JAL takes delivery of first Boeing 787-9.

On June 11th, Japan Airlines' [JL/JAL] first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arrived at Tokyo/Narita [NRT/RJAA] on delivery. Registered JA861J, the aircraft seats 195 in a three-class layout of JAL's award-winning Sky Suite product; 44 Sky Suite (business), 35 Sky Premium (premium economy), and 116 Sky Wider II (economy) seats. It is expected to enter service on the Narita – Jakarta/Soukarno-Hatta [CGK/WIII] route on July 1st.

Boeing 787-9 JA861J arrives at Narita. The two General Electric GEnx-1B74/75 engines create 6% more thrust than the smaller Dash 8s. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Marked as flight JL8101, the delivery flight across the Pacific departed Paine Field [PAE/KPAE] on June 10th at 1630 PDT, and touched down at Narita on June 11th at 1818 JST. Although JAL's 787-9s share the same seats as the Sky Suite 787-8 (JAL's Sky Suite 787 makes debut.), which carries 161 (38 Sky Suite, 35 Sky Premium, and 88 Sky Wider II), the Dash 9 is 6.1 meters longer and carries 34 more passengers.

Lie-flat staggered business class seats on the Boeing 787-9. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

As with the Sky Suite 787-8, the newly-delivered stretched Dreamliners are equipped with MAGIC-VI in-flight entertainment (IFE) with touch-controlled monitors, in-flight wireless internet connection dubbed JAL Sky Wi-Fi, and toilets in all classes boasting washlets. Cabin LED lighting patterns will be set according to the season, for example with red and green to be featured for December.

Premium economy is in a seven-abreast layout. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Business class is in a six-abreast (2-2-2) staggered layout with direct aisle access from every seat. Manufactured by B/E Aerospace, the lie-flat seats measure 188 centimeters in length when extended, while its width is 65 centimeters. Premium economy seats are 49 centimeters wide (19.4 inches) with a seat pitch of 107-centimeters (42 inches) and are configured in at seven abreast (2-3-2). Seats are made by Zodiac Aerospace France. Economy class is in a generous eight-abreast (2-4-2) layout, offering five more centimeters in width than nine abreast (3-3-3), which has been the worldwide trend. Zodiac Aerospace USA is responsible for the manufacturing.

JAL continues to opt for eight abreast in economy, continuing to buck the nine-abreast trend. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

JAL has ordered 25 787-8s and 20 787-9s, of which 21 and one have been delivered, respectively. Unlike at rival All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA] where some 787s are also placed on short domestic missions in domestic layouts, all of JAL's 787s fly international routes (except for occasional domestic subsitutions), either for expansion or for replacing older 767-300ERs, which in turn are used to replace the oldest domestic 777s and 767s. JAL has confirmed it has no intention to introduce domestic-configured 787s.

Source: Aviation Wire, June 11th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, June 13th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, June 20th. (in Japanese)

*Edited/updated on June 20th, 2015.

ANA's international Boeing 787-9 debuts.

On May 5th, All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA] placed its first long-haul-configured Boeing 787-9 in service on the Tokyo/Haneda [HND/RJTT] – Munich [MUC/EDDM] route. Flight NH217 was operated by JA836A, ANA's third example of the stretched Dreamliner. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-K2 engines, the aircraft is in a 215-seat layout, consisting of 48 business (staggered 1-2-1), 21 premium economy (2-3-2), and 146 economy (3-3-3).

Boeing 787-9 JA836A is pushed back from Haneda for her inaugural flight. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Having been the first carrier to place the 787-9 into service (ANA takes delivery of first Boeing 787-9.), Japan's largest carrier has been flying 787-9s since August last year (ANA's Boeing 787-9 enters service.), but on domestic routes only with domestic-configured airplanes seating 395 (18 Premium Class and 377 economy). Compared to ANA's smaller long-haul 787-8 (169 seats; 46 buisness, 21 premium economy, and 102 economy), the long-haul 787-9 seats 46 more passengers and carries 1.2 times more cargo. Range has also been increased slightly by 160 kilometers to 14,960 kilometers.

The new variant becomes the first to boast ANA's latest in-flight entertainment product, including ANA SKY LIVE TV, which offers live television programs on passengers' personal monitors throughout the cabin, and ANA WiFi Service (ANA to offer in-flight Wi-Fi for international from March.), which is being offered on their 787s for the first time. Using Panasonic Avionics' product, prices for internet connectivity are set at 6.95 USD for 30 minutes, 16.95 USD for three hours, and 21.95 USD for 24 hours. E-books ranging from magazines to manga are offered, while the ANA Sky Map, which shows the aircraft's flight path, has been upgraded from 2-D to 3-D.

Staggered business class seats in a new 1-2-1 layout. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

ANA has ordered a total of 83 Dreamliners including three 787-10s (ANA orders Boeing 787-10s, 737s, and Airbus A321ceos.), 44 787-9s, and 36 787-8s, of which three 787-9s and 32 787-8s have already been delivered. Fiscal year 2015 will see them add another eight 787-9s, including R2-D2 Jet (ANA reveals Star Wars Project.), and three 787-8s, alongside two additional 777-300ERs, while earlier planned retirement of older 777s have been deferred and three 767-300s are the only wide-body jets that are slated for disposal. ANA's second international destination to see scheduled 787-9 service will be Jakarta/Soekarno-Hatta [CGK/WIII] starting in August.

Source: All Nippon Airways, April 28th. (in Japanese)
Source: FlightLiner, May 1st. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, May 5th. (in Japanese)

JAL's Sky Suite 787 makes debut.

On December 1st, Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] placed their first Sky Suite 787 into service. Boasting JAL's award-winning Sky Suite interior (JAL adding more Sky Suite destinations.), Boeing 787-8 JA837J, their 16th Dreamliner to be delivered, entered service with flight JL407 from Tokyo/Narita [NRT/RJAA] to Frankfurt/Main [FRA/EDDF]. It departed Spot 62 in Terminal 2 at 1219 with a load of 159 passengers.

Boeing 787-8 JA837J Sky Suite 787 takes off from Narita bound for Frankfurt. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Fully lie-flat business class seats have been introduced for the first time on JAL's 787s (previously only angled lie-flat seats), while premium economy is also a first for their Dreamliners. Economy has been revamped as well, with new Sky Wider II seats installed. Seat count has been reduced to 161, comprised of 38 business, 35 premium economy, and 88 economy, the lowest-density 787 in commercial service to date. Even the Sky Suite 767s carry 199, including 24 in business and 175 in economy. JAL's previous 787-8s seated 186, with 42 in business and 144 in economy. Japan's second largest carrier believes higher revenue per seat will offset the reduction in capacity.

Lie-flat staggered business class seats on the Sky Suite 787. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Business class is in a six-abreast (2-2-2) staggered layout with direct aisle access from every seat while enhancing privacy. Personal in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens are 19 centimeters (7.6 inches) wider than those on previous 787s, opting for 23-inch monitors. Premium economy has been configured with 49-centimeter-wide (19.4 inches) seats at seven abreast (2-3-2). Retaining the design from the Sky Suite 777, the seats are of a fixed-back type, so the seat-back in front does not recline but instead the whole seat slides forward. Economy class is in a generous eight-abreast (2-4-2) layout, bucking the worldwide trend of nine abreast. Seats are 48 centimeters wide (19 inches) with a pitch of 84 centimeters (33 inches), five centimeters more than the current Dreamliners. Personal IFE monitors are 27-centimeters wide (10.6 inches).

Premium economy on the Sky Suite 787 is in a seven-abreast layout. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

IFE has been upgraded to MAGIC-VI and monitors are touch-controlled with swiping. In-flight wireless internet connection dubbed JAL Sky Wi-Fi will also be available from the end of 2014. Toilets in all classes will boast washlets, now one of Japan's modern icons. Previous 787s only had business class lavatories equipped with these butt-cleaning gadgets. Cabin LED lighting patterns will be set according to the season, for example with red and green to be featured for December.

JAL is staying with eight abreast for economy in the Sky Suite 787. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Aimed at "evoking a one-class higher feel," according to President Ueki Yoshiharu, JAL's first Sky Suite aircraft, a 777-300ER, entered service on the Narita – London/Heathrow [LHR/EGLL] route in January 2013, while the first re-configured 767-300ER was introduced on the Narita – Vancouver [YVR/CYVR] link in December 2013. The Sky Suite 777 seats eight in first, 49 in business, 40 in premium economy, and 135 in economy (232 total), while the Sky Suite 767 seats 24 in business and 175 in economy (199 total). JAL currently has all 13 777-300ERs along with nine 767-300ERs in this upgraded layout.

At least 10 upcoming Dreamliner deliveries will be configured with Sky Suite, including the stretched 787-9s. The next destination to see the service will be New York/John F. Kennedy [JFK/KJFK], starting on January 1st, 2015 with flights JL004/003. In contrast to archrival All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA], which has sadly (to frequent flyers) joined the flock of carriers with nine-abreast (3-3-3) economy (ANA takes 150th Boeing 787 delivery.), JAL is clearly going after the premium market for international routes.

Source: Japan Airlines. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, November 29th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, December 1st. (in Japanese)

ANA to launch domestic Wi-Fi product in FY2015.

On October 8th, All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) announced that they will launch in-flight internet connectivity for domestic services in FY2015. Japan's largest carrier eventually plans to have approximately 100 aircraft, including Boeing 777s, 787s, and many other aircraft with over 100 seats, offering the new product.

Boeing 777-381/ER JA733A taxies at Narita. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Flights from Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) to Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF), Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH), Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO), and Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) would be the first to see the service, naturally. Details of the providing firm along with prices would be released in due course.

Branded 'ANA WiFi Service', ANA already offers in-flight internet connection on selected international flights on selected days (ANA to offer in-flight Wi-Fi for international from March.), with retrofitting of 19 Boeing 777-300ERs and nine 767-300ER to be completed by March 2015. 32 additional international-configured aircraft, mostly expected to be 787s, will receive the upgrade in FY2015. Service is provided by SITA subsidiary OnAir, formerly a joint-venture with Airbus.

ANA comes late, as archrival Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) has been offering domestic in-flight Wi-Fi since July (JAL SKY Wi-Fi to be launched on July 23rd.) and is well underway in retrofitting 77 aircraft by mid-2016, while Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY) also commenced service on board their all-premium Airbus A330s in August (Skymark to offer free Wi-Fi on Airbus A330.). JAL provides the service at a cost, while Skymark offers it free of charge.

Reference: All Nippon Airways, October 8th. (in Japanese)
Reference: Aviation Wire, October 8th. (in Japanese)

Skymark to offer free Wi-Fi on Airbus A330.

On July 23rd, Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY) revealed that they would begin offering complimentary wireless internet connection, dubbed Skymark Free Wi-Fi, on board their brand-new Airbus A330s (Skymark Airlines' first two Airbus A330s delivered.) from August 7th. It would become the first Japanese carrier to offer free in-flight Wi-Fi.

Airbus A330-343E JA330A arrives at Tokyo's Haneda. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Service will be initiated with their third example, A330-343E JA330D, which is expected to be delivered within the next week or two. Skymark plans to have its first two A330s, which have already entered service (Skymark Airlines inaugurates Airbus A330 service.), retrofitted with Wi-Fi by the end of this year as well. Panasonic Avionics eXConnect will provide the service.

Passengers with smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers will be able to use the service to surf the web, check e-mail, and update their social media, however, Skymark says it is not suited for YouTube downloading, movie watching, or anything that uses large bandwidth. Skymark's A330s currently serve Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) – Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF), with Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) (Skymark moves up Sapporo Airbus A330 ops to August 1st.) to be added from August.

Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) only introduced their in-flight internet product JAL SKY Wi-Fi yesterday (JAL SKY Wi-Fi to be launched on July 23rd.), but passengers need to pay a fee upon establishing a connection to surf on their own. The service is currently available on routes from Haneda to Fukuoka, Hakodate (HKD/RJCH), and Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO). In other words, Skymark is offering free Wi-Fi on all-premium A330s at the cost of economy seats less expensive than JAL, which charges 1,000 JPY for similar Class J seats and offers Wi-Fi at a cost.

How will JAL, and ANA even more so, respond? The battle is getting only fiercer. Skymark announcing this news on JAL's in-flight Wi-Fi debut date is no coincidence.

Reference: Skymark Airlines, July 23rd. (PDF; in Japanese)
Reference: Aviation Wire, July 23rd. (in Japanese)

JAL SKY Wi-Fi to be launched on July 23rd.

On June 30th, Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) announced that July 23rd would be the launch date for their domestic in-flight Wi-Fi product dubbed JAL SKY Wi-Fi. Initial routes that will see the service are from Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) to Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF), Hakodate (HKD/RJCH), and Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO), with selected flights offering the service. JAL thus becomes the first Japanese airline to offer domestic in-flight internet connectivity.

Boeing 777-289 JA007D with JAL Sky Next decals prepares for departure from Fukuoka. It became the first aircraft to receive the new interior. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Aircraft that offer Wi-Fi are those that have been refurbished with JAL's Sky Next new domestic interiors (JAL's first Sky Next 777 enters service.) with all-new leather seats and carpets, plus Dreamliner-style LED mood lighting. Partnering with U.S.A.-based Gogo, which will provide satellite connection, passengers will be able to use their smartphones, tablets, or laptop computers to surf the internet, check e-mail, or update their social networking services (SNS) pages like Facebook or Twitter.

Two payment plans will be available; one offering 30 minutes use at 400 JPY, while the other offers unlimited access with price depending on the type of the mobile device and the length of the flight. Fees are set at 500 JPY for all gadgets on flights less than 450 miles (e.g. Tokyo – Osaka), 500 JPY for smartphones and 700 JPY for tablets/laptops on flights between 451 and 650 miles (e.g. Tokyo – Fukuoka), and 700 JPY for smartphones and 1,200 JPY for tablets/laptops for flights over 651 miles (e.g. Tokyo – Okinawa).

Watch out for this logo when boarding and inside the aircraft. (Image: JAL)

Payment must be made by a credit card upon establishing a connection. However, those who are unwilling to pay will still have access to JAL's complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi program, including daily news, travel tips, and sightseeing information about the destination.

The number of access points will vary depending on the aircraft, with Boeing 777s getting six while 737s receiving three, but it will be accessible from anywhere on the aircraft. Specifications for the wireless LAN network are IEEE802.11a/b/g/n. Current plans call for four 777-300s, 12 777-200s, 20 767-300/300ERs, and 41 737-800s to have completed the revamp to JAL Sky Next by mid-2016. Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) is expected to be the next city to receive the service in August.

Reference: Japan Airlines, June 30th. (in Japanese)
Reference: Aviation Wire, June 30th. (in Japanese)

JAL's first Sky Next 777 enters service.

On May 28th, Japan Airlines' (JL/JAL) first of their 'JAL Sky Next'-refurbished aircraft (JAL Sky Next new domestic product unveiled.) entered service. Boeing 777-289 JA007D became the first to receive the revamp, boasting all-new leather seats, LED mood lighting, and in-flight Wi-Fi (available from July), and entered service on the Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) – Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) route today with flight JL303.

Boeing 777-289 JA007D boasts 'JAL Sky Next' titles. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Both economy and Class J, JAL's domestic business class (but more akin to premium economy), received all-new leather seats, which until now had only been used for their First Class seats. Seat pitch will remain the same at 38 inches (96.5 centimeters) for Class J and 31 inches (78.7 centimeters) for economy, however, a slim-style seat for economy will increase legroom by five centimeters. Legroom for Class J is 18 centimeters bigger than economy.

New leather Class J seats on the Boeing 777 with 787-style mood lighting. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

The new Class J seats are manufactured by KI Holdings (formerly Koito Industries) and TIMCO, while the economy seats are produced by Zodiac Aerospace (formerly SICMA Aero Seat). First Class seats being fitted on the domestic 767-300/300ERs for the first time will be made by Tenryu Aero Component, based in Gifu Prefecture in Japan.

All-new leather slim-style economy seats on the Boeing 777. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Carpets of the interiors were also renewed. LED lighting has been changed to 787-style mood lighting, with colors to be changed depending on the time of the day, season, and the 'natural rhythm of time'. In-flight Wi-Fi will be offered from July onwards, with U.S.A.-based Gogo to provide the network.

JA007D will be dedicated to three round-trips between Haneda and Fukuoka until June 30th (JAL to launch Sky Next product on May 28th.), when the service is expanded to other trunk routes as well. Aircraft to receive the new treatment will number 77, including seven 777-300s, nine 777-200s, 20 767-300/300ERs, and 41 737-800s. Work on the 777-300s will begin in August, 767s in September, and 737-800s in October.

Source: Aviation Wire, May 27th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, May 28th. (in Japanese)

JAL to launch Sky Next product on May 28th.

On April 22nd, Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) announced that the first of their 'JAL Sky Next' refurbished domestic aircraft, a Boeing 777-200, will enter service on May 28th on the Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) – Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) route. For details, see our 'JAL Sky Next new domestic product unveiled.' post from February 1st. JAL will initially place the aircraft on three round-trips until June 30th.

Boeing 777-246 JA8984 'Eco Jet Nature' taxiing for departure at Haneda. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

JAL Sky Next-designated flights (May 28th - June 30th):
JL303 HND 0725 – 0915 FUK 772 Daily
JL315 HND 1225 – 1415 FUK 772 Daily
JL325 HND 1725 – 1915 FUK 772 Daily
JL310 FUK 1000 – 1135 HND 772 Daily
JL320 FUK 1500 – 1635 HND 772 Daily
JL332 FUK 2000 – 2135 HND 772 Daily

Why Fukuoka and not Osaka or Sapporo? Lower-cost rival Skymark Airines' (BC/SKY) introduction of their brand-new all-premium 271-seat Airbus A330-300s (Skymark Airlines' first two Airbus A330s delivered.) on May 31st (Skymark delays Airbus A330 introduction to May 31st.) on the same route, which is the world's seventh busiest by passenger volume, must have played an important part in their decision.

JAL Sky Next. (Image: JAL)

JAL is refurbishing the interiors of 77 domestic aircraft including Boeing 777-200/300s, 767-300/300ERs, and 737-800s with all-new leather seats, LED lighting, and in-flight Wi-Fi internet connection, the latter of which will be available from mid-May. See also JAL's Sky Next website.

Source: Japan Airlines, April 22nd. (in Japanese)

JAL's fleet strategies for 'Rolling Plan 2014'.

On March 27th, Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) released its 'Rolling Plan 2014', as part of their mid-to-long-term strategies for fiscal years 2012 - 2016.

Boeing 777-289 JA8978 'Ganbare Nippon!' supporting the national team for the Sochi 2014 Olympics/Paralympics. The decals were taken off in early March. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Nothing new regarding their upcoming network developments was revealed, including strengthening their dual international hubs at Tokyo's Haneda (HND/RJTT) and Narita (NRT/RJAA) airports (JAL announces Summer 2014 international plans.), while also planning to restart viable long-haul services from Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG) and Osaka/Kansai (KIX/RJBB) (JAL to resume Kansai to London and Los Angeles in 2015.), and relaunching regional domestic routes (JAL to resume six domestic routes for Summer 2014.), most of which were suspended during JAL's bankruptcy.

However, some new updates regarding its fleet plans have been provided. Deliveries of Boeing 787-9s, the first stretched variant of the Dreamliner, will start in fiscal year 2015, and the airline plans to have 33 Dreamliners by the end of fiscal year 2016. JAL has ordered 25 B787-8s and 20 B787-9s, of which 14 of the former have already been delivered. Meanwhile, the renewal of Japan Transocean Air's (NU/JTA) B737 'Classics' fleet will also start in fiscal year 2015. The Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH)-based subsidiary currently operates 13 B737-400s. All of JAL's 50 B737-800s ordered have now be delivered, so are additional orders on the way? Older B777s and B767s will gradually be retired, and the plan calls for a fleet of 82 international and 140 domestic aircraft (222 total) by fiscal year 2016's end. Preparations are also under way to introduce Airbus A350 XWBs from fiscal year 2019.

On the in-flight product side, JAL will start putting its award-winning 'Sky Suite' seats and interiors on its B787s delivered from fiscal year 2014. One additional B787-8 remains to be delivered this month for a total of 15, so maybe their 16th will have it? The stretched B787-9s will be configured with 'Sky Suite' from first delivery. Introduced on their flagship B777-300ERs in January 2013, 'Sky Suite' was expanded to selected B767-300ERs as 'Sky Suite II' in December 2013 and additional airframes are receiving the refurbishment (JAL adding more Sky Suite destinations.). New 'JAL Sky Next' revamped domestic aircraft are on schedule for July (JAL Sky Next new domestic product unveiled.) along with Japan's first domestic in-flight Wi-Fi service. Meanwhile, their international on-board Wi-Fi branded 'Sky Wi-Fi', which until now has only been offered on B777-300ERs, will be expanded to B777-200ERs, B767-300ERs, as well as B787s. Panasonic Avionics is powering the service with their eXConnect product (domestic Wi-Fi will be provided by Gogo), and tests revealed there aren't issues with the composite-built Dreamliner.

Archrival All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) only introduced limited Wi-Fi on some international aircraft just recently (ANA to offer in-flight Wi-Fi for international from March.), and has been repeatedly talking of technical difficulties, including issues providing the service on Dreamliners. JAL is taking the lead here, but again, ANA will likely complain about JAL's cost advantages gained during their government-led bankruptcy protection.

Source: Japan Airlines, March 27th. (PDF; in Japanese)

ANA to offer in-flight Wi-Fi for international from March.

All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) will commence in-flight Wi-Fi service on selected international routes on selected days from March 1st. Branded 'ANA WiFi Service', it is aimed at use with smartphones and tablet computers.

Boeing 767-381/ER(WL) JA623A awaits its next international flight at Haneda. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

An initial fleet of two Boeing 777-300ERs and one B767-300ER will be equipped with the service, and will gradually be expanded to all 19 B777-300ERs and nine B767-300ERs by the end of fiscal year 2014. B787 Dreamliners are not planned for the time being as their fuselage is made from composites. Passengers would be able to surf the web, check e-mail, and update their social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and LINE, but the service is not suited for personal laptop computers or YouTube downloading. Prices range depending on bandwidth; 6 USD for 5 megabytes, 12 USD for 10 megabytes, and 24 USD for 20 megabytes.

Passengers can look out for this logo on the airplane. (Image: ANA)

ANA's in-flight Wi-Fi will be provided by SITA subsidiary OnAir, formerly a joint-venture with Airbus. Original plans were to launch the service in summer 2013, however, unsatisfactory connection quality led ANA to wait for improvement. Meanwhile, rival Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) has already been offering in-flight Wi-Fi on international routes from July 2012 with Panasonic Avionics' 'eXConnect' product, and service on domestic flights will start from July this year with Gogo as provider.

Source: All Nippon Airways, February 26th. (in Japanese)

JAL Sky Next new domestic product unveiled.

On January 30th, Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) revealed their new domestic in-flight product that will be introduced from May. Dubbed 'JAL Sky Next', as part of their 'New Sky Project' which saw the airline refurbish its international Boeing 777-300ERs and B767-300ERs starting in 2013, JAL will now revamp the interior of 77 domestic aircraft with all-new leather seats, LED lighting, and in-flight Wi-Fi internet connection.

President Yoshiharu Ueki presents JAL's new domestic economy class seats. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Both economy and Class J, which is JAL's domestic business class product (more akin to premium economy), will receive all-new leather seats. For economy, a slim-style seat will increase legroom by 5 centimeters compared to the current seat, and legroom for Class J would be 18 centimeters bigger than economy, with overall personal space at 97 centimeters. Carpets of the interiors will also be renewed. LED lighting will be changed to new mood-lighting, like those used on the B787, and the colors will be changed depending on the time of the day, season, and the 'natural rhythm of time', according to JAL.

In-flight Wi-Fi will be offered from July onwards, and JAL has etched in a deal with U.S.A.-based Gogo to provide the network. Fees will start from 500 JPY per 30 minutes for smartphones, and for laptop computers, 500 JPY for flights under 450 miles, 700 JPY for routes between 451 and 650 miles, and 1,200 JPY for legs over 650 miles. JAL first introduced Wi-Fi from July 2012 on international routes using Panasonic Avionics' 'eXConnect' product.

The 77 aircraft is comprised of nine B777-300s, seven B777-200s, 20 B767-300/300ERs, and 41 B737-800s. JAL only has seven B777-300s, so either that's an error with the B777-200, or they are getting two more machines for somewhere. Seven or nine B777-200s mean the remainder will not be renewed, probably those due to be replaced by the B787-9. Meanwhile, JAL's domestic First Class, which until now has only been seen on their 15 B777-200s, will also be introduced on their domestic B767-300ERs. Nine are to receive the new treatment, but there are only five of the variant currently flying domestic, meaning four will be converted from international.

Rival All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) just announced a few weeks ago that they would be postponing the introduction of their in-flight Wi-Fi internet product indefinitely due to 'unsatisfactory connectivity' results from experimenting. What will ANA do?

Source: Japan Airlines (in Japanese)