JAL and China Eastern Expand Codeshare to Cover All Their China-Japan Flights

Japan Airlines (JAL) and China Eastern Airlines have reached an agreement to expand their codeshare partnership substantially to include their entire China-Japan networks.

Japan Airlines operates 18 Boeing 767-300s and up to 32 Boeing 767-300ERs, one of which is shown in this photograph. It is likely these aircraft will all be replaced eventually by the 55 Boeing 787s which JAL has on order and option

Starting on October 8, the airlines will place their respective ‘JL’ and ‘MU’ flight designators on every flight operated by the other, between cities in China and Japan.

The deeper relationship will add Yantai to Japan Airlines’ network of 15 Chinese cities, and Shizuoka, Okayama and Nagasaki to China Eastern’s existing network of 12 Japanese cities.

According to JAL, the extension of the codeshare to cover the two airlines’ entire China-Japan network will make it easier for customers to understand and select more conveniently from the combined operations of both carriers’ 386 weekly flights on 42 routes between the two countries.

JAL has 15 Boeing 777-200s and 11 777-200ERs in service, as well as seven of the larger 777-300s and 15 777-300ERs

Apart from the codeshare arrangement between JAL and Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines, which has been in effect since September 2002, the two carriers have offered reciprocal frequent-flyer program benefits since February 1, 2008.

Members of JAL’s frequent flyer program, JAL Mileage Bank (JMB), have been able to earn and redeem award tickets even when flying domestically in China on China Eastern.

One of China's three largest airlines, China Eastern Airlines operates a varied and sizeable fleet that includes five Airbus A330-300s and five A330-200s

Together with its extensive codeshare ties with fellow oneworld Alliance partner Cathay Pacific Airways, which based in Hong Kong, JAL says it is aiming to widen its network coverage to provide business and leisure customers alike with greater convenience and support.