JAL - JAPAN AIR LINES
(Japan)

Since ever, JAL operated large numbers of Douglas aircraft, including the DC-4 and DC-6 in early years and later the DC-8 and, of course, the DC-10. As traffic in Asia grew at the end of the 1960s, JAL became one of the first costumer for the 747 which replaced the DC-8 as flagship on the international and the high density national routes. But there were still some routes which had too much traffic for a DC-8 but not enough for the 747 and so JAL, as long-time Douglas-costumer, ordered six DC-10s on December 28th 1974. As JALs 747 had Pratt & Whitney engines, JAL chose the DC-10-40 and became, beside Northwest, the only costumer for this Pratt & Whitney - powered variant. But there was still a difference between JALs and Northwest’s DC-10-40 as JAL chose the more powerful JT9D-59A - engine, which offered higher thrust and higher range. Half of the fleet were DC-10-40D for use on domestic routes while the heavier DC-10-40I is used on intercontinental routes. Further orders followed, bringing the fleet to . Later, some domestic aircraft were converted to heavier DC-10-40I and were used by one of the subsidiaries. As special fact, it could be mentioned, that Beijing’s first regular widebody flight was made by a JAL DC-10. Compared to other carriers, JAL began very late with the withdrawal of the DC-10 (JALs DC-10 were also very young compared to other aircraft), and the first aircraft left the fleet in 1997. JAL still operates DC-10, but also MD-11 and 777-200/300 which are replacing her on its routes. 767-200/300, 747 (in all series but SP) are also fleet-members. Japan Air Lines' subsidiaries operate charter services, for example JAA (Japan Asia Airways) and Jalways (formerly JAZ, Japan Air Charter) with DC-10. In 2002, JAL took over JAS (Japan Air System), a former DC-10-operator.

Photos:
Right: JAL - Japan Air Lines DC-10-40 - FROM TAXIWAYS COLLECTION

Following aircraft were operated by or for JAL - Japan Air Lines:

RegistrationAircraftFleetnr./NameOperated from - toWhere is it now?
JA853046920/ 21209.04.1976 - 15.11.1997Arrow Air
JA853146923/ 21612.04.1976 - 21.12.1987,
21.07.1990 - 02.1993 and
???? - 23.07.2004
-stored-
JA853246660/ 22016.04.1976 - 16.10.1986 and
31.07.1997 - now
-stored-
JA853346661/ 22425.05.1976 - 11.03.1998Aeroflot
JA853446913/ 20623.11.1976 - 27.11.1986,
01.04.1991 - 04.04.1992,
19.07.1993 - 28.05.1994 and
18.07.1997 - 2004
-stored-
JA853546662/ 23013.08.1976 - 01.09.1994,
14.09.1994 - 16.02.1995,
26.02.1995 - 10.05.1995,
18.05.1995 - 01.08.1995,
16.08.1995 - 08.04.2005
-stored-
JA853646966/ 26220.11.1978 - 26.02.1999Aeroflot
JA853746967/ 26518.01.1979 - 28.11.1988,
02.04.1991 - ???? and
???? - 19.09.2005
-stored-
JA853846974/ 27404.04.1979 - 01.09.1992,
15.09.1992 - 02.06.1994
13.06.1994 - 11.09.1994 and
22.09.1994 - 19.09.2005
-stored-
JA853947822/ 30407.01.1980 - ???? and
???? - 23.01.1992
-stored-
JA854047823/ 30624.12.1979 - 30.01.2000Aeroflot
JA854147824/ 30820.03.1980 - 31.10.2005-stored-
JA854247825/ 31017.04.1980 - 15.11.1995,
19.11.1995 - 10.1999 and
???? - 30.10.2005
-stored-
JA854347826/ 31322.05.1980 - 30.10.2005-stored-
JA854447852/ 34019.12.1980 - 07.1989 and
12.1990 - 20.08.1993
Global Airtanker Service
JA854547853/ 34319.12.1980 - 16.08.1992,
17.08.1992 - 27.10.1995,
08.11.1995 - 06.02.1996 and
18.02.1996 - 12.08.2005
-stored-
JA854647854/ 34926.03.1981 - 12.03.2001Aeroflot
JA854747856/ 36619.12.1980 - 24.04.1995-stored-
JA854847857/ 36727.01.1981 - 25.07.2003-stored-
JA854948301/ 38115.03.1983 - 31.08.2003-stored-


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