Japan Airlines Applies Sustained Antiviral Coating to Safeguard Customers throughout the Travel Experience

Since the beginning of the global pandemic, the JAL Group has proactively implemented key measures against COVID-19 to provide its customers with a safe and secure travel experience. On April 23, the carrier strengthened its commitment by introducing an industry-leading antiviral and antibacterial coating inside the aircraft cabin.

Inside the Aircraft

The SIAA certified coating will be applied to surfaces inside the aircraft, which will effectively inactivate most viruses within the cabin. Locations include the lavatory, seats, armrests, overhead bins, interior walls and various locations that customers may come in contact with during a flight. The coating agent has been proven to reduce viral levels in a safe manner, as certified by the SIAA. Aircraft that have been applied with the coating will display the SIAA certification near the entrance of the aircraft. The coating process will start in April 2021 and is expected to be completed by July 2021. (Japan Air Commuter and Hokkaido Air System will be completed by year-end)

At the Airport

Back in November 2020, JAL began applying the antiviral and antibacterial coating at domestic airport check-in counters, automated baggage check-in machines, check-in kiosks, boarding gate counters, and on airstairs and will gradually expand the program at airports nationwide. Antiviral and antibacterial coatings have also been applied to airport security areas, wheelchairs, and baby strollers.

Other Safety Initiatives

Since March 15, the carrier is offering an optional COVID-19 fee-based testing service, and has received more than 17,000 applications to conduct the test prior to boarding a Japan domestic flight. In addition, the carrier introduced touchless check-in kiosks at Haneda Airport in March 2021 and has since installed the kiosks at Sapporo, Osaka (Itami), Fukuoka, Okinawa and Hiroshima airport.

JAL has been awarded the highest levels of COVID-19 safety certifications from two leading international airline advisory organizations, in recognition for its enhanced JAL FlySafe measures at the airport and on board. JAL is the first airline in Asia to simultaneously achieve the highest level Five-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating from SKYTRAX, and the highest Diamond Certification from APEX Health Safety powered by Simpliflying.