JAL raises its fuel surcharge from 1 November 2026: a December return costs 14,400 yen more if ticketed after 31 October

This week's news · Checked 2026-10-17

What happened. On 15 October 2026, Japan Airlines (JAL) and Japan Transocean Air (JTA) applied to Japan's transport ministry (MLIT) to revise the fuel surcharge on international tickets purchased in Japan between 1 November and 31 December 2026. The basis is the Singapore jet-fuel average for August–September 2026: USD 159.19 a barrel (25,089 yen at 157.61 yen/USD), against USD 132.50 in June–July (the basis for the September–October period). Under JAL's formula the new level would be Zone T, but with a Japanese government subsidy introduced as an emergency measure over the Middle East situation, the applied level is Zone S (current period: Zone O). For the Japan–Thailand/Malaysia/Singapore/Brunei band the surcharge rises from 26,000 yen (tickets issued up to 31 October 2026) to 33,200 yen per sector (issued on or after 1 November 2026); the Zone T reference is 35,000 yen. On a return ticket the difference is 14,400 yen ≈ RM372 (ECB rate 16 Oct 2026, ¥100 = RM2.583). ANA has also been reported to raise its surcharge for the same period (The Straits Times, 15 Oct 2026). The level is still subject to government approval.

What it means for you. JAL's release covers tickets issued in Japan; for tickets bought in Malaysia, JAL and ANA publish separate country-of-sale tables that usually move the same way — check the "fuel surcharge / YQ" line in the fare breakdown before you pay. Three practical points: (1) if you intend to fly JAL or ANA in December–January, compare the price before and after 1 November — the surcharge is set by the ticketing date, not the flight date; (2) it is charged per sector, so an itinerary with a connection in Japan (for example KL–Tokyo–Sapporo) pays it more than once; (3) other airlines flying KL–Japan have their own surcharge policies — compare the final total on the same dates, not the base fare. With jet fuel up again over the last two months, the January–February 2027 level may be revised too (JAL sets it every two months).

What to do now. Compare final totals across airlines for your dates: KL → Tokyo flight search on Trip.com (price depends on dates; the surcharge is included in the displayed total). A 7-day December plan for Muslim families: Japan 7-day itinerary, December 2026.

Sources: Japan Airlines, "JAL/JTA Announces International Fare Fuel Surcharge for Tickets Issued Between November and December 2026", 15 October 2026, and the September–October 2026 release (18 August 2026); The Straits Times, 15 October 2026 (ANA). Exchange rate: ECB (Frankfurter), 16 October 2026. Photo: Hieu / Unsplash (illustrative). Affiliate links may be used; your price does not change.