Japan Airlines (JAL) and Korean Air have announced plans to significantly deepen their cooperation, building on a relationship between the two carriers that stretches back more than 60 years.
The airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership designed to expand cooperation between Japan and South Korea while creating new travel options across their wider international networks.
The agreement comes ahead of Korean Air’s planned completion of its integration with Asiana Airlines on December 17, 2026, which is expected to substantially expand the scale and network of the combined Korean carrier.
JAL and Korean Air said the partnership will build on existing cooperation while exploring new areas covering passenger services, loyalty programs and sustainability.
Codeshare and Frequent Flyer Cooperation Could Expand
One of the main areas of the partnership will be an evaluation and progressive expansion of existing codeshare and frequent flyer arrangements.
Following the Asiana integration, JAL expects to gain opportunities to cooperate with Korean Air across a substantially larger network.
The airlines said they plan to align their partnerships with the expanded network of the integrated Korean carrier, providing passengers with a broader selection of routes and more convenient connections.
Specific details regarding additional codeshare routes or changes to frequent flyer benefits have not yet been announced.
Partnership Dates Back More Than 60 Years
Cooperation between Japan Airlines and Korean Air began before the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea.
In April 1963, the carriers signed an Agreement on the Basic Concept of Cooperation between Japan Airlines and Korean Air.
The agreement received approval from both governments and led to the introduction of joint Japan-South Korea services in spring 1964.
Under the arrangement, JAL launched flights between Tokyo and Seoul, while Korean Air introduced service between Seoul and Osaka.
The partnership continued following the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1965 and has since developed across multiple areas of airline operations.
Korean Air’s Asiana Integration Creates Larger Network
The upcoming integration of Asiana Airlines represents an important backdrop to the expanded JAL-Korean Air relationship.
Korean Air expects to complete the integration on December 17, creating a significantly larger airline operation centered around its hub at Seoul Incheon International Airport.
Korean Air currently serves 116 cities in 39 countries across five continents and operates a fleet of 166 aircraft. The airline carried more than 25 million passengers in 2025.
The expanded partnership could therefore give JAL customers additional connectivity through Seoul while providing Korean Air passengers with broader access to JAL’s domestic and international network.
Airlines Plan Cooperation Beyond Passenger Travel
JAL and Korean Air also intend to explore collaboration beyond traditional codeshare and loyalty arrangements.
The airlines said they will combine resources to investigate initiatives addressing wider challenges facing the aviation industry, including sustainability.
The companies described the agreement as a move toward “large-scale, comprehensive collaboration” intended to create new customer experiences while supporting economic and cultural connections between Japan and South Korea.
Further details about individual initiatives under the strategic partnership are expected to be announced as cooperation between the two airlines develops.
