Japan Airlines, a SKYTRAX 5-Star airline and member of the oneworld® alliance, is now the first Japanese airline to operate nonstop service to and from the Middle East, with its new daily service between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Doha’s Hamad International Airport. The inaugural flight launched on 31 March 2024, and will also enable customers to seamlessly connect to Africa, Europe, and South America through its partnership with Qatar Airways, a fellow oneworld member.
A World Of Possibilities
The flight is operated with JAL’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with a two-class configuration, and opens up a new world of possibilities to passengers travelling between the two travel hubs. Haneda Airport is an ideal base from which to connect to numerous other international destinations across East Asia – not to mention domestic destinations from Hokkaido to Kyushu – and will take travellers into Tokyo with ease, connecting them directly to the Keikyu Line and the Tokyo Monorail Line.
Meanwhile, through the international network of Qatar Airways, connections throughout the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and South America will be possible at Doha’s Hamad International Airport. This will enable smooth travel to more destinations, expanding customers’ options for travel while also allowing them to visit the city of Doha during layovers, or spend time in the lounges of the multi-award-winning airport.
Connecting Cultures
Both Doha, the capital of Qatar, and Tokyo, the capital of Japan, are cities that seamlessly blend historical traditions and cutting-edge modernity, embracing their rich heritage while offering modern facilities and infrastructures for travellers from across the world. Both destinations have witnessed a remarkable bounce-back in terms of tourism recovery levels in recent years, even surpassing pre-pandemic visitor levels – and forecasts predict that these figures are only set to rise.
As the financial, cultural, and industrial centre of Japan that is also a major international financial centre, Tokyo is one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations that continues to be an important destination for global corporate and business travellers. Ties between Japan and GCC countries have been steadily increasing over the past few years, and with recent changes in legislation enabling easier travel for GCC residents to Japan – including visa waiver arrangements for short-term stay for Qatari nationals, visa-free entry for UAE nationals, and easy e-visa applications for residents of the UAE and Saudi Arabia – the addition of this new route by Japan Airlines is the next step in strengthening the scope of what is possible for, and between, these two destinations.
Traditional Japanese Hospitality at 30,000 feet
Japan Airlines prides itself on its commitment to constantly enhancing and improving customer convenience and comfort, and the overall quality of its products and services. The airline offers gourmet flavours at 30,000 feet, with premium beverages and authentic and chef-curated seasonal menus, including renewed vegan and vegetarian menu options. Japan Airlines also remains committed to its sustainability efforts, having declared its intention to recycle 100% of its food waste into fertilizer through composting by 2025, along with a goal of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
The airline, which is renowned for its punctuality as well as exceptional service that pays homage to traditional Japanese hospitality, will be offering the new flight on a codeshare basis with Qatar Airways with both Economy and Business class seats available. The flight’s Business class is fitted with staggered fully-flat JAL SKY SUITE III seats with direct aisle access, retractable privacy screens, premium amenities, an entertainment system featuring the latest movies and programmes, and an award-winning chef-designed inflight dining menu.
“Our new Doha service is the first direct flight to the Middle East operated by a Japanese airline. It perfectly complements JAL’s global network and enables customers to seamlessly connect to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America through our partnership with Qatar Airways, a member of the same oneworld alliance as JAL,” said Ross Leggett, Japan Airlines’ managing executive officer and senior vice president of route marketing. “The demand for business and leisure travel from Doha to Asia continues to grow, and we are excited to offer JAL’s renowned five-star service and unique approach to hospitality to even more travellers,” Leggett added.
As the JAL Group continues their mission to create social and economic value by fostering relationships and connections through travel, contributing to the progress and development and society while enhancing its network, the new route is bound to be a success.
