Japan Airlines (JAL) has upgraded two key international services at Tokyo Narita to daily operations from 1 September 2026, making it easier to fly to Japan direct from South Asia and the US West Coast.
What Changed from 1 September
JAL’s Tokyo Narita (NRT)–Bengaluru (BLR) service, which previously operated three times a week, moved to seven weekly flights from the start of September. The upgrade is in place through at least 27 March 2027.
The carrier has made the same move on Tokyo Narita (NRT)–San Diego (SAN), which also steps up from three weekly to daily frequency for the same period.
Both changes are part of a broader JAL international schedule upgrade for autumn and winter 2026, responding to sustained post-pandemic demand on routes connecting Japan to major technology and business hubs.
What This Means in Practice
A daily San Diego service removes the main obstacle for West Coast travellers who previously had to connect via Los Angeles or San Francisco to reach Japan without a stopover. San Diego–Narita is the most direct option for those heading to Tokyo, Kyoto, or onward to Osaka, and booking direct is now much simpler.
On the India side, Bengaluru is India’s fastest-growing outbound travel market, and a daily NRT service opens up flexible round-trip options without the scheduling compromises of three-weekly operations. Indian travellers can now book spontaneous or short-notice itineraries with far more flexibility.
Good to Know Before You Fly
Arrival into Narita: Narita is around 60–90 minutes from central Tokyo by rail. The Narita Express (N’EX) runs to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Yokohama, and other major stations. IC card holders can also use the Keisei Skyliner for the fastest connection into Ueno and Nippori.
Onward connections: From Narita, the domestic JR network and Shinkansen are accessible from Tokyo Station for reaching Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and further west.
Visa status: Most nationalities can visit Japan visa-free for stays up to 90 days; check the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your specific passport. Note that Japan’s departure tax tripled to ¥3,000 per person from July 2026.
For arrival logistics, see our guide to Narita Airport transfers. For an overview of flying to Japan, including the best connecting hubs, check our flights guide.