News
Japan Airlines expands flight test of riblets on 737-800 for reducing CO₂ emissions
December 1st 2023
Japan Airlines (JAL) is expanding flight tests on board a 737-800 with riblets applied over parts of the fuselage's external paint. Read More » The initial trial began in July 2022 and racked up about 2,300 flying hours with riblets applied to a 60 square centimetre area of the fuselage. This latest trial, in partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exhibition Agency (JAXA) and O-Well, will have the riblets applied to large areas of the external fuselage skin to verify the improvement of fuel consumption and reduction in CO₂ emissions. "In November 2023, a total of approximately 25 square metres of riblet shapes were successfully applied to the lower fuselage of one domestic Boeing 737-800 aircraft (JA331J)," JAL said. "JAL, JAXA, and O-Well will confirm the durability, aesthetic appeal, and fuel efficiency improvement effects of the riblet shapes applied on the large area. Furthermore, starting from the next fiscal year, JAL, JAXA, and O-Well will expand the application of riblets to international aircrafts with higher effectiveness to further reduce CO₂ emissions."
