In one of the most unexpected orders of the year, Japan Airlines have turned to Airbus for long haul aircraft, with an order for 31 aircraft.
The order will be composed of the new Airbus A350, made up of:
– 18 Airbus A350-900
– 13 Airbus A350-1000
Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 flying in formation – Rendering, Airbus
Additional orders for 25 Airbus A350 aircraft are in the order as well.
Deliveries to commence in 2019 through to 2025, with a list value of US$9.5Billion. This is one of the biggest order of the A350 this year.
During its history, Japan Airlines has been pretty much been a solid Boeing customer, purchasing 747s, 767s, 777s and 787. Whilst Japan Air Systems brought A300s, this will be the first direct purchase of Airbus aircraft as Japan Airlines.
To Airbus, could this be the order that really pushes them into the land of the rising sun? Apart from a few smaller airlines using Airbus A320 family aircraft, none of the wide-bodies have shown major interest there (apart for an order of some A380s by one of the Japanese Airlines). Airbus seems picked the right plane at the right time, with the right timings to replace Japan Airlines fleet.
To Boeing, there are going to have to be questions asked. The relationship between Japan Airlines (and Japan) is a strong one with Japanese companies frequently contributing to Boeing products.
There’s another question to answer, and its in regards to the other major Japanese carrier – All Nippon Airlines. ANA’s 777 fleet is also aging, which will lead to a decision soon. Will ANA choose the A350XWB or Boeing 777X?
It could be the hurry-up that Boeing needs to formally launch the 777X.
Suffice to say, this is an order few expected (including yours truly – JAL’s fleet is solidly Boeing), and puts a lot more strength to the A350XWB project.
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Continued 787 issues breed a lack of confidence in Boeing. Thus, the shift toward Airbus is not surprising at all.
It would be foolish to say the 787 played no part in this, no matter what JAL say.
Saying that the A350 is a new aircraft – like the 787. Hopefully it will have less issues into entry.
Although JAL will get their aircraft a good 4 years after official entry into service…
That is surprising! I always thought JAL/ANA were both Boeing buyers.
The one Japanese airline that did buy A380 is Skymark, mainly for long-haul flights to Europe but I actually heard it wants to use the A380 for long-haul flights to USA? Do you know more info about skymark’s A380 routes?
Europe was what I was reading last too, with New York mooted for the USA.
A330s will arrive in Jan 14, with a comparatively low-density A380 (under 400 seats) in June 14 according to Wiki.
Whilst the A380 order is important (Skymark will be the first operator of the type in Japan), the A350 cracks a major nut that Airbus has been trying to break – getting one of the legacy airlines to buy long haul jets from them.
According to NHK here in Japan: Japan Airlines President Yoshiharu Ueki said his company decided to replace its aging fleet with the Airbus planes because of their high levels of safety and product quality.
JAL 787 forced to return to Moscow when toilets stop functioning. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131010_11.html