All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) are Japan's two main full-service airlines, both based in Tokyo and flying between Haneda and Narita and cities across Asia, North America and Europe. Travellers compare them because they overlap on most major routes, and the choice often comes down to alliance, cabin product and frequent-flyer programme.
Quick verdict
Both are full-service carriers with similar standards, so the decision usually rests on alliance and loyalty. ANA is the pick if you collect Star Alliance miles or want the larger fleet and domestic network. JAL suits oneworld members and anyone who wants its newest Airbus A350 cabins on routes such as Haneda to Paris. Check the aircraft type on your specific flight, because cabins differ between planes.
Choose All Nippon Airways if…
- You collect Star Alliance miles or hold Star Alliance status.
- You want the larger network and fleet, with 226 aircraft as of July 2026.
- You want First class on select Boeing 777-300ER flights, plus Business, Premium Economy and Economy on international routes.
Choose Japan Airlines if…
- You collect oneworld miles or hold oneworld status.
- You want to fly its Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft, which JAL is expanding, with 71 aircraft on order as of March 2026.
- You want the A350-1000 on Haneda routes, which now include daily Paris flights.
At a glance
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Key differences
Alliances and loyalty
ANA has been in Star Alliance since October 1999, and its programme is ANA Mileage Club. Star Alliance status brings reciprocal benefits on partners such as United, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. JAL is in the oneworld alliance, so its partners include British Airways, American Airlines and Qantas. Your existing status and the partner airlines you use elsewhere are the most practical way to choose between them.
Network and hubs
ANA's main hubs are Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita. It also uses Osaka Itami and Osaka Kansai as secondary hubs, and Fukuoka, Nagoya Centrair, Naha and Sapporo Chitose as focus cities. Its group includes the low-cost carrier Peach Aviation. JAL also serves Japan and the same long-haul regions, with Haneda a major base for its A350-1000 flights. Both cover the main Asian, North American and European cities. Compare the exact schedule and airports for your route.
Fleet and aircraft
ANA's fleet stood at 226 aircraft in July 2026. It includes 46 Boeing 787-9s, 36 787-8s, 38 737-800s and 22 Airbus A321neos. JAL had 179 aircraft in March 2026, with 71 on order. That order includes 20 more A350-900s, 2 A350-1000s, 38 Boeing 737 MAX 8s and 11 A321neos. JAL's long-haul fleet is increasingly Airbus A350. ANA's is mostly Boeing 787. The seat you get depends on the aircraft.
Recent route changes
JAL announced that the A350-1000 would fly daily between Haneda and Paris from 9 November 2025. This matters if you want JAL's newest long-haul cabins. ANA flies Europe and North America from Tokyo with its 787 fleet, and First class is fitted on select 777-300ERs.
Cabins and seats
ANA's international aircraft have Business, Premium Economy and Economy. First class is fitted only on select Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Its domestic cabins vary by aircraft. JAL's cabins also vary by aircraft and route, with the newest layouts on its A350s. Seat pitch, seat type and entertainment differ by aircraft on both airlines, so check the seat map for your flight before you book.
Baggage
On ANA international flights, Economy and Premium Economy typically include two bags of up to 23 kg each. Business includes two bags of 32 kg, and First includes three bags of 32 kg. Some basic fares include none. JAL publishes its allowances by route and fare, and its baggage page describes how extra allowances and per-piece limits apply. Check your ticket for the exact allowance on either airline.
Frequently asked questions
Is ANA better than JAL?
Neither is clearly better. Both are full-service carriers. ANA is larger and is in Star Alliance, while JAL is in oneworld and is adding Airbus A350s. Choose by alliance, route, schedule and aircraft.
Which alliance are ANA and JAL in?
ANA is a Star Alliance member and has been since October 1999. JAL is a oneworld member.
Does ANA include checked baggage?
On international flights, Economy and Premium Economy typically include two 23 kg bags. Some basic fares include none, so check your ticket. For JAL, check the allowance for your fare and route on its website.
About All Nippon Airways Read more
Overview
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is a Japanese airline headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, and, according to Wikipedia, Japan's largest airline, ahead of Japan Airlines. Its earliest predecessor, Japan Helicopter and Aeroplane Transports, was founded on 27 December 1952, and services under the All Nippon Airways name began in December 1957. ANA is the main operating company of ANA Holdings, which is listed in Tokyo, and joined Star Alliance in October 1999. Its group includes ANA Wings, Air Japan and Peach Aviation.
Network and hubs
The main hubs are Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita, with Osaka Itami and Osaka Kansai as secondary hubs. Fukuoka, Nagoya Centrair, Naha and Sapporo Chitose are focus cities. ANA flies a large domestic Japan network and international services to Asia, North America and Europe. Regional services are partly flown by subsidiary ANA Wings.
Fleet
The fleet is built around Boeing widebodies and Airbus narrowbodies. According to Simple Flying, citing ch-aviation (2025), ANA operated 88 Boeing 787s (34 787-8, 44 787-9 and 10 787-10), the world's largest 787 fleet. The Wikipedia fleet page also lists Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A320neo, A321-200 and A321neo aircraft, with further 787-9s, A321neos and 18 Boeing 777-9s on order. A reliable current total for the mainline fleet was not confirmed.
On board
- Cabins: international aircraft have Business, Premium Economy and Economy; First class is fitted on some Boeing 777-300ERs.
- Domestic: 787-9s in domestic configuration carry up to about 395 seats, with a small premium cabin.
- Meals, seat pitch, entertainment and Wi-Fi: not verified from official sources for this profile; check ANA's website for the route and aircraft.
Good to know
- Baggage: third-party summaries (for example Upgraded Points) report two 23 kg bags in Economy and Premium Economy on international routes, two 32 kg bags in Business and three in First. Basic fares may include none, so check the ticket. Domestic flights use a weight-based system.
- Cabin bag: one carry-on plus a personal item, 10 kg combined, according to The Travel Tinker.
- Loyalty: ANA Mileage Club; Star Alliance status gives reciprocal benefits.
- Awards: Skytrax named ANA Best Airport Services in the World in 2024, per Wikipedia.
About Japan Airlines Read more
Overview
Japan Airlines (IATA: JL, ICAO: JAL) is a Japanese airline and is still operating. Detailed corporate information (founding date, ownership, headquarters and alliance) could not be verified from sources during this research round and is therefore not stated here. Check the airline's official website for these details.
Network and hubs
Network and hub details were not verified in this research round. Travellers should consult the airline's official route map.
Fleet
According to Planefinder, the Japan Airlines fleet comprised 192 aircraft across 12 types in 2026. This count includes a handful of small training or utility aircraft. The main types are:
- Boeing 737-800: 42
- Boeing 767-300: 24
- Boeing 787-8: 23
- Boeing 787-9: 22
- Airbus A350-900: 17
- Embraer 170: 18
- Embraer 190: 14
- Airbus A350-1000: 11
- Boeing 777-300ER: 9
New aircraft registrations were recorded in February and March 2026, including an A350-900 and an A350-1000, so the fleet is still being updated. Figures change over time and third-party trackers may differ from the airline's own count.
On board
Cabin layouts, seat pitch, meals, entertainment and Wi-Fi vary by aircraft and route. These details were not verified from sources in this research round, so check the airline's seat map for your specific flight.
Good to know
Baggage allowances, change fees, lounge access and loyalty programme terms depend on fare type and route. They were not confirmed from official pages in this research round. Check the airline's website before travelling.
Ranking
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