Japan Airlines (JAL) is taking groundbreaking steps to increase the efficiency of its B787-9 aircraft for long-haul international flights. In collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), industrial paint company O-Well, and Nikon, JAL has been leading the way in testing a revolutionary riblet-shaped coating on their planes since the start of 2022. These riblets are tiny groove structures inspired by the natural design of shark skin, aimed at reducing water resistance during flight.

This innovative riblet coating test represents just one part of JAL's commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the aviation industry. Through thorough testing, JAL has found that the drag reduction rate during cruising is an impressive 0.24%. This reduction is expected to lead to significant fuel savings, with an estimated annual decrease of around 119 tons of fuel consumption and approximately 381 tons of CO2 emissions. To put this into perspective, JAL highlights that this reduction is equivalent to the annual CO2 absorption of an impressive 27,000 cedar trees.

Looking ahead, Japan Airlines, together with JAXA and O-Well, is dedicated to furthering the development of riblet coating technology. Their focus will involve validating the durability, aesthetics, and fuel efficiency benefits of implementing riblet coating on a larger scale for long-haul international flights. By expanding the application of riblet coating and continuing these collaborative efforts, JAL is paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally-conscious future in aviation.