Japan Airlines applies new coating to 787 in world first
January 26, 2025
Japan Airlines (JAL) has applied a pioneering riblet-shaped coating to the fuselage of a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, marking the first time such technology has been used on an aircraft operating international routes.
The coated aircraft, registered as JA868J, is set to take its inaugural flight this month.
The breakthrough is the result of a collaboration between JAL, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Osaka-based O-Well Corporation. The riblet coating, developed using JAXA’s wind tunnel research and O-Well’s advanced Paint-to-Paint Method, aims to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency, offering significant environmental benefits.
The riblet coating’s unique design mimics natural grooves found in sharkskin, reducing air resistance during flight.
By applying the riblets directly to the aircraft’s paint layer, the technology achieves greater durability and weight reduction compared to traditional decal or film-based methods. Initial tests on domestic Boeing 737-800 aircraft have demonstrated the coating’s effectiveness in enhancing fuel efficiency and durability.
JAXA’s wind tunnel tests confirmed that the coating can reduce drag by 0.24% during cruising on a Boeing 787-9, resulting in estimated annual savings of 119 tons of fuel and a reduction of 381 tons of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to the yearly carbon absorption of approximately 27,000 trees.
Long-haul international routes are expected to deliver even greater benefits, with the riblet coating applied to larger areas of the fuselage, including the upper sections.
JAL, JAXA, and O-Well plan to further evaluate the coating’s durability, appearance, and efficiency over extended flights, with the ultimate goal of promoting decarbonisation in the aviation industry.
