Japan Airlines Recognized with Fifth Consecutive APEX “WORLD CLASS” Award at 2025 EXPO, Cementing its Position as a Global Leader in Excellence
Japan Airlines (JAL), a proud member of the oneworld® alliance, has once again been recognized as one of the world’s leading airlines, reaffirming its reputation for exceptional standards in passenger service, travel experience, safety, and sustainability. At the 2025 APEX/IFSA EXPO, JAL was awarded the coveted “WORLD CLASS™” designation by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), marking the fifth consecutive year that the airline has received this global honor. This achievement further underscores JAL’s unwavering commitment to setting benchmarks for excellence in the aviation industry and distinguishes it as the only Japanese airline to maintain this prestigious accolade over such an extended period.
Understanding the APEX “WORLD CLASS™” Designation
The APEX “WORLD CLASS™” recognition is not simply another award; it is widely regarded as the gold standard of airline achievement. The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), the largest international airline association dedicated exclusively to passenger satisfaction and experience, confers the designation after a rigorous process of evaluation. Unlike many awards that rely solely on surveys, the APEX recognition is based on an in-depth audit of airline operations, services, and passenger feedback.
To qualify, airlines must consistently demonstrate leadership across key pillars, including:
- Safety and well-being: Ensuring that every passenger feels protected and cared for from boarding to arrival.
- Sustainability practices: Implementing responsible environmental strategies that minimize the carbon footprint of air travel.
- Guest experience: Delivering a seamless journey that goes beyond transportation to create a sense of comfort, trust, and satisfaction.
- Service quality: Maintaining courteous, reliable, and personalized service across all customer touchpoints.
APEX emphasizes that a “WORLD CLASS™” airline must prove that air travel is not just a means of getting from one destination to another. Instead, it must reflect a complete journey where passengers feel valued, reassured, and connected, while also being confident that the airline is committed to environmental stewardship and safety.
In 2025, only 10 airlines worldwide achieved this prestigious status, placing JAL in an elite circle of carriers that truly define global aviation excellence.
Japan Airlines’ Unique Achievement
For JAL, the 2025 recognition marks its fifth consecutive year of being ranked among the world’s most distinguished airlines. This accomplishment is not only an important milestone in the airline’s history but also a demonstration of its consistent efforts to prioritize its passengers above all else.
According to the APEX audit findings, JAL was specifically praised for:
- Consistent courtesy and hospitality: Ground staff and cabin crews have maintained a reputation for warmth, politeness, and attentiveness that reflects JAL’s deep-rooted cultural values.
- Reassurance and comfort: From check-in to inflight services, passengers report a strong sense of security and comfort while traveling with JAL.
- Commitment to excellence: The airline continues to refine its operations, ensuring reliability and punctuality while constantly adapting to evolving customer expectations.
By achieving this recognition five years in a row, JAL has proven its ability to balance tradition with innovation. The airline remains firmly grounded in the principles of Japanese hospitality while embracing global trends in sustainability, digital innovation, and customer-centric service design.
A Focus on Passenger Experience
At the heart of JAL’s strategy lies its dedication to delivering a world-class passenger journey. The airline has invested heavily in modernizing its fleet with quieter, more fuel-efficient aircraft, upgrading cabin interiors with ergonomic designs, and refining inflight entertainment and connectivity. Passengers on JAL flights consistently highlight the thoughtful details that make their journeys memorable — from carefully curated meal options to intuitive digital tools that simplify the travel process.
Moreover, JAL has strengthened its wellness initiatives, introducing measures to reduce passenger fatigue on long-haul flights, enhancing cabin air quality, and offering services that address the diverse needs of travelers, from business executives to families and leisure passengers. This focus on well-being is particularly significant in today’s aviation landscape, where customers expect airlines to take an active role in supporting their health and safety throughout their journey.
Leadership in Sustainability
Another critical factor behind JAL’s repeated recognition is its commitment to sustainability. The aviation industry faces mounting pressure to reduce emissions and contribute to a greener future, and JAL has been proactive in addressing this challenge.
The airline has set ambitious targets to cut its carbon footprint, including investment in next-generation aircraft, the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and the development of waste reduction programs across its operations. By integrating sustainability into both flight operations and corporate strategy, JAL continues to build trust with environmentally conscious travelers while contributing to global climate goals.
This dedication aligns closely with APEX’s evaluation framework, which increasingly prioritizes airlines that take tangible steps toward environmental responsibility. For JAL, sustainability is not a trend but a long-term commitment to ensuring that future generations can enjoy the benefits of air travel without compromising the planet’s well-being.
A Global Benchmark for Service Excellence
The recognition of JAL as a five-time consecutive recipient of the APEX “WORLD CLASS™” award positions the airline as a global benchmark for excellence in aviation. Few airlines can consistently perform at this level, and JAL’s achievement is not only a source of pride for Japan but also a testament to the airline’s international standing.
For passengers, this recognition serves as reassurance that when they choose JAL, they are selecting an airline that has been independently validated as one of the very best in the world. For industry peers, JAL’s example sets a standard of consistency, innovation, and care that others strive to emulate.
JAL’s Commitment to the Future
While awards and recognition play an important role in celebrating past achievements, JAL views this fifth consecutive win as motivation to keep raising the bar. The airline has already outlined its future priorities, which include further strengthening digital solutions for travelers, expanding its sustainability programs, and enhancing global connectivity through strategic partnerships.
In a rapidly evolving aviation sector, passenger expectations continue to shift, and airlines are challenged to balance operational efficiency with personalized service. JAL’s ongoing success in meeting these demands reflects its ability to remain agile while staying true to its mission: to bring people together through safe, comfortable, and meaningful travel experiences.
Japan Airlines’ recognition as a five-time consecutive recipient of the APEX “WORLD CLASS™” award at the 2025 EXPO is more than just an industry accolade; it is a testament to the airline’s relentless pursuit of excellence. As the only Japanese airline to hold this honor, JAL has solidified its place as a leader not only within Japan but also on the global aviation stage.
Through its focus on guest experience, safety, sustainability, and service excellence, JAL continues to embody the values of trust, reliability, and care. For passengers, this means every journey with JAL is not merely a flight, but a complete travel experience defined by comfort, reassurance, and world-class quality.
As the aviation industry moves toward a future shaped by sustainability, innovation, and evolving customer needs, Japan Airlines stands poised to remain a guiding example for others — a true world-class airline in every sense of the term.