Japan Airlines orders 21 Boeing 737-8 jets

Japan Airlines (JAL) have finalized an order for 21 Boeing 737-8 jets in a deal worth at least $2.5 billion at list prices. The 737-8 will position JAL to strengthen its domestic and regional network as passenger traffic continues to return to pre-pandemic levels. JAL intends to begin introducing the airplanes into its fleet from 2026.

“We are delighted to select the Boeing 737-8, a member of the very latest 737 MAX family, to replace our Boeing 737-800s, which make up the largest proportion of the JAL Group’s fleet,” said Yuji Akasaka, president of Japan Airlines. “We look forward to carrying our passengers in the utmost safety and comfort and to moving closer to our 2050 carbon-neutral goals, thanks to a combination of these super-efficient aircraft, operational innovations and new fuel-saving technologies.”

The deal is the first order for the 737 MAX placed by JAL, which predominantly owns Boeing aircraft and has operated the 737-800 as its main narrowbody plane. It follows an order from All Nippon Airways for 20 MAX jets that was finalized in July after a two year delay following the 737 MAX safety crisis.

The 737 MAX will provide JAL with greater range and fuel efficiency, reducing both fuel use and carbon emissions by 15% compared to the airplanes the airline is replacing. In addition, the 737 MAX is a quieter airplane, creating a significantly smaller noise footprint than the airplanes it replaces.

“The integration of the new 737 MAX will provide JAL with greater efficiency across its short-haul network, as the airline continues to upgrade its world-class fleet,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Partnering with JAL to introduce 737-8s into its operations is the latest milestone in our longstanding relationship.”

Boeing has historically dominated sales to the Japanese market. However, Airbus has made inroads over the last decade – most visibly through a 2013 order by JAL for widebody A350 jets, made as Boeing struggled to fix a battery problem with its 787 Dreamliner.

With Airbus single-aisle A320s in use by ANA’s Peach unit and JAL’s Jetstar Japan, Boeing strove to ensure that the MAX secured a foothold in the mainline fleet of Japan’s national carrier.

The 737 MAX family has the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, advanced technology winglets and other aerodynamic enhancements to improve performance. More than 50 airlines globally are operating over 900 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, which have made over 1.4 million revenue flights totaling more than 3.5 million flight hours since late 2020.