An optical amplifier 1 is constructed using an amplification optical waveguide in which a first amplification optical fiber 10 and a second amplification optical fiber 20 are connected in series. A P/Al-codoped EDF 10 excellent in noise characteristics is applied to the upstream first amplification optical fiber 10, and an EDF 20 such as an Al-doped EDF or the like is applied to the downstream second amplification optical fiber 20. This realizes the optical amplifier 1, and the optical transmission system using it, capable of amplifying the signal light in the signal light wavelength band of not less than the wavelength of 1570 nm including the L-band wavelength band of wavelengths from 1570 to 1600 nm, with good gain characteristics and achieving the improvement in the noise characteristics.