Published on
October 14, 2025
In response to growing demand for international travel, Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced significant expansions to its flight network, which includes the addition of new routes and the increase in frequencies on several existing services. These changes aim to enhance connectivity between Japan and key global destinations, catering to both business and leisure travelers.
One of the major developments is the increase in service on the Osaka/Kansai–Los Angeles route, which will be enhanced for a limited period starting October 26, 2025.
Osaka/Kansai–Los Angeles Route: Expanded Service
From October 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, JAL will operate one daily round-trip flight between Osaka/Kansai and Los Angeles. This temporary increase in frequency reflects a response to high seasonal demand during the holiday period. The aircraft serving this route will be the Boeing 787-9, which offers enhanced comfort and efficiency for long-haul flights.
Following this period, starting from February 1, 2026, the airline will operate five weekly round-trip flights on the Osaka/Kansai–Los Angeles route. The flights will depart on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, ensuring flexible travel options for passengers throughout the week.
JAL’s revamped schedule on this route is part of the airline’s broader effort to improve service to and from Los Angeles, where it already operates flights from Tokyo/Haneda and Tokyo/Narita, totaling up to three round-trip flights per day. These adjustments make Los Angeles an even more accessible hub for passengers traveling to and from Japan.
Outbound Flight (JL060): Departs Osaka/Kansai at 17:50, arriving in Los Angeles at 10:55.Inbound Flight (JL069): Departs Los Angeles at 13:10, arriving in Osaka/Kansai at 18:50+1.New Route: Tokyo Narita–Delhi
In addition to increasing the frequency of its Osaka/Kansai–Los Angeles route, JAL is also launching a new route between Tokyo Narita and Delhi starting January 17, 2026. This service will be offered on a daily basis, catering to the growing demand for direct flights between Japan and India. The flights will be operated using Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which are equipped with JAL’s signature service offerings to ensure a comfortable experience for passengers.
The introduction of this route strengthens the relationship between Japan and India, two countries with deep cultural, economic, and historical ties. By providing more direct flights, JAL aims to support both business travelers and tourists between the two nations.
Increased Frequencies on Existing Routes
As part of its 2026 network expansion, JAL is also increasing the frequency of several existing routes to better meet customer demand. These upgrades will provide more flexibility and convenience for passengers traveling to popular international destinations.
Tokyo Narita–Bengaluru: The airline will increase services from 3 to 5 flights per week to cater to the growing demand for travel between Japan and India’s tech hub.Tokyo Narita–Melbourne: Services will increase from 3 to 6 flights per week, further solidifying JAL’s commitment to connecting Japan with Australia.Tokyo Narita–Shanghai Pudong: Daily flights will be resumed, providing more frequent connections between Japan and China.Tokyo Narita–Taipei Taoyuan: JAL will maintain 14 weekly flights, with seasonal increases to accommodate peak travel periods.Tokyo Narita–Guam: Frequency will rise from 5 to 7 flights per week, improving accessibility for those traveling to this popular destination.Osaka Kansai–Shanghai: JAL will increase the number of flights from 3 to 7 flights per week, providing more options for travelers between Japan and China.
These adjustments are part of JAL’s strategy to enhance its presence across Asia and the Pacific, providing increased convenience for travelers.
Fleet Expansion with the Airbus A350-1000
As part of its fleet renewal plan, JAL is introducing the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on several international routes starting in 2025. The A350-1000 offers enhanced passenger comfort and greater fuel efficiency, making it an ideal addition to JAL’s growing international network. One of the notable routes for the A350-1000 will be the Haneda–Paris route, which will begin operating with this aircraft on November 9, 2025. This deployment reflects JAL’s commitment to offering state-of-the-art aircraft to passengers on long-haul flights.
The airline plans to expand the use of the A350-1000 on additional international routes in the future, further enhancing the travel experience for its passengers.
Summary of New Developments in 2026
In 2026, Japan Airlines is making significant strides to expand its international route network. Key updates include:
Launch of daily flights between Tokyo Narita and Delhi starting January 17, 2026.Increased frequencies on existing routes such as Tokyo Narita–Bengaluru, Tokyo Narita–Melbourne, Tokyo Narita–Shanghai, and more.Continued use of the Boeing 787-9 aircraft on long-haul routes like Osaka/Kansai–Los Angeles.Introduction of the Airbus A350-1000 on select routes, starting with Haneda–Paris in November 2025.Conclusion: JAL’s Commitment to Expanding Global Connectivity
With these new routes and increased frequencies, Japan Airlines is enhancing its global connectivity, offering travelers more options to explore Asia, Europe, and North America. The airline’s expansion plans for 2026 demonstrate its commitment to providing flexible and convenient travel options, catering to both business and leisure travelers.
JAL’s strategic route adjustments and fleet upgrades reflect its ongoing efforts to stay at the forefront of the aviation industry and provide the best possible service to passengers worldwide. With its enhanced network, JAL continues to strengthen its position as a leading international airline.
