JAL & ANA jobs draw huge numbers of applicants every year, and one question comes up again and again: which airline group actually pays more? Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) both run their main operations from Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport, and their published starting pay is closer than many people expect. A JAL cabin crew member joining in April 2026 or 2027 receives base pay of ¥221,000 plus a flight allowance of about ¥50,000, while an ANA cabin crew member with a bachelor’s degree starts on ¥232,901 plus a similar flight allowance. This guide puts the two groups side by side for cabin crew, ground staff, baggage handlers and airport customer service, so students, career changers and job seekers abroad can see how the numbers really compare.
Each airline hires through several companies rather than one. JAL itself recruits cabin crew, while JAL Sky, with 3,424 employees as of March 2025, recruits ground staff for passenger service and station operations at Haneda and Narita, and JAL Ground Service covers ramp work such as baggage, loading and aircraft guidance. ANA itself recruits cabin crew, ANA Airport Services (3,778 employees) handles passenger service and ramp work at Haneda, ANA Narita Airport Services (2,093 employees) covers Narita, and ANA Business Solution supplies staff for airport customer-service roles at Narita. These group companies recruit such roles on a regular basis; this article does not state that any specific position is open at the moment.
For foreign applicants, ramp and baggage handling work in the JAL and ANA groups may potentially fit the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Aviation field, depending on exact duties and occupational classification. Cabin crew is a different matter: it is not an SSW occupation, and Japan-based crew positions are regular Japanese employment that require a residence status permitting that work.
JAL & ANA Jobs 2026 – Quick Overview
| Job Title | Cabin Crew, Ground Staff, Baggage Handler, Airport Customer Service |
| Country | Japan |
| Location | Haneda Airport (Tokyo) and Narita International Airport (Chiba) |
| Employers (examples) | JAL, JAL Sky, JAL Ground Service, ANA, ANA Airport Services, ANA Narita Airport Services, ANA Business Solution |
| Industry | Airlines and Airport Services |
| Indicative Salary | About ¥220,000 – ¥230,000 per month for airport roles; about ¥270,000 – ¥280,000 for new cabin crew including flight allowance |
| Experienced Salary | A government wage survey puts cabin crew of all ages at about ¥405,000 a month plus bonus |
| Education | JAL new-graduate cabin crew: vocational school, junior college, technical college, university or graduate school; airport roles vary by company |
| Experience | Separate new-graduate and experienced recruitment tracks |
| Japanese | High level for cabin crew and passenger service; daily-conversation level for ramp work |
| Work Type | Full-time regular employment; contract or dispatch for some customer-service roles |
| Work Schedule | Shift rosters for airport staff; monthly flight rosters for cabin crew |
| Accommodation | Not standard; cabin crew must live within commuting range of their base |
| Overtime | Allowances paid according to the employment contract |
What Does a JAL & ANA Frontline Worker Do?
Frontline staff in both airline groups share one goal: getting every passenger and bag onto the right flight safely and on time.
- Delivers safety demonstrations and checks cabin safety equipment before departure
- Serves meals and drinks and looks after passengers during the flight
- Responds to medical or safety situations on board following airline procedures
- Greets passengers at check-in counters and self-service kiosk areas
- Checks passports and travel documents for international flights
- Manages boarding at the gate and makes announcements
- Rebooks passengers when flights are delayed or cancelled
- Loads and unloads suitcases and containers on the apron
- Drives baggage tractors and belt loaders around the aircraft
- Helps guide aircraft into and out of parking stands
- Welcomes arriving passengers and gives directions
- Assists guests in airline lounges
- Supports passengers who need wheelchairs or extra help
- Reports lost baggage and handles passenger enquiries
Types of JAL & ANA Jobs
JAL Cabin Crew
JAL’s 客室乗務職 intake for April 2026 and 2027 starts at ¥221,000 base, up from ¥199,000 in April 2025, plus about ¥50,000 flight allowance at 70 flight hours a month, for roughly ¥271,000.
ANA Cabin Crew
ANA’s April 2027 intake lists ¥232,901 for bachelor’s graduates, ¥236,239 for graduate-school graduates and ¥224,999 for junior college or vocational graduates, each including a ¥30,000 job adjustment allowance. With about ¥50,000 flight allowance at 80 hours a month, a bachelor’s graduate reaches roughly ¥283,000.
Ground Staff – JAL Sky
JAL Sky’s April 2025 starting pay was ¥213,000 on the Main Base Course for ground staff and ¥243,000 on the Global Field Course, a broader career-track role.
Ground Staff – ANA Airport Services and ANA Narita Airport Services
ANA Airport Services at Haneda listed ¥224,500 for all job types in 2025. ANA Narita Airport Services quoted ¥211,020 for 2026 university graduates and ¥220,938 for the 2027 intake, excluding allowances.
Baggage Handler / Ramp Agent
ANA Airport Services’ ¥224,500 figure also covers its ramp service staff, while JAL Ground Service did not publish a starting figure in the sources used here. Contractors serving the airlines, such as Konoike Airport Service at Haneda, have advertised ¥230,000 – ¥247,000.
Airport Customer Service
ANA Business Solution has advertised Narita arrivals greeter work at ¥1,450 or more per hour, about ¥232,000 – ¥247,000 a month, and an airline lounge at Narita has offered ¥1,400 per hour.
JAL & ANA Salary 2026
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary |
| JAL Cabin Crew (new graduate) | About ¥270,000 (¥221,000 base + flight allowance) |
| ANA Cabin Crew (new graduate) | About ¥280,000 (¥232,901 base + flight allowance) |
| Ground Staff | ¥190,000 – ¥250,000 |
| Baggage Handler | ¥200,000 – ¥265,000 |
| Airport Customer Service | ¥200,000 – ¥250,000 |
Pay depends on the employer, education level, shifts, flight hours, allowances and overtime, and the airport customer service range converts hourly pay at 160 – 170 hours a month. These numbers are indicative only and are not a guaranteed salary.
JAL & ANA Jobs for Foreign Workers
The SSW Aviation field covers airport ground handling (ramp work, cargo and baggage handling, cabin cleaning and aircraft guidance) and aircraft maintenance. JAL Ground Service started hiring SSW workers in FY2023, and JAL had 111 SSW workers at the start of FY2024. ANA Holdings’ group companies have also recruited foreign talent, including from South Korea, though available reports do not confirm that this was under SSW specifically. Baggage handler roles may potentially fit this route, but you should not assume every vacancy qualifies.
Cabin crew recruitment works differently. The JAL and ANA Japan-based requirements reviewed for this guide do not state a nationality requirement, but the job is regular employment in Japan, so a visa that allows it is needed in practice, and SSW does not lead to cabin crew roles. JAL also hires cabin crew locally at eight overseas locations: Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, London and Frankfurt. Its first Manila intake of 20 people joined in January 2025 from about 1,000 applicants.
For ground staff and customer service jobs, the employer decides which residence status fits the role, so always confirm before applying.
Japanese Language Requirement
Both airline groups serve mostly Japanese-speaking passengers, so language ability strongly affects your chances and your pay track.
- Cabin crew: very strong Japanese for safety announcements and service
- Ground staff: business-level Japanese for counters, gates and rebooking
- Airport customer service: polite spoken Japanese, with English a plus at international terminals
- Baggage handler: enough Japanese to follow safety briefings and radio instructions
- English: JAL lists TOEIC 600+ (or GTEC LR 260+) as desirable for new-graduate cabin crew, and ANA lists about TOEIC 600 or GTEC Business 260
Ramp applicants using the SSW(i) route generally need JFT-Basic A2 or higher, or JLPT N4 or higher, unless exempt through completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in the field.
Eligibility
- JAL new-graduate cabin crew: graduates of vocational school, junior college, technical college, university or graduate school are eligible
- ANA cabin crew: applicants must live within about two hours of their base by public transport
- Cabin crew at both airlines: TOEIC around 600 is stated as desirable, not mandatory
- All roles: a residence status that allows the work in Japan
- Ramp roles: physical fitness and willingness to work outdoors
- SSW ramp applicants: a pass in the aviation SSW(i) ground handling test
- All airport roles: ability to pass security checks for restricted-area passes
Education Qualification
Education matters most for cabin crew and new-graduate ground staff tracks, where pay scales are set by qualification. At ANA, for example, a graduate-school graduate starts higher than a junior college graduate.
- Degree or diploma for most new-graduate airline intakes
- Higher qualification can mean a higher starting step
- Hospitality, tourism or language studies are useful backgrounds
- Ramp and customer service roles focus more on skills than degrees
Daily Work of a JAL & ANA Frontline Worker
- Report for duty and confirm the day’s roster
- Join a briefing on flights, passenger numbers and safety notices
- Check uniforms, ID and equipment
- Prepare counters, cabins or aircraft stands
- Serve departing passengers or load the first flights
- Handle boarding, announcements or in-flight service
- Deal with delays, special requests and passenger questions
- Receive arriving flights and unload baggage
- Take breaks between flight waves
- Write reports on irregularities or service issues
- Hand over to the next team at the end of duty
Every task follows airline safety procedures, which are taken very seriously at both JAL and ANA.
Working Hours
- Airport staff usually work about 8-hour shifts on rotating rosters
- Early morning and late evening shifts are common
- Cabin crew work monthly flight rosters, including overnight trips
- JAL’s flight allowance estimate assumes about 70 flight hours a month; ANA’s assumes about 80
- Weekends and holidays are normal working days
Airline operations at Haneda and Narita run from early morning to late night, so fixed office hours are rare in these jobs.
Accommodation
- Housing is not a standard benefit for these roles
- Cabin crew must live within commuting range of Haneda or Narita
- Some group companies may offer dormitories or housing support
- Commuting allowances are common in Japanese employment
Check rent, deposits and any salary deductions in writing if housing is offered.
Benefits
- Flight allowance for cabin crew on top of base pay
- Job adjustment allowance of ¥30,000 included in ANA cabin crew pay
- Shift, night and overtime allowances for airport staff
- Bonuses at many group companies
- Social insurance, pension and health insurance
- Paid leave and structured training
- Staff travel benefits are common in the airline industry
The actual package depends on the company and your contract.
Career Growth
Customer Service Agent → Ground Staff → Senior Agent → Supervisor
- JAL Sky offers a Global Field Course with a higher starting salary and broader duties
- JAL runs career recruitment and a career-return track for former cabin crew
- ANA runs separate experienced hiring, with about 240 cabin crew hires announced in June 2025
- Since April 2024, JAL and ANA mutually recognise ramp-handling qualifications at 10 airports
- SSW(ii) is available in ground handling for workers with supervisory experience and the required test or qualification
Skills That Can Improve Your Chances
- Strong spoken Japanese
- TOEIC 600 or above for cabin crew applications
- Hospitality or customer service experience
- Calm handling of complaints and delays
- Good posture, clear voice and professional manner
- Physical stamina for ramp or long flight duties
- Teamwork across different departments
- Attention to safety rules
- Driving licence for ramp vehicles
Documents Required
- Passport and residence card
- Japanese-style CV and entry sheet
- Graduation or expected-graduation certificate
- Academic transcripts for new-graduate intakes
- TOEIC or GTEC score report
- Japanese language test result
- SSW test certificate for ramp applicants using that route
- Recent photographs
Requirements differ between JAL, ANA and each group company.
How to Apply Online
Step 1: Prepare Your CV
Create a neat Japanese CV and, for new-graduate intakes, an entry sheet explaining why you chose that airline.
Step 2: Describe Your Skills
Show service, language and teamwork examples that match the role’s daily duties.
Step 3: Gather Certificates
Prepare graduation documents, TOEIC or GTEC reports and Japanese test results.
Step 4: Check the Job Category
Decide between cabin crew, ground staff, ramp or customer service, and between new-graduate or experienced tracks.
Step 5: Complete Required Tests
Airline intakes often include aptitude or written tests, and SSW ramp applicants need the JAEA ground handling test.
Step 6: Attend the Interview
Expect several interview rounds focused on communication, attitude and teamwork.
Step 7: Review the Contract
Compare base pay, flight or shift allowances, bonuses and working conditions carefully.
Step 8: Complete Immigration Procedures
Your employer guides any visa steps, and official openings appear on the JAL Group recruitment site, ANA recruit pages and e.TEAM ANA for maintenance roles.
JAL & ANA Jobs 2026 – FAQs
Does JAL or ANA pay new cabin crew more?
Based on published figures, ANA is slightly higher at about ¥283,000 for bachelor’s graduates versus about ¥271,000 at JAL, both including flight allowance.
Is the flight allowance a fixed amount?
No. The ¥50,000 estimates assume about 70 flight hours at JAL and 80 at ANA, so actual amounts change with your roster.
Which group pays ground staff more?
ANA Airport Services listed ¥224,500, while JAL Sky’s Main Base Course started at ¥213,000; JAL Sky’s Global Field Course was higher at ¥243,000.
Is this a guaranteed job offer?
No. This article compares salaries and explains the process; only JAL, ANA and their group companies make hiring decisions.
Can foreigners become JAL or ANA cabin crew in Japan?
No nationality rule is stated in the requirements reviewed, but you need a visa that permits the work, and SSW does not cover cabin crew.
Is TOEIC compulsory?
Both airlines describe a TOEIC score around 600 as desirable for cabin crew rather than strictly required.
Do airport customer service jobs pay hourly?
Many do, such as ANA Business Solution’s Narita greeter roles at ¥1,450 or more per hour.
Can an agent help me get selected?
Never pay unlicensed agents or anyone selling guaranteed selection; apply only through the airlines’ official recruitment pages.
Final Words
JAL and ANA pay new staff at very similar levels, with ANA slightly ahead for new cabin crew and the picture mixed for ground staff depending on course and airport. Choose the airline and role that suit your language level, education and visa situation, prepare your documents early and apply through official channels.
Disclaimer: All salary figures mentioned in this article are indicative estimates based on general industry patterns and may vary by employer, location, experience, and contract terms. They do not represent a guaranteed salary, job offer, or visa approval. This website is not affiliated with Japan Airlines or ANA.
