Press Release
JAL Group Announces FY2026 Winter Schedule on International and Domestic Network
Summary
- On international routes, JAL will strengthen direct flights to Europe. Along with expanding operations using the highly acclaimed A350-1000 aircraft on the London and Paris routes, the Haneda-Helsinki route will increase to a daily service. These enhancements will boost seat capacity by 16% year-on-year while further upgrading its product offerings.
- The Tokyo (Narita)-Shanghai (Pudong) route will resume, expanding departure and arrival airports for this destination to Haneda, Narita, and Kansai. Additionally, flight frequencies will be increased on the Tokyo (Haneda)-Hong Kong route, primarily around the Lunar New Year period.
- On the Okinawa (Naha)-Taipei (Taoyuan) route operated by JTA, additional evening flights will be introduced to offer two round trips per day (double daily), aiming to further capture the robust inbound tourism demand.
- For domestic operations, the high-demand Tokyo (Haneda)-Fukuoka and Okinawa (Naha) routes will each increase by one daily round-trip.
- Routes between Osaka and Hokkaido, some previously operating as seasonal flights, will be strengthened. A new Osaka (Itami)-Obihiro route will be launched, and the Osaka (Itami)-Asahikawa and Memanbetsu routes will transition to year-round operations.
- To enhance customer convenience, flight schedules for the Tokyo (Haneda)-Okayama route will be adjusted in coordination with All Nippon Airways (ANA).
■ International Network
●Direct flights to Europe will be strengthened, increasing seat capacity by 16% year-on-year while upgrading product offerings
Flights operated by the state-of-the-art Airbus A350-1000 aircraft will be expanded on the London and Paris routes(*1). Additionally, following September and October, the Haneda-Helsinki route will continue to operate daily throughout the winter schedule. By expanding direct flight options between Japan and Europe and leveraging connections with JAL Group domestic flights, JAL will contribute to further driving inbound tourism to regional areas in Japan(*2).
<European Routes>
Regarding the Haneda-Doha route, which has been suspended since late February, operations will remain suspended during the FY2026 winter schedule as the situation in the Middle East remains uncertain with no clear prospects for resuming flights(*3). JAL will accommodate travel demand to and from the Middle East and Africa through codeshare flights operated by Qatar Airways. JAL will continue to closely monitor the situation and demand trends toward resuming its own operated flights in FY2027.
(*1) June 11, 2026 Press Release | JAL Announces Changes to 2026 International Route Schedule and Updates to Inflight Services
(URL: https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202606/009571.html
(*2) June 25, 2026 Area News | [Kyushu] (Joint Release)JAL, JR Kyushu, Kumamoto International Airport, and Kyushu Tourism Organization Launch First Joint Project
(URL: https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202606/009599.html
(*3) Details regarding itinerary changes and refunds for customers holding reservations for the Haneda-Doha route (JL59/JL50) between October 24, 2026, and March 28, 2027, will be provided sequentially as soon as preparations are complete. In addition to the Narita and Kansai routes operated by Qatar Airways, codeshare flights have also been available on the Haneda route since July.
●Tokyo (Narita)-Shanghai (Pudong) route to resume; Tokyo (Haneda)-Hong Kong to increase flights during Lunar New Year
Following its operation last winter, the Narita-Shanghai (Pudong) route will resume service. The Shanghai route will feature departures and arrivals at Haneda, Narita, and Kansai, enhancing convenience for customers. Furthermore, to meet robust inbound demand, flight frequencies will be increased on the Haneda-Hong Kong route, primarily around the Lunar New Year period.
<Flight Schedule>(*4)
●JTA to increase Okinawa (Naha)-Taipei (Taoyuan) flights to double daily
JTA's Okinawa (Naha)-Taipei (Taoyuan) route, launched in February, has been highly acclaimed, maintaining a load factor of over 80% every month since its inauguration. In addition to the current morning schedule, a new evening schedule will be added to expand customer choices and further attract inbound tourists to Okinawa. Ahead of the FY2026 winter schedule, evening flights will also be operated on select dates in September and October, primarily around long weekends.
<Flight Schedule>(*4)
(*4) Schedules may vary depending on the departure date. Please refer to the JAL Web site for details and the latest information.
■ Domestic Network
●Frequencies to be increased on Tokyo (Haneda)-Fukuoka and Okinawa (Naha) routes
To meet strong customer demand, JAL will increase frequencies on the Tokyo (Haneda)-Fukuoka and Tokyo (Haneda)-Okinawa (Naha) routes by one daily round-trip each.
●Hokkaido and Okinawa routes to/from Osaka (Itami) to be enhanced
Routes between Osaka (Itami) and Hokkaido (Eastern and Northern Hokkaido region), where demand is high, will be strengthened. A new Osaka (Itami)-Obihiro route will be launched starting December 2026(*5). Additionally, the Osaka (Itami)-Asahikawa and Memanbetsu routes, previously operated only during summer, will become year-round services (Memanbetsu route starting February 2027). Direct flights between Osaka (Itami) and Eastern and Northern Hokkaido--eliminating the need for connections--will improve customer convenience. Furthermore, flight frequencies will be increased on the high-demand Osaka (Itami)-Okinawa (Naha) route. As a result, JTA will resume service to Osaka (Itami) for the first time in 19 years since 2007.
(*5) Regarding the FY2026 summer schedule, the number of flights planned for October 2026 is listed.
(*6) Includes winter seasonal flights.
●Initiating concrete measures toward maintaining and developing a sustainable domestic aviation network
The "Expert Panel on the Future of Domestic Aviation" proposed implementing measures to maintain domestic aviation networks and ensure user convenience while maintaining airline competition as a general principle. As part of route coordination, JAL and ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS CO., LTD. adjusted schedules on the Tokyo (Haneda)-Okayama route. By securing time intervals between flights that previously departed at similar times, customer choices and convenience have been improved.
＜JAL/ANA Schedule Comparison on Tokyo (Haneda)-Okayama Route＞
(*7) Schedules are listed for the first day of the Winter 2025 and Winter 2026 schedule, respectively.
With a view to building a sustainable domestic network , JAL will continue discussions with relevant parties considering various options, including frequency adjustments and route coordination such as codeshare arrangements with other airlines.
●Expansion of larger aircraft and First Class service period on Tokyo (Haneda)-Miyako route during spring holiday season
Similar to the summer holiday period, larger Boeing 787-8 aircraft will operate on the Tokyo (Haneda) -Miyako route from March 19 (Fri) to March 27 (Sat), 2027. Extending the availability of First Class service will provide more customers with a comfortable travel experience during the spring break season.
●JAC to introduce two additional fuel-efficient ATR 72-600 aircraft
JAC has decided to introduce additional ATR 72-600 aircraft, which are scheduled to enter service in February 2027(*8).
The ATR 72-600 reduces fuel consumption by approximately 45% and generates about 45% fewer CO2 emissions compared to regional jets in the same class(*9).
While remaining mindful of the environment, the JAL Group will strive to maintain a sustainable remote island route network.
Please visit the JAL website for specific flight schedules.
(*8) Press Release dated February 10, 2026 | Decision to Introduce 2 Additional ATR72-600 Aircraft URL:https://www.jac.co.jp/pressrelease/pdf/50d714d2cbf3253d36d885f633649a026539d833.pdf (Japanese only)
(*9) Based on the manufacturer's performance specifications for the ATR72-600.
JAL will continue to create social and economic value by fostering "relationships and connections through travel," providing a route network that meets customer needs.
*Please see the Appendix for details.