Japan Airlines (JAL) will debut its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in January 2024 on flights between Tokyo and New York.

The first A350 was initially scheduled to be inaugurated in late November, but the plans were postponed amid supply chain issues. However, the carrier has now revealed it will introduce the aircraft between Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Jan. 24, 2024.

Flights will initially operate on alternate days. However, once JAL takes delivery of a second A350-1000, scheduled to be before the end of March, operations will increase to daily.

JAL currently offers double-daily service on the 6,755-mi. (5,870-nm) route between HND and JFK using Boeing 777-300s. Additionally, the Oneworld alliance member says it has decided to operate A350-1000 flights between HND and American Airlines’ home hub Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport once it takes delivery of a third aircraft.

The airline has 13 A350-1000s on order, which will gradually replace the 777-300s in its fleet. The two aircraft expected to be delivered before the end of March will be joined by a further five, scheduled for delivery during the fiscal year beginning April 1.

In November, Aviation Week reported that surging inbound demand to Japan is more than offsetting a continued slow recovery in outbound travel and in demand to and from China for the carrier. International traffic in October 2023 rose to almost 560,000 passengers, marking a year-on-year rise of 154%.

Earlier this month, JAL also confirmed the launch date for its inaugural flights to Doha, Qatar. Service between HND and Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) will operate daily from March 31, 2024. Codeshare connections beyond DOH will be offered by Qatar Airways.