Air Japan operates a fleet of passenger B787s which operate within Asia to China, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore and Honolulu with more destinations planned. Air Japan is one of the very few contract airlines that offers command upgrades to their First Officers.
About Longreach
Longreach is owned by two Japanese ATPL holders: one a former A320 Captain with a Japanese LCC and the other a former 767 Captain with Air Japan. We know the Air Japan recruitment process first-hand, having been involved since 2015 in supporting selection, interview preparation and induction into Japanese aviation. We support our client pilots through the Japanese ATPL process and initial type rating, and our own experience on multiple training courses with Japanese airlines means we can offer a uniquely informed, high-quality service. We provide through-life support to all our pilots.
The contract
- Five-year contract, extensions available to age 65
- Operating base at Narita and Haneda airports, Japan
- Type rated and non-type rated pilots accepted
- Command upgrades available
Roster and time off
- Up to 14 days off per month, including a minimum of 8 consecutive days
- 24 vacation days per year
- Sick leave at one day per two months worked, to a maximum of 12 days
Package
- US$2,000 per month commuting allowance to Tokyo
- Contract completion bonus of US$18,000 based on five years service
- Worldwide medical insurance, including US health coverage for US citizens
- Staff travel on Star Alliance partner airlines
See the full Air Japan salary chart (April 2026 pay scales)
Minimum requirements – ATPL holders
- 3,000 hours total flight experience
- Any jet type rating
- 500 hours commercial jet experience
- Military experience acceptable
- PIC — one of: 250+ hours PIC; or 70+ hours PIC and 180+ hours PICUS; or 500+ hours PICUS
- 100 hours PIC cross country
- 200 hours cross country
- 100 hours night flight
- 75 hours instrument flight
- Valid ICAO jet aircraft type rating (SIC / co-pilot ratings not accepted)
- Valid ICAO command instrument rating
- Valid ICAO Class 1 medical certificate
- ICAO English Level 4 or higher
- Radio operators certificate held for more than two years
Minimum requirements – Non-ATPL holders
Pilots who hold a CPL with all ATPL theory subjects completed (a “frozen ATPL”) can apply under these requirements. They are set by Air Japan and the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and cannot be waived.
- Valid ICAO CPL with all ATPL theory subjects completed
- Valid ICAO jet aircraft type rating with instrument rating
- Valid ICAO Class 1 medical certificate
- ICAO English Level 4 or higher
- More than 3,000 hours total flight time
- More than 500 hours commercial jet time
- PIC/PUS (JCAB requirement) — one of: more than 250 hours PIC; or more than 500 hours PUS; or 180 hours PIC/PUS including 70 hours PIC
- More than 200 hours cross country
- More than 100 hours cross country PIC/PUS
- More than 75 hours instrument flight
- More than 100 hours night flight
More detail on the Air Japan B787 Non-ATPL First Officer page.
How to apply
Register with Longreach Aviation using our online registration form. We will then send you the Air Japan application form and guide you through the process.