The national Japanese airline Japan Airlines (JAL for short), the world's leading carrier and member of the Oneworld alliance, operates scheduled international and domestic flights to 125 airports around the world. Thanks to vast experience, clearly set goals, innovative development, the company ensures flight safety and provides the highest quality in customer service. Flying in an airplane from JAL is a comfortable travel experience.
The history and activities of Japan Airlines today
In 1951, the Japanese government decided to create its own air transport system. Already in 1954, the aircraft of the new airline made its first transoceanic flight to the United States.
In 2002, Japan Airlines merged with Japan's third-largest airline, Japan Air System (JAS), to form the JAL Group. Since October 1, 2006, Japan Airlines International and Japan Airlines Domestic (the new name of JAS since 2004) began to use a single trademark - Japan Airlines International (JAL).
The airline's policy is based on the following basic principles:
- material and intellectual growth of employees,
- providing an unprecedented service,
- increasing corporate values,
- assistance in improving the life of society.
The airline values its customers' time: in 2021, JAL was named Asia-Pacific's most punctual major airline on domestic and international flights.
Japan Airlines Air Fleet
Japan Airlines operates in three directions - international and domestic passenger transportation, cargo transportation (including mail). As of 2021, JAL has a fleet of 160 modern airliners for passenger transport:
- Boeing 737-800 - 50 pcs. - on short-haul flights;
- carry out long-haul flights:
- Boeing 767-300 - 37 units,
- Boeing 787-800 - 25 units,
- Boeing 777-200 - 23 pcs.,
- Boeing 777-300 - 17 units,
- Boeing 787-900 - 8 pcs.
The airline's cargo division, JAL Cargo, uses Boeing 747-400F, Boeing 747-200F, Boeing 767-300F freighters. The main directions of cargo flights: USA, Hong Kong, Shanghai, China, Southeast Asia, Vietnam.
Popular direct flights with Japan Airlines
JAL's main hubs are Tokyo-Narita (international), Tokyo-Haneda (domestic), Osaka-Kansai and Osaka-Itami. Japanese Airlines offers flight services to 5 continents, to 30 countries around the world, among which the most popular destinations are:
- Paris - Stockholm,
- Prague - Hamburg,
- Berlin - London,
- Copenhagen - Amsterdam,
- Amsterdam - Oslo,
- Kuala Lumpur - Colombo,
- London - Rome,
- London - Barcelona,
- Barcelona - Bologna,
- Copenhagen - Stockholm.
Direct flights are carried out in the following directions:
- Moscow - Tokyo,
- Moscow - Sapporo,
- Khabarovsk - Tokyo,
- Khabarovsk - Osaka,
- Bangkok - Tokyo,
- Fukuoka - Sapporo,
- Singapore - Tokyo,
- Tokyo - Nagasaki,
- Tokyo - New York,
- Tokyo - Frankfurt am Main,
- Tokyo - Helsinki.
Baggage rules and regulations
Luggage is measured by the number of pieces per person, weight and dimensions. There is a free baggage allowance included in the ticket, in case of excess it is necessary to pay a certain amount.
The established free baggage allowance differs depending on which class you are flying. We offer you to get acquainted with them in the table:
Passenger service class | Baggage | Hand luggage | Allowable dimensions of baggage (length + width + height) | Allowable dimensions of carry-on baggage (55x40x25) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First | 3 pieces of 32 kg | 10 Kg | cannot exceed 203 cm | cannot exceed 115 cm |
Business | 3 pieces of 32 kg | 10 Kg | ||
Superior economy | 2 pieces of 23 kg | 10 Kg | ||
Economy | 2 pieces of 23 kg | 10 Kg |
If you need to carry additional baggage, you need to pay for it when buying a ticket on the official website or at the check-in counter at the airport. It is worth considering that the prices for excess baggage depend on the specific flight, the airport of departure and the type of aircraft. For example, excess baggage (over 203 cm) will cost you $ 200.
Children under 2 years old with a ticket without a seat, accompanied by an adult flying in Economy Class, can carry one piece of baggage weighing no more than 23 kg.
If the accompanying adult is flying in business class or first class, then the weight of one piece of child's luggage must not exceed 32 kg.
You can learn more about what you can take with you to the cabin and carry in excess of the norm, how to transport non-standard luggage (sports equipment, musical instruments and other luggage with special conditions of carriage) by visiting the official website in Russian.
Check-in methods for flights
Check-in is possible at the airport or online using a mobile device or on the carrier's official website. The second option is more convenient, as it significantly saves time, allows you to select seats and independently print boarding passes 24 hours before the scheduled departure time or save them in your mobile phone.
Tickets can also be printed at the airline counter at the airport or in a special terminal.
It should be noted that online check-in is not available for all routes and starts 72 hours and ends 90 minutes before the flight departure. Please note that a document without a two-dimensional barcode on it cannot be used as a boarding pass - in this case, check-in at the airport is required.
The start and end time of check-in for Japan Airlines flights at the airport depends on the specific destination and type of aircraft.
Meals on board JAL aircraft
During the flight, food and drinks are provided for all passengers; the service depends on the class of the ticket and the duration of the flight. Whether you're flying in First or Business Class, the main menu features delicious cuisines from around the world from the world-renowned JAL BEDD onboard restaurant. During the second course, there is a wide selection of A la carte dishes, prepared according to your requirements. Includes light meals throughout the flight and Jean-Paul Evan's signature chocolate. The bar serves a wide variety of free soft drinks and spirits, including a collection of Japanese sake and wines from around the world.
For passengers of the improved economy class and economy class, in-flight meals consist of joint menus from the JAL Kitchen Gallery.
During the flight, light snacks and a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are offered from the bar. Passengers of the improved economy class can order instant noodles, sweets and other snacks in addition to the standard economy class meals.
Passengers with allergies can pre-order special in-flight meals. On most flights, you can pre-order and pay for diabetic, vegetarian, children's, religious menus. To do this, you must go to the airline's website and confirm your order no later than 24 hours before departure.
Classes of passenger service on Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines, depending on the level of service on board the aircraft, offers 4 classes of service for its passengers.
First grade:
- Conveniently positioned furniture and wood furnishings bring a sense of space on board.
- There is a personal 9-inch touch screen and an on-board entertainment system with access to a wide selection of music, movies, games on 130 channels.
- All furnishings, including a spacious storage compartment, an onboard entertainment control panel and a laptop power supply, are integrated into the chassis.
- During the flight, passengers are offered travel kits, which consist of the following items: a set for brushing teeth, mouthwash, ear plugs, sleep mask, body and hand cream, face spray, lip balm, comb, moisturizing face mask, paper handkerchiefs; leisure clothing is also provided if passengers need to relax during the flight.
Business Class:
- Passengers are provided with comfortable Shell Flat Sea, SHELL FLAT NEO, SKY SUITE seats, which are transformed into horizontal beds with plenty of legroom.
- Personal monitor with movies, games and music.
- Passengers are offered:
- travel kits, which, depending on the flight, may differ in composition (teeth cleaning kit, moisturizing mask, ear plugs, sleep mask, eye refresher, lip balm, slippers, bathrobe);
- newspapers magazines;
- laptop battery rental;
- writing utensils;
- headphones with active noise canceling system;
Superior Economy Class:
- Comfortable large SKY PREMIUM seats (with approximately 10 cm extra depth for extra comfort, with large leg support) and SKY SHELL SEAT (with an increased distance between the seats, compared to the standard economy class seats, with an adjustable headrest and footrest ).
- Each chair has a power outlet, a large pull-out table for a laptop, an individual screen with audio, video, games on demand.
- Passengers are offered travel kits (eye mask, ear plugs, teeth cleaning kit, moisturizing mask); there are newspapers, magazines.
Economy class:
- Chairs SKY WIDER, SKY WIDER Ⅱ and from the European manufacturer RECARO with sufficient legroom between the chairs.
- A personal video screen integrated into the front seat back with access to a wide selection of movies, games and music.
- Passengers are offered newspapers and magazines, writing materials, postcards.
Before boarding the aircraft, passengers of international flights can use the services of the airline's cabin at the airport of departure. Please note that different criteria may be used in the cabins of different airports, which are based on the class of service (indicated in the boarding document), so you need to clarify them in advance.
JAL Mileage Bank bonus program
JAL offers its passengers the JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) loyalty program to earn and redeem miles. Program terms apply to all JAL partners in the global Oneworld alliance, as well as Air France, China Eastern Airlines and Emirates Airline.
All you need to do to become a member of the program is to register on the JAL website. The program is free to participate, without restrictions on the right to participate and has several types: standard participation, JAL family club, FLY ON program, JAL Global Club (JGC) elite level.
With a standard JMB membership, you can earn miles as follows:
- buying tickets of the corresponding class of service for flights that participate in the program;
- living in any of the participating hotels around the world, their number exceeds 15,000;
- shopping, online shopping, dining, car rental and other services before traveling or on the road.
Earned miles can be exchanged for award tickets, electronic money, rewards in the form of gifts, discounts on purchases in JMB partner stores.
As a member of the JAL Family Club (JALFC), you can combine miles with your whole family and earn them in the same way as with standard membership.
Among the benefits of participating in JALFC are promotions for passengers traveling to and from Japan.
These include attractive rewards per mile earned on roundtrip flights, free luggage and luggage delivery service when traveling to Japan.
At the same time, JAL Family Club has some features:
- the main participant must be at least 12 years old and must live outside of Japan. At the same time, there is no age limit for the rest of the JAL Family Club members;
- no more than nine people can make up one JALFC account, while participants must be related to the main participant by family ties (parents, spouse, children, spouse's parents, spouse's parents);
- there is a registration fee of 1,000 frequent miles, which is deducted in advance or when sufficient points have been accumulated. Subsequently, every 5 years, the amount of the fee will be automatically deducted for the renewal of participation in JALFC. If your account balance does not allow you to deduct your renewal miles, your membership will be canceled;
- A separate 1,000 miles fee will be charged for account changes to add a family member;
- Bonus 1,000 miles can be earned for the first flight after becoming a JALFC member and for the first flight after renewal.
The exclusive FLY ON program is designed for passengers who most often use the company's services. The essence of the program is that its members receive exclusive benefits and first-class services on scheduled flights, earning FLY ON Points for flights operated by JAL or partner companies of the Oneworld alliance.
At the same time, FLY ON members do not earn miles like members of previous bonus programs. FLY ON status is based on the number of FLY ON Points earned in the previous calendar year or the number of qualifying flights in the previous year based on the fare and route.
The more points you get, the higher your FLY ON status (JMB Crystal, JMB Sapphire, JGC Premier, JMB Diamond), class of service and benefits when traveling with Japan Airlines.
Benefits and additional services
As one of the best airlines, JAL has a number of advantages:
- free food and drinks, including the Sky Oasis range;
- Mileage Bank mileage program;
- fares for a flight from Moscow to Tokyo include a free flight to many other Japanese cities in the route;
- in case of flight cancellation, route change or departure delay for more than 5 hours, it is possible to receive compensation;
- for children on board interactive entertainment, play sets are provided.
As an additional service, the airline provides boarding assistance for passengers with disabilities. Special needs must be advised at the time of booking or at least 48 hours prior to flight departure.
When traveling with small children, family services are provided (special baby food for babies and children under 2 years old, cribs for children, diapers). Also, additional services are provided for passengers with pets.
Japan Airlines codeshare agreements
Japan Airlines has codeshare agreements with partner companies Oneworld, of which JAL has been affiliated since 2007, and with about 30 other airlines, which means the flight is jointly operated commercially. That is, tickets are sold by JAL, but the partner airline actually flies.
The Oneworld airline alliance began operations in 1999. At present, Oneworld unites the largest airlines in Europe, Asia, America, Australia and serves about 15% of the world air transportation market.
JAL's Oneworld Partner Companies:
- American Airlines is the world's largest American airline in terms of total passenger-kilometers, passenger fleet size, revenue, passenger traffic, and number of destinations served. She is one of the founders of Oneworld. The company, together with its regional partners, has an extensive international and domestic route network and operates on average more than 6,200 flights per day.
- British Airways is the UK's national carrier, one of the most renowned airlines in the world and one of the largest in Europe. Co-founder of the Oneworld alliance. The airline and its subsidiaries serve about 200 destinations in nearly 90 countries throughout Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia. The main hubs are at Heathrow and Gatwick airports in the UK.
- Cathay Pacific Airways - Founded in 1946, is Hong Kong's premier airline and a founding member of the Oneworld alliance. The airline serves over 90 destinations in 35 countries in Asia, the Pacific Ocean, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.
- Finnair was founded in 1923 and is Finland's flagship carrier. It joined the Oneworld alliance in 1999. The airline serves more than 65 destinations in 30 countries.
- Iberia, Spain's national airline, headquartered in Madrid, is the leading carrier between Europe and Latin America. The air carrier operates flights to 110 destinations in 40 countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North and South America.
- Qantas is an Australian airline that is one of the most recognized in the world. Took part in the founding of the Oneworld alliance. Serves nearly 80 destinations in 20 countries. As the only Australian airline in any global airline alliance, it offers an extensive domestic network beyond service points in Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Americas and Africa.
- S7 Airlines is the largest air carrier in Russia. The airline joined the Oneworld alliance in 2021. The main interchange hubs are at the Novosibirsk Tolmachevo airport and the Moscow Domodedovo airport. The airline flies to over 100 destinations in 30 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia with an extensive network in the CIS.
Contacts
Official website in Russian: http://www.ru.jal.co.jp/rul/en
Address: 4-11, HigashiShinagawa, 2-Chrome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-8605, Japan
Phone: +81 3 5460 3109, 81 3 6733 3062
Fax: +81 3 5460 3108
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative office in Russia: 123056, Moscow, st. Bolshaya Gruzinskaya, 61
Representative office in Russia: +7 495 234 5930
Fax of the representative office in Russia: +7 495 956 4759
Conclusion
When choosing an air ticket, the main criteria are undoubtedly the price, duration of the flight, reviews about the airline. And although JAL fares are quite high, the airline is very popular thanks to the flexible bonus system, comfort on board and punctuality of the carrier.
In April 2021, Japan Airlines announced the creation of a new innovation strategy, the JAL Innovation Lab, to pursue untapped business opportunities to improve customer experience while traveling (at the airport and on board).
