Japan Airlines retired the 747 from passenger service in early 2011, as its post-bankruptcy restructuring accelerated fleet rationalization. Over four decades JAL flew 112 of them — including the 563-seat 747-400D built specifically for ultra-dense Tokyo domestic routes. The 787-9 and A350-1000 run the international routes today.
No — Japan Airlines retired the 747 from passenger service in early 2011 during its post-bankruptcy restructuring. The airline had operated 112 of the type since 1970, including the unique high-density 747-400D built for domestic Japan routes. The 787-9 and A350-1000 are JAL’s long-haul aircraft today. Any JAL 747 seat map is 15 years out of date.
Japan Airlines took its first 747 in 1970 and became one of the largest operators of the type worldwide, eventually flying 112 of them. JAL’s most distinctive variant was the 747-400D — no extra fuel tanks, no premium cabins, 563 economy seats in a single-class layout for ultra-high-frequency Tokyo–Osaka, Tokyo–Sapporo, and Tokyo–Fukuoka domestic corridors. The 747 also anchored JAL’s international network on Tokyo–New York, Tokyo–London, and trans-Pacific routes.
The 787-9 and A350-1000 cover JAL’s international network today.
Japan Airlines 787-9 seat guide · Japan Airlines A350-1000 seat guide
No. JAL retired the 747 from passenger service in early 2011 as part of post-bankruptcy fleet restructuring. No 747 has flown for JAL since.
A domestic-only variant with 563 economy seats and no international fuel reserves, built for JAL’s ultra-dense Tokyo–Osaka, Tokyo–Sapporo, and Tokyo–Fukuoka routes. JAL was the only airline to operate it.
The 787-9 on international medium-long-haul routes and the A350-1000 on the longest-range services including Tokyo–New York.