If you’ve ever booked a trip to Japan and found yourself staring at two very similar-looking flight options—Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA)—you’re not alone. These two carriers dominate the skies over Tokyo, yet they belong to rival global alliances and carry distinct reputations for safety, service, and value, so this comparison digs into the real differences from fleet stats to which airline delivers more for your yen in 2025.
Founded: JAL: 1951, ANA: 1952 ·
Fleet size: JAL: ~146, ANA: ~213 ·
Global alliance: JAL: oneworld, ANA: Star Alliance ·
Destinations: JAL: 91, ANA: 85 ·
SkyTrax rating: JAL: 4-star, ANA: 5-star
Quick snapshot
- JAL is a full-service carrier and member of the oneworld alliance (JAL Group official site)
- ANA is a full-service carrier and member of the Star Alliance (ANA Group official site)
- Both airlines operate hubs at Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda (HND) (JAL Group official site)
- Exact fleet numbers shift as aircraft are retired or delivered; figures are approximate
- Specific fare comparisons vary significantly by route, season, and booking window
- JAL founded 1951; ANA founded 1952
- JAL filed for bankruptcy in 2010, later reorganized
- ANA joined Star Alliance in 2013
- JAL continues to invest in its FY2025 safety management systems (JAL FY2025 Safety Report)
- ANA faces regulatory scrutiny following a series of 2025 operational incidents (The Straits Times)
Six key attributes compared below — one pattern: JAL leans into premium international service, while ANA scales bigger domestically and through its Star Alliance reach.
| Attribute | Japan Airlines (JAL) | All Nippon Airways (ANA) |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Shinagawa, Tokyo | Minato, Tokyo |
| CEO (2024) | Yuji Akasaka | Shinichiro Ito |
| Employees | ~42,000 | ~45,000 |
| On-time performance (2023) | ~85% | ~83% |
| SkyTrax rating | 4-star | 5-star |
The pattern: ANA holds the higher SkyTrax star rating and a larger employee base, but JAL posts a slightly better on-time performance — suggesting a trade-off between cabin polish and operational precision.
Is JAL a low-cost airline? Is it still operating? Are JAL and ANA the same?
What type of airline is JAL?
- JAL is a full-service carrier, not a low-cost airline. It offers complimentary meals, checked baggage, and lounge access on international routes, placing it in the same category as airlines like Singapore Airlines or British Airways.
When did JAL last operate?
- JAL continues normal operations as of 2025. The airline published its FY2025 Group Safety Report covering April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, confirming ongoing, active service (Japan Airlines official release).
Are JAL and ANA part of the same group?
- No. JAL and ANA are separate, competing airlines. JAL belongs to the oneworld alliance, while ANA is a member of Star Alliance (JAL Group Safety Assurance). They share no corporate parent.
Which airline is safer: ANA or JAL?
What are the safety records of JAL and ANA?
Both airlines carry strong safety records with no fatal accidents in recent decades. JAL’s 2025 management materials state there were 0 aircraft accidents and serious incidents in the reviewed period (JAL Group MTP Rolling Plan 2025). ANA, however, reported several 2025 operational events, including a turbulence injury on January 8, 2025, in which five cabin crew were injured and one suffered a fracture (ANA Group trouble list).
How do they rank in global safety ratings?
AirlineRatings placed ANA at 6th and JAL at 19th in its 2025 safest-airlines ranking, while AeroTime reported JAL retained its 19th position (FlyTeam; AeroTime). Both remain in the global top 20, per AirlineRatings.
While JAL reports zero serious incidents, ANA’s 2025 trouble list includes notable events — yet ANA’s safety ranking sits higher. The inconsistency suggests rankings weigh factors beyond raw incident counts.
Why this matters: For a traveler choosing between the two, JAL offers a cleaner recent incident log, while ANA’s higher ranking reflects longer-term statistical confidence — but ANA’s 2025 troubles may shift that picture.
Why is JAL more expensive than ANA? Which is cheaper?
What factors drive JAL’s pricing?
- JAL often prices higher due to its brand positioning, premium service level, and oneworld alliance perks, which include lounge reciprocity and mileage benefits for frequent flyers on airlines like British Airways and American Airlines.
How do average fares compare on similar routes?
- ANA may offer cheaper base fares on certain trans-Pacific and domestic Japan routes, particularly in economy class. However, pricing fluctuates by season and advance purchase; no fixed rule applies across all routes.
Which is better overall: ANA or JAL?
How does economy class compare?
- JAL is known for spacious seats and attentive cabin crew; ANA wins slightly on food quality and in-flight entertainment selection, per passenger surveys. Both rank among the top airlines globally for economy service.
Which airline has better customer service?
- In 2025, ANA ranked 14th and JAL ranked 7th in AirlineRatings’ World’s Best Airlines list, suggesting JAL’s overall service edge in the ratings.
Is JAL better than American?
- JAL consistently outranks American Airlines in international service and reliability. The big 3 US airlines — American, Delta, and United — generally trail Japan’s top carriers in passenger satisfaction metrics.
The trade-off: JAL offers a more polished premium product and a higher best-airlines ranking, but ANA’s 5-star SkyTrax rating and lower fares on some routes make it a strong contender for value-conscious travelers.
Which airline is bigger: ANA or JAL?
Fleet size and passenger numbers
- ANA operates a larger fleet (~213 aircraft) and carries more passengers annually. JAL’s fleet sits at ~146 aircraft.
Network and route coverage
- JAL reaches more international destinations (91 vs ANA’s 85), giving it a slight edge for long-haul travelers seeking direct connections from Tokyo.
The pattern: ANA is the bigger airline by fleet and employee count, but JAL punches above its weight on international route breadth — a contrast that rewards alliance loyalty choices.
Is JAL better than American? Who are the big 3 airlines?
How does JAL compare to American Airlines?
- JAL consistently outranks American Airlines in service and reliability. In international surveys, JAL’s cabin crew, cleanliness, and on-time performance score higher.
Which are the big 3 airlines globally?
- By passenger volume, the big 3 US airlines are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Globally, the term also refers to the three largest Gulf carriers or China’s top three, but in the Japan context, JAL and ANA are the dominant pair.
Timeline
- 1951: Japan Airlines founded
- 1952: All Nippon Airways founded
- 2002: JAL begins bankruptcy restructuring
- 2010: JAL files for bankruptcy, later reorganized
- 2013: ANA joins Star Alliance
- 2020: Both airlines face pandemic-related cuts
The timeline shows JAL’s earlier founding and ANA’s later alliance move, highlighting their different development paths.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- JAL and ANA are both full-service airlines operating globally
- JAL is a oneworld member; ANA is in Star Alliance
- Both maintain excellent safety records
What’s unclear
- Exact fleet numbers change as aircraft are added/retired; use approximate figures
- Specific fare comparisons vary by route and booking date
These confirmed and unclear points help frame the comparison.
Quotes
“JAL’s FY2025 Safety Report was prepared jointly by eight JAL Group airlines under Article 111, Paragraph 6 of Japan’s Civil Aeronautics Act.”
— JAL Group, Safety Report documentation (Japan Airlines official site)
“ANA published a 2025 safety trouble list that includes a January 8, 2025 turbulence injury event, a July 19, 2025 ground contact incident, and an August 20, 2025 runway-related serious incident entry.”
— ANA Group, Safety Initiatives portal (ANA Group official site)
The official statements from both carriers underscore their respective safety claims.
Summary
JAL and ANA are both world-class carriers, yet they serve different travelers best. JAL offers a slightly wider international network, cleaner recent incident reports, and higher best-airlines ranking. ANA delivers a larger fleet, a 5-star SkyTrax rating, and often cheaper base fares. For the trans-Pacific traveler based in Tokyo, the choice is clear: pick JAL if oneworld loyalty and premium service matter more; pick ANA if you want Star Alliance access and a lower price point. Either way, you’re flying with one of the safest airlines on earth.
airlineratings.com, press.jal.co.jp, coraltrading.xsrv.jp, jal.com, jal.com
Frequently asked questions
Which airline has better in-flight entertainment?
ANA generally earns higher marks for its in-flight entertainment selection, especially for Western content. JAL’s system is also well-regarded but offers a more limited library of recent films.
Do JAL and ANA have airport lounges?
Yes, both operate extensive lounge networks at Tokyo Narita and Haneda, plus partner lounges globally. JAL’s Sakura Lounges and ANA’s Suite Lounges are among the best in Asia.
Can I transfer miles between JAL and ANA?
No, miles cannot be directly transferred between JAL’s Mileage Bank and ANA’s Mileage Club programs. However, you can use miles from oneworld partner programs (for JAL) or Star Alliance partners (for ANA).
Which airline is more punctual?
JAL reports an on-time performance of ~85%, compared to ANA’s ~83% in 2023. The difference is marginal, but JAL holds a slight edge in punctuality.
Which airline has better food in economy?
Passenger surveys often put ANA’s economy meals a notch above JAL’s for variety and taste, though both are considerably better than most US carriers’ economy catering.
Which airline offers more legroom in economy?
Seat pitch (legroom) is similar on both carriers, typically around 31–34 inches on long-haul flights. JAL’s seats are sometimes praised for slightly better cushioning.
Are JAL and ANA safe for solo travelers?
Yes. Both airlines operate comprehensive safety management systems registered under IATA’s IOSA program, making them suitable for all travelers, including solo passengers.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.