Japan Airlines (JAL) aims to increase its international traffic by 40% by 2030 by ordering 21 Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft and 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Oneworld alliance members have also ordered 11 of Airbus' largest narrow-body aircraft, the A321neo.
Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 27 A350-1000 and six A350-900 aircraft, which are large variants of Airbus' A350.
JAL plans to deploy 20 of the 21 A350-900s on international routes, with the first delivery scheduled for 2027. Dreamliner deliveries are also expected to begin in 2027.
JAL has several airline subsidiaries, including Gfair, a low-cost carrier that flies to the U.S. The company said its main focus for overseas expansion over the next decade will be North America, India and other parts of Asia.
The A321neo will be a new addition to JAL’s fleet. The airline plans to deploy the aircraft domestically, starting in India in 2028.
Korean Air said the Airbus order will refresh its fleet as it gradually retires older aircraft. The A350 is the first aircraft ordered by Korean Air, and will supplement or replace its widebody fleet of Airbus A330s, Airbus A380s, Boeing Dreamliners, Boeing 747s, and Boeing 777s.
Korean Air, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, has identified Seoul-New York as a potential route for the A350. It currently flies the city pair twice a day with its 747s.
