Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines Corporation (JAL) is Japan’s national airline and flag carrier. It is considered as one of the largest airlines in Asia. Its hubs are at Narita International Airport (for international flights), Tokyo International Airport (for domestic flights), Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport. Its focus city is the Chubu Centrair International Airport. Its headquarters is in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan.
Japan Air Lines Co., Ltd. was established in 1951 when the Japanese government recognized the need for a reliable air transport system. It started with services in several domestic destinations from Tokyo. When the Diet of Japan passed a legislation forming a new state-owned company, Japan Airlines was formed in 1953. The next year, it started flying from Tokyo to San Francisco. It was the airline’s first international destination.
In 1987, Japan Airlines was privatized. The other two Japanese airlines, the All Nippon Airways and Japan Air System (JAS) were permitted to compete with JAL’s domestic and international services as a result of airline deregulation. Japan Airlines and Japan Air System merged in 2001 to form a holding company called Japan Airlines System.
In 2004 JAL became Japan Airlines International while JAS was re-branded as Japan Airlines Domestic. The parent company, Japan Airlines System became Japan Airlines International in the same year. Two years after, in 2006, both Japan Airlines International and Japan Airlines Domestic were re-branded as Japan Airlines International.
JAL joined the airline alliance Oneworld in 2005, the third largest alliance of its kind in the world. By 2008, the JAL is already serving 50 million passengers annually and employs more than 17,000.
Its subsidiaries are JALways, JAL Express, J-Air, Japan Air Commuter, Hokkaido Air System, Japan Transocean Air and Ryukyu Air Commuter.
JAL’s slogan is “Dream Skyward.”
Domestic and International Destinations
Japan Airlines reaches 125 destinations in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania. It has a fleet size of 206 aircraft.
It has international services to Beijing, Dalian, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Qingdao, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xiamen and Xi’an in People’s Republic of China; Busan and Seoul in South Korea; Kaohsiung and Taipei in Taiwan; Delhi in India; Denpasar and Jakarta in Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; Manila in the Philippines; Singapore; Bangkok in Thailand; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam; Paris in France; Frankfurt in Germany; Milan and Rome in Italy; Amsterdam in Netherlands; Moscow in Russia; London in United Kingdom; Vancouver in Canada; Mexico City in Mexico; Anchorage, Chicago; Honolulu, Kailua-Kona, Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco in United States; Sao Paulo in Brazil; Brisbane and Sydney in Australia; and Hagatna in Guam.
Within Japan, JAL serves Asahikawa, Hakodate, Kushiro, Ozora, Obihiro, Sapporo, Akita, Aomori, Misawa, Sukagawa, Hanamaki, Yamagata, Narita, Ota, Nagoya, Komatsu, Niigata, Toyama, Kobe, Osaka, Shirahama, Hiroshima, Okayama, Izumo, Yamaguchi-Ube, Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Kochi, Tokushima, Fukuoka, Kitakyushu, Amami Oshima, Kagoshima, Tokunoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita and Naha in Okinawa Island.
JAL Mileage Bank
JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) is the biggest frequent flyer programme of Japan Airlines. JAL has frequent flyer partnership with Air France, Emirates Airline, China Eastern Airlines and Mexicana de Aviacion on selected fares and classes aside from its alliance with Oneworld.
The JMB card is free of charge however if your membership remains inactive in 36 months, JAL may cancel or suspend your membership. JMB has four-tier membership which are JMB Diamond, JMB Sapphire, JGC Premier and JMB Crystal.
Members can earn miles by flying with JAL, Oneworld airlines and other partner airlines, staying in hotels, renting cars, shopping or using the services of JAL’s other commercial partners.
Mileage can be redeemed for award tickets, upgrades and JAL coupons which can be used in JAL Hotels, JAL in-flight shopping and JAL Group Airlines' tickets.
Oneworld benefits depend on the member airline’s frequent flyer programme.
Sakura Lounge
Japan Airlines maintains more than 50 airline lounges in worldwide destinations. Access to the Sakura Lounge depends on the passenger’s travel class or JAL Mileage Bank status. JAL also has first class and domestic lounges.
The Sakura Lounge has entertainment and business facilities. It offers refreshments, drinks, internet access, theatre room and library.