Tag Archives: JAL-Japan Airlines

JAL orders four additional Embraer 170s for J-Air

Embraer S.A. disclosed a firm order from Japan Airlines (JAL) (Tokyo) today for another four Embraer 170 jets. The firm order is already included in Embraer’s backlog as an “undisclosed” customer. With this new agreement, the total number of firm orders for the E170 from JAL is 15 aircraft.

As with the previous aircraft ordered by JAL, these four E170s will be configured with 76 seats in a single-class layout and will be operated by J-Air (Nagoya), JAL’s wholly owned subsidiary that serves the company’s domestic network. The airline already operates twelve E170s, with an outstanding dispatch reliability of 99.7% over the last 12 months.

Copyright Photo: Akira Uekawa/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-100ST JA218J (msn 17000314) approaches Tokyo (Haneda) for landing.

JAL-Japan Airlines:

J-Air:

Japan Airlines announces a cabin upgrade for its Boeing 767-300 ER fleet

Japan Airlines-JAL (Tokyo) announced today that it will install all new seats in the airline’s two-class international Boeing 767-300 ER fleet as part of its continued commitment to provide customers with a high-quality, full-service experience. The latest improvements are in addition to the previously announced revamp of the airline’s four-class international Boeing 777-300 ERs.

JAL Business Class in the updated Boeing 767-300ERs will be fitted with 24 new JAL SKY SUITE II seats, each designed to recline 180 degrees into a fully flat bed. In addition, each seat in the 1-2-1 configuration provides unobstructed aisle access for an undisturbed flight allowing maximum personal enjoyment and a soothing rest.

In revamped aircraft’s JAL Economy Class, the airline will install its newest economy class seat, JAL SKY WIDER. A total of 175 seats will be available in a 2-3-2 configuration and seat highlights include increased pitch and a slim-style seatback design resulting in approximately 10 cm (MAX.) more legroom than the present seat pitch.

JAL plans to first introduce the completely revamped Boeing 767-300 ERs between Tokyo (Narita) and Vancouver from December 2013. The revamped aircraft will also be introduced onto select long-haul Southeast Asia routes and Honolulu routes by fiscal year 2014.

With these latest improvements, all of JAL’s routes operating to and from North America and Europe as well as the airline’s long-haul Southeast Asia routes will offer flat-reclining seats in JAL Business Class providing passengers with an even more comfortable in-flight experience.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-346 ER JA615J (msn 33850) approaches the Tokyo (Narita) hub. All others by JAL

JAL-Japan Airlines:

Japan Airlines to restore Boeing 787 service on June 1

Japan Airlines-JAL (JAL Group) (Tokyo) will restore Boeing 787 passenger operations on June 1. Currently the airline is conducting test flights. The restored routes will be Tokyo (Narita)-Boston, Tokyo (Narita)-San Diego, Tokyo (Narita)-Singapore, Tokyo (Haneda)-Singapore and Tokyo (Haneda)-Beijing. A new route from Tokyo (Narita) to Helsinki will commence on July 1. The airline has issued this detailed report on the fleet and route plans:

Boeing 787-8 will return to service in sequence on June 1, 2013 after completely confirming the safety and reliability of the aircraft, including the proper installation of the improvements. JAL restarts daily service between Tokyo (Narita) and Boston as well as San Diego, and the daily nonstop service between Tokyo (Narita) and Helsinki will be launched from July 1, 2013 which was postponed in February 2013.

Larger aircraft, Boeing 777-200 ER instead of Boeing 767 will be assigned to fly between Japan and Bangkok and Honolulu in order to meet a robust passenger demand and further maximize revenue.

With the aim to achieve “Customer Satisfaction Number 1”, one of JAL Group Medium-Term Targets, JAL is actively moving ahead to provide our passengers much more quality products. 777-300 ER (JAL SKY SUITE 777) has been introduced on European and North American routes, in addition, More products like the seats are going to be refurbished on European and North American routes as well as Honolulu and Bangkok (Narita/Haneda=Bangkok) routes which Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 777-200 ER have been used for. The aircrafts equipped with personal TV will be arranged on all the international routes during the first half of fiscal year 2013(year ending March 31, 2014). JAL strives to make every customer’s journey refreshing and comfortable experience.

*The following schedules are subject to government approval.

New Route from July 1, 2013

Flight Number

Route

Dep. Time

Arr. Time

Aircraft

Class

Days of Operation

JL413

Narita = Helsinki

10:30

14:55

787-8

Business,

Economy

Daily

(from July 1 to Oct.26,2013)

JL414

Helsinki= Narita

17:25

09:05

Boeing 787-8 Will Be Arranged on the Following Routes**

Route	Period	Remarks
Narita = Boston	June 1,2013 ~	Daily operation from June 1,2013(4 weekly round-trip flights from Mar,31-May 31,2013)
Narita = San Diego	June 1,2013 ~	Daily operation from June 1,2013(3 weekly round-trip flights from Mar,31-May 31,2013)
Narita = Singapore	June 1,2013 ~	JL719/JL712,JL711/JL710;JL710(from Jun. 2, 2013)
Haneda = Singapore	June 1,2013 ~
Haneda = Beijing	June 1,2013 ~
Narita = Delhi	July 12,2013 ~
Narita = Moscow	September 1,2013 ~	3 weekly round-trip flights(We,Fr,Su)
Haneda = San Francisco	September 1,2013 ~	JL001(from August 31,2013)
Narita = Sydney	December 1,2013 ~	JL772(from December 2,2013)
Narita = Bangkok	December 2.2013~	JL707/JL718, 4 among 7 weekly round-trip flights;JL718(from December 3,2013)

**The type of aircraft might be changed due to the delivery schedule of the 787-8.

**Please visit http://www.jal.com/en/flight/boeing787/ to get the information regarding JAL’s Boeing 787 fleet.

Other Aircraft Type Changes***

Route	Details	Period	Remarks(flight/day/aircraft)
Narita = Honolulu	From767-300ER to 777-200ER	June 1,2013 ~	JL782/JL781
Chubu = Honolulu	From 767-300ER to 777-200ER	July12,2013 ~
Kansai = Honolulu	From 767-300ER to 777-200ER	September 1,2013 ~
Kansai = Shanghai(Pudong)	From 737-800 to 767-300ER	September 1,2013 ~
Haneda = Bangkok	From 767-300ER to 777-200ER	December 1,2013 ~
Narita = Bangkok	From 767-300ER to787-8, 777-200ER	December 1,2013 ~	JL707/Mo,Tu,Th,Sa/787-8

JL707/We,Fr,Su/777-200ER

JL718/Tu,We,Fr,Su/787-8

JL718/Mo,Th,Sa/777-200ER

JL708/Daily/777-200ER

***The type of aircraft might be changed due to the delivery schedule of the 787-8.

Flight Frequency Changes

Temporarily decrease the flight frequency in response to the passenger demand

Route	Details	Period	Remarks
Narita = Beijing	from 14 to 7 weekly round-trip flights	June 1 ~ July 5, 2013	JL863/JL864 decreased

In-flight Products Improvements on the Middle-haul and Long -haul International Routes

Refurbish the products focusing on the Business class on European and North American routes

Starting with the introduction of fully flat seat to Business Class as well as spacious and functional [SKY SUITE 777] sequentially served on European and North American routes, additionally 777-300 ER and 787-8 will be practically used, and JAL SHELL FLAT NEO (Business class) will be provided on more routes. JAL SKY Wi-Fi has been serving on New York, Chicago and Los Angeles’ routes, which will be expanded sequentially on European routes.

Route

Aircraft

Service

Period

Remarks

Narita = New York

777-300ER

SKY SUITE 777.(*1)

First Class: NEW JAL SUITE

Business Class: SKY SUITE

Premium Economy: SKY PREMIUM

Economy: SKY WIDER

Operated every other day from May 1, 2013 and daily operation from the approx. May.

(*2)

Narita = Paris

July 2013~

Narita = Los Angeles

November 2013~

Narita = Chicago

January 2014~

Narita = Frankfurt

First Class: JAL SUITE

Business Class: JAL SHELL FLAT NEO

Operated every other day from April 2013 and daily operation from the approx. May.

Narita = Moscow

777-200ER

Provide Premium Economy Service

June 2013~the end of August 2013

Haneda = San Francisco

787-8

Business Class: JAL SHELL FLAT NEO

September 1,2013~(*3)

(*1) For more detail on SKY SUITE 777, please visit http://www.jal.co.jp/en/newsky/

(*2) The actual operating date will be introduced on JAL homepage when is has been decided

(*3) The type of aircraft might be changed due to the delivery schedule of the 787-8.

<<International In-flight Internet Service [JAL SKY Wi-Fi]>>

Narita = Frankfurt: daily service from the approx. May 2013(currently provide every other day)

Narita = London: daily service from the approx. July 2013 (currently provide every other day)

Narita = Paris: provide from August 2013

In-flight products improvements on the Southeast Asia, Oceania and Honolulu routes

The 787-8 with JAL SHELL FLAT NEO in Business class and 777-200 ER with JALSHELL FLAT SEAT have been used for Delhi, Sydney, Tokyo (Haneda/Narita) =Bangkok and Honolulu routes, JAL will provide passengers a refreshing onboard experience with the quality in-flight products.

Route	Aircraft	Service	Period	Remarks
Narita = Delhi	787-8	Business Class: JAL SHELL FLAT NEO	July 12,2013 ~	(*1)
Narita = Sydney	777-200ER	Provide Premium Economy Service	June 2013 ~ November 30,2013
Narita = Sydney	787-8	Business Class: JAL SHELL FLAT NEO	December 1,2013 ~
Haneda = Bangkok(*2)	777-200ER	Business Class: JALSHELL FLAT SEAT	December 1,2013 ~
Narita = Bangkok(*3)			December 1,2013 ~
Narita = Honolulu (JL782/JL781)			June 1,2013 ~
Chubu = Honolulu			July 12,2013 ~
Kasai = Honolulu			September 1,2013 ~

(*1) The type of aircraft might be changed due to the delivery schedule of the 787-8

(*2) Haneda = Bangkok (JL33/JL34): Provide the Premium Economy Service from December 1, 2013.

(*3) Narita = Bangkok: ten round-trip flights operated by 777-200 ER and four round-trip flights operated by 787-8 among 14 weekly flights.

Flight Number	Aircraft	Dates of Operation	Remarks
JL717/JL708	777-200ER	Daily	Provide Premium Economy Service
JL707	787-8	Mo,Tu,Th,Sa
JL707	777-200ER	We,Fr,Su
JL718	787-8	Tu,We,Fr,Su
JL718	777-200ER	Mo,Th,Sa

The aircrafts equipped with personal TV will be arranged on all the international routes

The aircrafts equipped with personal TV will be arranged on Narita=Kaohsiung(*1) and Kansai=Seoul(Gimpo) routes during the first half of fiscal year 2013 to attain all JAL international routes served by aircrafts with personal TV.(*2)

(*1) Kansai=Seoul (Gimpo): Provide the Business Service from June 1, 2013

(*2) The type of aircraft might be changed due to the delivery schedule of the 787-8

New seats will be installed onto Boeing 767-300 ER

Improved 767 with fully flat seat in business class and the new spacious seat in Economy class will be served on middle-haul and long-haul routes in the Second half of Fiscal year 2013. The details of the products and available routes will be introduced as soon as they have been decided.

On the financial side, JAL Group announced its fiscal year (through March 31) operating profit had been cut by $13 million due to the 787 grounding. However the group produced a yearly net profit of $1.8 billion.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

JAL-Japan Airlines:

JAL celebrates 30 Years of the Tokyo Disney Resort with a new “JAL Happiness Express” logojet

JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) on March 29 introduced this 30th Anniversary logojet to help celebrate the success of the Tokyo Disney Resort. Boeing 777-246 JA8985 (msn 27652) at Tokyo (Haneda) is the first JAL aircraft to wear the special Disney livery. The titles proclaim Year 30 is The Happiness Year. JA8985 is named the “JAL Happiness Express”.

JAL will add five more Disney aircraft including one additional 777-200 domestic and four 737-800 domestic aircraft.

According to Wipipedia, The resort opened on April 15, 1983, as a single theme park (Tokyo Disneyland), but developed into a resort with two theme parks, three Disney hotels, six non-Disney hotels, and a shopping complex. Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney theme park opened outside of the United States.

JAL-Japan Airlines:

Will the Boeing 787 be restricted on its long thin routes?

Boeing (Chicago) could be facing a new challenge for its grounded 787 according to this report by Reuters. The 787 was designed to fly long thin over-water-flights. Will the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permit the new type to fly these routes once again (at least initially) once it is allowed to fly again? ETOPS could be reduced to only two hours. If this is correct, the business case for the new type is severely hurt for this period and the affected airlines will be asking Boeing for further compensation until they are able to fly these long thin routes once again in the most efficient manner.

Reuters raises these concerns. Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Some routes like Tokyo-Boston will not be able to be flown with the 787 if there are any ETOPS restrictions once the grounded order is rescinded. JAL‘s Boeing 787-8 JA828J (msn 38438) in the special Sora wo Tobu – Flying Sky motif approaches Tokyo (Narita) for landing.

JAL-Japan Airlines:

Japan Airlines considers ordering 20 Airbus A350s

Japan Airlines-JAL (Tokyo) has been a loyal Boeing customer. However the recent problems with the much-delayed Boeing 787 may have soured that relationship. According to Nikkei, the company is now considering an order from rival Airbus for 20 Airbus A350s and it will make a decision in June. However this may also be a ploy to get better terms and compensation from Boeing for the 787 delays. JAL is considering replacing its current Boeing 777-300 ERs with the new Airbus A350-100s for its European routes.

Read the full report from the Chicago Tribune: CLICK HERE

JAL-Japan Airlines:

Boeing is now putting the 787 battery through new rigorous testing

Boeing (Chicago) is now testing the 787 batteries to a new standard that it originally helped to develop but never used in the original certification testing according to this excellent report by Reuters.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. JAL’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner JA822J (msn 34832) climbs away from Tokyo (Narita) when it was flying.

JAL-Japan Airlines:

Japan Airlines to operate the last McDonnell Douglas MD-90 revenue flight on March 30

Japan Airlines-JAL (Tokyo) is planning to operate the last revenue flight of its McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 on March 30 after 17 years of service at JAS and JAL. The last flight will be from Hiroshima to Tokyo (Haneda) per Aviation Wire. The last flight is sold out.

Read the full report (in Japanese): CLICK HERE

JAL-Japan Airlines:

The FAA to allow Boeing to test fly the 787 again, the NTSB questions the FAA’s “special conditions” in allowing lithium-ion batteries

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the Boeing Company (Chicago) permission to conduct test flights again of the 787 if the batteries are properly monitored.

Meanwhile the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the FAA must review the “special conditions” used in approving lithium-ion battery use on the 787. The FAA originally considered the chance of a battery fire as very remote in approving the use. This assumption has proven to be a false assumption. Will lithium-ion batteries be permitted for the future use of the 787? If not, this could be a major delay in the program and a major financial hit for Boeing (787 operators are now talking about compensation).

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

A very good video by the NTSB Chairwoman on the JAL-Japan Airlines 787 battery fire at Boston:

Meanwhile Boeing has issued this statement:

“Boeing welcomes the progress reported by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the 787 investigation, including that the NTSB has identified the origin of the event as having been within the battery. The findings discussed demonstrated a narrowing of the focus of the investigation to short circuiting observed in the battery, while providing the public with a better understanding of the nature of the investigation.

The company remains committed to working with the NTSB, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and our customers to maintain the high level of safety the traveling public expects and that the air transport system has delivered. We continue to provide support to the investigative groups as they work to further understand these events and as we work to prevent such incidents in the future. The safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is our highest priority.

The 787 was certified following a rigorous Boeing test program and an extensive certification program conducted by the FAA. We provided testing and analysis in support of the requirements of the FAA special conditions associated with the use of lithium ion batteries. We are working collaboratively to address questions about our testing and compliance with certification standards, and we will not hesitate to make changes that lead to improved testing processes and products.”

Hopefully for the sake of the company, the program and the airlines involved a quick solution can be found. However the bigger issue remains; are lithium-ion batteries safe on airplanes?

Airbus, according to reports, may be taking a different approach now with the A350 given Boeing’s battery problems with the 787.

JAL-Japan Airlines:

NTSB “very concerned”, 787 battery fire investigation continues, 787s remain grounded

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) (Washington) investigation of the battery fire on board a Boeing 787-8 of JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) at Boston continues.

Deborah Hersman, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board briefed the media yesterday (January 24) and according to this report by Reuters made it clear that “investigators have found a series of “symptoms” in the battery damaged in a January 7 fire in Boston, but not the underlying cause of the problem. She also said the agency would be looking at the design of the battery compartment area of the plane and whether the certification standards had been strong enough.”

“This is an unprecedented event. We are very concerned. We do not expect to see fire events on board aircraft. This is a very serious air safety concern.” as stated by Hersman.

According to Reuters, “Hersman, talking to reporters after the news conference, confirmed that there is no fire suppression system in the area where the battery burned, nor any way to access it in-flight.”

Bottom line: the 787 could be grounded for a while. Fires on board aircraft should not be happening and this statement now raises concerns about the FAA certification process of the aircraft.

Meanwhile Boeing issued this statement:

Boeing (Chicago) welcomes the progress being made in the 787 investigation discussed today by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Washington, D.C. The regulatory and investigative agencies in the U.S. and Japan have dedicated substantial resources to these investigations, and we appreciate their effort and leadership.

Boeing continues to assist the NTSB and the other government agencies in the U.S. and Japan responsible for investigating two recent 787 incidents. The company has formed teams consisting of hundreds of engineering and technical experts who are working around the clock with the sole focus of resolving the issue and returning the 787 fleet to flight status. We are working this issue tirelessly in cooperation with our customers and the appropriate regulatory and investigative authorities. The safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is our highest priority.

In order to ensure the integrity of the process and in adherence to international protocols that govern safety investigations, we are not permitted to comment directly on the ongoing investigations. Boeing is eager to see both investigative groups continue their work and determine the cause of these events, and we support their thorough resolution.

Boeing deeply regrets the impact that recent events have had on the operating schedules of our customers and their passengers.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE