JAL to fly Tokyo – Boston with new Boeing Dreamliner
Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced the details of its brand new 20-strong, 787 Dreamliner fleet.
The state of the art aircraft, designed and built by Boeing have been acquired by a number of airlines around the world, including Japan’s second major airline: All Nippon Airways.
JAL’s first commercial 787 flight will also be the first ever nonstop flight to connect Boston with Asia when the airline launches the new service between Tokyo’s Narita airport and Boston on April 22.
Later this year, the carrier will also use the super-efficient aircraft to start yet another first nonstop service between a US city and Asia with the launch of direct flights between Tokyo (Narita) and San Diego.
The 787 is scheduled to be deployed on routes between Tokyo and Beijing, Moscow, New Delhi and Singapore as soon as “subsequent aircraft are delivered and all necessary preparations are complete,” according to JAL.
JAL’s 787 Dreamliner is configured in two classes with 42 seats in business and 144 seats in economy.
The airline’s overall purchase of the futuristic passenger aircraft now stands at 25 firm orders of the 787-8, and 20 of the larger 787-9 version, raising the initial order of 35 Dreamliners to 45.
JAL will fit its newest Executive Class ‘Shell Flat Neo’ seats that are 5 cm wider than the seats now fitted on Boeing 777s, in a 2-2-2 configuration so that customers are either seated by the window or along the aisle.
In addition, the 144 Economy Class seats will have 2 cm wider space than current seats and arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration.
Lavatories in Executive Class also feature a favorite of Japanese travelers, in the form of a special warm-water Toto ‘Washlet’.
In the design process of the 787 Dreamliner, JAL participated actively in the Boeing-led ‘Working Together Team’ program that involved various airline customers brainstorming for enhanced passenger comfort and usability.
JAL said this aims to demonstrate hospitality “from the heart in all customer-contact points” in the cabin as well as the work space for cabin attendants such as the kitchen equipment in the galley.
To commemorate the start of direct flights to Boston – also the birthplace of popular snack retailer ‘Mister Donut’, — JAL will serve an exclusive ‘Air Misdo’ set which includes a chocolate-coated cinnamon ring and a maple-flavored ring doughnuts, alongside a bowl of Boston’s signature dish — clam chowder.
Additionally, just for customers on this route, the airline is bringing back Mister Donut’s popular ‘Boston 1955’ – a snack of ice cream sandwiched between chocolate chip cookies, which was sold until 2003 and no longer available in stores.
For more information on JAL’s Boston route visit: www.jal.co.jp
