Japan Airlines Inaugurates First-Ever Direct Flight from Tokyo to Doha

Japan Airlines (JAL) recently initiated a direct flight service between Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) and Doha – Hamad International Airport (DOH), marking the first time a Japanese carrier has provided nonstop flights to the Middle East. This new route, operated in partnership with Qatar Airways, a fellow member of the oneworld® alliance, facilitates smooth connections for passengers traveling to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America.

The inaugural flight, JL059, took off from HND on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, packed nearly to capacity, and arrived in DOH as planned, receiving a celebratory water cannon salute. A special ceremony at DOH featured ribbon-cutting by local dignitaries to commemorate the launch.

Ross Leggett, a senior vice president at Japan Airlines, emphasized the significance of the new service as JAL’s first direct flight from Japan to the Middle East, enhancing the airline’s global connectivity and offering travelers JAL’s acclaimed hospitality and service. He noted the growing demand for travel between Doha and Asia for both business and leisure purposes.

Sujata Suri from Hamad International Airport highlighted the importance of this daily service as a milestone in the partnership between Qatar and Japan. She projected a 50% increase in weekly flights between the two countries, reflecting the airport’s commitment to improving global travel and the passenger experience.

Thierry Antinori of Qatar Airways welcomed JAL to Doha, looking forward to strengthening their alliance for global customers. He praised the strategic use of Hamad International Airport as a global hub and expressed hope for attracting more airlines to this premier stopover destination.

The DOH-HND route will be served daily by JAL’s Boeing 787-9, featuring JAL SKY SUITE Ⅲ in Business Class and JAL SKY WIDER seats in Economy Class, both award-winning options. The aircraft boasts the latest inflight entertainment system, Magic-VI, with touchscreen monitors at every seat and available Wi-Fi (for a fee).

JAL Group is committed to continuing its pursuit of enhancing customer convenience, expanding its network, and improving its service and product quality.