JAL’s First Boeing 777-300ER to Be Retired Leaves Japan for Roswell, USA in White Livery

Japan Airlines (JAL)’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, after serving for 19 years, saw its 4th unit (Registration: N3243P, formerly JA734J) depart from Haneda Airport to its new home in Roswell, New Mexico, USA, on the night of September 19th.

JAL introduced its first 777-300ER (Registration: JA731J) on July 1, 2004, as it took over from the Boeing 747 models as the flagship on international routes, with a total of 13 aircraft being introduced.

JA734J, being the 4th aircraft, was delivered to JAL on July 26, 2005, and arrived in Japan on July 28th. It was put into commercial service from August onwards, operating on medium to long-haul international routes for 19 years.

On January 24th of this year, the Airbus A350-1000 took to the skies as JAL’s new flagship international aircraft, setting the stage for the gradual replacement of the 777-300ER. JA734J ended its operation with flight JL52 from Sydney to Tokyo/Haneda on August 20th, becoming the first of the 777-300ERs to retire. Its total flying hours amounted to 81,823.64, with a total of 9,223 cycles.

Following its retirement, JA734J was stripped of the ‘JAPAN AIRLINES’ text and logo, turning into a plain white livery, with its registration changed to exhibit the U.S. nationality indicator ‘N’. Preparations were steadily made for its departure from Japan.

The ferry flight, accompanied by farewells from JAL’s maintenance staff and 777 flight crew, left parking spot 212 in front of the hangar at 11:56 PM on September 19th. It took off from Runway D at 0:15 AM on the 20th.