JAL - Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo Haneda) is considering introducing dedicated domestic-service aircraft on international routes amid growing demand, vice president for international route strategy Abe Motohisa said during the Routes Asia 2025 conference. As quoted by Aviation Week, he said the airline aims for better fleet utilisation by operating these jets during the night.
The aircraft with domestic-service cabin configurations are expected to operate out of secondary airports, such as Hiroshima International. Abe did not disclose when the expansion might begin or which aircraft are being considered for the new international routes. He added that although the concept is under consideration, the plans face challenges due to a shortage of available pilots.
ch-aviation asked the airline for comment but it was not immediately available.
Japan Airlines currently boasts a fleet of 199 aircraft and distinguishes between domestic- and international-configured aircraft of the same type.
The airline's B787-8s feature three distinctive cabin layouts. The aircraft operating on domestic routes are equipped with 291-seat three-class cabins, while the jets used on international services have 186 or 206 seats in the dual-class configuration. Japan Airlines operates ten B787-8s with 186 seats, nine with 206, and four with 291 seats.
Its domestic B767-300ERs have 252 or 261 seats in the three- and two-class layout, respectively. The jets operating on international services are equipped with 199 seats - 24 in business class and 175 in economy class. Japan Airlines' B767-300ER fleet consists of eight aircraft configured for international services and 16 in domestic configurations.
The company also has different cabin layouts for its B737-800 fleet. Domestic aircraft are outfitted with 20 seats in business and 145 seats in economy class. The Japanese flag carrier operates 35 aircraft with this cabin layout. Meanwhile, seven aircraft operating on international routes have 144 seats in a dual-class configuration.
