Japan Airlines 777-200 (registration JA8978). Image by Japan Airlines

JAL will revamp its domestic fleet with LED cabin lighting that changes based on season and time of day. Picture shown above is the design for spring. Image by Japan Airlines.

[Updated with Domestic First Class layout, breakdown of the retrofitted fleet, and wi-fi rollout schedule]

Japan Airlines (JAL) has just announced it will expand its JAL NEW SKY PROJECT, which aims to provide a one-class above the current standard on its flights, to its domestic fleet. Currently, JAL plans to retrofit 77 of its planes which includes 777-200, 777-300, 767-300, 767-300ER, and 737-800 with the new interior based on the theme of "Superior Cabin". Domestic First Class service will be added to part of the 767-300ER fleet as well! The first rollout is planned for May 2014. Other than the cabin interior, JAL will also introduce its JAL SKY Wi-Fi service to these retrofitted planes as well.

Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. Image from Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines (JAL) has been supporting the Pink Ribbon Campaign to raise the awareness of breast cancer early detection and treatment since 2004. Every year during the breast cancer awareness month in October, JAL operates something called the "Pink Scarf Flight" domestically to help launch the campaign appeal in Japan and this year is no different.

Japan Airlines (JAL) found problems with the emergency exit slides on one of the 777-300's. It was a mistake made by a subcontractor (outsourcing?). It has been flying for 2 years and 11 months before the problem is caught. 7 other 777-300's could have similar problems and JAL will check the other 7 777-300's. 4 flights were delayed for up to 4 hours 45 minutes today and 1,430 passengers were affected.

JAL has issued a statement on its website regarding this issue. The company who performed this maintenance work was TKY (株式会社東京機内用品製作所). At least it's not the Singapore company who mixed up their left and right engines and messed up ANA's oxygen masks this time :o JAL apologized for the inconvenience caused due to this. Flight operation will be back to normal tomorrow (of course other than cancellations and delays caused by volcanic eruption in Japan). JAL will carry out extra supervision to its outsourced maintenance work to avoid occurrence of similar events and will continue to work on its mission to maintain flight safety!

Source: jiji.com via Yahoo! (Japanese only)

I finally find out where Japan Airlines (JAL) is going to deploy the extra 777-300ER after switching Narita (NRT) - San Francisco (SFO) (JL001/002) from 777-300ER to 777-200ER. From October 31 2010, JAL will start First class service on NRT-Jakarta (CGK), the same day which JAL downsize SFO to 772. Since JAL will be using the SFO aircraft on this route, it is getting the latest and greatest products, i.e. JAL Suite and JAL Flat Shell NEO seats in First and Business class respectively. And don't forget about the Sky Gallery and Self-service bar. I start to feel jealous :P

Also, JAL will discontinue First class service on Hong Kong (HKG) route (JL731/732) from October 1 2010. Currently NRT-HKG is the only short-haul route left with First class service. When JAL switches this flight to Haneda (HND) airport, it will downsize the aircraft from 747-400 to 777-200ER, and therefore discontinuing First class service and finally retire the Sky Sleeper seats (at least no route with regular scheduled Sky Sleeper service). This will also marks an end of short-haul First class service. NRT-CGK will be the shortest route with First class service after this.

You probably know by now when Japan Airlines (JAL) switches San Francisco (SFO) route (JL001/002) from Narita (NRT) to Haneda (HND), it will lose First class service. But a month before the switch, JAL screws folks at SFO once again by switching it to W73 config between September 5 and 30, i.e. no JAL Suite nor NEO seats, only Solo and Shell Flat. This is not the first time JAL has done this. In fact, every time there's an aircraft routing change or maintenance that requires taking one of the new 773 out of service, SFO is the one who got switched out. JAL did this a couple of times last year. So if you are flying JL001/002 within that period, make sure you check your seat assignment because there could be better options now. Good luck!

Japan Airlines' (JAL) Doraemon Jet got into an incident at Itami on May 9th. It scraped its tail skid assembly when the pilots decided to go around.

(Picture Source: Mainichi Daily News)

(Update: Added video news coverage and you can see how JAL staff decorated the Doraemon Jet)
Japan Airlines finally unveiled its Doraemon Jet today at Haneda hanger. JAL will start flying the Doraemon Jet from Monday until the end of April.

Has this become a weekly thing? There was yet another incident involving Japan Airlines today in Japan. This time it is JAL flight 510 from Sapporo to Haneda that has to make an emergency stop at Haneda after landing.