Japan Airlines has announced further cancellations and aircraft changes while it awaits the return of a damaged Airbus A350-1000 undergoing repairs.
On Dec. 14, 2025, JA10WJ, a Japan Airlines Airbus A350-1000, was struck by the right wing of a Hi Fly (Malta) Airbus A330-200, 9H-ALC, while parked at JFK Airport in New York City. The incident caused damage to the A350’s cockpit windows and the surrounding area.
The Japan Airlines aircraft will remain sidelined until repairs are complete.
“Our aircraft sustained damage to the cockpit windows and other areas, requiring maintenance work on the affected parts,” the airline said in a statement. “Accordingly, the aircraft cannot be used for flight operations until the necessary maintenance has been completed.”
While the airline initially had run its operations by delaying many of its flights, it will instead cancel the majority of its affected flights starting in January.
Japan Airlines had essentially run its long-haul flagship A350 services with no spare, leaving little to no wiggle room for disruptions. This has left the airline with no choice but to delay and cancel scheduled flights for the foreseeable future.
Affected flights are as follows:
Flight JL6, Tokyo Haneda (HND) – New York (JFK):
- Cancelled: Dec. 31, Jan. 12, 22, 24, 30
Flight JL5, New York (JFK) – Tokyo Haneda (HND):
- Cancelled: Dec. 31, Jan. 12, 22, 24, 30
Flight JL12, Tokyo Haneda (HND) – Dallas Fort Worth (DFW):
- Cancelled: Jan. 18, 26, 28
- Aircraft change: Dec. 27, 29, Jan. 2, 4, 6, 8 (Airbus A350 to Boeing 777)
Flight JL11, Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) – Tokyo Haneda (HND):
- Cancelled: Jan. 18, 26, 28
- Aircraft change: Dec. 27, 29, Jan. 2, 4, 6, 8 (Airbus A350 to Boeing 777)
Flight JL56, Tokyo Narita (NRT) – Chicago (ORD):
- Cancelled: Dec. 27, 29
Flight JL55, Chicago (ORD) – Tokyo Narita (NRT):
- Cancelled: Dec. 27, 29
Flight JL43, Tokyo Haneda (HND) – London (LHR):
- Cancelled: Jan. 10, 14, 20
Flight JL44, London (LHR) – Tokyo Haneda (HND):
- Cancelled: Jan. 10, 14, 20
Flight JL45, Tokyo Haneda (HND) – Paris (CDG):
- Cancelled: Jan. 16
Flight JL46, Paris (CDG) – Tokyo Haneda (HND):
- Cancelled: Jan. 16
The airline notes that information regarding delays and cancellations for flights on dates after Feb. 1 will be provided later.
Japan Airlines currently holds 10 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, which have been replacing its aging Boeing 777 fleet. The airline is expecting its 11th delivery of the aircraft type by the end of March 2026 (end of FY2025). However, there have been no sightings of the next aircraft, JA11WJ/MSN 756, with three months to go.
The carrier has a total of 13 A350-1000s on order and has already retired four Boeing 777-300ERs as it has received its deliveries.
There is currently no timeline for JA10WJ, the aircraft involved in the incident, and its repairs. Passengers on long-haul Japan Airlines flights can expect disruptions over the next several months.
Featured image by the author.
