April 26, 2021 / Japan Airlines (JL) set a milestone in its own history as it welcomed at Tokyo Haneda (HND) its fiftieth Boeing 787. The aircraft, JA881J (a -9 variant of the type) flew directly from Everett to Tokyo on April 23.

Japan Airlines is the third largest operator of the Dreamliner in the world, following All Nippon Airways (NH) with 74 (plus 9 more of the type on order) and United Airlines (UA) with 63. JL’s fleet is now made of 27 B787-8s and 23 B787-9s.

Both variants come with three cabin configurations: The B787-8s accommodate 161 passengers (38 Business, 35 Premium Economy, 88 Economy), 186 passengers (42 Business, 144 Economy) or 206 passsengers (30 Business, 176 Economy). The B787-9s seat 195 passengers (44 Business, 35 Premium Economy, 116 Economy), 203 passengers (52 Business, 35 Premium Economy, 116 Economy), or 239 passengers (28 Business, 21 Premium Economy, 190 Economy).

Being Japan Aiirlines on Skytrax’ 5-STAR carriers, it comes to no surprise the fact that onboard interiors are among the most comfortable and amenity-rich in the industry. But two numbers make for the airline’s Dreamliners to be a unique: the seat pitch offered in Premium Economy, which is the largest in the world at 42 inches (107cm), and the 8-seat cross-section in Economy (instead of the 9-seat featured on the type by all other carriers), which translates in a seat width varying fom 18 to 18.9 inches (46-48cm). (Photo Wikimedia Commons / “Toshiro Aoki www.jp-spotters.com)