Japan Airlines (JAL) commemorated the inauguration of its nonstop service between Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND). This milestone marks JAL as the first Japanese carrier to offer direct flights to and from the Middle East, facilitated through a code-share agreement with fellow oneworld® alliance member, Qatar Airways. The new route significantly enhances connectivity, allowing passengers to seamlessly access destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America via Qatar Airways’ extensive network.
The inaugural flight, JL059, operated by Japan Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, departed from HND with a nearly full passenger load and arrived at DOH on schedule, greeted by a ceremonial water cannon salute. A special ceremony was held at Hamad International Airport to commemorate the occasion, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries alongside representatives from Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the launch of this historic route, Ross Leggett, Japan Airlines’ Managing Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Route Marketing, remarked, “Our new service to Doha represents the first direct flight from the Middle East operated by a Japanese airline. This expansion perfectly complements JAL’s global network, facilitating seamless travel for passengers from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America through our partnership with Qatar Airways, a fellow oneworld alliance member.” Leggett further emphasized JAL’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for travel between Doha and Asia, offering passengers access to JAL’s renowned five-star service and exceptional hospitality.
Sujata Suri, Senior VP of Finance and Procurement at Hamad International Airport said that “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.
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, which underscores Hamad International Airport’s commitment to advancing global travel and enhancing passenger experiences”.
Thierry Antinori, Chief Commercial Officer of Qatar Airways, expressed his delight in welcoming their oneworld partner, Japan Airlines, to Doha, highlighting their commitment to strengthening their successful collaboration for passengers traveling between Japan, North Asia, and worldwide destinations. Antinori emphasized the strategic significance of Hamad International Airport as a global five-star rated hub, noting its pivotal role in attracting partner airlines and establishing itself as a premier stopover destination. He expressed optimism for future partnerships, aiming to further enhance connectivity and customer experience at this major gateway.
Japan Airlines’ nonstop service between DOH and HND will operate daily, utilizing the airline’s modern JAL SKY SUITE 787 (Boeing 787-9) aircraft. The aircraft features a two-class configuration, including 52 fully flat seats in JAL Business Class and 151 comfortable JAL SKY WIDER seats in Economy Class, both acclaimed for their quality and comfort. Passengers can enjoy JAL’s latest inflight entertainment system, Magic-VI, and access to inflight Wi-Fi (available for a fee) throughout the journey.
The JAL Group remains committed to innovation and improvement, continuously striving to enhance customer convenience, expand networks, and elevate the standards of its products and services.
