Apparently JAL is the only airlines in Japan that still operates flights that require an onboard flight engineer. However, it is planning to retire its last 747 Classic as early as this summer, which means it no longer needs any flight engineer anymore.
On May 31 2008, JAL operated its last flight with the Tsurumaru logo (aka the crane logo). This marks an end to almost half a century of the crane era and the completion of the JAL-JAS merger. If JAL were still using the crane logo, this coming August would have been its 50th anniversary. A year has passed since the complete phase out of the old markings and I still feel a little bit sad when I looked at the videos of the last crane flights below.
I am no PR or advertising expert. But it's sad to see how the 50% bonus miles on LAX flights I posted a few days ago are being promoted on JAL North America website. The only link I have seen so far is on the JMB page below, which is not the most obvious link you can see. If you can't find it below, continue reading to find out where it is.
For the forth year, JAL will support the "Inner Mongolia Greening Project Against Desertification" organized by OISCA International through its "JAL Miles for Eco" mileage drive. Between June 1 2009 and July 31 2009, JMB members can donate their mileage in units of 10,000 miles. JAL will contribute 1 yen per mile donated by its members. JMB Japan members can make donations through the special website (link won't work until June 1) while members from other region has to contact their regional JMB call centers.
JAL has updated its site to include the June meal menu selection for its international flights. Once again this is a Japanese only feature but if you look at the URL in the result page, it's not that hard to change the departure and arrival area to your airport codes. The hardest part is to translate the Japanese into your own language if you are flying Y or your flights are departing from area other than Japan. For business and first class passengers departing from Japan, pictures are included in the menu.
