JAL President Ueki at JL069 inaugural ceremony at LAX. Image by LAX

Japanese news site Nikkei.com interviewed with Japan Airlines (JAL) President Ueki earlier and asked him about JAL's strategy regarding its US operation after launching Los Angeles - Osaka Kansai route on March 20 2015. Ueki confirmed that JAL is studying the resumption of the Tokyo - Dallas DFW route.

According to an interview by Nikkei.com, American Airlines (AA) CEO Tom Horton wants to once again strengthen its partnership with Japan Airlines (JAL). Currently JAL and AA has a joint business agreement with AA to cover the transpacific routes but it is limited to passenger business only. AA wants to further that relationship and make Japan one of the pillars of its growth strategy.

Double miles on select US routes operated by American Airlines. Image by Japan Airlines.

Japan Airlines (JAL) is running a campaign to give double miles on select flights between the US and Japan operated by American Airlines (JAL). The campaign will run from July 15 2013 till August 31 2013. In order to qualify for the double miles, you will need to a JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) member in either Japan Region or American Region. Also, pre-registration before flights is required.

Japan Airlines (JAL) will update the mileage accumulation rates on American Airlines (AA) flights from April 1 2013. The changes extends the upcoming JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) changes to award passengers with higher booking classes and penalize discounted travelers. Below are the current and new rates on AA flights.

American Airlines (AA) has just announced the new Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) - Seoul Icheon (ICN) service together with a couple of new flights to Lima, Dusseldorf and Dublin. The new ICN service will be AA's first service to South Korea. The new DFW-ICN flight will commence on May 9 2013 and will be part of AA and JAL's joint business agreement. This means they will be sharing profits and costs on this route.

June business class menu on AA32

I have never had any meals served by American Airlines (AA) before. Not even in economy as I would usually bought my food at the airport instead of paying $10 for a cold sandwich. So I am "excited" to try out their meals to see how they compared to other carriers. Oh of course, I am also excited to get my first pre-departure drink too! As you might know, Japan Airlines (JAL) still chooses not to serve pre-departure drinks in premium cabins even after a change in Japan aviation law.

AA32 on June 2 2012

AA32 flight path (Source: FlghtAware)

Flight: AA32
Date: June 2 2012
Aircraft: Boeing 767-200
Seat: 7A (Business Class)
Scheduled Departure Time: 13:45
Actual Departure Time: 13:40
Scheduled Arrival Time: 22:07
Actual Arrival Time: 21:58

The boarding time listed on my boarding pass is 13:15, 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. So I walked over to gate 46A at around 13:15 and was expecting a line and chaos around the gate. To my surprise, AA had finished boarding everyone who waited at the gate already!? There was again no line at the gate. I guess they must have started boarding much earlier. And the flight ended up departing right on time and arrived JFK a bit early! (Somehow FlightAware's departure and arrival times are different than the ones listed on AA website)

American Airlines Premium and Elite Check-In Counters at LAX

I felt a bit weird going to LAX and not to fly on Japan Airlines (JAL) as I don't travel domestically that much. American Airlines (AA) uses terminal 4 at LAX. The premium check-in counters for First and Business class passengers and Priority AAccess check-in counters for elite members are located on the left hand side of the terminal. Counters for the main cabin and self check-in kiosks are on the right hand side of the terminal. AA partitioned off the premium/elite check-in area and there was an agent there checking for your eligibility which I don't see the point as there are main doors from the curb side that anyone can use to access that check-in area LOL.

As expected, Japan Airlines (JAL) is celebrating the launch of the new Tokyo Narita (NRT) - San Diego (SAN) route with a double mileage campaign! JAL Mileage Bank members who have registered for this campaign and fly on this route between December 2 2012 and February 28 2013 are eligible. Below are the details of this campaign.

This is the first trip report that involves airlines other than Japan Airlines (JAL). It will include the following flights:

• American Airlines Business Class Los Angeles to New York JFK
• Japan Airlines First Class New York JFK to Tokyo Narita
• Japan Airlines Class J Tokyo Haneda to Okinawa Naha
• Japan Airlines Class J Okinawa Naha to Tokyo Haneda
• Japan Airlines First Class Tokyo Narita to Jakarta
• Cathay Pacific Airways First Class Jakarta to Hong Kong
• Cathay Pacific Airways First Class Hong Kong to Los Angeles

Japan Airlines (JAL) is running a campaign for its early morning codeshare flight from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to New York JFK (JFK). Due to it's early morning departure time, it is very inconvenient for passengers to get to the airport when Japan's public transport system doesn't run 24 hours a day. Most likely passengers would have to stay somewhere close to the airport like an airport hotel the night before in order to catch the flight. But with JAL's taxi pick up service, eligible passengers will now have an extra option to stay somewhere else. Below are the campaign details.

JAL LOUNGE with American Airlines at Tokyo Narita.

Japan Airlines (JAL) currently operates 2 First Class and Sakura Lounges at Tokyo Narita Terminal 2 for international flights. During the morning rush hours, these lounges are sometimes really crowded. Therefore, JAL has decided utilize the American Airlines' (AA) Admirals Club and open a 3rd lounge called JAL LOUNGE with American Airlines during the morning from April 22 2012 (yea expect more passengers when the new 787 Boston flight starts right? :)).

JAL added more partners to online award redemption

Japan Airlines (JAL) has upgraded its JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) website to allow online award redemptions for more partner airlines. Effective immediately, the online partner award redemption is available for American Airlines (AA), Air France (AF), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), and Qantas (QF). Just login to your JMB account and you should be able to see AA, AF, BA as the new options in the drop-down menu.

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.

JAL Tokyo-Boston 787 route connection options

[Update 2: JAL has put both the Japanese and English pages back up to their site] By now you should know that Japan Airlines (JAL) will be launching the first ever scheduled direct flight between Boston (BOS) and Tokyo Narita (NRT) with their brand new 787s on April 22 2012. They have just added announced their intention to work with Jet Blue Airways (B6) to provide better connections of their BOS flight. As usual, the JAL fares including B6 segments are still pending for approvals.

Looks like Japan Airlines (JAL) is also having the double miles campaign on its Japan-Asia flights just like American Airlines (AA) does. You will earn 2 times the flight miles if you travel on eligible classes on JAL and AA flights between Japan and Asia. Registration prior to your flight is required.

Japan Airlines (JAL) is running a double miles promotion on its Tokyo - Vancouver route. You are eligible for double miles as long as you register for the campaign before your flight and are booked in eligible booking classes. This campaign runs from November 1 2011 till February 29 2012. Below are the details

Japan Airlines may (JAL) seek joint venture agreement with Air France (AF) to bolster its European operations. According to the Bloomberg report, JAL will seek other JBV opportunities in Europe if the JBV with British Airways (BA) cannot cover the entire Europe.

JAL 787 with new livery. Image by Japan Airlines.

Japan Airlines (JAL) has just announced their plan to launch Tokyo Narita - Boston route with their brand new 787-8 on April 22 2012. This makes NRT-BOS be the first destination announced by JAL to use the state of art 787 planes. Also JAL will be the only carrier that offers direct flight between Asia and Boston!

Japan Airlines (JAL) and American Airlines (AA) released a joint promotional video to showcase their latest longhaul products. JAL segment starts at 3:51. Enjoy!