Japan Air Commuter and Hokkaido Air System to join oneworld as Japan Airlines affiliates

Japan Airlines Group airlines Japan Air Commuter and Hokkaido Air System will join oneworld® as affiliates effective 25 October 2020, providing more options to customers to earn and redeem flights across a wider network in Japan.

The two airlines operate to more than 20 regional destinations in Japan with more than 90 daily flights, carrying almost 900,000 passengers in 2019. Japan Airlines, which joined oneworld in 2007, is the majority shareholder in both Japan Air Commuter and Hokkaido Air System. JAL Group airlines J-AIR and Japan Transocean Air are already oneworld affiliates.

With Japan Air Commuter and Hokkaido Air System joining oneworld as affiliates, customers will be able to access oneworld benefits on more flights in Japan and access a greater range of destinations beginning 25 October. The two airlines will add four destinations in Japan to the oneworld network to the more than 50 airports already served, offering more options to customers to earn and redeem miles. The four destinations are: Kikai (KKX), Okinoerabu (OKE), Tajima (TJH) and Yakushima (KUM).

Based in Kagoshima on Japan’s Kyushu island, Japan Air Commuter serves the islands of Kagoshima, Okinawa and the western cities of Japan. Established in 1983, Japan Air Commuter operates a fleet of ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. Starting 25 October, flights will be offered under the JL airline code.

Hokkaido Air System, established in 1997, is based in Hokkaido, Sapporo. Operating a fleet of Saab 340B and ATR 42 aircraft, the airline serves Hokkaido Prefecture and Aomori Prefecture on Honshu.

Japan Airlines Regional Vitalization Division Executive Officer Shunsuke Honda said: “With our oneworld partners, we look forward to welcoming customers across the world to rediscover the joy of travel and help revitalise regional sites throughout the country. These two airlines feature flights to beautiful destinations on the northern island of Hokkaido and Kagoshima, located at the south end of the Japanese archipelago.” International Relations and Alliances Executive Officer Hideki Oshima added: “It is an honour for the JAL Group to further strengthen the alliance, providing more choices for our mutual customers. Our dedicated team of professionals will be ready to offer a safe and secure travel experience once international travel resumes on a global scale.”  

oneworld CEO Rob Gurney said: “We are pleased to expand the oneworld footprint in Japan alongside our valued partner Japan Airlines, through the addition of another two of their high-quality affiliates to the alliance. Japan Air Commuter and Hokkaido Air System will provide even greater connectivity in Japan to customers, growing our position in one of the key markets in Asia.”

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About oneworld

oneworld brings together 13 world-class airlines - American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines, and more than 20 of their affiliates.  Fiji Airways is a oneworld connect partner. Alaska Airlines is a oneworld member-elect. Collectively, these airlines:

· Serve more than 1,000 airports in over 170 territories

· Carry almost 540 million passengers a year on a combined fleet of more than 3,600 aircraft

oneworld member airlines work together to deliver consistently a superior, seamless travel experience, with special privileges and rewards for frequent flyers, including earning and redeeming miles and points across the entire alliance network. Top tier cardholders (Emerald and Sapphire) enjoy access to more than 650 airport lounges and are offered extra baggage allowances.  The most regular travelers (Emerald) can also use fast track security lanes at select airports.

oneworld holds three times as many “best airline alliance” awards as its competitors combined.