FIA2024: Japan Airlines Finalizes A350, A321neo Order

DALLAS – Japan Airlines (JL) has signed a firm order with Airbus for 20 A350-900 wide-body aircraft and 11 single-aisle A321neo, the latter which marks JL's foray into Airbus's single-aisle aircraft lineup.

The tandem order, which finalizes a commitment announced earlier this year, was announced at the Farnborough Air Show 2024 during a signing ceremony with Yukio Nakagawa, Executive Officer and Senior Vice President Procurement of Japan Airlines, and Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft business.

Japan Airlines plans to deploy its newly acquired A350-900s on international routes, expanding its existing A350 fleet. Meanwhile, the A321neo aircraft will be utilized for domestic flights within Japan.

The airline has placed orders for 52 A350s in total, with 18 currently operational. Deliveries of both types start in 2028.

Comments from Airline, Manufacturer

Executive Officer and Senior Vice President Procurement of Japan Airlines Yukio Nakagawa said, “We are delighted to have signed the firm order for the introduction of additional A350s and new A321s. 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.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Aircraft business, Airbus, Christian Scherer said, “We thank Japan Airlines for placing its confidence once again in the A350. In addition, 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.”

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