61-01.jpg|title=December 1961 timetable scan|access-date=28 August 2012|archive-date=5 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005014747/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/jl61/jl61-01.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Rail freight
|title=Revenue passenger-kilometers, scheduled flights only, in millions
|float=left
|1955|314
|1960|873
|1965|2938
|1969|7485
|1971|10427
|1975|17547
|1980|28876
|1985|37299
|1995|69775
|2000|88999
|source=ICAO Digest of Statistics for 1955, IATA World Air Transport Statistics 1960–2000
}}

During the 1960s, JAL flew to many new cities, including Moscow, New York, and [[Busan]].<ref name=hist50s/><ref name=hist60s>{{cite web|title=History of JAL 1961–1970|url=http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_61-70.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=20 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420064930/http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_61-70.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=histfu>{{cite web|title=Japan Airlines Company, Ltd.|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Japan-Airlines-Company-Ltd-Company-History.html|publisher=fundinguniverse.com|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=19 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419125525/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Japan-Airlines-Company-Ltd-Company-History.html|url-status=live}}</ref> DC-8 flights to Europe via Anchorage started in 1961; flights to Europe via India started in 1962, initially with Convair 880s. Under government pressure, [[Boeing 727]]s were acquired for domestic services in 1965 to allow the [[Japan Civil Aviation Bureau]] to issue an import license for [[All Nippon Airways]]' (ANA) own fleet of 727s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Serling|first= Robert J.|date=1992|title=Legend & Legacy: The Story of Boeing and Its People|location=New York|publisher=St. Martin's Press|page=364|isbn=031205890X}}</ref>

By 1965, Japan Airlines was headquartered in the Tokyo Building in [[Marunouchi]], [[Chiyoda, Tokyo|Chiyoda]], Tokyo.<ref name="MarunouchiHQ">{{Cite news|title=World Airline Survey|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1965/1965%20-%201059.html|pages=586–587|work=[[Flight International]]|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|date=15 April 1965|access-date=7 September 2009|archive-date=3 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203190452/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1965/1965%20-%201059.html|url-status=live}} "Head Office: Tokyo Bldg, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan"</ref> Around this time, over half of JAL's revenue was generated on transpacific routes to the United States, and the airline was lobbying the United States for [[Freedoms of the air#Fifth freedom|fifth freedom]] rights to fly transatlantic routes from the East Coast.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Japan: Bitterness in the Air|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,842077,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423044040/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,842077,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 April 2008|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=3 September 1965|access-date=6 September 2009}}</ref> The transpacific route was extended east from San Francisco to New York in November 1966 and to London in 1967; flights between San Francisco and London ended in December 1972.

Between 1967 and 1969, JAL had an agreement with [[Aeroflot]] to operate a joint service between Tokyo and Moscow using a Soviet [[Tupolev Tu-114]].<ref name=akron0121>{{cite news | url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/153506053/ | via = newspapers.com | title = Japan, Soviet Sign Air Pact | date = 21 Jan 1967 | agency = AP | work = The Akron Beacon Journal | page = 11 | access-date = 7 February 2023 | archive-date = 7 February 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230207190617/https://www.newspapers.com/image/153506053/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The flight crew included one JAL member, and the cabin crew had five members each from Aeroflot and JAL.<!--<ref name="Kokomo0421"/>--> The weekly flight started in April 1967.<ref name="Kokomo0421">{{cite news | url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/32514433 | title = Trans-Siberia flights begin | work = The Kokomo Morning Times | page = 3 | date = 21 April 1967 | via = Newspapers.com | agency = Associated Press | access-date = 7 February 2023 | archive-date = 7 February 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230207190619/https://www.newspapers.com/image/32514433 | url-status = live }}</ref>

In 1972, under the {{Nihongo|45/47 system|[[:ja:45/47体制|45/47体制]]|yongo-yonnana taisei}}, the so-called "aviation constitution" enacted by the Japanese government, JAL was granted [[flag carrier]] status to operate international routes. The airline was also designated to operate domestic trunk routes in competition with ANA and [[Toa Domestic Airlines]].<ref name=histfu/>
[[File:Boeing 747-146, Japan Air Lines - JAL AN0586298.jpg|thumb|JAL was the largest operator of the Boeing 747, with [[List of Boeing 747 operators#Orders and deliveries|108 orders spanning most variants]].]]
The signing of a civil air transport agreement between China and Japan on 20 April 1974 caused the suspension of air routes between [[Taiwan]] and Japan on 21 April. A new subsidiary, [[Japan Asia Airways]], was established on 8 August 1975, and air services between the two countries were restored on 15 September. During the 1970s, the airline bought the [[Boeing 747]] and [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] for its growing routes within Japan and to other countries.<ref name=hist60s/><ref name=hist70s>{{cite web|title=History of JAL 1971–1980|url=http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_71-80.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=20 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320024728/http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_71-80.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Noboru Takeshita full.jpg|thumb|Former Japanese Prime Minister [[Noboru Takeshita]] deplanes from a JAL [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] while on a state visit to the United States in 1989.|alt=Japan Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita and 11 others deplane on steps in red color, from a Japan Air Lines DC-10 marked with an Official Airline for Expo '90 Osaka, Japan logo and text]]
In the 1980s the airline performed special flights for the [[Akihito|Crown Prince Akihito]] and [[Empress Michiko|Crown Princess Michiko]] of Japan, [[Pope John Paul II]], and Japanese prime ministers. Until the introduction of dedicated government aircraft two [[Boeing 747-400]]s operated as ''[[Japanese Air Force One]]'' and ''[[Japanese Air Force One|Japanese Air Force Two]]''. During that decade, the airline introduced new [[747-100|Boeing&nbsp;747-100SR]], [[Boeing 747#Improved 747 versions|Boeing&nbsp;747-SUD]], and [[Boeing 767]] jets to the fleet and retired the Boeing&nbsp;727s and Douglas&nbsp;DC-8s.<ref name=hist80s>{{cite web|title=History of JAL 1981–1990|url=http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_81-90.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191103/http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_81-90.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1978, JAL started flights to [[São Paulo]] and [[Rio de Janeiro]] via [[Anchorage]] and [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]]<!--[[San Juan Airport]]-->;<ref>Initial route was NRT-ANC-JFK-SJU-VCP-GIG; in 1981 it became NRT-ANC-MIA-VCP and in 1982 NRT-LAX-MIA-VCP. JL dropped Brazil for a few years around 1990.</ref> The stopover was changed to Los Angeles in 1982 and to New York's [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bem Vindo: JAL to inaugurate New York-Sao Paulo flights |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation/air-transportation-airports/6707758-1.html |work=Business Wire |date=20 September 1999 |access-date=25 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222071929/http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation/air-transportation-airports/6707758-1.html |archive-date=22 February 2012 }}</ref> Until 2009, the airline operated fifth-freedom flights between New York and São Paulo and between Vancouver and Mexico City.<ref>{{cite web|title=Japan Airlines America Region|url=http://www.ar.jal.com/en/|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=7 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010190954/http://www.ar.jal.com/en/|archive-date=10 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Deregulated era===
Japan began considering [[airline deregulation]] in the late 1970s, with the government announcing the abandoning of the 45/47 system in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|title=Major Deregulation Items Which the Ministry of Lands, Infrastructure and Transport Has Recently Decided |url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/english/mot_news/kanwa_e/torikumi_e.html |publisher=[[MLIT]] |access-date=6 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430125001/http://www.mlit.go.jp/english/mot_news/kanwa_e/torikumi_e.html |archive-date=30 April 2010 }}</ref> In 1987, Japan Airlines was completely privatised, and the other two airlines in Japan, [[All Nippon Airways]] and [[Japan Air System]], were permitted to compete with JAL on domestic and international routes. The increased competition resulted in changes to the airline's corporate structure, and it was reorganized into three divisions: international passenger service, domestic passenger service, and cargo (including mail) service.<ref name=histfu/><ref name=hist80s/> In 1988, JAL purchased a 7.5% shareholding in [[Air New Zealand]].<ref>Qantas group wins ANZ carriers ''[[Flight International]]'' 7 January 1989 page 18</ref> This was sold in 1994.<ref>JAL sells ANZ stake but maintains links ''Flight International'' 4 January 1995 page 12</ref>

===Heisei era===
[[File:MyPhotoAirliners-02.jpg|thumb|JAL [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] in 1989 to 2002 livery|alt=A McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft taxiing on the tarmac, with a yellowish grass strip in the foreground and buildings and fence in the background]]
Japan Airlines began the 1990s with flights to evacuate Japanese citizens from [[Iraq]] before the start of the [[Gulf War]]. In October 1990, [[Japan Air Charter]] was established,<ref name=hist80s/> and in September 1996, an agreement with [[the Walt Disney Company]] made Japan Airlines the official airline of [[Tokyo Disneyland]]. [[JAL Express]] was established in April 1997, with Boeing 737 aircraft.<ref name=hist90s>{{cite web|title=History of JAL 1991–2000|url=http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_91-00.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=18 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518112845/http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_91-00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 1990s, the airline experienced economic difficulties that stemmed from recessions in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as a domestic downturn. Despite years of profits since 1986, the airline began to report operating losses in 1992. Cost-cutting, including the formation of the low-cost JAL Express domestic subsidiary and the transfer of tourist operations to [[JALways]] (the successor to Japan Air Charter), helped return the airline to profitability in 1999.<ref name=histfu/>

In 1997, the airline flew Japanese Prime Minister [[Ryutaro Hashimoto]] to [[Peru]] to help negotiate in the [[Japanese embassy hostage crisis]]. Japan Airlines placed orders for [[Boeing 777]]s during the 1990s, allowing for fleet renewal. It was one of eight airlines participating in the Boeing&nbsp;777 design process, shaping the design to their specifications.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Birtles|first=Philip|title=Boeing&nbsp;777, Jetliner for a New Century|publisher=Motorbooks International|year=1998|pages=13–16|isbn=0-7603-0581-1}}</ref>

[[File:JapanAirSystemA300withJALLogo.JPG|thumb|[[Japan Air System]] (JAS) [[Airbus A300|Airbus A300-600R]] with JAL logo on the [[fuselage]]|alt=An Airbus A300-600R in the air during take-off]]

In 2001, [[Japan Air System]] and Japan Airlines agreed to merge; and on 2 October 2002, they established a new holding company called {{Nihongo|Japan Airlines System|日本航空システム|Nihon Kōkū Shisutemu}}, forming a new core of the JAL Group. Aircraft liveries were changed to match the design of the new JAL Group. At that time, the merged group of airlines was the sixth largest in the world by passengers carried.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Belson|first=Ken|title=Japan Airlines and Japan Air System Take Merger Move|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/13/business/japan-airlines-and-japan-air-system-take-merger-move.html|work=The New York Times|date=13 November 2001|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=4 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404001021/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/13/business/japan-airlines-and-japan-air-system-take-merger-move.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 April 2004, JAL changed its name to Japan Airlines International and JAS changed its name to Japan Airlines Domestic. JAS flight codes were changed to JAL flight codes, JAS check-in desks were refitted in JAL livery, and JAS aircraft were gradually repainted. On 26 June 2004, the parent company Japan Airlines System was renamed to Japan Airlines Corporation.<ref name=hist04>{{cite web|title=History of JAL 2004–|url=http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/jal/age_04-10.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=9 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109183421/http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/jal/age_04-10.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Japan Airlines and Japan Air System Integration Progress Sales and Service Plans from April 1st 2004|url=http://www.jal.com/en/press/2004/010701/010701.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=7 January 2004|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=4 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204034345/http://www.jal.com/en/press/2004/010701/010701.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the merger, two companies operated under the JAL brand: {{Nihongo|Japan Airlines International|日本航空インターナショナル|Nihon Kōkū Intānashonaru}} and {{Nihongo|Japan Airlines Domestic|日本航空ジャパン|Nihon Kōkū Japan}}. [[Japan Airlines Domestic]] had primary responsibility for JAL's large network of intra-Japan flights, while JAL International operated both international and trunk domestic flights. On 1 October 2006, Japan Airlines International and Japan Airlines Domestic merged into a single brand, Japan Airlines International.<ref name=hist04/><ref>{{Cite news|title=JAL to merge domestic and international operations next year|url=http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=2611|publisher=[[Air Transport World]]|date=6 October 2005|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=16 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416175410/http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=2611|url-status=live}}</ref>

The airline applied to join Oneworld on 25 October 2005. Japan Airlines claimed that its Oneworld membership would be in the best interests of the airline's plans to further develop the airline group and its strong commitment to providing the very best to its customers.<ref>{{cite press release|title=JAL Decision to Seek OneWorld Membership|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200510/000611.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=25 October 2005|access-date=7 August 2009|archive-date=22 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722130155/http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200510/000611.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan Airlines, together with [[Malév]] and [[Royal Jordanian]], joined the alliance on 1 April 2007.<ref>{{cite press release|title=oneworld becomes ten of the world's biggest and best airlines as Japan Airlines, Malév and Royal Jordanian board |url=http://www.oneworld.com/ow/news/details?objectID=9869 |publisher=[[Oneworld]] |date=1 April 2007 |access-date=7 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829102158/http://www.oneworld.com/ow/news/details?objectID=9869 |archive-date=29 August 2007 }}</ref>

On 1 April 2008, JAL merged the operations of its subsidiary [[Japan Asia Airways]] (JAA) into JAL mainline operations. JAA had operated all JAL group flights between Japan and Taiwan between 1975 and 2008 as a separate entity due to the special [[political status of Taiwan]].<ref>{{cite press release|title=Planned Integration of Japan Asia Airways with JAL International|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200711/000771.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=1 November 2007|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=1 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601211503/http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200711/000771.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- {{Split section|Japan Airlines 2009 proposed negotiations|Talk:Japan_Airlines#2009_proposed_shareholding_negotiations|date=September 2009}} -->
In 2009, Japan Airlines suffered steep financial losses, despite remaining Asia's largest airline by revenue.<ref name=mayumi/> As a result, the airline embarked on staff cuts and route cutbacks in an effort to reduce costs.<ref name=mayumi/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Japan Airlines mulls cutting 5000 jobs in three years|work=The Age|url=http://www.theage.com.au/business/japan-airlines-mulls-cutting-5000-jobs-20090825-ewti.html|date=25 August 2009|access-date=3 January 2011|location=Melbourne, Australia|archive-date=6 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106062243/http://www.theage.com.au/business/japan-airlines-mulls-cutting-5000-jobs-20090825-ewti.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The carrier also received ¥100 billion through capital injection and credit from the Japanese government as part of the proposed bankruptcy.<ref name="wsj-bankruptcy"/> In September 2009, Japan's [[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan)|Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]] formed a task force aimed at aiding a corporate turnaround at JAL, which examined various cost-cutting and strategic partnership proposals.<ref name=task/> Haruka Nishimatsu, the President and CEO of JAL, already known for eschewing many executive perks, cut his salary to the same amount that JAL pilots were earning during the financial crisis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hidayatrizvi.com/haruka-nishimatsu-leadership-style/|title=Haruka Nishimatsu Leadership Style: A Deep Dive - Hidayat Rizvi|date=31 October 2023}}</ref>

One proposal considered was to merge JAL with ANA, which would create a single larger international airline and replace Japan Airlines International; however, media reports suggested that ANA would oppose this proposal given its comparatively better financial performance as an independent carrier.<ref name=task>{{Cite news|title=Japan Airline fate in hands of task force|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/jal-idUST6335120091001|publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]]|date=1 October 2009|access-date=10 June 2011|archive-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105014601/http://www.reuters.com/article/jal-idUST6335120091001|url-status=live}}</ref> The task force also examined possible partnerships with foreign carriers.<ref name=task/>

After weeks of speculation, JAL applied for protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law (the Japanese equivalent of [[Administration (law)|Administration]] in the United Kingdom or a [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] filing in the United States) on 19 January 2010. JAL would receive a ¥300 billion cash injection and have debts worth ¥730&nbsp;billion waived, in exchange for which it will cut its capital to zero, cut unprofitable routes and reduce its workforce by 15,700 employees—a third of its 47,000 total.<ref name="wsj-bankruptcy">{{Cite news|title=JAL Bankruptcy Shakes Up Japan Inc.|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703837004575012323580338724|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=20 January 2010|access-date=20 January 2010|first1=Mariko|last1=Sanchanta|first2=Yoshio|last2=Takahashi|archive-date=11 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211211808/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703837004575012323580338724|url-status=live}}</ref> JAL's main creditors ([[Mizuho Corporate Bank]], [[Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ]] and [[Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation]]) originally objected to the bankruptcy declaration, but changed their positions after the [[Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan]] recommended court protection, according to a senior bank official.<ref>{{Cite news|title=JBankruptcy, ¥700&nbsp;billion in public funds eyed for JAL|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20100108a1.html|work=The Japan Times|date=8 January 2010|access-date=10 January 2010|archive-date=11 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111053808/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20100108a1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=JAL headed for court protection: report|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/jal-headed-for-court-protection-report-1.874563|publisher=CBC News|date=18 January 2010|access-date=31 December 2010|archive-date=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213055735/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/jal-headed-for-court-protection-report-1.874563|url-status=live}}</ref> Shares of JAL were delisted from the [[Tokyo Stock Exchange]] on 20 February 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|title=JAL opens painful new chapter |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB30001424052748703837004575012323580338724 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=20 January 2010 |access-date=20 January 2010 |url-status=dead |first1=Mariko |last1=Sanchanta |first2=Yoshio |last2=Takahashi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123021520/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB30001424052748703837004575012323580338724.html |archive-date=23 January 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=TSE List of Delisted Companies|url=http://www.tse.or.jp/english/listing/delisting/list.html|publisher=Tokyo Stock Exchange|date=20 January 2010|access-date=20 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316185651/http://www.tse.or.jp/english/listing/delisting/list.html|archive-date=16 March 2010}}</ref> At a time, its stock was considered one of "bluest of blue chips" of Japan.<ref name="wsj-bankruptcy"/> At the time, the bankruptcy was the largest Japanese bankruptcy involving a non-financial company and the fourth largest in Japan's history.<ref name="wsj-bankruptcy"/>

[[Kazuo Inamori]], founder of [[Kyocera]] and [[KDDI]], took over as CEO of JAL. Transport minister [[Seiji Maehara]] personally visited Kyocera headquarters in late 2009 to persuade Inamori to accept the position; task force leader Shinjiro Takagi believed that appointing a proven entrepreneur CEO was necessary to fix the various problems at JAL.<ref>{{cite news|language=ja|script-title=ja:日航・稲盛氏、「大嫌い」からの出発|url=http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD130AC_U3A210C1SHA000/|newspaper=The Nikkei|date=19 February 2013|access-date=20 February 2013|archive-date=20 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220165046/http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD130AC_U3A210C1SHA000/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Japan Air Commuter]] president [[Masaru Onishi]] was promoted to president of JAL.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Japan Airlines Promotes Masaru Onishi to President |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=a5n.TL4lB3yg |publisher=Bloomberg |date=27 January 2010 |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009122448/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101 |archive-date=9 October 2007  }}</ref>

In May, JAL began to see an increase in its passenger numbers by 1.1% year-on-year.<ref>{{cite web
|author=anna.aero
|title=ANA and JAL both report massive load factor improvement on international services in 2010
|date=4 August 2010
|url=http://www.anna.aero/2010/08/04/ana-and-jal-both-report-massive-load-factor-improvement-on-international-services-in-2010/
|publisher=anna.aero Airline News
|access-date=4 August 2010
|archive-date=15 August 2010
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815215917/http://www.anna.aero/2010/08/04/ana-and-jal-both-report-massive-load-factor-improvement-on-international-services-in-2010/
|url-status=live
}}</ref> In August, it was reported that JAL would cut 19,133 jobs from its workforce of 47,000 by the end of March 2015 – whilst also increasing capacity – in an attempt to make the business viable.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://atwonline.com/atw-china/news/report-jal-slash-more-19000-jobs-march-2015-0809
|access-date=17 August 2010
|title=Report: JAL to slash more than 19,000 jobs by March 2015
|publisher=ATW Online
|date=17 August 2010
|archive-date=14 August 2010
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814140858/http://atwonline.com/atw-china/news/report-jal-slash-more-19000-jobs-march-2015-0809
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

[[File:JA8941-oneworld-01.jpg|thumb|JAL [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-300]] (JA8941) with special Oneworld livery <!-- in 2007 -->|alt=A Boeing 777-300 aircraft with special Oneworld livery taxiing from the tarmac on to the taxiway, with a mountain view on the background]]

Although JAL ultimately exited bankruptcy while remaining in the Oneworld alliance, JAL was seriously considering accepting a strategic investment from [[Delta Air Lines]] and joining the [[SkyTeam]] alliance during the period between September 2009 and February 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|title=JAL mulling capital, business tie-up with Delta Air Lines: sources|url=http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=459557|publisher=Kyodo News|date=11 September 2009|access-date=11 September 2009}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> JAL also had talks with Skyteam members [[Air France-KLM]] and [[Korean Air]] regarding their potential involvement.<ref name=mayumi>{{cite news|last=Negishi|first=Mayumi|title=Reuters: JAL to cut more staff, overseas flights: reports|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/americasDealsNews/idUSTRE58E04L20090915|work=Reuters|date=14 September 2009|access-date=24 September 2009|archive-date=24 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924041114/http://www.reuters.com/article/americasDealsNews/idUSTRE58E04L20090915|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=JAL in talks to strengthen ties with American Airlines|url=http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=459742|agency=Kyodo News|date=13 September 2009|access-date=13 September 2009}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The Delta deal was favored by the [[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]] because Delta had an extensive global network and had the largest Japanese operation of any foreign airline, which it had inherited through its [[History of Delta Air Lines#Merger with Northwest Airlines|merger with Northwest Airlines]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=RTTNews – Japan Airlines in Talks With American Air As Delta Negotiations Continue – Reports|url=http://www.rttnews.com/Content/QuickFacts.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1064828%20&Category=Quick%20Facts|publisher=RTT News|date=13 September 2009|access-date=24 September 2009|archive-date=1 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001210537/http://www.rttnews.com/Content/QuickFacts.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1064828%20&Category=Quick%20Facts|url-status=live}}</ref> MLITT also supported a transaction with Air France-KLM because it was a "healthier company" than American.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chakravorty|first=Jui|title=Air France-KLM in talks to invest in JAL-source|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/airfrance-jal/air-france-klm-in-talks-to-invest-in-jal-source-idUSN1452502520090915|work=[[Reuters]]|date=15 September 2009|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324223912/https://www.reuters.com/article/airfrance-jal/air-france-klm-in-talks-to-invest-in-jal-source-idUSN1452502520090915|url-status=live}}</ref>

American planned to team up with Oneworld alliance members [[British Airways]] and [[Qantas]] to make a joint offer to recapitalise JAL.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Woelfel|first=Joseph|title=Oneworld partners may team up on JAL offer|url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/10600255/1/oneworld-partners-may-team-up-on-jal-offer.html|publisher=TheStreet.com|date=18 September 2009|access-date=24 September 2009|archive-date=6 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606005436/http://www.thestreet.com/story/10600255/1/oneworld-partners-may-team-up-on-jal-offer.html|url-status=live}}</ref> British Airways said that it was attempting to persuade JAL to remain part of Oneworld rather than aligning itself with Delta and SkyTeam,<ref>{{cite news|title=BA in talks with JAL to stay in Oneworld|url=http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1253311392.html|agency=Reuters|date=18 September 2009|access-date=24 September 2009|archive-date=3 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203102617/http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1253311392.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while American CEO Gerard Arpey said that American and Oneworld remained committed to a partnership with Japan Airlines, as long as it remained a major international carrier,<ref>{{Cite news|title=American Air CEO Sees 'Tepid" Growth, On 3Q Loss|url=http://english.capital.gr/News.asp?id=837380|publisher=DowJonesNewswires|date=21 October 2009|access-date=21 October 2009|archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721080347/http://english.capital.gr/News.asp?id=837380|url-status=live}}</ref> and reiterated his encouragement for JAL to stay with Oneworld during ceremonies to welcome [[Mexicana de Aviación (1921–2010)|Mexicana]] into the alliance.<ref>{{cite news|title=American Airlines chief urges JAL not to fly the Oneworld coop|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/111009dnbusaajapan.3d787ef.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730163948/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/111009dnbusaajapan.3d787ef.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 July 2012|newspaper=Dallas News|date=9 November 2009|access-date=9 November 2009}}</ref>

In an interview with the ''[[Asahi Shimbun]]'' on 1 January 2010, JAL president Haruka Nishimatsu stated his preference in forming a partnership with Delta over American,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sumikawa |first=Takuya |title=JAL boss opposes bankruptcy fix |url=http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY201001040044.html |work=Asahi Shimbun |location=Japan |date=4 January 2010 |access-date=4 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104081314/http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY201001040044.html |archive-date=4 January 2010 }}</ref> and the ''[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]'' reported shortly thereafter that JAL and the Japanese government-backed Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation would likely choose to form a business and capital tie-up with Delta, as part of which JAL would enter SkyTeam and reduce its international flight operations in favor of code-share agreements with Delta, and that American Airlines had begun procedures to end negotiations with JAL.<ref>{{Cite news|title=JAL, Delta seen forming business ties|url=http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?sec=2&id=9385|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029214342/http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?sec=2&id=9385|url-status=usurped|archive-date=29 October 2010|publisher=Asian News Network|date=5 January 2010|access-date=5 January 2010}}</ref> Both JAL and American denied the report.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Japan Airlines in Talks With American Air As Delta Negotiations Continue – Reports|url=http://www.rttnews.com/Content/QuickFacts.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1064828%20&Category=Quick%20Facts|work=Wall Street Journal|date=13 September 2009|access-date=3 January 2011|archive-date=1 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001210537/http://www.rttnews.com/Content/QuickFacts.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1064828%20&Category=Quick%20Facts|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Reed|first=Ted|title=AMR: We're Not Losing Japan Air Lines Deal|url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/10655216/1/amr-were-not-losing-japan-air-lines-deal.html|publisher=TheStreet.com|date=4 January 2010|access-date=4 January 2010|archive-date=11 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111054733/http://www.thestreet.com/story/10655216/1/amr-were-not-losing-japan-air-lines-deal.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' then reported that American Airlines raised its JAL investment offer by $300&nbsp;million, to $1.4&nbsp;billion, and in separate comments to the press, Delta president Ed Bastian said that Delta was "willing and able to raise additional capital through third-party resources."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sanchata|first=Mariko|title=AMR Boosts JAL Offer|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704130904574643530753159214?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_business|work=Wall Street Journal|date=7 January 2010|access-date=7 January 2010|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614043216/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704130904574643530753159214?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_business|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Japan Airlines B747-446 (JA8914) in JAL's 2002 livery.jpg|thumb|The final 747 was retired in early 2011 as part of the airline's restructuring program, marking the end of 41 years of 747 service.|alt=A Boeing 747-400 aircraft in mid-air, with blue sky in the background]]
After JAL filed for bankruptcy, there were further media reports that JAL would leave Oneworld in favour of SkyTeam,<ref>{{Cite news|title=JAL dumps AA, defects to Delta, SkyTeam|url=http://www.eturbonews.com/14117/jal-dumps-aa-defects-delta-skyteam|publisher=eTurbo News|date=28 January 2010|access-date=28 January 2010|archive-date=17 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317231506/http://www.eturbonews.com/14117/jal-dumps-aa-defects-delta-skyteam|url-status=live}}</ref> but JAL president Masaru Onishi said on 1 February that the new JAL leadership was "seriously reviewing the issue from scratch, without being influenced by previous discussions," and its decision on an alliance partner would be made soon.<ref>{{Cite news|title=JAL to Decide on Partner Soon|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704107204575038912961494290|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=1 February 2010|access-date=1 February 2010|first1=Mariko|last1=Sanchanta|first2=Yoshio|last2=Takahashi|archive-date=15 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215172424/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704107204575038912961494290|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 7 February, several news outlets reported that JAL would decide to keep its alliance with American Airlines and end talks with Delta. Inamori and ETIC officials, according to the reports, decided that switching alliances from Oneworld to Skyteam would be too risky and could hinder JAL's ability to turn around quickly.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bavdek|first=Maureen|title=JAL to stay with American, end Delta talks|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6161PA20100207|work=Reuters|date=7 February 2010|access-date=7 February 2010|archive-date=10 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210072914/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6161PA20100207|url-status=live}}</ref> Two days later, JAL officially announced that it would strengthen its partnership with American, including a joint application for antitrust immunity on transpacific routes. The airline would also fortify its relationship with other partners in the Oneworld alliance.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Japan Airlines and American Airlines Strengthen Partnership and Apply for Approval of Antitrust Immunity|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201002/001458.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=9 February 2010|access-date=9 February 2010|archive-date=16 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216142455/http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201002/001458.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

JAL emerged from bankruptcy protection in March 2011. In July, ETIC selected [[Nomura Holdings]], [[Daiwa Securities]], [[MUFG Bank]], [[Morgan Stanley]], [[Mizuho Securities]], [[Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation|SMBC]], and [[Nikko Securities]] to underwrite the sale of its equity stake in JAL, without specifying amounts or dates.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL3E7IF19820110715 | work=Reuters | title=Japan turnaround body picks underwriters for JAL stake sale | date=15 July 2011 | access-date=6 July 2021 | archive-date=1 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101045515/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL3E7IF19820110715 | url-status=live }}</ref> On 6 January 2012, JAL announced its intent to relist its shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in an [[initial public offering]] (IPO) of up to ¥1 trillion, which would be the largest offering in Japan in more than a year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16436872|title=Japan Airlines plans to relist shares in Tokyo|publisher=BBC|date=6 January 2012|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=15 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015080827/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16436872|url-status=live}}</ref> The airline completed its IPO on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange ({{tyo|9201}}) on 19 September 2012. The [[Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan]] sold all its holdings (96.5%) in JAL for ¥650 billion, greater than its ¥350 billion investment in 2010.

Following its exit from bankruptcy protection, JAL began several new partnerships within the Oneworld alliance. The transpacific joint venture between JAL and American commenced in April 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/Japan-Airlines-and-American-prnews-3073755183.html?x=0&.v=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117172243/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/Japan-Airlines-and-American-prnews-3073755183.html?x=0&.v=1|title=Japan Airlines and American Airlines Announce Joint Business Benefits for Trans-Pacific Consumers – Yahoo! Finance|archive-date=17 January 2011}}</ref> JAL formed [[Jetstar Japan]], a [[low-cost carrier]] joint venture with [[Qantas]] subsidiary [[Jetstar Airways]], in July.<ref>[http://www.asahi.com/business/update/0701/TKY201107010166.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707110135/http://www.asahi.com/business/update/0701/TKY201107010166.html|date=7 July 2011}}</ref> In 2012, JAL and [[British Airways]] parent company [[International Airlines Group]] (IAG) submitted applications to the Japanese government and European Union respectively in seeking a joint venture business operation for flights between Japan and Europe.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ba-jal-idUSTRE8170JE20120208 | work=Reuters | title=British Airways, JAL plan joint business | date=8 February 2012 | access-date=6 July 2021 | archive-date=12 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012103610/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ba-jal-idUSTRE8170JE20120208 | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Finnair]] applied to join the JV with IAG in July 2013, in conjunction with JAL starting new nonstop service to [[Helsinki]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-01/finnair-to-join-british-airways-japan-airlines-joint-business.html | work=Bloomberg | title=Finnair to Tighten British Airways-Japan Airlines Tie-Up | date=1 July 2013 | access-date=8 March 2017 | archive-date=6 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006205610/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-01/finnair-to-join-british-airways-japan-airlines-joint-business.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Reiwa era===
Between 2020 and 2021, Japan Airlines incorporated numerous safety measures to prevent the spread of [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Japan Airlines undertakes JAL FlySafe hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the virus, to provide all Japan Airlines guests with a safe and secure travel experience. Measures taken by Japan Airlines to protect guests and keep them safe from infection include face masks and face guards worn by airport staff, disinfecting areas around seats, including tables, armrests, screens, and controllers, and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces, such as lavatory doorknobs and faucet handles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan Airlines safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 – Japan Airlines JAL|url=https://japanairlines-jal.com/japan-airlines-safety-measures-to-prevent-the-spread-of-covid-19/|access-date=2022-01-16|language=en-US|archive-date=16 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116082924/https://japanairlines-jal.com/japan-airlines-safety-measures-to-prevent-the-spread-of-covid-19/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 18, 2021, Japan airlines announced it had conducted the first flight with loading 2 different types of [[Sustainable Aviation Fuel]] produced domestically in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202106/006101.html|title=Project of SAF produced domestically in Japan has succeeded|date=June 18, 2021|access-date=August 8, 2021|archive-date=8 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808172232/https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202106/006101.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The flight was directed from Tokyo (Haneda) to Sapporo (Shin-Chitose) and used 3,132 litters (9.1% mixing ratio) of SAF sourced from wood chips and from microalgae.<ref name="greencarcongress.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.greencarcongress.com/2021/06/20210621-saf.html|title=Japan Airlines conducts first flight with blend of two different types of SAF|date=June 21, 2021|journal=Green Car Congress|access-date=8 August 2021|archive-date=8 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808172231/https://www.greencarcongress.com/2021/06/20210621-saf.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the first flight in the world to use biofuel derived from gasified wood chips<ref>{{cite news|first1=Christopher|last1=Surgenor|url=https://www.greenairnews.com/?p=1239|title=Japan Airlines and ANA operate SAF flights with fuels made from wood chips and microalgae|date=June 22, 2021|journal=Green Air News|access-date=8 August 2021|archive-date=8 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808172232/https://www.greenairnews.com/?p=1239|url-status=live}}</ref> and to mix two different types of biofuels.<ref name="greencarcongress.com" />

In May 2023, JAL announced its intention to reintroduce dedicated cargo service using [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300BCF]] aircraft converted from its passenger fleet. This service is planned to begin in early 2024.<ref name="Times 2023 b479">{{cite web | last=Times | first=STAT | title=JAL to introduce first freighter in 13 years under new biz model | website=Logistics | date=2023-05-04 | url=https://www.stattimes.com/air-cargo/jal-to-introduce-first-freighter-in-13-years-under-new-biz-model-1348592 | access-date=2024-02-04 | archive-date=4 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204012712/https://www.stattimes.com/air-cargo/jal-to-introduce-first-freighter-in-13-years-under-new-biz-model-1348592 | url-status=live }}</ref> The company retired its previous fleet of Boeing 747 freighters in 2011.<ref name="Insights 2023 u469">{{cite web | last=Insights | first=Cargo | title=Japan Airlines To Re-enter Freighter Market With Boeing 767-300ER Conversion | website=Cargo Insights | date=2023-12-06 | url=https://cargoinsights.co/japan-airlines-to-re-enter-freighter-market-with-boeing-767-300er-conversion/ | access-date=2024-02-04 | archive-date=4 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204013324/https://cargoinsights.co/japan-airlines-to-re-enter-freighter-market-with-boeing-767-300er-conversion/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Senior management ==
* ''Chairman'': Yuji Akasaka (since April 2024)
* ''President'' ''and CEO'': [[Mitsuko Tottori]] (since April 2024)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oi |first=Mariko |date=2024-04-25 |title=The ex-flight attendant who became the first female boss of Japan Airlines |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68823400 |access-date=2024-04-29 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429084022/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68823400 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In January 2024, the company announced that Mitsuko Tottori would succeed Yuji Akasaka as president. As of 1 April 2024, Tottori became the first female president in the history of the company. She began her career as a flight attendant at [[Japan Air System|Toa Domestic Airlines]] in 1985 after graduating from a two-year college. With over 30 years of experience as a flight attendant, Tottori was the senior managing director in charge of cabin safety and passenger service. Akasaka replaced Yoshiharu Ueki as chairman.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-18 |title=Japan Airlines appoints ex-flight attendant as first female president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68015617 |access-date=2024-01-19 |language=en-GB |archive-date=19 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119105338/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68015617 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== List of former chairmen ===

# [[Aiichirō Fujiyama]] (1951–1953)
# Kunizo Hara (1953–1960)
# [[Kōgorō Uemura]] (1960–1969)
# Teruo Godo (1969–1971)
# Shizuma Matsuo (1971–1972)
# Ataru Kobayashi (1973–1977)
# [[Kōgorō Uemura]] (1977–1978); second term
# Shozo Hotta (1979–1981)
# Shizuo Asada (1981–1983)
# Nihachiro Hanamura (1983–1986)
# Junji Itoh (1986–1988)
# Fumio Watanabe (1988–1991)
# Susumu Yamaji (1991–1998)
# Isao Kaneko (2003–2005)
# Toshiyuki Shinmachi (2006–2010)
# [[Kazuo Inamori]] (2010–2012)
# Masaru Onishi (2012–2018)
# Yoshiharu Ueki (2018–2024)

=== List of former presidents and CEOs ===

# Seijiro Yanagida (1951–1961)
# Shizuma Matsuo (1961–1971)
# Shizuo Asada (1971–1981)
# Yasumoto Takagi (1981–1985)
# Susumu Yamaji (1985–1990)
# Matsuo Toshimitsu (1990–1995)
# Akira Kondo (1995–1998)
# Isao Kaneko (1998–2005)
# Toshiyuki Shinmachi (2005–2006)
# Haruka Nishimatsu (2006–2010)
# Masaru Onishi (2010–2012)
# Yoshiharu Ueki (2012–2018)
# Yuji Akasaka (2018–2024)

==Corporate affairs and identity==

=== Business trends ===
The key trends of Japan Airlines are (as at the financial year ending March 31):<ref>{{Cite web |title=Financial Highlights |url=https://www.jal.com/en/investor/highlight/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=JAL |archive-date=25 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325221806/https://www.jal.com/en/investor/highlight/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=9201.JP {{!}} Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. Annual Income Statement - WSJ |url=https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/JP/9201/financials/annual/income-statement |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=www.wsj.com |archive-date=25 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325221804/https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/JP/9201/financials/annual/income-statement |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable float-left" style="text-align: center;"
! scope="col" |Year
! scope="col" |{{br list|Revenue|(¥&nbsp;bn)}}
! scope="col" |{{br list|Net income|(¥&nbsp;bn)}}
|-
|2018
|1,487
|150
|-
|2019
|1,385
|48.0
|-
|2020
|481
|–286
|-
|2021
|682
|–177
|-
|2022
|1,375
|34.4
|}

===Organization===
[[File:JAL Group Organization.svg|thumb|320px|Subsidiaries and affiliates of Japan Airlines<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jal.com/ja/outline/group/|language=ja|script-title=ja:JALグループ情報|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=19 May 2016|archive-date=18 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518193201/http://www.jal.com/ja/outline/group/|url-status=live}}</ref>]]

In addition to its operations under the JAL name, the airline owns five domestic airlines which feed or supplement [[Mainline (flight)|mainline]] JAL flights:<ref name=AR09-1>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2009|url=http://www.jal.com/en/ir/finance/annual/2009/pdf/09_all.pdf|publisher=Japan Airlines|page=51|year=2009|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201042231/http://www.jal.com/en/ir/finance/annual/2009/pdf/09_all.pdf|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* [[J-Air]] (JLJ) (member of oneworld) – regional jet services based in [[Itami Airport]]
* [[Japan Air Commuter]] (JAC) (member of oneworld) – turboprop services based in [[Kagoshima Prefecture|Kagoshima]] and several destinations out of Kagoshima
* [[Hokkaido Air System]] (HAC) (member of oneworld) – turboprop services based in [[Hokkaido]] and several destinations out of Hokkaido
* [[Japan Transocean Air]] (JTA) (member of oneworld) – jet services from/to [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]]
* [[Ryukyu Air Commuter]] (RAC) – turboprop services based in [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]]

Former subsidiaries:
* [[JALways]] was the airline's international subsidiary, which handled low-yield flights to resort destinations in Hawaii, Oceania, and Southeast Asia.<ref name=AR09-1/>
* [[JAL Express]] (JEX) was the airline's low-cost carrier for jet services between secondary cities, it merged into Japan Airlines in 2014.
*[[Japan Asia Airways]] (JAA) was the airline's subsidiary formed in 1975 to allow JAL to fly to the Republic of China (Taiwan) without compromising traffic rights held by the airline for destinations in the People's Republic of China (PRC). The mainland does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation but instead as a breakaway province and threatened to ban any foreign airline that has a Taiwan route from flying to the mainland. Japan Asia Airways was dissolved in 2008 when JAL was privatized, allowing the airline to fly to Taiwan in its own right.

JALUX Inc., established in 1962, is the airline's procurement business which handles various work for the company, including the JAL SELECTION merchandise and [[airline meal|in-flight meal]]s and refreshments, supplies for Blue Sky and JAL-DFS shops, aircraft fuel components, cabin services, and in-flight duty-free. JALUX merged with JAS Trading on 1 January 2004, to unify support operations for the JAL group.<ref>{{cite web|title=Corporate Profile|url=http://www.jalux.com/en/profile/infomation.html|publisher=JALUX Inc.|access-date=3 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321171559/http://www.jalux.com/en/profile/infomation.html|archive-date=21 March 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Our business|url=http://www.jalux.com/en/profile/business.html|publisher=JALUX Inc.|access-date=3 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828135050/http://www.jalux.com/en/profile/business.html|archive-date=28 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Re: Notice of Convening of 2nd Annual General Meeting of Shareholders|url=http://www.jal.com/en/ir/shareholder/pdf/shoshu040608.pdf|publisher=Japan Airlines|page=10|date=8 June 2004|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-date=4 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704074013/http://www.jal.com/en/ir/shareholder/pdf/shoshu040608.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

JAL Cargo is the brand of the airline group's freight service and is a member of the [[WOW Alliance|WOW cargo alliance]] with these products: J Speed, General Cargo, and Dangerous Goods.<ref>{{cite press release|title=The termination of Large & Heavy service using WOW network|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jalcargo/about/cargonews/enews42.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=28 March 2005|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-date=3 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403085248/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jalcargo/about/cargonews/enews42.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[fiscal year]] ended 31 March 2009, the cargo division carried 500,779 [[tonne]]s of freight domestically and 627,213 tonnes of freight internationally.<ref name=AR09-2>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2009|url=http://www.jal.com/en/ir/finance/annual/2009/pdf/09_all.pdf|publisher=Japan Airlines|page=2|year=2009|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201042231/http://www.jal.com/en/ir/finance/annual/2009/pdf/09_all.pdf|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 1 April 2011, the airline changed its trade name from {{nihongo|Japan Airlines International Co., Ltd|株式会社日本航空インターナショナル|''Kabushiki-gaisha Nihon Kōkū Intānashonaru''}} to {{nihongo|Japan Airlines Co., Ltd|日本航空株式会社|''Nihon Kōkū Kabushiki-gaisha''}}.<ref>"[http://www.jal.co.jp/en/other/info2011_0328_03.html Announcement of Change in Trade Name] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404032127/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/other/info2011_0328_03.html |date=4 April 2011 }}." Japan Airlines. 28 March 2011. Retrieved on 28 April 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jal.co.jp/other/info2011_0328_03.html |language=ja |script-title=ja:商号変更のお知らせ |publisher=Japan Airlines |date=28 March 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011 |archive-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504072154/http://www.jal.co.jp/other/info2011_0328_03.html |url-status=live }}</ref> in the first quarter of 2019, JAL launches its low-cost carrier, [[Zipair Tokyo]], which will focus on medium to long-haul destinations. It is estimated to commence operation in summer 2020.

===Headquarters===
[[File:Nomura Fudosan Tennozu Bldg.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|Japan Airlines headquarters in [[Shinagawa, Tokyo]]|alt=A modern multistorey building in blue and grey color, with Japan Airlines' "JAL" logo on the top right, blue sky on the background, and a highway bridge in the foreground]]

The headquarters, the {{nihongo|Nomura Fudosan Tennozu Building|野村不動産天王洲ビル|''Nomura Fudōsan Tennōzu Biru''}}, is located on [[Tennōzu Isle]] in [[Higashi Shinagawa]], [[Shinagawa]], Tokyo.<ref>"[http://www.jal.com/en/corporate/gaiyo/index.html Company Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211145146/http://www.jal.com/en/corporate/gaiyo/index.html |date=11 December 2011 }}." Japan Airlines. Retrieved on 6 December 2011. "Head Office 4–11, Higashi-Shinagawa 2-chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8605, Japan" – [http://www.jal.com/ja/corporate/gaiyo/index.html Japanese address] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081115173158/http://www.jal.com/ja/corporate/gaiyo/index.html |date=15 November 2008 }}: "{{Nihongo2|東京都品川区東品川二丁目4番11号 野村不動産天王洲ビル}}"</ref><ref>"[http://www.nomura-re.co.jp/office/tennozu/ Top] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229004156/http://www.nomura-re.co.jp/office/tennozu/ |date=29 December 2011 }}." Nomura Fudosan Tennozu Building. Retrieved on 6 December 2011.</ref> The 26-floor building was a project of the [[Kajima Corporation]].<ref>"[http://www.kajima.co.jp/success/recent_project/index.html Recent Projects] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826160743/http://www.kajima.co.jp/success/recent_project/index.html |date=26 August 2009 }}." [[Kajima Corporation]]. Retrieved on 6 December 2011.</ref> The building, which also has two underground levels, has a land area of {{convert|11670.4|sqm|sqft}} and a floor area of {{convert|82602.11|sqm|sqft}}.<ref name="HQSold">"[http://www.jal.com/en/press/2004/120101/img/JAL%20BLDG%28E%29.pdf JAL SELL TOKYO H.Q. BUILDING TO NOMURA REAL ESTATE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616045000/http://www.jal.com/en/press/2004/120101/img/JAL%20BLDG(E).pdf |date=16 June 2012 }}." Japan Airlines. 2004. Retrieved on 6 December 2011.</ref>

Several divisions of JAL, including JALPAK,<ref>"[http://jalpak.jp/outline_e/ Corporate Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025050842/http://jalpak.jp/outline_e/ |date=25 October 2011 }}." JALPAK. Retrieved on 6 December 2011. "Head Office Nomurafudousan Tennouzu Bldg., 2-4-11 Higashishinagawa Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan 140-8658"</ref> JAL Aero-Consulting,<ref>"[http://jalcon.com/e/contactus.html Contact Us] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130126195005/http://jalcon.com/e/contactus.html |date=26 January 2013 }}." JAL Aero-Consulting. Retrieved on 6 December 2011. "Nomura Fudosan Tennozu Building 18F 2-4-11 Higashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo" – [http://jalcon.com/e/img/aboutus/e-map.gif Map] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426031342/http://jalcon.com/e/img/aboutus/e-map.gif |date=26 April 2012 }}</ref> and JAL Hotels are located in the building.<ref>"[http://www.alivila.co.jp/en/profile/ Hotel profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102061557/http://www.alivila.co.jp/en/profile/ |date= 2 January 2012 }}." Hotel Nikko Alivila. Retrieved on 6 December 2011. "JAL Hotels Co., Ltd." and "2-4-11 Higashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, Japan 140-0002 (JAL Bldg. 13F)"</ref> The building also houses the Japan office of American Airlines.<ref>"[http://www.americanairlines.jp/intl/jp/customerService_en/customerService.jsp Customer Service] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101103530/http://www.americanairlines.jp/intl/jp/customerService_en/customerService.jsp |date=1 January 2012 }}." American Airlines Japan. Retrieved on 6 December 2011. "American Airlines Japan Office Address: 2–4–11, Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku Tokyo 140-0002"</ref> It is also known as the {{nihongo|JAL Building|ＪＡＬビルディング|JAL Birudingu}}, the Japan Airlines Headquarters, and the Shinagawa Kyodo Building.

When JAL was originally established in 1951, its headquarters were in [[Ginza]], [[Chuo, Tokyo|Chuo]], Tokyo.<ref>"[http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_51-60.html 1951–1960] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110421040759/http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_51-60.html |date=21 April 2011 }}." Japan Airlines. Retrieved on 6 December 2011.</ref> By 1965, Japan Airlines was headquartered in the Tokyo Building in [[Marunouchi]], [[Chiyoda, Tokyo|Chiyoda]], Tokyo.<ref name="MarunouchiHQ"/><ref>"[http://www.toushin.or.jp/english/about/member1/ Full-Member of The Investment Trusts Association, Japan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224023911/http://www.toushin.or.jp/english/about/member1/ |date=24 December 2011 }}." The Investment Trusts Association, Japan. Retrieved on 6 December 2011. "(Tokyo Building) 7–3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo "</ref> The ''[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]'' stated that because Japan Airlines worked closely with the Japanese government, people mockingly referred to the Tokyo Building as "a branch office of the transport ministry."<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20100131042856/http://www.asiaone.com/Business/News/Story/A1Story20100124-194074.html Descent into Japan Airlines Bankruptcy]." ''[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]''. Sunday 4 January 2010. Retrieved on 6 December 2011.</ref>

On 28 June 1996, construction was completed on the JAL Building. On 27 July 1996, JAL moved its headquarters into the JAL Building. The Flight Operation Center at the JAL Building began on 20 September 1996.<ref>"[http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_91-00.html JAL 1991–2000] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518112845/http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/age_91-00.html |date=18 May 2010 }}." Japan Airlines. Retrieved on 6 December 2011.</ref> A holding company for JAL and Japan Airlines System, a carrier merging into JAL, was established on 2 October 2002; the head office of that company, {{nihongo|Japan Airlines System (JALS)|日本航空システム|Nihon Kōkū Shisutemu}}, was in 2-15-1 [[Kōnan (Tokyo)|Kōnan]] in [[Shinagawa Intercity]], [[Minato, Tokyo|Minato]], Tokyo. On 11 August 2003, the headquarters of JAS moved from Haneda Maintenance Center 1 to the JAL Building. On 25 November 2003, the JALS headquarters moved to the JAL Building.<ref name="History200s">"[http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/jas/age_01-10.html History of JAL 2001–2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513223438/http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/jas/age_01-10.html |date=13 May 2012 }}." Japan Airlines. Retrieved on 6 December 2011.</ref><ref name="History200sJ">"[http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/jas/age_01-10.html History of JAL 2001–2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513223438/http://www.jal.com/en/history/history/jas/age_01-10.html |date=13 May 2012 }}." (Japanese) Japan Airlines. Retrieved on 14 December 2011. "{{Nihongo2|日本航空システム(本社：東京都港区港南2-15-1}}"</ref> Originally the JAL Building was co-owned by Japan Airlines and [[Mitsubishi Trading Co.]]; they co-owned a subsidiary that owned the JAL Building. In 2004, the building was to be sold to [[Nomura Real Estate]] for 65 billion yen. The contract date was 1 December 2004, and the handover date was 18 March 2005.<ref name="HQSold"/>

The JAL Subsidiary JALUX Inc. at one time had its headquarters in the JAL Building.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20060321171559/http://www.jalux.com/en/profile/infomation.html Corporate Profile]." JALUX. 21 March 2006. Retrieved on 6 December 2011. "Head Office JAL Building, 2-4-11 Higashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo"</ref> One group of employees moved out of the building on 26 July 2010, and one moved out on 2 August 2010.<ref>"[http://www.jalux.com/documents/en/news/move_en.pdf Notice of Office Relocation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513231912/http://www.jalux.com/documents/en/news/move_en.pdf |date=13 May 2012 }}." Jalux. Retrieved on 6 December 2011.</ref>

===Livery===

====Logo and basic liveries====
[[File:Japan Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Monty.jpg|thumb|A former Japan Airlines [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]] in the 1990s ''tsurumaru'' livery]]
[[File:Japan Airlines MD-90-30(JA001D) (4649896528).jpg|thumb|A former Japan Airlines [[McDonnell-Douglas MD-90]] in the former ''Arc of the Sun'' livery]]
[[File:Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Japan Airlines - JAL AN2169999.jpg|thumb|Japan Airlines [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-8]] in the current ''tsurumaru'' livery]]

The JAL livery is called the {{Nihongo|''tsurumaru''|鶴丸}} or "crane circle." It is an image of a Japanese [[Red-crowned Crane|red-crown crane]] with its wings extended in full flight. The Tsurumaru JAL logo was created in 1958 by Jerry Huff, the creative director at Botsford, Constantine and Gardner of San Francisco, which had been the advertising agency for Japan Airlines from its earliest days. JAL had used several logos up until 1958. When the airline arranged to buy new Douglas DC-8s, it decided to create a new official logo for the inauguration of its jet service worldwide.

In the creation of the logo, Huff was inspired by the personal crests of Samurai families. In a book he'd been given, ''We Japanese'', he found pages of crests, including the crane. On his choice of the crane, he writes: "I had faith that it was the perfect symbol for Japan Airlines. I found that the Crane myth was all positive—it mates for life (loyalty), and flies high for miles without tiring (strength)".<ref name="tsurumaru creation">{{cite book|last=Huff|first=Jerry|title=Notes on Creation of Tsurumaru Logo|year=2011|publisher=self|location=unpublished|page=3}}</ref>

The ''tsurumaru'' livery was in use until 2002 when it was replaced by a livery called the "Arc of the Sun." The livery featured the motif of a rising sun on a creamy parchment-colored background.<ref name=arc>{{cite press release|title=The New JAL Group Launches a New Look for the 21st Century THE ARC OF THE SUN|url=http://www.jal.com/en/press/2002/091801/091801.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=18 September 2002|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721235028/http://www.jal.com/en/press/2002/091801/091801.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

JAL is a strong supporter of [[UNICEF]] and expresses its support by having a "We Support UNICEF" logo on each aircraft.<ref name=AR99>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 1999|url=http://www.jal.com/en/ir/finance/annual/1999/pdf/9201e.pdf|page=20|publisher=Japan Airlines|year=1999|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171542/http://www.jal.com/en/ir/finance/annual/1999/pdf/9201e.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Following its corporate restructuring, Japan Airlines returned to the classic ''tsurumaru'' logo starting on 1 April 2011.<ref>"[http://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/201101/001727.html JALグループの新しいロゴマークの採用について] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120041100/http://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/201101/001727.html |date=20 January 2011 }}." Japan Airlines. 19 January 2011. Access date 2011-01-19.</ref> A [[Boeing 767-300]] (JA8299) was the last remaining aircraft that had the "Arc of the Sun" livery until it was retired in January 2016.

====Special liveries====
[[File:JA252J at Itami.jpg|thumb|J-Air [[Embraer E-Jet family|Embraer E190/195]] with [[Expo 2025]] livery{{cn|date=November 2025}}]]
JAL is known for adopting special liveries. A [[Boeing 747]] (JA8908) carried a [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] soccer livery in 2002.<ref name=Sugie>{{cite book | page = 43 | title = 747 Jumbo Story | language = ja | year = 2016 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fwIpDgAAQBAJ | author = Hiroshi Sugie | publisher = JTB publishing | isbn = 9784533114038 | access-date = 19 March 2023 | archive-date = 4 April 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230404204022/https://books.google.com/books?id=fwIpDgAAQBAJ | url-status = live }}</ref> Another Boeing&nbsp;747 (JA8907) was the ''Matsui Jet'', featuring the famous Japanese baseball player [[Hideki Matsui]] in 2003.<ref name="tampabaytimes0629">{{cite news | url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/328474273 | title = Freeze Frame | page = 2c | date = 29 June 2003 | work = Tampa Bay Times | access-date = 7 February 2023 | archive-date = 7 February 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220055/https://www.newspapers.com/image/328474273 | url-status = live }}</ref>   One of the airline's [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300]] (JA8253) was the ''[[Expo 2005]]'' aircraft.

Various aircraft in the JAL fleet also carry a ''[[Japan National Tourist Organization|Yokoso Japan]]'' logo supporting the Visit Japan campaign, in various forms. In late 2005, Japan Airlines began using a [[Boeing 777]] (JA8941), featuring Japanese actor [[Shingo Katori]] on one side, and the television series ''[[Saiyuki (manga)|Saiyuki]]'', along with its main character "[[List of main characters from Saiyuki|Goku]]" on the other side.

JAL has also been known for its liveries featuring [[Tokyo Disneyland]] and [[Tokyo DisneySea]], as it is the official airline of the [[Tokyo Disney Resort]]. It sponsors the attraction Star Jets (not related to past Star Jets fleet with the old ''tsurumaru'' livery), which features a variation of the current livery on the ride vehicles. At one time there were more than six widebody aircraft painted with the special liveries.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:JALで行く東京ディズニーリゾー ト|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/domtour/tdr/|language=ja|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-date=29 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829054711/http://www.jal.co.jp/domtour/tdr/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some [[Boeing 747]]s of JAL had also been painted with tropical-influenced liveries along with ''Reso'cha'' titles.<ref name=jalways>{{cite web|title=Reso'cha (JAL Aircraft Collection)|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/aircraft/jal/detail/resocha_b.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=23 September 2009|archive-date=22 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622090255/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/aircraft/jal/detail/resocha_b.html|url-status=live}}</ref> These aircraft were typically used by [[JALways]] on charter flights to holiday destinations in the Pacific,<ref name=histfu/> such as Hawaii. ''Reso'cha'' was a marketing abbreviation for Resort Charter and were formerly known as JAL Super Resort Express.

[[File:JAL B777-200 JA8984 ITM 20080920-001.jpg|thumb|JAL Eco Jet|alt=A Boeing 777-200 aircraft in mid-air during take-off, with the view of Itami Airport in the background]]
In April 2007, JAL debuted a Boeing&nbsp;777-300 (JA8941, since moved to JA752J) with a special [[Oneworld]] livery to promote the airline's entry to the global [[airline alliance]].<ref>{{cite press release|title=First JAL aircraft with special oneworld livery makes debut flight |url=http://www.oneworld.com/ow/news/details?objectID=10054 |publisher=[[Oneworld]] |date=16 April 2007 |access-date=4 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523103419/http://www.oneworld.com/ow/news/details?objectID=10054 |archive-date=23 May 2007 }}</ref> Previously this aircraft carried the Shingo Katori and the ''Saiyuki'' television livery.<ref name=shingo>{{cite web|title=Pictures of JA8941|url=http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=JA8941&distinct_entry=true|publisher=Airliners.net|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-date=10 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010060214/http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=JA8941&distinct_entry=true|url-status=live}}</ref>

JAL repainted a [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-200]] (JA8984) in 2008 and a [[Boeing 777-300ER]] (JA731J){{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} in 2009 to have a green rather than red arc on its tail, along with a green origami airplane on the fuselage, and named them the ''Eco Jet'', to highlight the company's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of commercial aviation.<ref>{{cite press release|title=JAL Eco Jet to Raise Awareness of Global Environment|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200804/000907.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=22 April 2008|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-date=23 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523102753/http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200804/000907.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the brand image change to the third Tsurumaru livery, JAL redesigned the 2 ''Eco Jet'' liveries. JA8984's livery was removed in April 2019 prior to its retirement in December 2019{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} while JA731J's livery was moved onto JA734J (another JAL 777-300ER), which continues flying the ''Eco Jet'' livery as of March 2020.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

In 2009, JAL repainted JA8941 again, as well as a JTA [[Boeing 737 Classic|737-400]] (JA8933) to promote [[Kobukuro]] and their new album ''Calling'' as well as a live concert tour in [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]] and around Japan. This livery was released officially on 30 July 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=JAL × Kobukuro Collaboration |url=http://www.jal.co.jp/jal5296/ |publisher=Japan Airlines |access-date=4 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627000820/http://www.jal.co.jp/jal5296/ |archive-date=27 June 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|script-title=ja:「ＪＡＬ×コブクロ・ジェット」のデザインを決定し運航開始！JALマイレージバンク ＪＡＬ×KOBUKUROカードも誕生！|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/200907/001270.html|language=ja|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=29 July 2009|access-date=4 September 2009|title=|archive-date=4 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904153044/http://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/200907/001270.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=西村|first=綾乃|script-title=ja:コブクロ：２人が描かれたジェット機が登場 格納庫で記念ライブ|url=http://mainichi.jp/enta/geinou/graph/200907/30/|language=ja|newspaper=[[Mainichi Shimbun]]|date=30 July 2009|access-date=2 August 2009|archive-date=2 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802080340/http://mainichi.jp/enta/geinou/graph/200907/30/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 4 September 2010, in conjunction with the ''[[Boku no Miteiru Fūkei]]'' album, JAL and [[Arashi]] (one of their songs, "Movin' On", is used for a commercial) introduced a new livery on one of its [[Boeing 777-200]] JA8982 featuring the five members of Arashi in the aircraft; the first flight was on the next day, 5 September.<ref>{{Cite press release|script-title=ja:特別塗装機「JAL 嵐JET」が就航！|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/201009/001620.html|language=ja|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=4 September 2010|access-date=4 September 2010|title=|archive-date=6 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906023146/http://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/201009/001620.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2019, JAL also painted one of its [[Boeing 787-9]] JA873J the ''ARASHI HAWAII JET'' livery, and in November, painted an [[Airbus A350-900]] JA04XJ the ''20th ARASHI THANKS JET'' livery to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=JAL Unveils "20th ARASHI THANKS JET," a New Special Livery on Worn by an A350|url=https://knaviation.net/jal-20th-arashi-thanks-jet/|publisher=KNAviation|date=25 November 2019|access-date=16 January 2022|archive-date=16 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116223343/https://knaviation.net/jal-20th-arashi-thanks-jet/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 3 August 2017, JAL announced a new livery on board an [[Embraer 190]] of subsidiary [[J-Air]], in commemoration of the new Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem ride in Universal Studios Japan.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Starting from April 2019, JAL introduced the 'Tokyo 2020, Fly For it!' series of special liveries, in commemoration of the upcoming [[2020 Summer Olympics|Tokyo 2020 Olympics]] and featuring the [[Miraitowa and Someity|two mascots of the 2020 Olympics]]. Two jetliners in the JAL fleet have been painted so far,  JA773J (a [[Boeing 777-200]], painted April 2019)<ref>{{cite web |title=JAL 1st 'Tokyo 2020, Fly For It!' Olympics jet |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/AirportWebcams/status/1115212458828926976 |publisher=Airport Webcams (Twitter) |access-date=15 January 2020 |archive-date=29 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829003437/https://mobile.twitter.com/AirportWebcams/status/1115212458828926976 |url-status=live }}</ref> and JA601J (a [[Boeing 767-300ER]], painted July 2019)<ref>{{cite web|title=JAL、2020ジェット2号機が11日就航|url=https://www.aviationwire.jp/archives/178040|publisher=Aviation Wire Japan|access-date=15 January 2020|archive-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116062328/https://www.aviationwire.jp/archives/178040|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2022, JAL and [[The Walt Disney Company|The Walt Disney Company Japan]] introduced a special livery on its [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300ER]] JA615J in commemoration of the upcoming "Disney 100 Years of Wonder" celebration for Walt Disney Company's 100th anniversary in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Disney 100 Years of Wonder Japan Airlines Livery Takes to the Skies|url=https://wdwnt.com/2022/12/new-disney-100-years-of-wonder-japan-airlines-livery-takes-to-the-skies/|access-date=January 9, 2023|url-status=live|archive-date=9 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109163913/https://wdwnt.com/2022/12/new-disney-100-years-of-wonder-japan-airlines-livery-takes-to-the-skies/}}</ref>

===Branding===
In 1959, Japan Airlines adopted their logo, which is a crane known as the 'Tsuru' crane, along with a livery featuring a white top with the text "JAPAN AIR LINES" in capital italic letters, an exposed-metal bottom, and red and dark blue pinstripes separating the two.<ref name="norebbo">{{cite web |title=The subtle (but classy) evolution of the Japan Airlines livery – Norebbo |url=https://www.norebbo.com/japan-airlines-livery/ |website=Norebbo |access-date=16 May 2024 |date=24 November 2023 |archive-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516183325/https://www.norebbo.com/japan-airlines-livery/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Landor Associates]] created JAL's 1989<!--2002-13 years ago=1989--> brand identity, along with a livery that featured a new stylized JAL [[initialism]] with a red square and grey band on the front of fuselage, and the name "Japan Airlines" featured in small black text. The 1989 livery retained the 'Tsuru' crane logo on the tail but with the same stylised JAL lettering incorporated within it.<ref name="norebbo" />

After Japan Airlines and [[Japan Air System]] merged in 2004, the Tokyo office of Landor and JAL worked together again to create a new brand identity. Landor devised a livery referred to as the "Arc of the Sun". The 2000s rebranding began in April 2002 and was completed in April 2004. The brand identity firm designed 300,000 specific items for JAL.<ref name="workbook">{{cite book|first1=Sean|last1=Adams|first2=Noreen|last2=Morioka|first3=Terry|last3=Stone|title=Logo Design Workbook: A Hands-on Guide to Creating Logos|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vbdZRuWP5kIC&pg=PA162|year=2004|publisher=Rockport Publishers|isbn=978-1-59253-032-8|page=162}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The JAL acronym remained, but it was changed to include a curved bar, which replaced the simple red square and gray rectangle used from 1989. The curved bar was likened to a samurai sword. The tail now featured a quarter sun outlined in silver.<ref name="norebbo" />

JAL changed its branding again on 1 April 2011 as part of their post-bankruptcy restructuring.<ref>"[http://press.jal.co.jp/en/uploads/20110119%20-%20JAL%20Group%20Re-establishes%20Identity%20with%20Corporate%20Policy%20and%20Logo%20Change_FINAL.pdf JAL Group Re-establishes Identity with Corporate Policy and Logo Change] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304192238/http://press.jal.co.jp/en/uploads/20110119%20-%20JAL%20Group%20Re-establishes%20Identity%20with%20Corporate%20Policy%20and%20Logo%20Change_FINAL.pdf |date=4 March 2011 }}." Japan Airlines. 19 January 2011. Retrieved on 19 January 2011.</ref><ref>"[https://blog.excite.co.jp/dezagen/15548756/ 日本航空の新ロゴ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203092851/https://blog.excite.co.jp/dezagen/15548756/ |date=3 February 2020 }} ." これ、誰がデザインしたの? (in Japanese). 16 May 2011. Retrieved on 3 February 2020.</ref><ref name="norebbo" /> The new livery was reminiscent of the original 1959 one, featured the tsurumaru back on the vertical stabilizer and the full name in capital italic letters above the windows, but did not include the pinstripes or exposed metal bottom, and retained the two-word "JAPAN AIRLINES" spelling over the original "JAPAN AIR LINES".<ref name="norebbo" /> Repainting was completed in January 2016.

<gallery widths="250" mode="packed">
File:Japan Air Lines Boeing 747-346 Gilliand.jpg|1959–1989
File:JA8177 Boeing 747-346 Japan Airlines (JAL) (8633634041).jpg|1989–2002
File:JAL to Japan-01+ (409761054).jpg|2002–2011
File:Japan_Airlines,_JA740J,_Boeing_777-346_ER_(20327757086).jpg|2011–present
</gallery>

==Destinations==
[[File:Japan Airlines global destinations 2024 rev.png|thumb|Japan Airlines destinations 2024.]]
[[File:JAL Hubs.gif|thumb|Japan Airlines hubs map]]
{{further|List of Japan Airlines destinations}}
Japan Airlines serves 60 domestic destinations and 39 international destinations in Asia, the Americas, Europe and Oceania, excluding [[codeshare agreement]]s.<ref name="Numberofroutes">{{cite web |url=https://www.jal.com/en/outline/route.html |title=Number of routes |website=jal.com |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=14 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214150600/https://www.jal.com/en/outline/route.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Company Profile – Flight|url=http://www.jal.com/en/corporate/gaiyo/flight.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=7 September 2009|archive-date=30 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730014101/http://www.jal.com/en/corporate/gaiyo/flight.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The airline's international hubs are [[Tokyo]]'s [[Narita International Airport]] and [[Haneda Airport]], [[Osaka]]'s [[Kansai International Airport]] and [[Itami Airport]]. Japan Airlines and its subsidiaries currently operate over 4,500 international flights and 26,000 domestic flights monthly.<ref name="Numberofroutes" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jal.com/en/flight/information/ |title=Operation Data |website=jal.com |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221160930/http://www.jal.com/en/flight/information/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[fiscal year]] ended 31 March 2009, the airline introduced or increased services on ten international routes, including between [[Tokyo|Tokyo (Narita)]] and New York City, and between [[Osaka|Osaka (Kansai)]] and Shanghai; and it ceased operations on four international routes, including between Tokyo (Narita) and [[Xi'an]], and between Osaka (Kansai) and [[Qingdao]]. Domestically, JAL suspended 14 routes, including between [[Sapporo]] and [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]]. Additionally, the airline expanded [[codeshare agreement|codesharing]] alliance with fellow [[Oneworld]] partners like [[American Airlines]], [[British Airways]], [[Cathay Pacific]] and [[Finnair]], and other airlines, including [[Air France]], [[China Eastern]] and [[Jetstar Airways|Jetstar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2009|url=http://www.jal.com/en/ir/finance/annual/2009/pdf/09_all.pdf|pages=14, 16|publisher=Japan Airlines|year=2009|access-date=7 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201042231/http://www.jal.com/en/ir/finance/annual/2009/pdf/09_all.pdf|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the early years, [[Narita International Airport]] has been the main hub of international and freight flights, and that remains present. Nowadays, [[Haneda Airport]] is becoming a major international hub due to its close proximity to the [[Tokyo metropolis]], and the heavy expansion occurring there.

===Codeshare agreements===
Japan Airlines has [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines:<ref name="CAPA JAL profile">{{cite web|url=http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/japan-airlines-jl |title=Profile on Japan Airlines |website=CAPA|publisher=Centre for Aviation|access-date=29 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029180418/http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/japan-airlines-jl |archive-date=29 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/boarding/codeshare/|title=For a CodeShare Flight|website=Japan Airlines|access-date=19 July 2018|archive-date=26 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126145908/https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/boarding/codeshare/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=17em}}
* [[Aeroméxico]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201710/004453.html |title=JAL Group - PRESS RELEASES - Aeromexico and Japan Airlines Announce Codeshare Agreement |access-date=22 January 2018 |archive-date=15 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115065524/http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201710/004453.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[airBaltic]]
* [[Air France]]
* [[Air Astana]]
* [[Air Tahiti Nui]]
* [[Aircalin]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201909/005306.html |title=JAL Group - PRESS RELEASES - Japan Airlines and Aircalin announce Codeshare Agreement |date=12 September 2019 |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=19 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619065554/https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201909/005306.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Alaska Airlines]]
* [[Amakusa Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/route/codeshare/amx/ |title=Codeshare Flights with Amakusa Airlines - JAL Domestic Flights |website=jal.co.jp |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802013747/https://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/route/codeshare/amx/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Bangkok Airways]]
* [[Cathay Pacific]]
* [[China Airlines]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=China Airlines |first1=expands codeshare agreements with JAL |title=China Airlines expands codeshare flights with Japan Airlines |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/airlines/2017/02/21/china-airlines-japan-airlines-codeshare-flights-expand/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |work=Business Traveller |publisher=Craig Bright |date=February 21, 2017 |archive-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104161804/https://www.businesstraveller.com/airlines/2017/02/21/china-airlines-japan-airlines-codeshare-flights-expand/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[China Eastern Airlines]]
* [[China Southern Airlines]]
* [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Expansion of |first1=Codeshare between Emirates and JAL |title=Emirates and JAL Expand Code Share |url=https://www.travelagentcentral.com/transportation/emirates-and-jal-expand-code-share |access-date=10 May 2022 |publisher=Susan J. Young |date=May 24, 2006 |archive-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201053537/https://www.travelagentcentral.com/transportation/emirates-and-jal-expand-code-share |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Fiji Airways]]
* [[Fuji Dream Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/route/codeshare/fda/ |title=Codeshare Flights with Fuji Dream Airlines - JAL Domestic Flights |website=jal.co.jp |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802014222/https://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/route/codeshare/fda/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Garuda Indonesia]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Garuda-expands-US-routes-with-Japan-Airlines-code-share-deal|title=Garuda expands US routes with Japan Airlines code-share deal|website=Nikkei Asian Review|access-date=12 September 2018|archive-date=12 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912045032/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Garuda-expands-US-routes-with-Japan-Airlines-code-share-deal|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[IndiGo]]<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202406/008103.html|title=Japan Airlines and IndiGo Agree on Codeshare Partnership|website=Japan Airlines|date=3 June 2024|access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref>
* [[Japan Transocean Air]] {{small|(Subsidiary)}}
* [[JetBlue]]
* [[Jetstar Japan]] {{small|(Subsidiary)}}
* [[Kalitta Air]]<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201908/005253.html|title=Japan Airlines Announces Freighter Codeshare Agreement with Kalitta Air|website=Japan Airlines|date=1 August 2019|access-date=7 August 2019|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219155554/https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201908/005253.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/80539-jal-japan-airlines-resumes-cargo-ops-through-a-codeshare|title=JAL - Japan Airlines resumes cargo ops through a codeshare|website=Ch-Aviation|date=7 August 2019|access-date=7 August 2019|archive-date=7 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807034240/https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/80539-jal-japan-airlines-resumes-cargo-ops-through-a-codeshare|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Korean Air]]
* [[LATAM Brasil]]
* [[LATAM Chile]]
* [[Malaysia Airlines]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240506-jlmhcodeshare|title=JAL Expands Malaysia Airlines India Codeshare From May 2024|website=AeroRoutes}}</ref>
* [[MIAT Mongolian Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202002/005474.html |title=JAL Group - PRESS RELEASES - Japan Airlines and MIAT Mongolian Airlines Agree on Codeshare Partnership Effective March 31, 2020 |website=press.jal.co.jp |date=5 February 2020 |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=19 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619104626/https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202002/005474.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Oriental Air Bridge]]<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202208/006877.html|title=JAL Group Revises FY2022 Winter Schedule Plans on Domestic Network|website=Japan Airlines|date=23 August 2022|access-date=30 October 2022|archive-date=30 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030101251/https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202208/006877.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/dom/route/codeshare/orc/|title=Codeshare Flights with Oriental Air Bridge|website=Japan Airlines|access-date=30 October 2022|archive-date=30 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030105037/https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/dom/route/codeshare/orc/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Qatar Airways]]<ref>{{cite news|title= Airline Routes|work= [[Air Transport World]]|date= 30 June 2014|url= http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/airline-routes-25|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140630205114/http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/airline-routes-25|archive-date= 30 June 2014|quote= Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways, both members of oneworld, began codesharing on Qatar operated flights between Doha and Tokyo Haneda. This is in addition to JAL's codeshare on Qatar flights between Tokyo Narita and Doha, as well as between Osaka KIX and Doha from last 3 Dec..}}</ref>
* [[Royal Brunei Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web|title=JAL / Royal Brunei Resumes Codeshare Partnership From late-Sep 2025|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250929-jlbicodeshare}}</ref>
* [[Shanghai Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202001/005444.html |title=JAL Group - PRESS RELEASES - Japan Airlines Enhances International Network in China by Signing Codeshare Agreement with Shanghai Airlines |website=press.jal.co.jp |date=9 January 2020 |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615021152/https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202001/005444.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Spring Japan]] {{small|(Subsidiary)}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240723-ijaug24|title=Spring Japan Begins JAL Codeshare and Expands China Service From August 2024|website=AeroRoutes}}</ref>
* [[SriLankan Airlines]]
* [[Turkish Airlines]]
* [[VietJet Air]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/jal-russia-s-s7-airlines-expand-codeshare-agreement|title=JAL / Vietjet Air plans codeshare service from late-Oct 2018|publisher=Routesonline|date=23 October 2018|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505214618/http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/jal-russia-s-s7-airlines-expand-codeshare-agreement|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[WestJet]]
* [[XiamenAir]]
{{div col end}}

=== Interline agreements ===
{{div col|colwidth=17em}}
* [[Myanmar National Airlines]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://secure.flymna.com/about/iet|title=Interline Partner Airlines|website=secure.flymna.com}}</ref>
* [[Nepal Airlines]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/nepal-airlines-japan-airlines-ink-interline-deal-for-global-travel-connecti-74-47.html|title=Nepal Airlines, Japan Airlines ink interline deal for global travel connectivity|date=8 August 2024|website=myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Joint ventures===
In addition to the above codeshares, Japan Airlines has entered into [[joint venture]]s with the following airlines:
{{div col|colwidth=17em}}
* [[American Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/route/pjb/ |title=Japan Airlines and American Airlines Joint Service |website=jal.co.jp |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509042627/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/route/pjb/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[British Airways]]<ref name="JV_Europa">{{cite web |url=https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/route/sjb/ |title=Together offering you more between Europe and Japan |website=jal.co.jp |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802014111/https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/route/sjb/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Finnair]]<ref name="JV_Europa" /><ref>[https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/joint-fares-japan Together To Japan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618101321/https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/joint-fares-japan |date=18 June 2020 }} ''finnair.com''. Retrieved 2018-05-15.</ref>
* [[Iberia (airline)|Iberia]]<ref name="JV_Europa" />
{{div col end}}

==Fleet==
{{excerpt|Japan Airlines fleet}}

==Services==
{{Promotional section|date=October 2023}}

=== Cabin classes ===

==== A350-1000 cabin ====
In January 2024, Japan Airlines debuted new First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy class cabins on their A350-1000 fleet of aircraft. These cabins include enclosed suites, manufactured by Safran GB, and in-seat audio in the First and Business class cabins. The A350-1000 includes 6 First class seats in a 1-1-1 layout, 54 Business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 24 Premium Economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout, and 155 Economy seats in a 3-3-3 layout.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 October 2023 |title=JAL Unveils New International Flagship Airbus A350-1000 Cabin Interiors Ahead of Upcoming Service Launch to New York |url=https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202310/007654.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129211025/https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202310/007654.html |archive-date=29 January 2024 |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=Japan Airlines }}</ref>

====New cabin====
[[File:JAL First Class Suite 777-300ER.JPG|thumb|JAL [[First class (aviation)|First Class]] suite on a [[Boeing 777-300ER]]|alt=A light mocha colored seat with ottoman, table, and enclosure and four unshaded windows on the left]]

JAL introduced new international First and Executive Class seats: the ''JAL Suite'' for First Class, featured a seat 20 percent roomier than the Skysleeper Solo in a 1-2-1 configuration; and the ''JAL Shell Flat Neo Seat'' for Executive Class Seasons, a slightly revised version of the original Shell Flat Seat, with a wider seat; expanded center console; and the world's first in-flight photo art exhibit, ''Sky Gallery''. These seats, along with the Premium Economy seats, debuted on Japan Airlines Flights 5 and 6, operated on the Tokyo–New York route on 1 August 2008. It expanded to the Tokyo–San Francisco route on 13 September 2008, and the Tokyo–Chicago and Los Angeles in 2009.<ref>{{cite press release|title=JAL To Introduce State-of-the Art First Class Suite & Business Class Seat|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200806/000951.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=10 June 2008|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-date=10 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410074154/http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200806/000951.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Between 2010 and 2017, the new cabin was also flown on flights from Narita to Jakarta, the only Asian destination for which the new cabin was used during that period.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Logarta|first=Margie|title=JAL puts premium seat products on Tokyo-Jakarta route|url=http://www.businesstraveller.asia/asia-pacific/news/jal-puts-premium-seat-products-on-tokyo-jakarta-route|work=Asia Pacific Business Traveller|date=20 August 2010|access-date=4 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402061839/http://www.businesstraveller.asia/asia-pacific/news/jal-puts-premium-seat-products-on-tokyo-jakarta-route|archive-date=2 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2013, JAL debuted new versions of its economy and premium economy seats called Sky Premium and Sky Wider Economy respectively. The Sky Premium seats, found on selected 777-300s and soon 787s, feature the same width as the Sky Shell seats but with a 4" larger seat pitch of 42" and a 3" larger recline of up to 10" compared to a 38" pitch and 7" recline on the Sky Shell seats. The Sky Wider Economy seats, found on select 767s and select 777-300s, feature slimmer seats with 4" more legroom, and another inch of width totaling up to 35" of seat pitch, and a 19" width compared to the 31" pitch and 18" width of standard economy seats, plus a larger PTV screen of up to 11". The newer 787s will feature a new version of the Sky Wider seats called Sky Wider II, which will feature 5" more legroom and 2" more width totaling up to 36" of seat pitch and a 20" width in a less dense 2-4-2 setup instead of the 3-3-3 setup commonly used in a 787's economy cabin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedesignair.net/2014/09/05/jal-do-it-again-and-buck-the-trend-with-their-787/|title=JAL Do It Again And Buck The Trend With Their 787|work=TheDesignAir|date=5 September 2014|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=30 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430110232/http://thedesignair.net/2014/09/05/jal-do-it-again-and-buck-the-trend-with-their-787/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In premium cabins, JAL introduced fully lie-flat seats, branded as Sky Suite in Business Class cabin and enhanced First Suite seats in First Class cabin. The Sky Suite is in a staggered 2-3-2 setup that offer direct aisle access to all business class passengers. These can be found on all 13 of JAL's Boeing 777-300ER aircraft (named SS7), 10 of JAL's 787-8 aircraft (named SS8) and eight of JAL's 787-9 aircraft (named SS9). Later in 2015, JAL introduced a new version of Sky Suite, called Sky Suite II, in order to fit lie-flat seats on its new international 767-300ER fleet (named SS6), in a 1-2-1 setup. Since the seats are less wide than the original Sky Suite, SS6 aircraft are often seen on shorter international routes, like inter-Asian routes and Hawaiian routes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/service/business/seat/|title=Seats (JAL Business Class) - JAL International Flights|website=www.jal.co.jp|language=en|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-date=9 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709170806/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/service/business/seat/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, as JAL was upgrading its Boeing 777-200ER fleet used on selected inter-Asian and Hawaiian flights, JAL introduced a third version of Sky Suite, called Sky Suite III, which is a lie-flat reverse-herringbone arranged seat. This seat is equipped on JAL's most Boeing 777-200ER fleet (named SS2) and five of JAL's Boeing 787-9 fleet (named SS9 II) in a 1-2-1 setup. Like SS6 aircraft, SS2 and SS9 II aircraft are operating on shorter international routes.<ref name="JAL-2016">{{cite press release|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201603/003711.html|title=JAL to Upgrade Business Class Seat on Its International Boeing 777-200ER|date=22 March 2016|access-date=26 September 2016|archive-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927070854/http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201603/003711.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====International services====
[[File:JAL Executive Class Seasons.jpg|thumb|JAL [[Business class|Executive Class Seasons]] Shell Flat seat|alt=A dark grey colored seat with red headrest cover, with unshaded windows on the right]]

The airline's international services with existing cabins feature the fully reclining [[First class (aviation)|JAL First Class]] JAL Suite; [[Business class|JAL Business Class]] JAL Sky Suite, JAL Sky Suite II, JAL Sky Suite III, JAL Shell Flat NEO, JAL Skyluxe Seat or JAL Skyrecliner; [[Premium Economy|JAL Premium Economy]] JAL Sky Premium; and [[Economy Class|JAL Economy Class]] JAL Economy Class Seat or JAL Sky Wider.<ref name=inflight>{{cite web|title=In-Flight Service – International|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=20 August 2009|archive-date=17 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817112840/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/|url-status=live}}</ref> The First Class Skysleeper Solo reclines fully and features genuine [[Upholstery#Fabrics and leathers|leather upholstery]] from [[Marco Piccinini#Corporate & Finance|Poltrona Frau]] of Italy.<ref>{{cite web|title=JAL Skysleeper Solo |url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/first/f_seat/index1.html |publisher=Japan Airlines |access-date=20 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904172752/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/first/f_seat/index1.html |archive-date= 4 September 2009 }}</ref> The Executive Class Seasons Shell Flat Seat is a lie-flat design with the ability to lower armrests to the same height as the seat when reclined.<ref>{{cite web|title=JAL Shell Flat Seat|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/executive/c_seat/index1.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=20 August 2009|archive-date=17 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817111927/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/executive/c_seat/index1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It features a shell-shaped seat that allows passengers to recline by sliding their seat forward, without having the seat in front intrude when reclining.<ref>{{cite web|title=JAL Sky Shell Seat|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/premium_y/yp_seat/|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=20 August 2009|archive-date=1 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901055713/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/premium_y/yp_seat/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Japan domestic services====
On Japan domestic services, the airline offers First Class, Executive (Business) Class ''Class J'' and Economy Class.<ref>{{cite web|title=In-Flight Service – Domestic|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/dom/|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=2 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118055138/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/dom/|archive-date=18 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The First Class seat is made from premium genuine leather with a [[Airline seat#Seat width|seat width]] of about {{convert|53|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a [[seat pitch]] of about {{convert|130|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=First Class – Outline of Seats|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/dom/f/seat/|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=2 September 2009|archive-date=16 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916130954/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/dom/f/seat/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Class J'' features [[ergonomics|ergonomically]] designed reclining seats that promote relaxation by allowing passengers to move naturally and maintain a balanced posture.<ref>{{cite web|title=Class J – Seat Description|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/dom/j/seat/|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-date=16 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916123316/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/dom/j/seat/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===In-flight entertainment===
====MAGIC====
[[File:19-DEC-2022 - JL112 ITM-HND (A350-900 - JA10XJ) (02).jpg|thumb|JAL Economy cabin on a [[Airbus A350-900]] equipped with in-flight entertainment systems|alt=Inside view of an aircraft's Economy Class cabin with television on the back of the seats and overhead lockers on the ceiling]]
''MAGIC'', JAL's [[in-flight entertainment]] system, supported by the JAL Mooove! (formerly Entertainment Network),<ref>{{cite press release|title=JAL Group Renews In-flight Entertainment, Names it [New SkyEntertainment JAL Mooove!]|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201304/003538.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=23 April 2013|access-date=5 October 2017|archive-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618044319/http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201304/003538.html|url-status=live}}</ref> features the latest hit movies and videos, games and audio programs. There are six generations of the ''MAGIC'' system: ''MAGIC-I'', ''MAGIC-II'', ''MAGIC-III'', ''MAGIC-IV'', ''MAGIC-V'' and the new ''MAGIC-VI''. Introduced on 1 December 2007, the ''MAGIC-III'' system provides [[Video on demand|Audio/Video on Demand]] (AVOD) entertainment to all passengers. The number of movie, music, video and game channels on ''MAGIC-III'' was doubled from 57 to 130 by 2008; and it is installed on all seats on [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300ER]], [[Boeing 777|777-200ER]] and [[Boeing 777|777-300ER]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite press release|title=JAL Doubles MAGIC III Inflight Entertainment Programming|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200711/000778.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=12 November 2007|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-date=1 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101095747/http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200711/000778.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Aircraft with ''MAGIC-I'' and ''MAGIC-II'' have movies that automatically start when the AVOD system is turned on—once the aircraft reaches cruise level—and economy class passengers can tune in to watch the movie in progress; and all movies restart upon completion. Executive and First Class passengers have full AVOD control. ''MAGIC'' systems also have JAL's [[duty-free shopping]] catalogue, including flight crew recommendations and a video of specials available on the flight.<ref>{{cite web|title=International In-Flight Services – Entertainment|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/enter/|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=7 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204133139/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/enter/ |archive-date=4 December 2003}}</ref> ''MAGIC-V'' will feature mostly the same entertainment as ''MAGIC-III'', but with a touch screen controller, along with a handset. There will be USB ports for iPod connectivity, and an easier to control handset. (introduced on selected Boeing 767-300ER routes).
The ''MAGIC-III'' system is used on internationally configured Boeing 767-300 with Skyluxe Seat, older internationally configured Boeing 767-300ER with Skyluxe Seat, all Boeing 777-200ER, older Boeing 777-300ER with Skysleeper Solo/Suite first class and Shell Flat Seat/Neo Business class. The ''MAGIC-IV'' is used on internationally configured Boeing 737-800s, along with a newer look of Skyluxe Seat. It uses 9-inch touchscreens by Panasonic SFX. The ''MAGIC-V'' system is deploying across the fleet, with selected Boeing 767-300ERs (Skyrecliner seat) and B787-8 (Shell Flat Neo seat) getting the IFE. Followed by refurbished Boeing 777-300ERs (all aircraft) and selected Boeing 767-300ER aircraft (including those with Skyluxe seat) will get the ''MAGIC-V'' along with new seats in all classes. The ''MAGIC-VI'' is installed on selected Boeing 787-8s and 777-300s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Japan Airlines Upgrades Boeing 787-8 Interior|url=https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/japan-airlines-upgrades-boeing-787-8-interior/|access-date=4 February 2017|date=12 November 2014|archive-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403014040/https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/japan-airlines-upgrades-boeing-787-8-interior/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Aircraft cameras====
[[File:Onboard JAL in-flight nose camera.jpg|thumb|In-flight nose camera view|alt=A television screen with the view of the city from the aircraft's nose camera]]
On most JAL international flights, on-plane cameras are available, either on the wings, the belly or on the tail. When the aircraft is in the pushback; taxi; take-off; ascent; descent; stacking; landing; and docking phases of flight, all TV's in the cabin automatically tune into the video camera outside the aircraft to provide "Pilot Vision" to the passengers. However, new entertainment systems do not have them anymore (except the airline's new A350, which does have cameras).<ref>{{cite web|last=Jet|first=Johnny|title=Where's Johnny Jet?|url=http://www.johnnyjet.com/folder/archive/letter12_07_05.html|publisher=JohnnyJet.com|date=7 December 2005|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105140556/http://www.johnnyjet.com/folder/archive/letter12_07_05.html|archive-date=5 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Additional media====
''Skyward'', the airline group's inflight magazine, reflects the company motto of "''Dream Skyward''". Before the [[Mergers and acquisitions|merger]] with [[Japan Air System|JAS]], JAL's inflight magazine was called ''Winds''.<ref>{{cite press release|title=New In-flight Magazine for the JAL Group SKYWARD to debut in April 2003|url=http://www.jal.com/en/press/2002/111801/111801.html|publisher=Japan Airlines|date=18 November 2002|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-date=6 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106032806/http://www.jal.com/en/press/2002/111801/111801.html|url-status=live}}</ref> All of the JAL Group magazines are provided by JALUX.<ref>{{cite web|title=Corporate Profile – Our Business|url=http://www.jalux.com/en/profile/biz_life.html|publisher=JALUX Inc.|access-date=3 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828132235/http://www.jalux.com/en/profile/biz_life.html|archive-date=28 August 2009}}</ref>

In a promotion, between 1 June and 31 August 2006, all Executive and First Class passengers would be offered the use of [[Nintendo DS|Nintendo DS Lites]] specially manufactured for air travel, with the wireless capabilities removed to conform with [[air safety|airline safety]] standards.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Japan Airlines to offer Nintendo DS Lite in-flight|url=http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/japan_airlines_to_offer_nintendo_ds_lite_inflight.php|publisher=Newlaunches.com|date=9 June 2006|access-date=5 September 2009|archive-date=14 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714173336/http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/japan_airlines_to_offer_nintendo_ds_lite_inflight.php|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:JAL Executive Class meal.jpg|thumb|JAL Executive Class Seasons in-flight meal|alt=A picture with a glass of water on the left, a napkin on the top, with two bowls on the far right and three dishes in the center and right, all contained on a serving tray]]
[[File:Japan Airlines business class food from Haneda to Manila.jpg|thumb|JAL Business Class food]]
After a trial run at Haneda airport, JAL announced it will offer selected passengers a VR experience using the Samsung Gear VR and the Samsung S8. Passengers will be able to experience specially curated programming in Germany, Argentina, the Nagoya fireworks and more programs at a later date.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://luxurylaunches.com/travel/japan-airlines-is-trying-out-immersive-virtual-reality-headsets.php|title=Japan Airlines is trying out Immersive virtual reality headsets|first=Dhiram|last=Shah|date=7 September 2017|website=Luxurylaunches|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716193541/https://luxurylaunches.com/travel/japan-airlines-is-trying-out-immersive-virtual-reality-headsets.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

===In-flight catering===
Japan Airlines offers meals on intercontinental routes, depending on the cabin class, destination and flight length. [[Western cuisine|Western]] and [[Japanese cuisine|Japanese]] menu selections are typically offered, including seasonal menu selections varied by destination.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heger|first=Monica|title=There is such a thing as a good airline meal|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/25100962|work=NBC News|date=11 June 2008|access-date=4 July 2009|archive-date=27 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227104630/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/25100962/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=JAL Improves Meal Service in Business Class|url=http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/268-BusinessClass.shtml|publisher=Asiatraveltips.com|date=26 August 2005|access-date=4 July 2009|archive-date=25 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825202223/http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/268-BusinessClass.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The airline has worked with high-profile chefs, including [[Fumiko Kono]], Shinichi Sato, Koji Shimomura, Naoki Uchiyama, Chikara Yamada, Seiji Yamammoto and Hiroki Yoshitake in the creation of its menus and in 2016, launched a children's menu created by Kono, Yamada, Yamammoto, and Yosuke Suga.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Webb|first1=Sally|title=Airline food: Chefs striving to improve mile high meals|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/themes/food/64142445/airline-food-chefs-striving-to-improve-mile-high-meals|website=Stuff|publisher=Fairfax Media New Zealand Limited|access-date=21 November 2016|location=Wellington, New Zealand|date=14 December 2014|archive-date=14 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214205512/http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/themes/food/64142445/Airline-food-Chefs-striving-to-improve-mile-high-meals|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|ref={{harvid|''eTN Global Travel News''|2016}} |title=JAL introduces new child meal menus developed by its star chefs |url=http://www.eturbonews.com/70580/jal-introduces-new-child-meal-menus-developed-its-star-chefs |access-date=21 November 2016 |publisher=eTN Global Travel News |date=21 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422154915/http://www.eturbonews.com/70580/jal-introduces-new-child-meal-menus-developed-its-star-chefs |archive-date=22 April 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Sakura Lounge===
[[File:Narita-sakura-lounge.jpg|thumb|Sakura Lounge in Narita International Airport Terminal 2|alt=A three-seater couch with two coffee tables in the front and two side tables on both side, all in neutral brown color]]
Sakura Lounge, named after the Japanese word for [[sakura|cherry blossom]], is Japan Airlines' signature [[airline lounge|lounge]]. In addition, the airline also operates the following international, including First Class Lounge, Sakura Lounge annex and JAL Lounge; and domestic lounges, including Diamond Premier Lounge and JAL Lounge. Access to the lounges depend on the class of travel or the membership status in the JAL Mileage Bank or JAL Global Club.<ref name=sakura>{{Cite news|last=Albright|first=John Brannon|title=Practical Traveler Not-so-exclusive Lounges|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/10/travel/practical-traveler-not-so-exclusive-vip-lounges.html?sec=travel&spon=&pagewanted=all|work=The New York Times|date=10 October 1982|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-date=17 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017063842/http://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/10/travel/practical-traveler-not-so-exclusive-vip-lounges.html?sec=travel&spon=&pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=International Flights Lounge Service|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/lounge/|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-date=4 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904154414/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/lounge/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Domestic Flights Lounge Service|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/lounge/|publisher=Japan Airlines|access-date=3 September 2009|archive-date=20 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820050947/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/lounge/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Former bus services===
Circa the 1990s, JAL previously operated buses from [[Frankfurt Airport]] to [[Düsseldorf]] to serve customers in that German city,<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/19970104060850/http://www.jal.co.jp/jjet_e/jal_fra.htm Make smooth connections at Frankfurt Airport when you use our "JAL EXPRESS" airport bus to or from Düsseldorf.]" Japan Airlines. 4 January 1997. Retrieved on 26 July 2018.</ref> as well as buses from [[John F. Kennedy Airport]] in [[New York City]] to [[Fort Lee, New Jersey]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/19970104060858/http://www.jal.co.jp/jjet_e/jal_nyc.htm For smooth access to and from J.F.K. Airport, ride our "JAL Express Bus" ]." Japan Airlines. 4 January 1997. Retrieved on 26 July 2018.</ref>

==Football sponsorship==
In June 2024 Japan Airlines announced a multi-year partnership with [[Liverpool F.C.]], becoming the club's official airline partner.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=Liverpool Football Club and Japan Airlines enter into multi year partnership as club's official airline partner |url=https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202406/008149.html |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=Japan Airlines}}</ref> Japan Airlines is also an official sponsor of [[Shimizu S-Pulse]] and [[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo|Consadole Sapporo]].{{Cn|date=June 2025}}

==Award and recognition==
On 24 June 2024, Japan Airlines was voted ''2024'' ''World's'' ''Best Premium Economy Class'' by [[Skytrax]].<ref>{{Cite web|author=James Plaisted|date=2024-06-24 |title=Qatar Airways World's Best Airline at 2024 World Airline Awards |url=https://www.worldairlineawards.com/qatar-airways-is-named-the-worlds-best-airline-at-2024-world-airline-awards/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>

==Incidents and accidents==
{{main|List of Japan Airlines incidents and accidents}}

==In popular culture==
Japan Airlines has been the focus of several television programs in Japan over the years, most being dramas revolving around [[cabin attendant]]s. ''[[Attention Please]]'' was a drama in 1970 that followed the story of a young girl who joined JAL to be a cabin attendant while overcoming many difficulties. This show was remade in 2006 again as ''Attention Please'' starring [[Aya Ueto]] who joins a class of cabin attendant nominees and later graduates. Most of the action of the story of the 2006 series takes place at JAL's [[Haneda]] flight operations headquarters. The series has had two specials since the original, marking the main character's transition into JAL's international operations.<ref name=attentionplease>{{cite web|script-title=ja:日本航空学園「アテンションプリーズ」-マイタウン山梨 |url=http://mytown.asahi.com/yamanashi/news.php?k_id=20000210907040001 |language=ja |publisher=Asahi |access-date=4 July 2009 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
</ref>

During the 1980s, JAL was also the focus of another drama entitled ''Stewardess Monogatari'' which featured another young girl during training to be a JAL cabin attendant.<ref>{{cite web|title="Stewardess monogatari" (1983)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0207924/|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=4 July 2009|archive-date=25 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325113212/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0207924/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 1990s, JAL featured several commercials with celebrities, including [[Janet Jackson]] who danced and sang to a backdrop of JAL 747s on rotation at [[Los Angeles International Airport|LAX]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Found in Translation: American Popstars in Japanese Ads|url=https://www.wired.com/listening_post/2007/10/youtube-collect/|magazine=Wired|publisher=Condé Nast Digital|date=30 October 2007|access-date=4 July 2009|first=Eliot|last=Van Buskirk|archive-date=4 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104102919/http://www.wired.com/listening_post/2007/10/youtube-collect/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[Animal Crossing: New Horizons]], Dodo Airlines is a parody of Japan Airlines.

In [[Tom Clancy]] novel ''[[Debt of honor]]'', a Japan Airlines pilot crashes its Boeing 747 into the [[United States Capitol]].

==See also==
{{Portal bar|Tokyo|Japan|Companies|Aviation}}
<!--Japan tag as it used to be a state owned carrier-->
* [[Transport in Japan#Air|Air transport in Japan]]
* [[List of airports in Japan]]
* [[List of airlines of Japan]]
* [[Tokyu Corporation]]
* [[Japan Air System]] was a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyu, and the company was merged into Japan Airlines. So, Tokyu had Japan Airlines' shares of 4 per cent until 2009. Now, Japan Airlines holds Tokyu's shares of 0.16 per cent because cooperates with Tokyu.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://irbank.net/inv/%E6%9D%B1%E6%80%A5%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE?y=2020 |title=List of the companies which invests in Tokyu in 2020 |access-date=13 October 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107053708/https://irbank.net/inv/%E6%9D%B1%E6%80%A5%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE?y=2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Besides, Tokyu has held Japan Airlines's shares of 0.11 per cent because cooperates with Japan Airlines<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ap2.irbank.net/E04090/inv?m=%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE |title=About investing in Japan Airlines |access-date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107053717/https://ap2.irbank.net/E04090/inv?m=%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|wikt=no|b=no|q=no|s=no|v=no|species=no}}
* {{Official website|http://www.jal.co.jp/en}}
* [http://www.jal.com/en Corporate website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.japanair.com Japanair.com] (archive)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.jalcreative.co.jp JAL Creative] (archive, Japanese)

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