Japan Airlines retired its fourth Boeing 777-300ER aircraft last week, further pushing for fleet modernization as the carrier receives new Airbus A350-1000s as replacement.
The aircraft retired is JA732J, a 22-year-old aircraft delivered in February 2003, painted with a Oneworld livery. The aircraft completed its final 9-hour 24-minute journey on Nov. 20, 2025, from Sydney to Tokyo Haneda as flight JL52.
JA732J was the oldest active Boeing 777-300ER and was also one of Boeing’s test aircraft (N5017V) back during the development of the aircraft type.
Japan Airlines now has nine Boeing 777-300ER aircraft left in its fleet.
The aircraft has 244 seats, comprising eight First Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 49 Business Class seats in a staggered 2-3-2 configuration, as well as 40 Premium Economy and 149 Economy Class seats in a 2-4-2 and 3-3-3 configuration, respectively.
Its replacement, the Airbus A350-1000, instead has 239 seats, with six First Class seats in a 1-1-1 configuration, 54 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, and 24 Premium Economy and 155 Economy Class seats in a 2-4-2 and 3-3-3 configuration, respectively.
Japan Airlines has received 10 Airbus A350-1000s so far, and is expecting its 11th by the end of FY2025, which is March 2026.
The 11th delivery, JA11WJ, has a manufacturer serial number (MSN) 756 and has yet to be seen with any fuselage movements at Airbus. With 5 months to go til the expected delivery time, the clock is ticking for the airline’s next A350.
In late October, Japan Airlines stated that it has no plans for any changes in its A350 delivery timelines.
Featured image via Wikimedia Commons.
