Tag Archives: HND

Cathay Pacific to retire the last passenger long-haul Boeing 747-400 on August 31 on the San Francisco route

Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong) will operate its last long-haul scheduled Boeing 747 passenger flight to San Francisco on August 31. The last departure will be from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Hong Kong. The company will continue to operate Boeing 747 freighters and the 747-400 on some short-haul Asian routes (Beijing, Manila, Osaka Kansai, Sapporo, Shanghai Pudong, Taipei Taoyuan and Tokyo Haneda per Airline Route).

 

Cathay Pacific Farewell 747 Giveaway

To mark the historic occasion, Cathay Pacific is running a “Farewell 747 Giveaway” contest. 20 winners will receive a Boeing 747 model. CLICK HERE for the details.

The inaugural flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong via Vancouver was flown on a Boeing 747-200B on July 1, 1986.

Cathay Pacific SFO Inaugural 7.1.86

Above Copyright Photo: Cathay Pacific.

Top Copyright Photo: KSK/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-467, the Queen of the Skies, B-HOY (man 25351) in the 1994 livery gracefully climbs away from the runway at Tokyo (Haneda)

Cathay Pacific:ย AG Slide Show

Bottom Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-267B VR-HIE (msn 28872) taxies at Zurich in the original 1971 green and white color scheme.

Video: Trip Report on a CP Boeing 747-400:

Japan Airlines will launch JAL SKY NEXT on May 28 from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka

Japan Airlines (JAL) (Tokyo) will launch its first JAL SKY NEXT service between Tokyo (Haneda) and Fukuoka on May 28, 2014. A total of 77 aircraft are scheduled to be revamped sequentially and will be progressively introduced on domestic routes.

JAL SKY NEXT logo

JAL SKY NEXT will provide updated cabin interior with all-leather seats and LED lighting. Additionally, the in-flight internet service-JAL SKY Wi-Fi with new in-flight entertainment website will be introduced on domestic routes to deliver more comfortable travel experience and convenience to customers.

The first type with the new service standard will be the Boeing 777-200.

JAL SKY NEXT seats (JAL)

Top Copyright Photo (all others by JAL): Akira Uekawa/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-246 JA8984 (msn 27651) in the special “Sky Eco” livery departs from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.

JAL-Japan Airlines:ย AG Slide Show

ANA today operates the last Boeing 747 flight ending an era

ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) today (March 31), as planned, operated the last Boeing 747 flight. The pictured Boeing 747-481 (D) JA8961 (msn 25644) with 497 passengers and 17 crew members operated a round trip from Tokyo (Haneda) to Naha, Okinawa and back, ending 35 years of continuous Boeing 747 operations. JA8961 was delivered to ANA for domestic operations on May 13, 1993.

ANA today (March 31) also retired the Bombardier (de Havilland Canada) DHC-8-300 (Q300).

Read the full report from ZipanguFlyer (with photos): CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-481 (D) JA8961 (msn 25644) departs from Tokyo (Haneda).

ANA:ย AG Slide Show

ANA Banner:

ANA Final 747-Thanks Jumbo (ANA)(LR)

 

JAL Express to be merged into Japan Airlines on October 1

JAL Group (Tokyo) has issued this short statement about merging subsidiary JAL Expressย (Tokyo-Haneda) into Japan Airlines:

Japan Airlines (JAL) and JAL Express (JEX), wholly owned by JAL, have reached an agreement to integrate as below with approval of the board of directorsโ€™ meeting.

1. Purpose of merger

JAL aims to stabilize the domestic business, through enhancing the mobility of making the best match between capacity and traffic, and improving inflight human service of domestic flights.

2. Effective date of merger

October 1, 2014

3. Form of merger

JAL, as surviving company, will merge with JEX and JEX will be dissolved.

This integration is simplified merger for JAL and short form merger for JEX. The consent of the general shareholders meeting of each participating company is not a requirement for reaching a merger agreement.

JAL Express commenced operations on September 30, 1998 as a no-frills unit of JAL for domestic operations.

Copyright Photo: Akira Uekawa/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-846 JA302J (msn 35331) with “Forward Together Japan” markings arrives at Tokyo (Haneda).

JAL Express:ย AG Slide Show

JTA orders 12 Boeing 737-800s to replace its older 737-400s

JTA-Japan Transocean Air ย (Naha, Okinawa) and Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) announced the airline’s selection of 12 Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes. The selection, valued at $1.1 billion at list prices, will mark the start of the airline’s fleet renewal program with the new airplanes scheduled to enter into service from 2016. As part of the agreement, JTA will have the flexibility to switch to the 737 MAX family of airplanes.

A member of the Japan Airlines Group, JTA is based in Naha, Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost island chain. Currently, the airline operates a fleet of 737-400 airplanes on domestic routes linking Okinawa with major Japanese cities as well as other islands within Okinawa.

JTA’s new 737-800s will be powered by CFM56-7 engines manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric and SNECMA. The airplanes will be fitted with Boeing’s latest Performance Improvement Package (PIP), delivering an additional two percent improvement in fuel efficiency for what is already the most fuel efficient single-aisle airplane. The airplanes will also feature the popular passenger-inspired Boeing Sky Interior, with modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.

Copyright Photo: Akira Uekawa/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-4Q3 JA8940 (msn 29487) completes the final approach into Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport).

JTA-Japan Transocean Air:ย AG Slide Show

 

ANA to operate its last Boeing 747 flight on March 31 with JA8961, will be chopped up in Tupelo, Mississippi

ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) as planned and previously reported, plans to operate its last revenue flight (NH 126) with the Boeing 747-400 on March 31 between Naha, Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda) according to ZipanguFlyer. The last revenue flight is scheduled to be operated with the pictured Boeing 747-481 (D) JA8961 (msn 25644). The last ANA Boeing 747-400s are the high-density domestic version of the Boeing 747-400 that seat 565 passengers and were developed specifically for the Japanese market.

In the meantime, according to ZipanguFlyer, JA8961 is operating a series of “Final 747” visits in Japan. On March 16 JA8961 operatedย flight NH 2001, named the “Sayonara Flight Charter’ from Tokyo (Narita) to Kumamoto. The Boeing Jumbo is expected to visit Fukuoka and Sapporo for the last time on March 30.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

According to The Japan Times, ANA Sales Company is offering a tour to Tupelo Regional Airport in Mississippi to witness the end of JA8961. According to the report, the five-day tour will depart Japan on April 16 and the travelers will travel on a different aircraft to reach the airport in time to greet the arrival of ANAโ€™s last Boeing 747.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-481 JA8951 (msn 25644) taxies at Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport) in Tokyo. JA8961 was delivered new to ANA on May 13, 1993.

ANA:ย AG Slide Show

Japan Airlines introduces a new “Samurai Blue Jet” in support of its FIFA football team

JAL-Japan Airlines 777-200 JA8985 (14-Samurai Blue Jet)(logo)(JAL)(LR)

JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) on February 26 in partnership with Family Mart (a national chain of Japanese stores) unveiled this special “Samurai Blue Jet” livery on Boeing 777-246 JA8985 (msn 27652) at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The new logo jet supports Japan’s national football team in the upcoming FIFA World Cup championship series in Brazil this year.

The special sticker (above) includes the logo of theย Japan Football Association (JFA) and photos of 400 supporters who submitted their photos for selection according to the airline.

JA8985 was previously one of JAL’s six Disney Happiness Expressย logo jetsย which are being retired. The special logo jet will fly over Japan until July 2014.

Read the full story from ZipanguFlyer: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Japan Airlines:

JAL-Japan Airlines:ย AG Slide Show

 

JTA introduces a red “Sakura Jimbei” logojet

JTA-Japan Transocean Air (Naha, Okinawa) today introduced a red “Sakura Jimbei” special color scheme on Boeing 737-446 JA8992 (msn 27917) (see ad below). Jimbei means whale shark in Japanese. The red Jimbei complements the first blue “Jimbei Jet” (above) that was introduced in December 2012. The hard to miss red female logo jet entered service on the Naha to Miyako route today according to ZipanguFlyer.

Read the full story from ZipanguFlyer: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Akira Uekawa/AirlinersGallery.com. The original blue “Jimbei Jet” approaches Tokyo (Haneda) for landing.

Photo Galleries:ย AG Galleries

JTA-Transocean Air:ย AG Slide Show

JTA Jimbei Jets (JTA)(LR)

Japan Airlines to install Internet services and upgraded cabins on select domestic routes

Japan Airlines-JAL (Tokyo) has announced it will further expand its JAL NEW SKY PROJECT and install in-flight Internet service on select Japan domestic flights. The airline issued this statement:

JAL NEW SKY PROJECT was initially launched by the airline in January 2013 with the introduction of the JAL SKY SUITE 777 on international routes. The revamped aircraft boasts increased comfort and functionality in all classes based on the themeย โ€œDesigned to evoke aย โ€˜one-class higherโ€™ย feel.โ€ย Leading the redesign are the airlineโ€™s new fully-flat seats in JAL Business Class.ย ย Furthermore, the new JAL SKY SUITE 767 will be introduced onto select international flights starting in December 2013.

As part of this latest Project, JAL will revamp cabin interiors on aircraft operating on select domestic routes, which will include the installation of leather seating and LED lighting throughout the cabin based on the themeย โ€œSuperior Cabinโ€. Another highlight of the new Economy class seat is a slim-style seatback design resulting in approximately 5cm (max.) more legroom than the present seat pitch, providing customers with a more comfortable travel experience.

Additionally, in-flight Internet service, currently available on select JAL international flights from July 2012, will be first installed onto select Japan-domestic flights.

New seats

The new leather seating in J-class and Economy class will be made from the same high-quality genuine leather used for seats installed in luxury vehicles. The airlineโ€™s plan is to revamp all the cabin seats in both classes on select domestic routes. In addition, carpet installed throughout the cabin will also be replaced to match the redesigned interiors

Economy class

A slim-style seatback design results in approximately 5cm (max.) more legroom than the present seat pitch.

The all-leather seats are molded to better fit the natural contour of the passengerโ€™s back and overall body, providing significantly more comfort.

The light-weight material helps to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

ย 20131028_DOM_Interia_fig1_Eng.jpg

 

Class J

Seating in JALโ€™s popular Class J will offer slightly wider space for passengers to enjoy their time in-flight, and the new genuine leather covered seats will evoke a feeling of luxury.

 

ย 20131028_DOM_Interia_fig2_Eng.jpg

LED lighting in cabin

Based on the concept โ€œair-like lightingโ€, the cabin atmosphere can be easily changed according to the flight hours, the season, and the natural rhythm of time to create a relaxing ambience and a feeling of Japan.

Lighting based on the time of day:

ย 20131028_DOM_Interia_fig3_Eng.jpg

First class service to be installed on some Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft:

The popular First class service on present domestic flights will be expanded to domestic Boeing 767s.

Top Copyright Photo: Akira Uekawa/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-346 ER JA658J (msn 40370) approaches the runway at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. All other photos by Japan Airlines.

JAL-Japan Airlines:ย AG Slide Show

ANA is planning to retire the last Boeing 747 on March 29, 2014

ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) is planning to retire the last Boeing 747-400 on March 29, 2014. The last route is tentatively schedule as a flight between Naha, Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda) per Airline Route.

The airline is currently operating five domestic models on domestic routes in Japan.

ANA added its first Boeing 747SR-81 (JA8133) (above) on December 20, 1978 for its high-density domestic routes. ANA also added its first Boeing 747-281B (JA8174) (below) on June 25, 1986.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747SR-81 JA8145 (msn 22291) taxies at the Haneda Airport hub.

ANA:ย AG Slide Show

Bottom Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-281B JA8181 (msn 23698) joined the ANA fleet on December 22, 1986 and migrated to NCA on May 26, 1999 as a freighter.