JAL orders up to 26 Embraer E190-E2 jets to replace J-AIR’s E170 and E190 fleets

Japan Airlines (JAL) announced on October 14, 2026, that it has ordered up to 26 Embraer E190-E2 aircraft to replace the regional jet fleet of its subsidiary J-AIR.

The order includes 16 firm aircraft and 10 options, with deliveries scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2029.

The E190-E2s will succeed J-AIR’s current Embraer E170 and E190 aircraft.

From its main hub at Osaka International Airport (ITM), the regional carrier operates jet flights across Japan, from Memanbetsu in Hokkaido in the north to the Amami Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture in the south.

Fleet renewal comes as Japan’s domestic market faces falling business demand and rising costs

JAL said the decision is part of wider changes to its domestic operations.

The market has been under pressure from declining business travel, Japan’s long-term population changes, and higher costs driven by inflation and the weak yen.

Under its long-term strategy, the “JAL Group Management Vision 2035,” the airline aims to keep its domestic network sustainable, describing it as essential infrastructure for Japan.

JAL called the E190-E2 a core part of that plan for J-AIR, saying the aircraft is suited to future demand and environmental goals and will support regional economies.

JAL CEO says the E190-E2 will help sustain Japan’s regional air network for the next generation

Mitsuko Tottori, JAL’s President and group CEO, said the domestic network supports local economies and daily life across Japan.

She said the new aircraft, with its environmental performance and economic efficiency, would help the group maintain and develop a sustainable air network for the next generation while offering passengers a more comfortable experience.

E190-E2 promises lower fuel burn, emissions, noise and maintenance costs

According to JAL, the E190-E2’s new-generation engines and redesigned wing deliver significant gains in fuel efficiency and a substantial reduction in carbon emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft.

The jet is also much quieter, which reduces the impact on communities near airports, and its reliability and durable components are expected to lower maintenance costs.

The E190-E2 is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1900G engines and typically seats between 97 and 114 passengers. It has a range of 5,463 kilometers (2,950 nautical miles), a length of 36.3 meters, a wingspan of 33.7 meters and a height of 10.7 meters.

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