Japan Airlines Launches Direct Flights to Doha

Japan Airlines inaugurates its first direct flight service between Tokyo Haneda and Doha, enhancing global connectivity in partnership with Qatar Airways.

Japan Airlines (JAL) has officially commenced its nonstop service between Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) and Doha – Hamad International Airport (DOH), marking a significant milestone as the first Japanese airline to provide direct flights to the Middle East. This strategic move, facilitated in code-share partnership with oneworld® alliance member Qatar Airways, is set to offer seamless connections for travelers to and from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America.

The inaugural flight, JL059, operated on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, departed from HND with nearly full passenger capacity, symbolizing strong demand for this new route. Upon landing in Doha, the aircraft received a ceremonial water cannon salute, followed by a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries and representatives from Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways, and Japan Airlines.

Ross Leggett, Japan Airlines Managing Executive Officer, highlighted the importance of the Doha service in complementing JAL's global network. This route not only responds to the growing demand for business and leisure travel between Doha and Asia but also promises to deliver JAL's acclaimed service and hospitality to a broader audience.

Sujata Suri, Senior Vice President of Finance and Procurement at Hamad International Airport, emphasized the significance of JAL's daily flights from Tokyo Haneda to Doha as a landmark achievement. She noted that the collaboration between Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines is expected to increase weekly flight frequency between the two countries by 50%, reinforcing Hamad International Airport's role in promoting global travel and enhancing passenger experiences.

Thierry Antinori, Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, expressed enthusiasm for the strengthening partnership with Japan Airlines. He praised the strategic use of Hamad International Airport as a global hub, which continues to attract partnership airlines, enriching the travel options available to international travelers.

The DOH-HND service, operating daily, features JAL's JAL SKY SUITE 787 aircraft, offering 52 JAL SKY SUITE Ⅲ fully flat seats in Business Class and 151 JAL SKY WIDER seats in Economy Class. The flight also boasts the latest inflight entertainment system, Magic-VI, with touchscreen monitors for all passengers, and fee-based Inflight Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable and connected journey.

As Japan Airlines extends its network and enhances its service offerings, this new route stands as a testament to the airline's commitment to connecting the world more closely while maintaining high standards of customer service and convenience.