Japan Airlines and ANA Holdings are moving to strengthen services for elite members and are reviewing domestic lounges and membership requirements. With domestic route profitability continuing to deteriorate amid higher fuel and maintenance costs, the airlines aim to improve earnings through efforts to retain valuable customers.
Japan Airlines has revamped its domestic lounge in Terminal 1 at Haneda Airport. Seating in the First Class Lounge has been increased by 40%, while private rooms for online meetings and high-backed sofas that block sightlines have been added to meet diverse needs. To attract new customers, Japan Airlines plans to relax some membership requirements for lounge access from next year.
ANA requires customers to join the ANA Super Flyers Card program or take a certain number of flights to qualify for elite status. After joining, members can use the lounges indefinitely by paying an annual fee. Membership has grown to 1.5 times its pre-pandemic level, raising concerns that overcrowding could reduce service quality.
In April, ANA announced a proposal to restrict domestic lounge access for members with annual spending below ¥3 million. Following opposition, it reviewed the proposal so that members can continue to use the lounges as before when they are not crowded. Introducing an advance reservation system is being considered for the future.
The background is deteriorating profitability in the core aviation business. Costs have risen due to higher fuel and maintenance expenses, as well as the impact of the situation in the Middle East. Meanwhile, non-aviation businesses, including financial and lifestyle-related services, remain solid, and both companies have indicated a policy of stabilizing earnings through a broad range of businesses.