Japan Airlines (JAL)’s Tokyo/Narita to Bengaluru route marked its 5th anniversary on April 11.
The Tokyo/Narita to Bengaluru route was initially planned to be launched with one flight per day starting March 29, 2020, but was delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It commenced on April 11 of the same year as a special flight for Japanese nationals returning home. The first flight from Narita on that day was operated as a ferry flight without passengers to Bengaluru, and the following day, a special return flight was conducted for Japanese nationals.
It became a regular service starting from the summer schedule of 2022, initially operating twice a week. In the winter schedule of the same year, it increased to three flights a week, and by the winter schedule of 2024, it had expanded to five flights a week. Starting from the summer schedule in 2025, it will operate daily, using a Boeing 787-8 with 30 business class seats and 156 economy class seats totaling 186 seats.
▲JAL Route Business Headquarters Deputy General Manager Kenichiro Naito
As JAL’s second route to India following the Tokyo/Haneda to Delhi route, it became the first to connect Japan with a city in southern India. At a commemorative ceremony held at Narita Airport on the 11th, Kenichiro Naito, Deputy General Manager of JAL’s Route Business Headquarters, reflected, “Though it was under challenging circumstances with the pandemic, we were able to provide a smooth and safe mode of transportation for customers traveling to southern India,” and added, “We will continue to strive to promote exchanges between India, Japan, and North America.”
The commemorative flight JL735 (Boeing 787-8, registration: JA841J) on the 11th carried a total of 135 passengers, including 27 in business class and 108 in economy class. It departed from Narita Airport Spot 61 at 6:58 PM and took off at 7:29 PM.
As a commemorative gift for the passengers, a folding fan designed with Katsushika Hokusai’s woodblock print “Gaifu Kaisei” depicting Mt. Fuji in red was prepared. It was handed in a handcrafted bag made from repurposed Jeppesen chart (aviation charts). Additionally, the lounge offered limited-time Indian wine, “Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection.” One bottle each of red and white wine was provided in the First Class Lounge, while two bottles each were available in the Sakura Lounge.
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