What's The Status Of Japan Airlines' Airbus A350-1000s?

Summary

Japan Airlines has two Airbus A350-1000 airframes currently in assembly, both of which have been painted in the airline's livery.
These A350-1000s will replace JAL's fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs, with 13 A350-1000s on order to replace the 13 777-300ERs.
JAL has created a special website dedicated to the A350-1000, with the first aircraft expected to enter service in 2023 on the Tokyo to New York JFK route.

In March of this year, we reported that Japan Airlines' (JAL) very first Airbus A350-1000 had been spotted in its customer livery at Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France. Since then, it appears that another JAL airframe has begun the assembly process. Yet, neither jet has taken to the skies for an initial test flight at the time of this article's publication.

Two airframes spotted

While there had only been one JAL A350-1000 spotted earlier this year, there now appear to be two. The identification information of the airframes is as follows:

MSN 610: Test registration F-WZFM, future/Japanese registration JA01WJ
MSN 628: Test registration F-WZNV, future/Japanese registration JA02WJ

In terms of progress and the latest information available, Aviation Flights indicates that both jets have been painted in their full Japan Airlines livery. However, MSN 610 has its engines installed, while MSN 628 does not.

As shown in the video embedded above, JAL was proud to show off one of its first A350-1000s rolling out of the paint shop. The video was published on May 2nd.

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Replacing the Boeing 777-300ER

With two A350-1000s now spotted, there should be 11 more rolling off the assembly line in the months to come.

Japan Airlines intends to use the A350-1000 to fully replace its fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs, one-for-one. Indeed, the airline has 13 A350-1000s on order and will use these to take over the role of its 13 777-300ERs.

Photo: Japan Airlines

The average age of the 777-300ER fleet is currently 16-and-a-half years, with the oldest airframe being about 20-and-a-half years of age. These jets are configured with 244 seats across four classes:

8 seats in first class
49 seats in business
40 in premium economy
and 147 in economy

We would naturally see a similar four-class configuration for JAL's A350-1000s.

A unique website for JAL's A350-1000s

Japan Airlines is clearly excited about adding this stretched A350 variant to its fleet. Indeed, the carrier has made a special website dedicated to this aircraft, which can be found by clicking here (opens in a new window.) The site promises to post the latest updates concerning the aircraft, stating that a second video is coming soon.

The first route that will utilize the A350-1000 is still set to be Tokyo (Haneda) to New York JFK. Currently, the carrier offers two daily services between the two cities in the form of JL3/4 and JL5/6 - both using the Boeing 777-300ER. As we reported earlier, JL5/JL6 will see the A350-1000 first.

The airline adds that this new jet will be its flagship aircraft and has set the entry into service as being sometime in 2023. Many anticipate the introduction of the new variant as coinciding with the start of the winter schedule, which comes into effect on October 29th, 2023. However, the carrier does note on its website that the fleet launch may be delayed.

Are you excited to see Japan Airlines take delivery of its very first Airbus A350-1000? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Sources: Planespotters.net, ch-aviation.com, Aviation Flights, Mainly Miles