Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a firm order with Airbus for 20 A350-900 widebody aircraft and 11 single-aisle A321neo, finalising a commitment announced earlier this year.
The order was announced at the Farnborough Air Show 2024 during a signing ceremony between JAL and Airbus.
The new A350-900s will join the carrier’s A350 fleet serving international routes, while the A321neo will operate on domestic services within Japan. To date, JAL has ordered a total of 52 A350s, with 18 in service. The A321neo contract represents JAL’s first order for the Airbus single-aisle product line.
The A350 Family had won more than 1,300 firm orders from 60 customers worldwide by the end of June 2024, while the A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ best-selling A320neo Family.
By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50 per cent noise reduction and more than 20 per cent fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky. To date, more than 6,400 A321neos have been ordered by more than 90 customers across the globe.
Airbus’ A350 aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100 per cent SAF capable by 2030.
JAL executive officer and senior vice president procurement, Yukio Nakagawa, said: “We will accelerate the introduction of the state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient aircraft to provide our passengers with excellent service and to reduce CO₂ emissions. We believe that this additional introduction of Airbus aircraft will further deepen our partnership.”
Christian Scherer, CEO of commercial aircraft business, Airbus added: “We celebrate a new milestone in our partnership with the airline following its order for the A321neo. We are committed to providing our full support to Japan Airlines as its growing fleet is deployed on more routes across its network, both domestically and internationally.”
