Japan Airlines First A350
Japan Airlines First A350

Japan Airlines takes delivery of first A350 XWB

Sam Chui·
A350AirbusAviation NewsJapan Airlines

Toulouse, 13 June 2019 – Japan Airlines (JAL) has taken delivery of its first A350 XWB at Airbus in Toulouse, France. The A350-900 is the first aircraft produced by Airbus for JAL. The milestone event was attended by JAL Representative Director and Chairman Yoshiharu Ueki and Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer.

a group of people standing in front of a large airplane
Airbus delivered its first A350 XWB to Japan Airlines (JAL)

Making this delivery more special, this is the first Airbus ever ordered and delivered to Japan Airlines (JAL). So it is a significant day for both Airbus and JAL.

a group of people standing together
Photo caption from left to right: Yoshihiro Higushi, Deputy Minister, Embassy of Japan in France, Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, Yoshiharu Ueki, Japan Airlines Representative Director and Chairman, Dominic Horwood, Rolls Royce Chief Commercial Officer

A350 Domestic Operations

JAL’s A350-900 is configured in a premium three class layout, with 12 seats in First Class, 94 in Class J and 263 in Comfort Economy. JAL will unveil the all new cabin in Tokyo on 20th June.

a diagram of a seat

The new JAL A350-900 will have reduced takeoff weight of just 217 tons. (normal A350 has 275 tons MTOW). With the reduced engine thrust, it is fit for Japan domestic high cycle operation.

As JAL intend to use the new A350 to replace B777 on domestic routes. The new economy seating on A350 (9 abreast in 3-3-3) is an improvement over the current B777 which is 10 abreast seating. (3-4-3)

Altogether, JAL has ordered 31 A350 XWB aircraft, comprising 18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s. JAL will initially operate the A350-900 on high frequency domestic routes, while the larger A350-1000 will fly on the carrier’s long haul international network from 2023.

The first aircraft will enter service on the airline’s Tokyo Haneda - Fukuoka route on September 1st.

a table with numbers and letters

The first three JAL A350 will be painted in a special colour scheme. The first aircraft in red symbolizes Challenge. 2nd aircraft will be painted in silver symbolizes innovation and 3rd aircraft in green symbolizes Eco.

a collage of airplanes in the sky
a group of white airplanes with red and green text
Japan Airlines A350 in special colour scheme

The ferry flight of the first JAL A350-900 is being performed with a blend of conventional and synthetic fuel, contributing to reduced CO2 emissions.

  • a group of men in uniform standing in front of an airplane
  • a woman standing in front of a large airplane
  • a man sitting on the ground next to an airplane
the front of a plane
a close up of a plane
  • a large white airplane with red writing on it
  • a large white airplane with red writing on it
    Japan Airlines A350-900 JA01XJ
a large white airplane at an airport
Japan Airlines A350-900 JA01XJ

Spectacular Flypass

The JAL A350 took off to Tokyo at 12:30 pm from Toulouse. A spectacular flypass is performed after takeoff. You can see from my video feed below.

JAL A350 Delivery Video

For more information on JAL A350, please visit the official JAL A350 page.