Japan Airlines has become the first Japanese carrier to operate a nonstop service to and from the Middle East.
The Japan Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft departed Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) on March 31, 2024, and landed at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha almost 12 hours later.
The Japan Airlines 787-9 Dreamliner was welcomed in Doha by a water cannon salute and a ceremony was held to officially launch the route which is also a codeshare service with fellow oneworld alliance member Qatar Airways.
“Our new Doha service is the first direct flight from the Middle East operated by a Japanese airline. It perfectly complements JAL’s global network and enables customers to seamlessly connect from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America through our partnership with Qatar Airways, a member of the same oneworld alliance as JAL,” Ross Leggett, Japan Airlines Managing Executive Officer and Route Marketing Senior Vice President, said.
Konnichiwa Doha @JAL_Official_jp
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) April 1, 2024
Welcoming Japan Airlines to @HIAQatar for the first time!
Our @traveloneworld and codeshare partner was met with a water cannon salute in cooperation with Qatar Aviation Services#QatarAirways#GoingPlacesTogether pic.twitter.com/WGtJ7bNQ1C
Leggett added: “The demand for business and leisure travel from Doha to Asia continues to grow, and we are excited to offer JAL’s renowned five-star service and unique approach to hospitality to even more travelers.”
The new service will run daily until October 26, 2024, and will feature Japan Airlines JAL SKY SUITE 787 (Boeing 787-9) aircraft.
The two-class configuration includes 52 JAL SKY SUITE Ⅲ fully flat seats in JAL Business Class, and 151 JAL SKY WIDER seats.
“We are thrilled to welcome Japan Airlines to the Middle East through its renowned hub in Doha. The launch of Japan Airlines’ daily flights from Tokyo Haneda to Hamad International Airport is a landmark achievement and a testament to the flourishing partnership between both Qatar and Japan,” Sujata Suri, Senior Vice President of Finance and DOH, said.
Suri added: “Combining Japan Airlines’ latest launch with Qatar Airways’ recent resumption to Osaka, is projected to result in a 50% increase in weekly flight frequency between Qatar and Japan.”