Catalytic oxidation of methane was studied in a fixed bed flow reactor. Supported Pd and La promoted Pd catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method. Up to 0.5wt.% of Pd, the catalytic activity was increased with Pd loading. However, the activity did not change above that loading. 0.1wt,% La added Pd catalysts showed increased catalytic activities due to increased methane and oxygen adsorption. La addition proved to increase the dispersion, thus increases thermal stability of the catalysts. However, when the loading of La exceeds 1.Owt.%, methane oxidation activity was decreased, presumably due to the pore and Pd blocking by added La.