Tag Archives: jal

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:

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:

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:

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: