A Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 departing for Tokyo was forced to make a return to London Heathrow after experiencing a technical problem on 31 July 2025.
Japan Airlines JL42 London-TokyoFlight Details
Japan Airlines (JAL) flight JL42 had conducted a departure from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) at 10:14 AM local time.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was performing a scheduled service bound for Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND).
Japan Airlines JL42 London-Tokyo
Shortly after departure from runway 27L LHR, flight crew terminated the climb procedure at 10,000 feet. A technical issue was reported, and flight crew decided to make a precautionary return to London Heathrow.
Holding procedures were carried out over the English Channel to permit fuel dumping to facilitate the return landing.
The aircraft then returned to the departure airport and an approach was made to runway 27L. The aircraft subsequently landed just under two hours after its initial departure.
The scheduled service to Tokyo Haneda was then cancelled as a result of the aircraft unserviceability.
Flight Details
Flight data shows that the flight JL42 had initially set course normally, before terminating the climb procedure at 10,000 feet over the English Channel.
Two holding patterns within conducted at 10,000 feet over the Channel to facilitate fuel dumping procedures.
The aircraft conducting the JL42 service to Tokyo was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered JA840J. This is a 10.5 year old widebody aircraft belonging to the national carrier Japan Airlines (JAL).
It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in February 2015.
AloJapan.com