JAL to take seven A350-1000s by end-2024; other deliveries ‘still on track’

Japan Airlines expects to take delivery of two Airbus A350-1000s – its new long-haul flagship — before the end of 2023, as it eyes a “competitive” edge on its trans-Pacific services. The airline will take delivery of another five A350-1000s in 2024, says senior vice-president for route marketing Ross Leggett. JAL has 13 -1000s on order, which the new type to replace its fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs. JAL executive vice-president Shinichiro Shimizu says that the airline will deploy the type on flights to North America, and eventually replace all the 777-300ERs currently in operation. However, he declines to comment on which other cities it is considering. Both Shimizu and Leggett were speaking to FlightGlobal at the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ Assembly of Presidents in Singapore. Shimizu says the airline expects “more competitive service” on its trans-Pacific operations with the A350’s new cabin products. In October, JAL unveiled details of the A350 configuration – including seat count – for the widebody twins, picking Safran to provide the premium-class seats, with Recaro supplying those in the economy cabin. First- and business-class seating will for the first time feature enclosed private suites, while premium-economy seats are fixed back, says JAL. The airline’s first -1000 was to have entered service in November, coinciding with the start of the Northern Winter schedule, but supply chain delays pushed the launch timeline to the right. <br/>