Tag Archives: JAL-Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines to operate the Tokyo Narita-San Diego route again on January 30

JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) will operate a Boeing 777 flight on the Tokyo (Narita)-San Diego route on January 30. It is unclear at this time if the flight will continue beyond this single roundtrip flight. The route has been suspended since the Boeing 787-8 was grounded.

Read the full report from U-T San Diego: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: James Helbock. Tokyo meets San Diego. Flying over an appropriate JAL advertising billboard about the new service, Boeing 787-8 JA827J (msn 34837) completes its final approach over downtown San Diego.

JAL-Japan Airlines:

Excess voltage of the 787 batteries is ruled out as the cause of the Boston JAL fire, NTSB now looking at the APU

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) (Washington) has ruled out excess voltage as the cause of a battery fire this month on a Boeing 787 operated by Japan Airlines (Tokyo) according to Reuters (see reports below) and said they were expanding the probe to look at the battery’s charger and the jet’s auxiliary power unit.

According to the report, investigators will convene in Tucson, Arizona today to test and examine the charger for the battery, and download non-volatile memory from the APU controller, with similar tests planned at the Phoenix facility where the APUs are built.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

On January 14 the NTSB issued this preliminary report:

The National Transportation Safety Board today released a second update on its investigation into the Jan. 7 fire aboard a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 at Logan International Airport in Boston.

The lithium-ion battery that powered the auxiliary power unit on the airplane was removed and transported back to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington on Jan. 10. The battery is currently being examined by NTSB investigators, who plan to disassemble it this week.

Click for Larger Image

NTSB photos of the burned auxiliary power unit battery from a JAL Boeing 787 that caught fire on Jan. 7 at Boston’s Logan International Airport. The dimensions of the battery are 19×13.2×10.2 inches and it weighs approximately 63 pounds (new).

In advance of that work, under the direction of the NTSB, radiographic examinations of the incident battery and an exemplar battery were conducted this past weekend at an independent test facility. The digital radiographs and computed tomography scans generated from this examination allowed the team to document the internal condition of the battery prior to disassembling it.

In addition, investigators took possession of burned wire bundles, the APU battery charger, and several memory modules. The maintenance and APU controller memory modules will be downloaded to obtain any available data. Investigators also documented the entire aft electronics bay including the APU battery and the nearby affected structure where components and wire bundles were located. The airplane was released back to Japan Airlines on Jan. 10.

The airplane’s two combined flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder units were transported to NTSB headquarters and have been successfully downloaded. The information is currently being analyzed by the investigative team.

The airport emergency response group documented the airport rescue and firefighting efforts to extinguish the fire, which included interviews with first responders. Fire and rescue personnel were able to contain the fire using a clean agent (Halotron), however, they reported experiencing difficulty accessing the battery for removal during extinguishing efforts. All fire and rescue personnel responding to the incident had previously received aircraft familiarization training on the Boeing 787. In accordance with international investigative treaties, the Japan Transport Safety Board and French Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile have appointed accredited representatives to the investigation. The NTSB-led investigative team is comprised of subject matter groups in the areas of airplane systems, fire, airport emergency response, and data recorders and includes experts from the Federal Aviation Administration, The Boeing Company, US Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Carderock Division, Japan Airlines (aircraft operator), GS Yuasa (battery manufacturer), and Thales Avionics Electrical Systems (APU battery/charger system).

On January 20 the NTSB issued this on-going report:

The National Transportation Safety Board today released a third update on its investigation into the Jan. 7 fire aboard a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 at Logan International Airport in Boston.

The lithium-ion battery that powered the auxiliary power unit has been examined in the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington. The battery was x-rayed and CT scans were generated of the assembled battery. The investigative team has disassembled the APU battery into its eight individual cells for detailed examination and documentation. Three of the cells were selected for more detailed radiographic examination to view the interior of the cells prior to their disassembly. These cells are in the process now of being disassembled and the cell’s internal components are being examined and documented.

Investigators have also examined several other components removed from the airplane, including wire bundles and battery management circuit boards. The team has developed test plans for the various components removed from the aircraft, including the battery management unit (for the APU battery), the APU controller, the battery charger and the start power unit. On Tuesday, the group will convene in Arizona to test and examine the battery charger and download nonvolatile memory from the APU controller. Several other components have been sent for download or examination to Boeing’s facility in Seattle and manufacturer’s facilities in Japan.

Finally, examination of the flight recorder data from the JAL B-787 airplane indicate that the APU battery did not exceed its designed voltage of 32 volts.

In accordance with international investigative treaties, the Japan Transport Safety Board and French Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile have appointed accredited representatives to this investigation. Similarly, the NTSB has assigned an accredited representative to assist with the JTSB’s investigation of the Jan. 15 battery incident involving an All Nippon Airways B-787. Both investigations remain ongoing.

The FAA grounds the Boeing 787 due to battery issues

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (Washington) has grounded all N-numbered Boeing 787s (United Airlines is the only U.S. operator) due to the on-going problems with the batteries. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency airworthiness directive that requires U.S. 787 operators to temporarily cease operations. According to this report by Reuters, “the FAA said airlines would have to demonstrate that the batteries involved were safe before they could resume flying, but gave no details on when that could occur.”

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Boeing issued the following statement:

Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney issued the following statement after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive that requires U.S. 787 operators to temporarily cease operations and recommends other regulatory agencies to follow suit:

“The safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is our highest priority.

“Boeing is committed to supporting the FAA and finding answers as quickly as possible. The company is working around the clock with its customers and the various regulatory and investigative authorities. We will make available the entire resources of The Boeing Company to assist.

“We are confident the 787 is safe and we stand behind its overall integrity. We will be taking every necessary step in the coming days to assure our customers and the traveling public of the 787’s safety and to return the airplanes to service.

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

This is the major issue for Boeing and its 787 customers. It also raises questions about the FAA certification process.

Here is a list of how other countries and operators are reacting:

EASA (Europe) will follow the FAA and ground the aircraft according to Reuters: CLICK HERE

Japan has grounded the 787s of ANA and JAL (who had already grounded their fleets): CLICK HERE. JAL is also canceling the new Tokyo-San Diego route.

LAN Airlines grounded its three 787-8s: CLICK HERE

Qatar Airways has grounded its five 787-8s. Read the report by Reuters: CLICK HERE

United Airlines grounded its 787-8s and substituted other aircraft for the 787 flights or rebooked its customers.

Meanwhile LOT Polish Airlines (Warsaw) wins the “worst timing award” for its press release and the Chicago O’Hare inaugural flight. Right before the FAA grounded the aircraft, the Polish airline issued the following announcement:

LOT Polish Airlines will inaugurate new 787 Dreamliner nonstop service from Chicago to Warsaw on Wednesday, January 16, and make aviation history as the first airline with scheduled Dreamliner service from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

LOT is the first European carrier to operate the Dreamliner with a total of eight aircraft to be in their fleet. LOT’s Dreamliner inaugural flight from Chicago to Warsaw is followed closely by Toronto on February 1 and New York’s JFK on February 3.

LOT’s inbound Dreamliner special flight from Warsaw is scheduled to touch down at Chicago’s O’Hare airport at 6:55 p.m. The Dreamliner trip from Chicago will depart at 9:55 p.m., and arrive the next day in Warsaw at 1:50 p.m. Typically the flight will depart Warsaw at 5:25 p.m. and arrives in Chicago at 9:20 a.m. the same day. The flights were previously operated with Boeing 767s.

LOT’s Dreamliner has 18 seats in Elite Club (business class), 21 in Premium Club (premium economy) plus 213 seats in economy class.

In preparation for the Dreamliner flights, LOT has implemented a new design inspired by traditional and famous symbols of Poland. This design is reflected in the new aircraft interiors, inflight menus with its new selection of beverages, on-board equipment, toys for children and other amenities. The quality of service offered is an additional asset with specially trained Elite Fleet cabin crews, new comfortable classes of service-Elite Club and Premium Club- as well as the unique product on board the aircraft.

January 16, 2013 will probably go down in history as the darkest day for the Boeing Aircraft Company. William E. Boeing is probably rolling in his grave.

LOT Polish Airlines:

ANA Boeing 787-8 makes an emergency landing at Takamatsu, ANA and JAL ground their 787s for safety checks

ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) has reported a new incident involving one of its Boeing 787-8s. Boeing 787-8 JA804A (msn 34486) was operating domestic flight NH 692 from Ube to Tokyo (Haneda) when it was forced to make an emergency landing in Takamatsu, Japan today (January 16) after the flight crew received a cockpit message about battery problems. There was a reported burning smell in the cockpit and the cabin according to this report by Yahoo! News. Passengers and crew members evacuated the aircraft on landing.

Boeing and FAA continue their safety investigation into the on-going problems of the 787.

As a result, both ANA and JAL have voluntarily grounded their 787s for further safety checks. Other airlines, including United Airlines, continue to operate their 787s. The new 787 routes flown by both ANA and JAL have been suspended.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Sister-ship Boeing 787-8 JA807A (msn 34508) taxies across the ramp at Tokyo (Haneda).

ANA-All Nippon Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Shige Sakaki. The affected aircraft, Boeing 787-8 JA804A (msn 34486), arrives at Tokyo (Haneda).

Meanwhile ANA is celebrating its 60th Anniversary with a special new video:

JAL’s grounded Boeing 787 Dreamliner leaks fuel in tests in Tokyo

JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) stated yesterday (January 13) its Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in the fuel leak (second incident) at Boston last week and undergoing safety checks in Tokyo had leaked fuel again during tests according to this report by Reuters.

According to Reuters, “An open valve on the aircraft caused fuel to leak from a nozzle on the left wing used to remove fuel, a company spokeswoman said. The jet is out of service after spilling about 40 gallons (roughly 150 liters) of fuel onto the airport taxiway in Boston due to a separate valve-related problem.”

Meanwhile Japan’s transport ministry has launched an investigation into the fuel leaks. The FAA and Boeing continue their investigations into the mishaps of the 787.

On January 10 after the first Boston incident involving a fire on another Dreamliner on January 7, 2013, JAL stated:

“Japan Airlines initiated and completed inspections on all other Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet the following the (first) incident at Boston and found no irregularities.

We sincerely apologize for the concern and inconvenience caused to our valuable customers.

Safety is of utmost importance to Japan Airlines and we will continue striving to ensure safe operations of each and every flight, and on all our aircraft types including the 787 Dreamliner. Please be assured on your future travel with us.”

Boeing issued this statement on its involvement with the FAA on the safety review of the 787:

Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney issued the following statement after U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta announced that the FAA and Boeing will start a review of the 787’s recent issues and critical systems:

“Boeing shares the same commitment to air travel safety that Transportation Secretary LaHood and FAA Administrator Huerta spoke of this morning in Washington, D.C. We also stand 100 percent behind the integrity of the 787 and the rigorous process that led to its successful certification and entry into service. We look forward to participating in the joint review with the FAA, and we believe it will underscore our confidence, and the confidence of our customers and the traveling public, in the reliability, safety and performance of the innovative, new 787 Dreamliner.”

Will Boeing drop the “Dreamliner” name?

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. JAL remains committed to the 787 despite the teething problems of the new type. JAL has taken delivery of seven 787s. 787-8 JA827J (msn 34837) approaches Tokyo (Narita) for landing.

JAL-Japan Airlines:

A fire breaks out in the battery compartment of a Japan Airlines’ 787 on the ground at Boston’s Logan Airport

Japan Airlines-JAL‘s (Tokyo) flight JL 8 with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (JA829J) arrived from Tokyo (Narita) at Boston (Logan) this morning at 10 a.m. (1000). The 173 arriving passengers and 11 crew members had just disembarked according to this report by the Boston Globe. The cleaners who boarded the aircraft reported smelling smoke and a fire was discovered in the lower level battery compartment. The airport ARFF units put out the fire out before it could spread.

Boeing has been investigating electrical issues on other 787 Dreamliners and has issued the following statement:

Regarding Monday’s event onboard a Japan Airlines (JAL) 787 at Boston Logan Airport, we are working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), our customer and other government agencies. JAL has reported that smoke detected while a 787 was on the ground after passengers disembarked and during cleaning was traced to the battery used to start the auxiliary power unit (APU).

As is standard practice within the industry, it would be premature to discuss additional details at this stage as the investigation is ongoing. However, nothing that we’ve seen in this case indicates a relationship to any previous 787 power system events, which involved power panel faults elsewhere in the aft electrical equipment bay. Information about the prior events has been shared with the NTSB and they are aware of the details.

Boeing is cooperating with the NTSB in the investigation of this incident. Before providing more detail, we will give our technical teams the time they need to do a thorough job and ensure we are dealing with facts, not speculation.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Video:

Japan Airlines-JAL:

JAL to start Tokyo Narita-Helsinki service on February 25, commences new 787 routes to Singapore

Japan Airlines (JAL) (Tokyo) has announced February 25, 2013 as the launch date for its inaugural service between Tokyo (Narita) and Helsinki.

Flight schedule of new Tokyo – Helsinki service, commencing on February 25, 2013:

Flight Number

Route

Dep. Time

Arr. Time

Aircraft

Days of Operation

JL413

Narita – Helsinki

11:45

15:05

787-8　Business　Economy

Mo, Tu, Th, Sa from February 25, 2013

Daily service planned for first half of FY2013.

JL414

Helsinki – Narita

17:25

10:15 + 1

・The above schedule is subject to government approval.

・The above timings may change after March 30, 2013 following the standard industry switch from winter to summer schedules.

・The increase in frequency to a daily service is subject to the delivery schedule of the 787-8.

In addition, JAL started Tokyo (Haneda)-Singapore and Tokyo (Narita)-Singapore 787 service on October 14. Both routes will be offered three days a week becoming daily service on October 28.

Copyright Photo: Akira Uekawa. The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner logojet. 787-8 JA828J (msn 38438) in the special “Sora wo Tobu” (Flying Sky) motif was also introduced on October 14. Designed by Studio Ghibil, the logojet features the art of seven children. JA828J is pictured pushing back from gate 114 of the International Terminal at Tokyo (Haneda) on a late night departure bound for Singapore as flight JL 35.

Hot New Photos:

JAL-Japan Airlines:

Japan Airlines to phase out the McDonnell Douglas MD-90s in March

Japan Airlines-JAL (Tokyo) is planning to phase out its last McDonnell Douglas MD-90. The pictured MD-90-30 JA8070 (msn 53358) is the only MD-90 in the JAL fleet to be repainted in the new 2011 Crane livery. JA8070 was repainted in October 2012. The last six MD-90s will be phased out by March 2013 and will be sold to Delta Air Lines. The airliner is pictured taxiing out to runway 05 at Tokyo (Haneda) as flight JL1883 bound for Miyazaki.

Hot New Photos:

Japan Airlines:

British Airways and Japan Airlines to start their joint venture on October 1

British Airways (London) and JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo) will start their new joint venture on October 1.

British Airways issued the following statement:

British Airways and Japan Airlines (JAL) will begin a joint business agreement with the two airlines sharing revenue on applicable flights between Europe and Japan.

The joint business, which starts on October 1, 2012, will benefit customers by providing better links between Europe and Japan, greater choice of flights to more destinations, enhanced frequent flyer benefits and the potential to launch new routes.

British Airways and JAL, both members of the oneworld® alliance, have been forging ever closer ties in their evolution to the joint business. Earlier this month, JAL and British Airways began offering codeshare flights between Tokyo (Haneda and Narita) and London (Heathrow). The joint business will now see the two airlines co-operating on all non-stop flights operated by JAL or British Airways between Japan and Europe. This will not only include the 19 weekly services between the UK and Japan, but also JAL’s services to Paris and Frankfurt. This gives customers the flexibility of using a combination of JAL and British Airways flights and aligned fares on their journey to and from Japan and Europe, significantly increasing their options.

JAL and British Airways will also be improving flight transfers for customers by enhancing and expanding the codeshare network beyond their respective hub cities. JAL customers will, be able to book seats to the new codeshare destinations of Belfast, Helsinki, Frankfurt, and Gothenburg. British Airways will extend its reach to more destinations in Japan by codesharing on flights to Kansai, Okayama, Izumo, Okinawa, Nagasaki, Hiroshima and Kagoshima. Further expansion of codeshare arrangements are expected in the future. The websites of the two airlines will also be updated to enable customers to make bookings and check-in online, and access the flight information they need, irrespective of the carrier they are flying on.

Customers participating in JAL and British Airways’ loyalty programs will continue to enjoy reciprocal benefits as customers of oneworld, but top tier members of the respective loyalty schemes will now have the opportunity to earn bonus points on applicable flights on either airline.

In other news, British Airways will start nonstop London (Gatwick)-Alicante Boeing 737-400 service service on March 31, 2013 per Airline Route.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 767-336 ER G-BNWD (msn 24336) climbs away from the London (Heathrow) hub.

British Airways:

JAL-Japan Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen. Boeing 767-346 ER JA615J (msn 33850) in the special Samantha Thavasa motif lands at the Tokyo (Narita) hub.

Virgin America signs an interline agreement with Japan Airlines

Virgin America (San Francisco) has announced a new interline agreement with Japan Airlines (JAL) (Tokyo) offering travel on the networks of both carriers across their respective North American and Asian routes. Virgin America has grown to 18 destinations, a fleet of 52 new aircraft and more than 2,600 teammates since its launch in August 2007. In addition to the new JAL agreement, Virgin America has interline agreements with Virgin Australia Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Air New Zealand, Emirates Airline, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, South African Airways, El Al Israel Airlines, QANTAS Airways, China Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Air Pacific.

JAL offers daily service from Virgin America’s home base San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) and daily nonstop service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – a focus city for Virgin America – to JAL’s hub at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT), where travelers may connect onward to most major cities in Asia including Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei. In addition, JAL serves Narita from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and New York’s JFK. Both airlines will transfer baggage between connecting flights to guests’ final destinations.

Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C. (IAD), Seattle/Tacoma, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Orlando, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs (seasonally), Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon) and – as of August 14, 2012 – Washington D.C.’s Reagan National (DCA).

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.

Virgin America: