JAL and ANA seek higher fuel surcharges for Nov

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have asked the Japanese government to approve higher international fuel surcharges for tickets issued in Japan between 1 November and 31 December 2026, according to Travel Daily Media. The carriers announced the proposals on 15 October, citing pressure on jet fuel prices from Middle East tensions. The new rates are proposed, not final.

What the airlines have proposed

For one-way flights from Japan to Europe and North America (excluding Hawaii), the surcharge would rise to ¥62,000 per passenger on both airlines. Travel Daily Media reports that Japan Airlines plans an increase of ¥12,000, while All Nippon Airways would raise its charge by ¥7,000, both compared with the September–October period.

Regional routes are also affected. Under ANA's proposed schedule, flights from Japan to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Cambodia would carry a surcharge of ¥32,000 per passenger per sector, up from ¥27,300. Charges for other Asian destinations vary.

Why surcharges are rising

JAL bases its calculation on the two-month average price of Singapore kerosene-type jet fuel, while ANA also reviews its charges in line with fuel-market movements. Travel Daily Media says the calculations rely on fuel prices recorded in August and September. Both airlines have factored in Japanese government measures meant to soften the effect of higher fuel costs; without them, the surcharges would have been higher.

The report notes that JAL has submitted its revision to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and that ANA's schedule is likewise subject to government approval. It also cites an earlier Reuters report, from 30 April, in which ANA estimated higher fuel prices could add roughly ¥140 billion to its costs for the financial year, though hedging, fare adjustments and cost-cutting were expected to offset some of that.

What this means for travellers

Ticketing date matters. The proposed charges apply to tickets issued in Japan from 1 November to 31 December 2026, so tickets bought earlier would fall under the existing September–October rates.
Check each sector. Surcharges are separate from base fares, taxes and other fees, and return journeys should be checked sector by sector.
Increases will differ. Travel Daily Media stresses that actual costs depend on route, ticketing market, fare conditions and other charges, so not every ticket will rise by the same amount.
Approval is pending. The figures could change if the government does not approve them as proposed. The sources do not say when a decision is expected.

Travellers weighing the two carriers can consult the Airspace Times comparison of ANA and JAL, though both are proposing the same headline surcharge for Europe and North America.

Sources: Travel Daily Media