JAL, rail operator JR East plan partnership to streamline air-rail bookings
Japan Airlines is in talks with rail operator JR East to integrate their booking processes to enable air-rail ticketing.
The two companies have set up a working group to explore options, Nikkei Asia reports.
It comes as the Japanese government looks to boost tourism numbers to the regions.
JAL and JR East are initially working on travel packages aimed at foreign tourists by air and bullet train.
This would cover the region from Honshu to southern Hokkaido.
JAL is aiming to increase the number of foreign visitors using its domestic network, which is currently just 3%.
It hopes to increase this to 10% by 2028.
JAL and JR East are working towards an integration of combined air and rail ticketing by 2029.
This would enable travellers to book combined flight and train journeys on a single reservation.
The companies already partner on some cargo operations.
Related News Stories: India first high speed rail line in summer 2027 with Japan help Japan government ready to increase departure tax for air travelers TAP Air Portugal bracing for a new strike on December 11, 2025 Partner News - TravelMole Wing Bank and Singapore Airlines ink loyalty partnership - TravelMole European roadshow puts Jalisco's tourism on the international map
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025