Brand new seats will soon equip all the international fleet of Boeing B777-300 ER of Japan Airlines. New Cabin’s debut will be available on the Tokyo-London route from January 2013.
TOKYO- Japan Airlines (JAL) unveiled last week its plans to install brand-new seats in every cabin class on its international fleet of Boeing B-777-300ER aircraft. The newly-designed seats will debut on the daily service between Tokyo-Narita and London-Heathrow from January 2013, and will progressively be expanded to New York- JFK and mainly on other long-haul Europe and North America routes in JAL’s network.
Every new seat, significantly superior to their preceding models, will offer customers in all four cabin classes a leap forward in comfort level, functionality, and the overall onboard experience. JAL will start refitting 13 of its flagship 777-300ER aircraft with these seats; 8 in First, 49 in Business, 40 in Premium Economy and 135 in Economy Class. Subsequently, JAL will introduce the latest full-flat Business Class beds on its fleet of 767-300ER, followed by a complete renewal of seats in every other class of travel commencing from the second half of 2013.
A foremost highlight of the renewal is the fully flat beds in Business Class arranged in an innovative layout that offers every customer unobstructed access to the aisles. The improved hardware promises greater privacy, enhanced functionality and a personal TV screen almost twice the size than before, providing customers with a luxurious personal space and ambience akin to a first class experience. Similarly in the latest JAL Premium Economy and Economy Class, customers can expect seats that are a cut above the standards of previous models, and arguably comparable to being upgraded a class ahead.
“Drawing from our customers’ feedback, we continue to make earnest efforts in creating services with originality and innovative products that can meet and exceed their expectations,” said Takahisa Hatakeyama, Vice President of Product & Service Strategy Development. “Extensive research and planning have gone into the selection of these new products, and with the roll-out including other upcoming services, we hope to deliver on our promise to offer our customers excellence in safety and quality, and to express our gratitude for their support as we endeavor to reestablish ourselves as a leading air transport company that can continuously serve the traveling public.”
More details of JAL’s newest seats will be announced in the middle of next month, alongside other unique upgrades planned for JAL’s in-flight services and meals. In line with the JAL Group’s Corporate Policy to provide unparalleled service and quality products, and in aiming to be its customers’ most-favored airline, JAL will soon be bringing an entirely refreshed and enhanced travel experience to valued customers.
During the first quarter of Financial Year 2012-13 (April to June), JAL recorded a strong growth in passengers traffic. The total number of international passengers grew by 32.4% to 1.803 million while domestic passengers’ figures rose by 15.3% to 7.112 million. However, this result is distorted by the fact that passengers traffic collapsed during the same period of 2011 due to the tsunami and the nuclear accident at Fukushima power plant.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
