Japan Airlines retires “JAL Fantastic Journey Express” special livery (B767-300ER JA622J)

On November 1, Japan Airlines (JAL) ended operations of the special-livery aircraft “JAL Fantastic Journey Express” (Boeing 767-300ER, registration: JA622J), created in collaboration with Oriental Land, the operator of Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan.

The aircraft was themed on “Fantasy Springs,” the eighth themed port that opened at Tokyo DisneySea on June 6, 2024, and it began operating on domestic routes in Japan on October 21 that year. A total of 208 decals were applied across both sides of the fuselage, depicting characters such as Anna and Elsa, Rapunzel, and Peter Pan against iconic locations from each area, including Frozen’s Arendelle Castle, Rapunzel’s Tower from Tangled, and the Jolly Roger from Peter Pan.

Headrest covers and the paper cups used for drink service on board also featured special designs, and two in-cabin melodies were used during boarding and deplaning: “You Can Fly!” and “Journey to Fantasy Springs.”

On the final day of operation, November 1, the aircraft was assigned to five flights: JL640 Kagoshima to Tokyo/Haneda, JL645 Tokyo/Haneda to Kagoshima, JL646 Kagoshima to Tokyo/Haneda, JL323 Tokyo/Haneda to Fukuoka, and JL326 Fukuoka to Tokyo/Haneda. The final sector, JL326, carried 252 passengers, including one infant. It departed Spot 3 at Fukuoka Airport at 7:54 p.m., landed on Runway A at Haneda Airport at 7:55 p.m., and arrived at Spot 3 at 7:59 p.m.

The JAL–Oriental Land collaboration began in 2001 when Tokyo DisneySea opened, debuting the special-livery “JAL Dream Express 21.” Subsequent tie-ups included “JAL Happiness Express” (2013), “JAL Happy Journey Express” (2015), “JAL Celebration Express” (2018), and “JAL Colorful Dream Express” (2023), making “JAL Fantastic Journey Express” the sixth collaboration. Other Disney-themed aircraft are operated under a licensing agreement with Walt Disney Japan.