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| JAL introduces new cabins on SKY SUITE 777 (Source: JAL website) |
[Update 3: JAL has announced the launch date and released the official seat map of the SS7. You can refer to this post for more details.]
[Update 2: Japanese version of the official press release is now up on JAL website and the special page on JAL website is now LIVE!]
[Update: JAL has removed the linked press release from their website as the press release is dated Sep 13 2012 (tomorrow). So expect an official reveal and website updates tomorrow]
Finally Japan Airlines (JAL) has released the details, including pictures of the brand new cabins and services to be rolled out in January 2013. The theme of the new cabins and services is "Welcome! New Sky". With this, JAL aims to provide its customers fresh new impressions and therefore started this JAL NEW SKY PROJECT to renew their international services which includes brand new cabins to provide highest quality products in all classes on the entire Boeing 777-300ER. Other than that, JAL will renew its inflight catering services under the concept of "Restaurant in the Sky" and provide new menus on flights to Europe, North America, Australia and South East Asia. They have selected a dream team of 4 chefs to create exclusive menus just for JAL passengers.
Brand New Cabins on Boeing 777-300ER
All of the 13 777-300ERs in JAL fleets will be retrofitted by 2014. These retrofitted planes will be called "SKY SUITE 777" and will be listed as SS7 in the time table. Roll out dates is scheduled to be January 2013 on Tokyo Narita (NRT) - London Heathrow (LHR) route, followed by Tokyo Narita (NRT) - New York JFK (JFK). After that, JAL will progressively roll out the SS7 to other US and European destinations (well plus Jakarta too but it isn't listed in the press release)
With the introduction of the SS7, JAL will also rebrand its "JAL Executive Class Seasons" to just "JAL Business Class". As announced before, there will be 8 First Class seats, 49 Business Class seats, 40 Premium Economy Class seats, and 135 Economy Class seats. JAL also noted that the 49 business class seats configuration is only when the plane is used on international flights. Not sure what they meant by that. Maybe they will sell the First and Business class seats as Domestic First Class and Premium Economy as Class J? Below are more details on each of the cabin.
JAL First Class - JAL Suite
JAL First Class - JAL Suite
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| The new JAL Suite on SKY SUITE 777 (Source: JAL Press Release) |
JAL will keep the name JAL Suite for its First Class seats (I will call it the New JAL Suite or SS7 JAL Suite from now on). With the new design, JAL aims to provide the Japanese hospitality and provide a comfortable home feeling with the new First Class cabin. As you can see from the pictures, the design are mostly identical but it looks more luxurious with a wooden trim, darker colored leather and bigger 23 inches screen (up from 19) with a touch-screen IFE controller. Other than that, there isn't too many changes which is understandable as the current JAL Suite received extremely good reviews from customers. The bed size will be the same as the current JAL Suite (211cm x 84cm) and will continued to be one of the biggest beds provided in the sky. Of course, JAL will continue to exclusively provide the excellent pillow and mattress pads made by Tempur. Configuration will still be 1-2-1 with only 8 seats in the cabin. Below are more pictures of the new JAL Suites on SS7.
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| The new JAL Suite comes with a 23 inches personal TV (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| JAL exclusive mattress pads and pillows by Tempur (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| The new JAL Suite is redesigned with a wooden trim (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| Touch screen inflight entertainment controller for JAL SUITE (Source: JAL website) |
JAL Business Class - SKY SUITE
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| JAL new business class seats - SKY SUITE (Source: JAL Press Release) |
As speculated, JAL has chosen to modify the Super First Class seats from B/E Aerospace as their new business class seats. With an innovative seating layout, each seat will have its own aisle access even though the configuration is kept at 2-3-2. As seen in the picture above, the new seats is extremely private (as you could expect from a first class seat ;)). It can be turned into a truly lie-flat bed of 188cm x 65cm. When in the seat position, the seat is approximately 53cm wide. Which means compared to the NEO seats on 777-300ERs, the bed is 8cm wider but 4cm shorter, and the seat is 4cm wider. The screen size also increased to 23 inches and it comes with touch screen control, same as the ones installed in First Class!
In case you are traveling with a companion, JAL also have you in mind when designing these seats. The partition in between the seats can be lowered electronically. So you can easily chat with your neighbor if you wish. Also, with the new design, you can now place you carry-on luggages under the footrest during take-offs and landings. There are also plenty of storage spaces although window and non-window seats have different storage designs.
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| JAL's new SKY SUITE cabin (front view) (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| JAL's new SKY SUITE cabin (back view) (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| JAL's new SKY SUITE can turn into a fully flat bed with mattress pads and pillow from Weave Japan Inc (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| Every seat comes with aisle access and plenty of storage space (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| Layout of JAL SKY SUITE (Source: JAL website) |
JAL Business Class Sleeping Goods
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| JAL Sleeping Goods by Weave Japan Inc for SKY SUITE (Source: JAL Press Release) |
For the first time, JAL will provide mattress pads in their new SKY SUITE seats as they want to emphasis comfort with their new service. This is an industry first to provide mattress pads in Business Class. JAL has collaborated with Weava Japan Inc to create the new good night sleep sleeping goods. This is the same brand ANA uses for their First Class sleeping goods. Innovative sleep gear made by weaving very fine fiber resin, "airweave S-LINE" mattress pads and airweave Pillow S-LINE will be provided on request. This will provide excellent support for the lower back and support your body smoothly to ensure a good quality sleep.
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JAL Premium Economy Class - SKY PREMIUM
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| JAL new Premium Economy Class seats - SKY PREMIUM (Source: JAL Press Release) |
Although the configuration will remain as 2-4-2, the seat pitch will be increased from JAL SKY SHELL's 97cm to 107cm (with the exception of some seats) while the seat width remains at 48cm (except for the bulkhead seats). With the increased seat pitch, the SKY PREMIUM seats will have one of the largest seat pitches in premium economy class. While maintaining a fixed back design, JAL is able to improve the seat "recline" (or slide) in the new seats. The new seats can slide 7cm more compared to the current premium economy class seat. Also JAL has install a privacy screen between the seats to provide extra privacy. Other features include bottle and cup holders, large A4 size table, leg-rest, adjustable footrest, individual bigger touch screen monitor at 12.1 inches.
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| JAL new SKY PREMIUM seats have 10cm more seat pitch (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| The SKY PREMIUM seats can slide 7cm further (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| JAL new Premium Economy Class seats - SKY PREMIUM in recline position (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| JAL new Economy Class seats - SKY WIDER (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| JAL new Economy Class seats - SKY WIDER with larger pitch and bigger legroom (Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| JAL new Economy Class seats - SKY WIDER storage space(Source: JAL Press Release) |
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| JAL new Economy Class seats - SKY WIDER with improved storage and IFE (Source: JAL Press Release) |
The popular "Washlet" developed by TOTO will be installed in the lavatories in First and Business Class. In case you don't know what Washlet is, it is a toilet that comes with washing functions with warm water :) This is the toilets JAL currently installed in Business Class on their 787s
Sky Gallery
JAL will continue to set up a Sky Gallery in their self-service bar in Business Class.
New Catering Service
Premium Cabins - BEED SKY AUBERGE by JAL
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| BEED SKY AUBERGE by JAL (Source: JAL Press Release) |
The dream team of four consists of Chef Seiji Yamamoto from Nihonryori Ryugin who is currently in charge of the ex-Japan First class meals to US and Europe, Chef Koji Shimomura from EdiTion Koji Shimomura, Miss Fumiko Kono, and Chef Yamada Chikara from Yamada Chikara. Each of them will be creating different dishes for JAL First or Business Class passengers. Below are the details
Chef Seiji Yamamoto (3 star chef)
Chef Seiji Yamamoto will continue to be in charged of the First Class menus on flights departing from Japan to the US and Europe. These include flights from Tokyo Narita to New York JFK (JL006), Chicago (JL009), Los Angeles (JL062), London Heathrow (JL401), Paris (JL405), and Frankfurt (JL407).
Chef Koji Shimomura
Chef Yamada Chikara
Chef Yamada Chikara will be in charge of the Business Class menu on flights from Tokyo Narita to New York JFK (JL006), Chicago (JL009), Los Angeles (JL062), London Heathrow (JL401), Paris (JL405), and Frankfurt (JL407).
Miss Fumiko Kono
The good part is JAL will be launching this menu on all of the select routes when the SKY SUITE 777 is launched on NRT-LHR route. So you don't have to wait for SS7 to come to your flights to try out the new menus.
JAL Economy and Premium Economy Cabins - JAL KITCHEN GALLERY
JAL will continue to provide fun and surprises with their Air Series menus and seasonal dishes from different regions of Japan in the economy and premium economy classes. From January, JAL will be switching to brand new tablewares in these cabins. Details and applicable routes will be announced on JAL website.
New Amenities
Finally, JAL will also be introducing new amenities with the new seats (PJs for C? :P). However, details will be announced in a later date on JAL website.
For more details, you can refer to JAL Press Release (Japanese, English) and JAL has created a special site for the New SKY (Japanese, English) which you can see a CGI video of the new JAL Business Class cabin. I highly recommend visiting the Japanese version of the special site. It contains way more pictures! And JAL Official Facebook page has posted some pictures of today's press conference
JAL will continue to provide fun and surprises with their Air Series menus and seasonal dishes from different regions of Japan in the economy and premium economy classes. From January, JAL will be switching to brand new tablewares in these cabins. Details and applicable routes will be announced on JAL website.
New Amenities
Finally, JAL will also be introducing new amenities with the new seats (PJs for C? :P). However, details will be announced in a later date on JAL website.
For more details, you can refer to JAL Press Release (Japanese, English) and JAL has created a special site for the New SKY (Japanese, English) which you can see a CGI video of the new JAL Business Class cabin. I highly recommend visiting the Japanese version of the special site. It contains way more pictures! And JAL Official Facebook page has posted some pictures of today's press conference
I flying from Frankfurt to Narita next Mar 23rd and I'd like to know if the new seats are already available on that route.
ReplyDeleteMar 23 2013? Unlikely.
ReplyDeleteMar 23 2014? Probably
Any update on new amenities? Would be great to see an upgrade of some sort especially after ANA announced the Rimowa amenity kits.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see Rimowa on a oneWorld carrier, but seems to only be on star alliance carriers.
James, unfortunately there's no updates on that
ReplyDeleteI am flying on the 777 - 300ER (Equip 77W) from JFK to Narita - the 1:15pm departure - and was curious how many seats are in business class? I am looking for a seating chart but cant find one. Is row 12 seat A & C the last row of business on the left side of the aircraft?
ReplyDeleteYour flight has the SS7 seat map I linked from this post, which you could find here: http://jal-pak.blogspot.com/2012/11/jal-set-launch-date-of-new-ss7-cabin.html
ReplyDeleteANA has switched to 3-4-3 seating in Economy on 777 ER across Pacific (even though this is still not indicated on their seating maps) -- it looks as if JAL has kept 3-3-3 seating. If true, JAL would be much preferred to ANA.
ReplyDeleteYes JAL still only uses 3-3-3 on 777 and 2-4-2 on 787 on international flights
ReplyDelete