Japan Airlines compensation: how to claim
Japan Airlines is registered in Japan — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Registered in
- Japan (non-EU/UK carrier)
- Main bases
- Tokyo (HND), Tokyo (NRT)
- Typical first response
- About 40 days
- Time limit where it is based
- Depends where you claim
Japan Airlines is registered in Japan — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Flying into the UK or EU from Japan or elsewhere: not covered by either, because Japan Airlines is not a UK or EU carrier.
- That means a return trip is usually half-protected: the outbound from Europe counts, the flight home does not.
How Japan Airlines handles claims
Not an EU or UK carrier, so only the departure from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Helsinki or Milan is covered.
Europe to Tokyo is well over 3,500 km, so the covered direction is £520 or €600.
They have a strong punctuality record, so eligible claims are rarer — but when a delay happens it is usually well documented, which cuts both ways.
Responses are typically prompt and precise, and they will normally name the operational cause rather than hiding behind a generic phrase.
What a delay on Japan Airlines is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (LHR) → Tokyo (HND) | 9,592 km | UK261 | £520 |
| Tokyo (HND) → London (LHR) | 9,592 km | — | Not covered |
| Paris (CDG) → Tokyo (HND) | 9,707 km | EU261 | €600 |
| Tokyo (HND) → Paris (CDG) | 9,707 km | — | Not covered |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from Japan Airlines, by what happened
- Japan Airlines: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- Japan Airlines: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- Japan Airlines: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- Japan Airlines: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your Japan Airlines flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to Japan Airlines yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
Japan Airlines: common questions
How much compensation can I get from Japan Airlines?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. Japan Airlines is registered in Japan — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
Does Japan Airlines have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against Japan Airlines?
The limit is set by the country where you bring the claim, which is usually where your flight departed or arrived. In England and Wales it is six years; in most EU countries between two and five.
Where do I send a claim to Japan Airlines?
Japan Airlines takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., Customer Relations, 4-11 Higashi-Shinagawa 2-chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8637, Japan. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old Japan Airlines flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.