Japan airline jobs at Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA are not one career but several very different ones, mostly based at Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport. A ramp agent loading bags, a cabin crew member serving passengers, a check-in agent at the counter and a technician inspecting an engine all work for the same two airline groups, yet each role has its own hiring route, language level and pay. This guide takes the roles one by one, so freshers, career changers and foreign applicants can see which path fits their background before they apply.
Each role is filled by a different company. JAL itself and ANA itself recruit cabin crew. Ground staff for passenger service are hired by group companies such as JAL Sky, ANA Airport Services (Haneda) and ANA Narita Airport Services. Ramp and ground handling is done by JAL Ground Service and the ANA airport companies, as well as independent handlers such as Swissport Japan and Konoike Airport Service. Aircraft maintenance is handled by JAL Engineering and by ANA’s maintenance companies, including ANA Line Maintenance Technics and ANA Base Maintenance Technics, which recruit together under e.TEAM ANA. These companies regularly recruit for such roles, but this article does not refer to any specific open vacancy.
For foreign applicants, ground handling and aircraft maintenance jobs may potentially fit the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Aviation field, depending on exact duties and occupational classification. Cabin crew is not an SSW occupation, and passenger-service counter work is not among the SSW ground handling duties listed in our research, so those roles follow different routes.
Japan Airline Jobs 2026 – Quick Overview
| Job Title | Ground Handling Staff, Cabin Crew, Airport Ground Staff, Aircraft Maintenance Technician |
| Country | Japan |
| Location | Mainly Haneda Airport (Tokyo) and Narita International Airport (Chiba) |
| Employers (examples) | JAL, ANA, JAL Sky, JAL Ground Service, JAL Engineering, ANA Airport Services, ANA Narita Airport Services, ANA Line Maintenance Technics |
| Industry | Airlines and aviation services |
| Indicative Salary | ¥220,000 – ¥280,000 per month depending on role |
| Experienced Salary | Higher with seniority, licences and allowances |
| Education | High school for many ground handling roles; vocational school or above for cabin crew new-grad hiring |
| Experience | New-grad and experienced recruitment both exist |
| Japanese | From basic (ground handling under SSW) to business level (cabin crew, ground staff) |
| Work Type | Full-time, contract and dispatch |
| Work Schedule | Shift or roster-based |
| Accommodation | Varies; some employers offer housing support |
| Overtime | Possible during peak travel and irregular operations |
What Does a JAL or ANA Airline Worker Do?
Airline workers at JAL and ANA share one goal, getting every flight out safely and on time, but their daily tasks differ by role.
- Load and unload baggage, mail and cargo on the ramp.
- Guide aircraft into the parking stand and tow or push them back.
- Drive belt loaders, tractors and other ground support equipment.
- Check in passengers, tag bags and issue boarding passes.
- Manage boarding gates and announce boarding in Japanese and English.
- Help passengers with transfers, delays and special assistance.
- Carry out pre-flight safety checks in the cabin as crew.
- Serve meals and drinks and look after passenger comfort in flight.
- Respond to in-flight emergencies and give safety demonstrations.
- Coordinate flight turnaround timing from the operations office.
- Inspect aircraft between flights and record defects.
- Replace parts and carry out scheduled maintenance tasks under supervision.
- Complete logs, checklists and handover reports accurately.
- Follow strict aviation safety and security rules at all times.
Types of Japan Airline Jobs
Ground Handling (Ramp) Staff
Ramp staff handle baggage, cargo loading, aircraft guidance and towing. JAL Ground Service and the ANA airport companies are the main group employers for this work.
Airport Ground Staff (Passenger Service)
Ground staff work at check-in counters, gates and transfer desks. JAL Sky, for example, recruits about 150 Main Base Course staff for its FY2027 intake.
Cabin Crew (Japan-Based)
JAL and ANA hire Japan-based cabin crew through new-grad and experienced recruitment. ANA’s new-grad crew are based at Haneda.
Overseas-Based JAL Cabin Crew
JAL also hires cabin crew locally at eight overseas locations, including Manila, Bangkok, Singapore and London, which is a separate route from Japan-based hiring.
Operations Management Staff
These staff plan and control aircraft turnarounds, staff allocation and flight timing from the station operations office.
Airport Customer Service Staff
Lounge, arrivals and information staff support passengers in the terminal. Some are hired through dispatch companies such as ANA Business Solution.
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Technicians inspect and repair aircraft at hangars and on the line. JAL Engineering works at Haneda, Narita and Itami, while ANA’s maintenance companies are headquartered at Haneda.
Japan Airline Jobs Salary 2026
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary |
| Ground Handling Staff | ¥200,000 – ¥265,000 |
| Ground Staff (Passenger Service) | ¥190,000 – ¥250,000 |
| JAL Cabin Crew (new graduate) | About ¥270,000 |
| ANA Cabin Crew (new graduate) | About ¥280,000 |
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician (entry) | ¥220,000 – ¥270,000 |
Pay varies by employer, shift, allowances and overtime, and cabin crew figures include a flight allowance that depends on hours flown. All figures are indicative starting levels and are not guaranteed.
The JAL cabin crew figure is built from a ¥221,000 base salary plus about ¥50,000 flight allowance at 70 flight hours a month for the April 2026 and 2027 intakes. For ANA, a bachelor’s graduate in the April 2027 intake gets ¥232,901, including a ¥30,000 job adjustment allowance, plus about ¥50,000 flight allowance at 80 hours, about ¥283,000 in total. On the ground, JAL Sky’s starting pay was ¥213,000 for the Main Base Course and ¥243,000 for the Global Field Course (April 2025). The maintenance range combines an average Hello Work job-posting wage of ¥254,000 with a secondary guide figure for SSW maintenance assistants, as JAL Engineering and ANA’s maintenance companies did not publish starting pay on the pages we could read.
Japan Airline Jobs for Foreign Workers
The route depends on the role. Ground handling and aircraft maintenance are the two SSW Aviation sub-areas, so foreign applicants for ramp, baggage, cargo or maintenance-assistant work may potentially qualify under SSW(i), depending on exact duties and occupational classification. JAL Ground Service started SSW hiring in FY2023, and JAL had 111 SSW workers at the start of FY2024. ANA HD’s group companies have recruited foreign talent, including from South Korea, though our research did not confirm ANA hiring specifically under SSW.
Cabin crew is different. JAL and ANA’s Japan-based crew requirements found in our research do not state a nationality requirement, but these are regular Japanese jobs, so in practice applicants need a residence status that allows the work, and ANA asks applicants to live within two hours of the base by public transport. SSW does not lead to cabin crew. Some foreign nationals instead join JAL’s overseas-based crew; its first Manila intake of 20 people joined in January 2025 from about 1,000 applicants.
Passenger-service ground staff and operations roles usually require strong Japanese and are often filled through new-graduate recruitment. Applicants should not assume every vacancy qualifies for a visa, and should always check the job category and residence status with the employer.
Japanese Language Requirement
Japanese needs vary more between these roles than in almost any other airport career.
- Cabin crew and ground staff: business-level Japanese for passenger announcements and service.
- Cabin crew: English also matters; JAL and ANA list a TOEIC score of about 600 as desirable for new grads.
- Ground handling: basic to conversational Japanese for team and radio communication.
- Maintenance: technical Japanese plus English for manuals; e.TEAM ANA recommends about TOEIC 450.
- Operations and customer service: strong Japanese and good English.
For SSW(i) in the Aviation field, applicants generally need JFT-Basic at A2 level or above, or JLPT N4 or above, unless they completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in the field in good standing.
Eligibility
- Ground handling: physically fit, able to work outdoors in all weather and on shifts.
- Ground handling under SSW: pass the Aviation SSW(i) ground handling test and a Japanese test.
- JAL cabin crew (new grad): graduates of vocational school, junior college, technical college, university or graduate school are eligible.
- ANA cabin crew: live within commuting range of the base, about two hours by public transport.
- Ground staff: strong Japanese and customer service skills; many roles hire new graduates.
- Maintenance: technical aptitude; SSW maintenance applicants need the maintenance skills test.
- All roles: a residence status that allows the specific work, and the ability to pass airport security checks.
Education Qualification
Ground handling jobs often accept high school graduates, while cabin crew and ground staff recruitment at JAL and ANA mainly targets graduates of vocational school or higher. Maintenance careers favour technical education.
- High school: ramp, baggage and cargo roles.
- Vocational school or higher: JAL new-grad cabin crew and many ground staff roles.
- University: JAL Sky’s Global Field Course and office-based positions.
- Aviation maintenance or engineering school: maintenance technician roles.
Daily Work of a Ramp Agent
- Report for the shift, put on high-visibility gear and ear protection.
- Join the team briefing on the day’s flights, stands and special loads.
- Check vehicles and equipment such as belt loaders and tractors.
- Move to the stand before the aircraft arrives and check the area for debris.
- Guide the aircraft in and place chocks and safety cones.
- Open the hold doors and unload baggage and cargo containers.
- Send transfer bags and arrival baggage to the right sorting area.
- Load outgoing bags and cargo according to the load plan.
- Confirm the load with the supervisor and close the holds.
- Connect the tug and push the aircraft back, or assist the push-back team.
- Complete records and prepare for the next flight.
Ramp work happens close to engines and moving vehicles, so safety procedures must be followed every single time.
Working Hours
- Ground handling and ground staff: rotating shifts of around 8 hours.
- Cabin crew: monthly rosters based on flight patterns, including overnight trips.
- Maintenance: day and night shifts, as much work happens while aircraft are parked overnight.
- Operations staff: shift work covering the full flight schedule.
- Weekends and holidays are normal working days in aviation.
Airline operations run from early morning to late at night, so most roles involve early starts, late finishes or both.
Accommodation
- Some group companies offer dormitories or housing allowances.
- Cabin crew must live within commuting range of their base airport.
- Haneda-based staff often live in southern Tokyo or Kanagawa.
- Narita-based staff often live in Narita city or other parts of Chiba.
- Overseas-based JAL crew follow the terms of their local contract.
Always check whether rent or other housing costs are deducted from your monthly salary.
Benefits
- Japanese social insurance and pension.
- Flight allowances for cabin crew.
- Shift, night and qualification allowances for ground and maintenance staff.
- Bonuses at many group companies.
- Structured training programmes for new hires.
- Staff travel benefits at many airline groups.
- Transport allowance and paid leave.
Benefits depend on the employer, the group company and the type of contract.
Career Growth
Maintenance Assistant → Line Maintenance Technician → Licensed Aircraft Engineer → Supervisor
- Maintenance staff can grow by earning a national aviation certificate (航空従事者技能証明) for more responsibility.
- SSW(ii) in maintenance requires the SSW(ii) test or an aviation certificate, plus 3+ years of specialised work.
- Ramp staff can become team leaders; SSW(ii) in ground handling requires supervisory experience.
- Ground staff can move into operations, training or supervisory roles.
- Cabin crew can progress to senior crew positions with experience.
- Since April 2024, JAL and ANA mutually recognise ramp-handling qualifications at 10 airports.
Skills That Can Improve Your Chances
- Japanese at JLPT N2 level or above for passenger-facing roles.
- A TOEIC score of around 600 for cabin crew applications.
- Hospitality, hotel or retail customer service experience.
- Calm communication under pressure.
- Mechanical or electrical knowledge for maintenance.
- A Japanese driving licence for ramp equipment.
- Physical fitness and good health.
- Teamwork across different departments.
- Punctuality and careful record-keeping.
- Willingness to work shifts and irregular hours.
Documents Required
- Valid passport and residence card, if already in Japan.
- CV or Japanese-style resume (履歴書).
- Graduation certificates or expected graduation proof.
- TOEIC or other English score for cabin crew and maintenance.
- JLPT or JFT-Basic results.
- SSW skills test certificate for ground handling or maintenance applicants.
- Technical certificates or licences for maintenance roles.
- Passport-size photographs.
- Health check results, if requested.
Requirements vary by company, role and visa route.
How to Apply Online
Step 1: Prepare Your CV
Write a CV tailored to the single role you want, whether ramp, cabin, counter or maintenance.
Step 2: Describe Your Skills
Match your experience to the role, such as service skills for cabin crew or technical skills for maintenance.
Step 3: Gather Certificates
Prepare education records, language scores and any technical or driving licences.
Step 4: Check the Job Category
Confirm which company actually hires for the role, for example JAL Sky for ground staff or JAL Ground Service for ramp work, and which visa may apply.
Step 5: Complete Required Tests
Take the needed tests, such as aptitude tests for airline recruitment or the JAEA aviation skills test for SSW.
Step 6: Attend the Interview
Apply through official channels such as the JAL Group recruitment site (job-jal.com), the ANA recruit pages or e.TEAM ANA for maintenance, and prepare for one or more interview rounds.
Step 7: Review the Contract
Read salary, allowances, roster rules and probation terms before accepting.
Step 8: Complete Immigration Procedures
If you are overseas, your employer will usually apply for a Certificate of Eligibility before you get your visa.
Japan Airline Jobs 2026 – FAQs
Is this a guaranteed job offer?
No. This is an information guide only, and each company makes its own hiring decisions.
Which JAL or ANA role is easiest for a beginner?
Ground handling often accepts beginners and provides training, while cabin crew and ground staff roles are more competitive.
Can I become cabin crew through the SSW visa?
No. Cabin crew is not an SSW occupation; Japan-based crew need a residence status that allows regular employment.
How many cabin crew do JAL and ANA plan to hire?
JAL plans about 300 new-grad crew for 2027 and ANA about 400 for April 2027 entry, though numbers change each year.
Do JAL and ANA hire experienced cabin crew?
Yes, both have run experienced recruitment, such as JAL’s 2025 career intake and ANA’s June 2025 experienced hiring.
How do I become an aircraft maintenance technician in Japan?
Through technical schooling and company training, or as an assistant under SSW, then gaining experience and licences.
Is English enough for these jobs?
Usually not. Most Japan-based roles need Japanese, with English as an added strength.
Should I pay a consultant who promises a JAL or ANA job?
Never pay unlicensed agents or anyone who guarantees selection. JAL and ANA recruit through their official channels.
Final Words
JAL and ANA offer several distinct career paths, from ramp and maintenance work that may suit SSW applicants to competitive cabin crew and ground staff roles that need strong Japanese. Pick the role that fits your skills, prepare the right tests and documents, and apply only through official recruitment 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 Narita International Airport, Haneda Airport, Japan Airlines or ANA.
