JAL SKY MUSEUM to Debut Five New Attractions in Summer 2026, Including an Immersive Theater Featuring Flying Cars and AI-Powered Virtual Try-Ons

August 5, 2026, 9:27 a.m. (JST)

[Japan] The “JAL SKY MUSEUM” (Ota Ward, Tokyo), an interactive facility operated by Japan Airlines (JAL, Tokyo, Japan), will begin rolling out updates to its exhibits starting August 1, 2026.The renovation centers on five key areas, including the addition of a permanent exhibition of the “flying car” immersive theater—which was a hit at the Osaka-Kansai Expo—and a virtual try-on experience for historic uniforms using AI technology. A briefing for members of the press was held on-site on July 30. (Credit Card DB, Hideo Osawa)

Attracting 100,000 visitors annually: “JAL SKY MUSEUM,” where visitors can explore aviation careers and history

The JAL SKY MUSEUM is an interactive facility where visitors can explore aviation careers and history while viewing actual aircraft up close. It attracts approximately 100,000 visitors annually.

The standard “Factory Tour Course” lasts approximately 130 minutes, combining the museum area (about 80 minutes) and the hangar area (about 50 minutes). Admission is 1,000 yen for junior high school students and older, and free for elementary school students and younger. Reservations are accepted starting on the same date one month prior to the desired visit date.

In addition, paid optional courses are available, such as the “FUJI Premium Course” (8,000 yen per person), where visitors can sample business-class in-flight meals, and the “JAL STEAM SCHOOL Course” (1,500 yen per person), where visitors can learn about the mechanics of flight.

The Five Pillars of the Renovation

(1) Making the immersive theater “SoraCruise” a permanent exhibit

“SoraCruise by Japan Airlines” (commonly known as “SoraCruise”), an immersive theater experience featuring flying cars that was previously exhibited at the Osaka-Kansai Expo and Osaka Port Vertiport, will become a permanent exhibit at the JAL SKY MUSEUM. While previously limited to the Osaka area and available for a limited time, visitors will now be able to experience it at any time during their museum tour.

– Exhibition Start: Saturday, August 1, 2026 (for
tours starting on or after this date) – Running Time: Approximately 3.5 minutes
– Capacity: Up to 9 people (seated)
– Screen Configuration: Four-sided screen (front, left and right sides, and floor) (Width 4.9 m × Height 2.6 m × Depth 5.4 m)
– Planning and Production: Sony PCL Inc.
– Technology: Utilizes spatial audio and haptics (tactile feedback technology using vibration)

Approximately 130,000 people experienced the exhibit at the Expo venue, and there were many requests for it to be shown again. For this permanent installation at the JAL SKY MUSEUM, the screening time—which was about 10 minutes at the Expo venue—has been shortened to about 3 and a half minutes so that more visitors can experience it.In addition, to suit the facility, the exhibit has been scaled down to approximately 6/10 of its original World Expo size and converted to a seated format. An exhibition space introducing the JAL Group’s efforts toward the realization of flying cars will also be set up. This promises to be a rare opportunity to virtually experience the world of flying cars.

(2) New “Morning Slot” Exclusively for Early-Morning Factory Tours

A new 60-minute tour course specializing in hangar tours, called the “Morning Slot,” will be introduced. It is primarily aimed at visitors who wish to take a leisurely tour during the cooler hours of the summer and participants who want to focus mainly on taking photographs. The tour is structured to keep explanations in the museum area to a minimum and place emphasis on the hangar tour.

– Start Date: Saturday,
August 1, 2026 – Days: Every Saturday (Scheduled as a limited-time event from August through late September)
– Time: 8:30–9:30 a.m. (1 hour)
– Fee: 1,000 yen(tax included)
– Capacity: 20 people per session

During the briefing session, I also participated in an actual hangar tour. The hangar is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. On the day of my visit, a thermometer inside the hangar read 34 degrees. Given that it’s the height of summer, I found the morning time slot—which allows visitors to tour during the cooler hours of the day—to be a thoughtful and welcome arrangement.

 (3) Rotating Exhibits of Artifacts in the Archives Zone

In the “Archives Zone,” which chronicles the history of JAL and the aviation industry, the exhibits of physical historical artifacts from the collection are rotated regularly. This time, the focus is on the 1960s—a period marked by the introduction of the DC-8 jet and the liberalization of international travel—with displays featuring manuals, instruments, and brochures from that era.

(4) Pilot Test of “JAL VIRTUAL FIT,” a Virtual Try-On Experience Utilizing AI Technology

A pilot test is underway for “JAL VIRTUAL FIT,” a service that allows users not only to “view” past uniforms but also to virtually “try them on.” According to a joint press release (dated June 10, 2026) issued by JAL, the Beyond AI Technology Research Association*, CALM Co., Ltd., andUltra FreakOut Inc.—a joint press release dated June 10, 2026—stated that the project was made possible through CALM’s overall coordination of the Beyond AI Technology Research Association’s real-time virtual try-on technology and Ultra FreakOut’s expertise in digital signage.

– Pilot period: July 10, 2026 (Fri) – August 31, 2026 (Mon)
– Uniforms available for virtual try-on: Historical flight attendant uniforms (5th and 6th generations), current flight crew uniforms, and maintenance technician uniforms (making their debut in this try-on experience)

Three key features of the experience are highlighted: (1) the ability to visualize how the uniform looks from any 360-degree angle in real time as the wearer moves; (2) real-time virtual try-on that tracks movement—such as the wrinkles in the fabric or the flaring of the hem when raising one’s arms; and (3) the faithful reproduction of the garment’s wrinkles and drape.Photos and videos taken during the fitting can be downloaded to a smartphone and shared on social media. Additionally, users can change the background of their fitting photos to images of the JAL SKY MUSEUM or the runway.

When I actually tried out JAL VIRTUAL FIT, I was able to capture not only still images but also dynamic, lifelike videos. I was particularly impressed by the attention to detail in the maintenance technician’s uniform, such as the Tsurumaru emblem printed on the back.

Please note that participants’ photo and video data is temporarily stored for the purpose of providing downloads; it is retained for three days and promptly deleted thereafter. Information collected—such as survey results, excluding photo and video data—will be used for future facility operations, technological development, and product improvements.

*The Beyond AI Technology Research Association is a joint research body established by the University of Tokyo (a National University Corporation), SoftBank Corp., and LINE Yahoo Corp. under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s CIP (Technology Research Association) system.

(5) Renovation of the JAL SKY MUSEUM Exclusive Shop and New Products

The existing gift shop has been renovated with a brighter interior, and the lineup of exclusive merchandise has been expanded. From fiscal year 2024 through fiscal year 2025, visitor numbers increased—partly due to the World Expo—and sales reportedly doubled.

The following lineup of new products is now available (all prices include tax).

 In-Building Route

Following the briefing, the tour proceeded with a guided walkthrough of the facility. Starting from the entrance lounge and flanking the central “Sky Runway,” the tour highlights four main attractions: ① Sora Cruise, ② JAL VIRTUAL FIT, ③ the Archives Zone featuring exhibits of actual historical artifacts, and ④ the exclusive shop.When visiting, keeping these highlights in mind as you explore will make for a more fulfilling experience.

– JAL SKY MUSEUM Reservation Site: https://jalfactorytour.my.salesforce-sites.com/