JAL reveals fate of PW4000-powered Boeing 777s

The flag carrier grounded the widebody in February following two engine failures involving the powerplant

Japan Airlines says it will accelerate the retirement of its Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered Boeing 777s, citing no known reports of when it will be allowed to resume operation with the type. 

Originally slated for a March 2022 exit, the flag carrier’s 11 affected examples include eight -200s and three -300s.  

JAL
The -200 and -300 have become a cornerstone of JAL's domestic operations. Aviation Image Network/Bailey

In a statement, the operator said: “As there is no known report to resume the operation of P&W equipped Boeing 777s, and it is hard to foresee the situation as of today, JAL has decided to accelerate the retirement of all P&W equipped Boeing 777 by March 2021.” 

In response to an engine failure on flight JL904, which was operating from Okinawa/Naha to Tokyo/Haneda airport, on December 4, and a similar event on a United Airlines flight on February 20, Japan Airlines suspended operations of the widebody equipped with identical P&W manufactured engines on February 22. 

The impacted aircraft were being utilised for domestic operations and are expected to be replaced by Airbus A350-900s.  

In a bid to further mitigate the effects of the retirements, JAL plans to put jets earmarked for international operations on internal connections so it can maintain the frequency of flights. 

777-200
JAL's maiden 777 - JA8981 (c/n 27364) - was the 23rd example of the Boeing-built jet to the produced. Aviation Image Network/Bailey

The national airline first took delivery of the twin-engine widebody on February 15, 1996, and has since accepted a further 45 jets.  

Its remaining fleet of the Boeing-built aircraft consists of General Electric GE90-powered -200ER and -300ER examples.