JAL to serve "Air Yoshinoya" on select international flights

JAL's Air Yoshinoya (Soruce: JAL Press Release)

I know you are expecting Japan Airlines (JAL) to announce another collaboration with famous Japanese restaurant right? And you are right, after the Air Mos Burger collaboration with Mos Burger and Air Nikuman collaboration with Edosei, JAL will collaborate with Yoshinoya, the largest Japanese beef-bowl chain, and serve "Air Yoshinoya", a traditional beef-bowl, on select international flights between March 1 and May 31 2012.

JAL updates long haul 787 seat map again

Back in October 2011, Japan Airlines (JAL) updated their Tokyo Narita (NRT) - Boston (BOS) 787 seat map replacing the 767-300ER template used before. The first thing that catch ones eyes is the extra row of exit row at the back of the economy class cabin. But JAL has once again slightly modified their seat map on this 787 flight and the extra exit row is gone :(

JAL to serve Japan-made cheese onboard in First and Executive classes

JAL to serve Japan-made cheese onboard from March 1 2012 (Source: JAL Press release)

Japan Airlines (JAL) has been busy updating its onboard catering in the recent months. They have renewed their onboard wine offering, established the JAL CAFE LINES of coffee in different cabins, developed JAL exclusive chocolates with Jean-Paul Hevin, and upgraded the onboard freshly steamed rice to the No. 1 Japanese rice. Now they are going to offer a new lineup of Japanese cheese served on select international flights departing from Japan from March 1 2012.

New express security JAL Global Club Entrance for JGC and JMB Sapphire members at Itami and Fukuoka Airports

Design of JAL Global Club (JGC) Entrance at Itami (Source: JAL Press Release)

Last year Japan Airlines (JAL) has set up an additional express security lane at Tokyo Haneda (HND) Airport Terminal 2 called JAL Global Club (JGC) Entrance to shorten the wait time at security checkpoint or its frequent flyers. JAL has decided to expand this JGC Entrance to Osaka Itami (ITM) and Fukuoka (FUK) airports in March.

JAL x Samantha Thavasa Jet 2012

JAL x Samantha Thavasa Jet 2012 (Source: JAL Press Release)

Last year, Japan Airlines (JAL) collaborated with Samantha Thavasa collaborates to launch a series of campaign including the domestic "JAL x Samantha Thavasa Jet" which flew domestically between Tokyo Haneda and Sapporo New Chitose, Osaka Itami, and Fukuoka. Since the campaign was such a success, JAL has decided to collaborate with Samantha Thavasa again this year. And they will have both domestic and international version of the "JAL x Samantha Thavasa Jet" this time!

JAL Asia Spring Campaign - Chance to win an iPad2

Japan Airlines (JAL) Asia offices have announced a Spring Campaign on their official facebook page. The participating offices will draw 2 lucky winners each month between March and May 2012 to give away an iPad2. Other than the iPad2 grand prize, some offices have a second or alternative prize too. You will need to register and fly on JAL on eligible fares in other to participate. Below are the details.

JAL announces schedules for new San Diego and Helsinki routes

Japan Airlines (JAL) has just announced their mid-term management plan. Part of that is the launch of new routes from Tokyo Narita (NRT) to San Diego (SAN) and Helsinki (HEL) with their brand new 787-8 in fiscal year 2012. Although reservations haven't started yet, JAL has already announced the schedules and flight numbers.

[UPDATED] JAL Mid-Term Management Plan for FY2012-2016

[UPDATE: Added more details on the plan not covered by the summarized press release]

Nikkei broke the news two days ago and revealed more details on Japan Airlines' (JAL) mid-term management plan which is due to announce today (Feb 15). Today JAL has finally announced the plan and confirmed some of the rumors including extra 787 orders and launch of new routes to San Diego (SAN) and Helsinki (HEL). With this new plan, JAL aims to establish high profitability structure to reach their next stage of growth.

JAL and JetBlue to start interline agreement on Feb 15 2012

Japan Airlines (JAL) and JetBlue will start their new interline agreement on February 15 2012. This means JAL passengers traveling to the US can now connect to JetBlue's domestic flights on a single ticket. And to celebrate this new partnership with JetBlue, JAL is launching a fee waiver campaign too.

Nikkei: New 787 and 737 orders and new routes to San Diego and Helsinki coming soon

Nikkei has revealed more details on Japan Airlines' (JAL) upcoming medium term business plan announcement. According to Nikkei, JAL will reveal the details of their plan on Feb 15 2012, which is tomorrow in JST. Part of the more interesting details Nikkei reveals today is the new order of 787 and 737 planes and launch of new routes to San Diego (SAN) and Helsinki (HEL). Below are the outline of the plan.

JAL to release updated (FLY ON? JMB?) program contents in early March

When Japan Airlines (JAL) announced the discontinuation of the upgrade points and the change in FLY ON status qualification back in December, they promised us an improved FLY ON program to allow us to accumulate and redeem mileage more easily. And details of such program update will be announced in due course time. So when is the due course time? Apparently it's early March 2012 :)

[Update] Nikkei: JAL targets 25% boost in international seating capacity by FY2016

Nikkei reports that Japan Airlines (JAL) is working on its medium term business plan in preparation for its relisting on TSE later this year. They held a special shareholders meeting earlier and revealed what were on their minds. Part of the plan was to increase international capacity by 25% by fiscal year 2016. Below are the highlights of their plan:

Valentine's Day chocolates from JAL

Special Valentine's Day gifts from JAL (Source: JAL Facebook)

It's Valentine's Day soon and Japan Airlines (JAL) has prepared a special gift for you! For the first 1,000 male passengers departing from Tokyo Narita (NRT) on Feb 14 2012, you will receive some lovely chocolates together with a special card designed by JAL staff. This is to create a warm atmosphere for the poor busy businessmen who have to travel on Valentine's Day. So be there early to get this gift tomorrow :) Don't be embarrassed to take it even if your check-in staff is a male one :P

JAL to provide freshly cooked "Japan's No. 1" rice from Minami-Uonuma on international flights

Japan Airlines (JAL) has just announced yet another inflight catering improvement. This time they are going to upgrade the rice they serve in international premium cabins. The new rice used onboard are Minami-Uonuma Koshihikari rice from Niigata prefecture, Japan. This is widely dubbed as the "No. 1 Rice in Japan". JAL will be the first airline to serve this rare and delicious rice onboard.

Discounts for using online check-in

Japan Airlines (JAL) has just rolled out a campaign to encourage its passengers to use the QuiC online check-in feature AND print out their own boarding passes or use the mobile version! You will be able to receive some not so attractive discounts at the airport. This campaign will run from Feb 15 till Sep 30 2012. These discounts include:

JAL to start codesharing with airberlin from February 12 2012

Japan Airlines (JAL) and the soon to be oneworld (OW) alliance member airberlin (AB) has reached their first codesharing agreement. The codesharing will start from February 12 2012, before AB joining OW on March 20 2012. Sale will start from February 8. As a result of this new codesharing agreement, JAL passengers can now reach Berlin via either London or Frankfurt. Below are the new codeshare flights schedule (subject to regulatory approval)

JAL and BA filed for Antitrust Immunity Application

Japan Airlines (JAL) and IAG's British Airways (BA) have agreed to form a joint business between Japan and Europe. They have filed for the antitrust immunity (ATI) application with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the European Union (EU) so that once approved they can start coordinate their flight schedules and fares on flights between Japan and the EU.

Jetstar Japan has moved up their launch date to July 3 2012

Jetstar Japan, the low-cost carrier (LCC) joint venture of Japan Airlines (JAL), Qantas and Mitsubishi, announced today that they are moving their launch date up from end of 2012 to July 3 2012 (subject to regulatory approval). Jetstar Japan will launch with 3 new A320s initially and will be based in Tokyo Narita (NRT). Their network at launch will include Tokyo Narita, Osaka, Sapporo, Okinawa and Fukuoka.

[UPDATED] JAL 787 delivery schedule affected by latest glitch found in Boeing 787

You probably have heard about Boeing 787's latest glitch in production which causes "delamination" in the aft fuselage. Because of this glitch, the delivery schedule for Japan Airlines (JAL) has been affected. According to Reuters, JAL is no longer expect to receive the first 787 by the end of February and is not sure whether they will get their 4 787s by the end of March

JAL announces Fuji Dream Airlines domestic codeshare flights from March 25 2012

Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced the domestic codeshare flights with Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) from March 25 2012. New route Nagoya Komaki (NKM) - Niigata (KIJ) has been added to the summer schedule. Below are the flight schedules. All flights are operated by FDA with E170 or E175.

JAL x The Peninsula 787 Chocolate

JAL x The Peninsula 787 Chocolate (Source: JAL Facebook)

Japan Airlines (JAL) has collaborate with The Peninsula from Hong Kong to create a special 787 chocolate to celebrate the coming introduction of Boeing 787 to JAL fleet. Boeing 787 and JAL are printed on this special chocolate.

JAL to introduce Premium Economy service on Haneda-Hong Kong route from April 1 2012

According to Japan Airlines (JAL) website, Hong Kong (HKG) will be added as a new destination with premium economy service from April 1 2012. But this only applies to flights to/from Tokyo Haneda (HND), i.e. JL028/029.