Tag Archives: JAL-Japan Airlines

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:

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JAL Group upgrades and introduces “Welcome! JAL New Sky” for its domestic flights

JAL Sky Wi-Fi

JAL Group (JAL-Japan Airlines) (Tokyo) has launched JAL New Sky Project, a thorough revamp of its in-flight products and services under a collective theme โ€œWelcome! JAL New Skyโ€.

JAL introduces more details on the fully revamped cabin interiors and new in-flight internet service on domestic routes, which the airline released last year. Under the theme of โ€œPioneering Standardโ€ and following with the project of produces and services aim to provide more comfortable experience and convenience during every journeys on domestic routes, the airline will start to introduce revamped aircraft with updated cabin interiors through May 2014, and the in-flight internet service will be provided from July 2014.

Applicable Aircraft:

Domestic Boeing 777-200/300
Domestic Boeing 767-300/300ER
Domestic Boeing 737-800
(Total of 77 aircraft according to schedule)

From May 2014 according to schedule
(In-flight internet service will start from July 2014)

JAL will provide in-flight Wi-Fi service on domestic routes, and passengers are able to access internet or in-flightย entertainment website by using their Wi-Fi enabled personal terminals, Smartphone, tablet or notebook PC.

Passenger can use their own wireless LAN devices to watch Sports, gourmet, music, anime and other plentiful video programs including SKY RURUBU (travel information), flight information and JAL website for free of charge. *Some video programs are examined to be included within fee based service.

JAL is the first Japanese carrier ever to provide in-flight Internet service (fee based) on domestic routes, using Gogoยฎโ€™s communications satellites. Passengers will be able to access internet, send/receive e-mails and SNS etc. via their own smartphone, tablet and notebook computer and other wireless LAN devices during the flight.

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 the domestic routes. In addition, carpet installed throughout the cabin will also be replaced to match the redesigned interiors.

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. The seat pitch in Class J is 97cm in average which is approximately 18cm more legroom than it in Economy Class.

20140130_SKY NEXT_fig7_en.jpg20140130_SKY NEXT_fig8_en.jpg

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.

 

20140130_SKY NEXT_fig9_en.jpg

First class service will be installed on nine domestic Boeing 767-300ER from the Fall ofย 2014.

20140130_SKY NEXT_fig11_en.jpg

Copyright Photo: Japan Airlines (JAL Group).
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JAL Group announces its flight and fleet plans for fiscal year 2014-2015

JAL Group (Japan Airlines) (Tokyo) has announced its flight frequency and fleet plans on both international and domestic routes for fiscal year 2014 (ending March 31, 2015):

In regards to the airlineโ€™s international network, with the addition of international flight slots at Tokyo (Haneda) Airport, JAL will begin operating new day-time nonstop flights from March 30, 2014, between Haneda and London, between Haneda and Paris, and between Haneda and Singapore as well as between Haneda and Bangkok. Additionally, the airline will use late night and early morning slots to launch new service between Haneda and Ho Chi Minh City. JAL will strive to improve customer accessibility and meet travel demand in overseas gateways to connect with domestic cities.

Meanwhile, at Tokyo (Narita) Airport, with expected growth of travel demand between North America and Asia, JAL will increase weekly round-trip flights from 7 to 14 between Narita and New York. Additionally, the airline will increase flights frequency from 3 to 4ย round-trip flights weekly between Narita and Moscow to meet strong growth of business demand.

Furthermore, JAL plans to increase the number of available revamped aircraft (JAL SKY SUITE 777/767), and in particular,ย expand the availability ofย aircraft featuringย JALย SKY WIDER in Economy Class. The airline has also decided to operate aircraft with fully-flat seats or shell flat seats in Business Class cabins on allย medium andย long haul routes to and from Southeast Asia and Honoluluย by the early Second Half of FY2014 in order to further deliver improved service to customers.

In regards to the airlineโ€™s domestic network, JAL has decided to double flight frequency between Haneda and Yamagata, and the airline will also resume six domestic routes based on a thorough review of flight schedules and operations within the airlineโ€™s network so that customers will be able to connect more conveniently.

# The following plans and schedules are subject to government approval.

International Network

1.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย New services, flight frequency increase and flight schedule changes at Tokyo (Haneda) Airport

[New services and flight frequency increase]

Flight No. Route Dep. Time Arr. Time Aircraft

Route Details

Remarks

JL037

Haneda – Singapore

11:20 17:20 777-200ER767-300ER Increase from 7 to 14 weekly flightsfrom March 30, 2014 (*1)

 

JL038

Singapore – Haneda 01:50 09:50

JL031

Haneda – Bangkok

11:30 15:40 777-200ER767-300ER Increase from 7 to 14 weekly flightsfrom March 30, 2014

JL032

Bangkok – Haneda

09:45 17:55

JL043

Haneda – London 11:20 15:50 777-300ER

7 weekly flights from March 30, 2014

(*2)

JL044

London – Haneda 19:15 15:00+1 (*3)

JL079

Haneda – Ho Chi Minh City 01:25 05:15 767-300ER

7 weekly flights from March 30, 2014

(*4)

JL070

Ho Chi Minh City – Haneda 13:55 22:00 (*5)

(*1) Flights No. are JL719/JL710 on Haneda= Singapore route, and JL717/JL718 on Haneda=Bangkok route between March 30 and March 31, 2014.
(*2) In addition to codeshare flights operated by British Airways (BA), JAL will operate flights between Haneda and London.
(*3) For more details on JAL SKY SUITE 777, please visitย http://www.jal.co.jp/en/newsky/ss7/.
Flights No. are JL401/JL402 between March 30 and March 31, 2014.
(*4)ย The airline will use late night and early morning slots at Haneda Airport to launch new service.
(*5) For more details on JAL SKY SUITE 767, please visitย http://www.jal.co.jp/en/newsky/ss6/.

[Flight schedule and aircraft type changes]

Flight No. Route Dep. Time Arr. Time Aircraft Effective Period Remarks

JL041 toย JL045

Haneda – Paris

00:40 toย 10:35 06:20 toย 16:10 777-200ER toย 777-300ER From March 30, 2014 (*6)

JL042 toย JL046

Paris – Haneda

11:30 toย 21:00 06:30+1 toย 15:55+1

(*6) JAL plans to maintain codeshare flights (operated by AF) with Air France (AF) at Haneda Airport.ย Flights No. are JL405/JL406 between March 30 and March 31, 2014.

2.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Flight frequency, flight schedule and aircraft type changes at Tokyo (Narita) Airport

[Flight frequency increase]

Flight No. Route Dep. Time Arr. Time Aircraft

Details

Remarks

JL004

Narita – New York

18:30 18:25 787-8 With the addition of JL004/003 to current daily JL006/005, route frequency will increase from 7 to 14 weekly flights from March 30, 2014 (*7)

JL003

New York – Narita

09:30 12:40+1

JL441

Narita -Moscow

10:45 16:00 787-8 Increase from 3 to 4 weekly flightsfrom March 30 to October 25, 2014

(Additional flight frequency is on Mo)

Mo, We, Fr, Su

JL442

Moscow – Narita

18:15 08:35+1

(*7) Dep. time of JL004 will be ten minutes early and Dep. time of JL003 will be ten minutes late during May 1 to August 31, 2014.

JL003 starts on March 31, 2014.

[Service suspension]

Flight No. Route

Details

Effective Period

Remarks

JL401

Narita – London

Suspension of JL401/402 daily round-trip operation From March 30, 2014 (*8)

JL402

London – Narita

(*8) JAL maintains codeshare flights (operated by BA) with BA at Narita Airport.

[Flight frequency decrease]

Route Details

Updated Flight Schedule

Remarks
Flight No. Dep. Time Arr. Time Aircraft

Narita = Singapore

Decrease from 14 to 7 weekly flightsfrom March 30, 2014

JL711

18:10 00:30 767-300ER

(*9)

JL712

08:10 16:20

Narita = Bangkok

Decrease from 14 to 7 weekly flightsfrom March 30, 2014

JL707

18:05 23:00 767-300ER

JL708

08:10 16:15

(*9) For more details on JAL SKY SUITE 767, please visitย http://www.jal.co.jp/en/newsky/ss6/.

JL719/JL710 on Singapore route will be decreased and JL717/JL718 on Bangkok route will be decreased from March 30, 2014.

[Flight schedule and aircraft type changes]

Flight No. Route Dep. Time Arr. Time Aircraft Effective Period Remarks

JL405 toย JL415

Narita – Paris

11:10 toย 14:35 16:45 toย 20:10 777-300ER toย 787-8 From March 30, 2014

JL406 toย JL416

Paris – Narita

19:30 toย 22:20 14:20+1 toย 16:55+1

3.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Other aircraft type changes

Flight No. Route

Details

Effective Period Remarks

JL033/JL032

Haneda = Bangkok

777-200ER, 787-8 toย 767-300ER From March 30, 2014

JL707/JL708

Narita = Bangkok

JL081/JL082

Haneda = Shanghai(Hongqiao)

777-200ER toย 767-300ERย until the middle of June767-300ER toย 777-200ERย from the middle of June

JL749/JL740

Narita = Delhi

787-8 toย 777-200ER(*10)

JL771/JL772

Narita = Sydney

JL037/JL036

Haneda = Singapore

JL035/JL038

Haneda = Singapore

787-8 toย 767-300ER

JL711/JL712

Narita = Singapore

JL021/JL022

Haneda = Beijing

JL018/JL017

Narita = Vancouver

767-300ER toย 787-8

JL786//JL785

Narita = Honolulu

JL784/JL783

JL951/JL954

Narita = Seoul(Incheon)

767-300ER toย 737-800

JL959/JL950

(*10)Premium Economy service will be provided on flights between Narita and Delhi, between Narita and Sydney as well as between Haneda and Singapore (JL037/JL036).

4.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Improving the quality of products and services on international routes

JAL SKY WIDER is now being installed into Boeing 777-300 ERs and Boeing 767-300 ERs (JAL SKY SUITE 777/767). Highlights of the JAL Economy Class seat include increased pitch and a slim-style seatback design resulting in approximately 10 cm (Max.)(*11)ย more legroom than the present seat pitch. The number of JAL SKY SUITE 777/767 aircraftย with JAL SKY WIDER installed will increase to 22 aircraft by the beginning of July from the current 10 aircraft (as of Jan. 22). The airline is striving to deliver a more enjoyable experience and soothing rest to customers on every journey.

(*11) Specifications for select seats are different.

JAL began to introduce the JAL SKY SUITE 767 from December 2013, and the airline will now also begin operating its Boeing 787-8s onย medium and longย haulย routes of Southeast Asia and Honolulu routes. The airline will also offer its fully-flat seats or shell flat seats in Business Class cabins on all medium and long haul routes to and from Southeast Asia and Honolulu by early Second Half of FY2014.

5.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย New services to and from Osaka (Kansai) and Nagoya (Chubu)

Regarding to JAL Group Mid-Term Management Plan for fiscal years 2012 to 2016(year ending March31, 2017), the airline plans to allocate resources on operations to medium and long haul routes such asย Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, and it will further develop its network to provide more convenience and enjoyable travel experiences to customers. JAL is looking forward to enhancing its network withย the addition of international flight slots at Haneda Airport from FY 2014.ย ย Moreover, JAL plans to improve services to and from Osaka (Kansai) and Nagoya (Chubu) in FY2015. The airline is also considering to advance this plan with any adjustments of new aircraft launches and will announce more details as soon as they have been decided.

Domestic Networkย 

1.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย New services (Resumption)

Route

Details

Effective Period

Itami = Matsumoto 1 daily flight August 1 ~ August 31, 2014
Itami = Memanbetsu 1 daily flight July 19 ~ August 31, 2014
Sapporo (New Chitose) = Izumo 4 weekly flights August 1 ~ August 31, 2014 (Mo, We, Fr, Su)
Sapporo (New Chitose) = Tokushima 3 weekly flights August 1 ~ August 31, 2014 (Tu, Th, Sa)
Nagoya (Chubu) = Kushiro 3 weekly flights August 1 ~ August 31, 2014 (Tu, Th, Sa)
Nagoya (Chubu) = Obihiro 4 weekly flights August 1 ~ August 31, 2014 (Mo, We, Fr, Su)

2.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Flight frequency increase

Route

Details

Effective Period

Haneda = Yamagata 1 daily toย 2 daily flights(*) March 30, 2014 ~
Haneda = Kansai 2 daily toย 3 daily flights March 30 ~ October 25, 2014
Haneda = Okinawa (Naha) 12 daily toย 14 daily flights March 30 ~ October 25, 2014(July 18 ~ August 31, 2014:13 daily round-trip flights)
Haneda = Nagoya (Chubu) 1 daily toย 2 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Haneda = Okayama 5 daily toย 6 daily flights March 30 ~ October 25, 2014
Haneda = Tokushima 6 daily toย 7 daily flights March 30 ~ October 25, 2014
Haneda = Takamatsu 6 daily toย 7 daily flights March 30 ~ October 25, 2014
Haneda = Kitakyushu 5 daily toย 6 daily flights March 30 ~ October 25, 2014
Haneda = Ishigaki 1 daily toย 2 daily flights July 18 ~ August 31, 2014
Itami = Okinawa (Naha) 1 daily toย 2 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~(April 29 ~ May 31, 2014: 3 daily round-trip flights)
Itami = Nagasaki 3 daily toย 4 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Fukuoka = Izumo 2 daily toย 3 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Sapporo (New Chitose) = Memanbetsu 3 daily toย 4 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Fukuoka = Kochi 3 daily toย 4 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Fukuoka = Amami-oshima 1 daily toย 2 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~

(*) Schedules on Haneda = Yamagata route.

Flight No. Route Dep. Time Arr. Time Aircraft

JL1251

Haneda – Yamagata

08:10 09:10 E170 (76 seats)

JL1257

17:25 18:25

JL1252

Yamagata – Handea

08:55 10:00

JL1258

18:55 20:00

3.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Flight frequency decrease

Route

Details

Effective Period

Haneda = Sapporo (New Chitose) 17 daily toย 16 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Haneda = Izumo 6 daily toย 5 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Narita = Sapporo (New Chitose) 3 daily toย 1 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Narita = Fukuoka 3 daily toย 1 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Narita = Nagoya (Chubu) 3 daily toย 2 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Itami = Izumo 6 daily toย 5 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Itami = Miyazaki 6 daily toย 5 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~
Fukuka = Matsuyama 8 daily toย 6 daily flights March 30, 2014 ~

Copyright Photo: Wingnut/AirlinersGallery.com. Before it was remodeled in the JAL Sky Suite 777 interior with appropriate markings, the pictured Boeing 777-346 ER JA731J (msn 32431) wore the special “Sky Eco” livery to underscore JAL’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

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JAL Boeing 787 is grounded in Tokyo after smoke vents from the main battery

JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) has grounded a Boeing 787-8 (JA834J) at Narita International Airport (NRT) near Tokyo today after white smoke was observed venting from the main battery yesterday afternoon (January 14). The battery showed signs of melting. The event happened during normal maintenance when the aircraft was on the ground.

JAL now operates 13 Boeing 787-8s.

Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE

For more information, please see this report from ZipanguFlyer: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. JAL’s Boeing 787-8 JA824J (msn 34834) arrives in Bangkok.

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Japan Airlines to bring the Boeing 787 to Vancouver starting on February 3

Japan Airlines-JAL (Tokyo) has announced it will begin Boeing 787 operations on its daily nonstop service between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) andย Tokyo’sย Narita Airport (NRT) beginning on Monday, February 3, 2014. This inaugural flight will mark the first-ever scheduled arrival of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner to YVR.

JAL will introduce the 787-8 Dreamliner to the YVR-NRT route using a phased approach, beginning with one weekly flight on Mondays and extending to its daily flights byย March 2014.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 JA828J (msn 38438) approaches the runway for landing in Bangkok.

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Japan Airlines to launch “JAL Sky Suite 777” service to Chicago O’Hare on January 20

Japan Airlines-JAL (Tokyo) on January 20, 2014 will launch its new “JAL Sky Suite 777” service from Tokyo (Narita) to Chicago (O’Hare). This will be followed with Narita-Frankfurt service starting in April 2014.

JAL currently operates the new Boeing 777 Sky Suite service to London (Heathrow), New York (JFK), Paris (CDG) and Los Angeles.

JAL Sky Suite 777 logo

JAL is modifying all 13 of its 232-seat Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft to this new level of service.

JAL Sky Suite 777 Seats (JAL)(LR)

Copyright Photo: Akira Uekawa/AirlinersGallery.com. Operated domestically, JAL’s new and second special livery to support Japan’s national team for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia has been introduced. The pictured Boeing 777-346 JA8942 (msn 28394) features the image of figure skater Mao Asada on the fuselage. JA8942 entered revenue service on December 26, 2013 with the new markings and is seen on the short final to runway 34L at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on December 28, 2013.

Japan Airlines-JAL:ย AG Slide Show

Hot New Photos:ย AG Hot New Photos

Video: Re-defining the 777 cabin:

JAL to introduce “JAL Sky Suite 777” service to Frankfurt in April

JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) announced today its new “JAL Sky Suite 777” service will be introduced between Tokyo (Narita) and Frankfurt in April 2014.

JAL Sky Suite 77 service boasts increased comfort and functionality in all four classes. According to JAL, the revamped aircraft has yielded favorable feedback from customers since it was launched on Tokyo (Narita) and London route in January 2013. It won a Good Design Awardย in 2013 and Skytraxโ€™s Best Business Class Airline Seat of the year for 2013.

JAL Sky Suite 77 has been introduced between Tokyo (Narita) and London, between Tokyo (Narita) and New York, and between Tokyo (Narita) and Paris as well as between Tokyo (Narita) and Los Angeles.

Between Tokyo (Narita) and Frankfurt (JL407/JL408):

Class

Name of seat

Number of Seats

First Class

JAL SUITE

8 seats

Business Class

JAL SKY SUITE

49 seats

Premium Economy

JAL SKY PREMIUM

40 seats

Economy Class

JAL SKY WIDER

135 seats/147seats

 

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. JAL’sย Boeing 777-346 ER JA731J (msn 32431) wears a special “JAL Sky Suite 777” logo on the rear fuselage at its approaches London’s Heathrow Airport.

JAL-Japan Airlines:ย AG Slide Show

JAL to pull the Boeing 787-8 from two routes due to GE engine icing concerns

JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) announced today, according to Retuters,ย it will pull its Boeing 787-8s from two international routes after Boeing notified the carrier of icing concerns in the General Electric GEnx engines.

The carrier was advised to not fly the aircraft with these engines near thunderstorms following a recent incident in which a 747 experienced a loss of power after flying through a thunderstorm.

JAL will remove the 787-8 ย on its Tokyo-Delhi and Tokyo-Singapore routes while also dropping plans to use 787-8s on its Tokyo-Sydney route starting next month.

Read the full Reuters report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Royal S. King/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner JA828J (msn 38438) lands after a test flight at Paine Field near Everett.

JAL-Japan Airlines:ย AG Slide Show

 

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.

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JAL becomes a new Airbus customer, orders 18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s

JAL-Japan Airlines A350-900 and A350-1000 (11)(Flt)(Airbus)(LR)

JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo), a long time Boeing customer, has turned to Airbus for its next batch of wide body airliners to replace its older generation of aircraft.

JAL-Japan Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for 31 Airbus A350 XWBs (18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s), plus options for a further 25 aircraft. This is JALโ€™s first ever order for Airbus aircraft.* It is also the first order Airbus has received from Japan for the A350 XWB.

In a typical three-class layout the A350-900 comfortably seats more than 300 passengers on routes as long as 8,100 nautical miles (nm). The A350-1000 is the largest member of the A350 XWB Family, seating 350 passengers on even longer missions up to 8,400 nm. All A350 XWB models are equipped with the new Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Over 70 percent of the A350 XWBโ€™s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites (53 percent), titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. In addition to innovative materials, the A350 XWB brings together the very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies and provides significant improvement in fuel efficiency compared with competing models.

To date, the A350 XWB msn 1 has completed around 300 flight test hours out of the campaignโ€™s total 2,500 hours which are to be achieved by five flight test A350โ€™s over the next 12 months. Entry into commercial service of the A350-900 is scheduled for the second half of 2014. With this latest commitment, Airbus has recorded more than 750 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 38 customers worldwide.

* Before the merger by Japan Airlines and Japan Air Systems (JAS), JAS ordered Airbus aircraft.

Image: Airbus. Is this payback to Boeing for the 787 delays and groundings?

JAL-Japan Airlines:ย AG Slide Show