JAL "Thank You Jumbo" memorabilia. Image by Blue Sky.

As reported before, Japan Airlines will retire the 747 fleet in March 2011. Blue Sky will start selling some "Thank You Jumbo" JAL memorabilia as part of the Thank You Jumbo campaign. Below are the items available.

JAL and Cathay Pacific expand code sharing agreement. Image by Japan Airlines.

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) has reached yet another code sharing agreement to allow JAL to place "JL" codes on CX's flights to other cities around the world from Nov 1 2010. This is the third expansion agreement met between the two airlines within a month. The new agreement covers 13 routes and 11 destinations in Asia, Europe, Oceania, and Africa! Reservations starts on Nov 1 2010. Below is the schedule of the codeshare flights, all operated by CX.

oneworld alliance member British Airways (BA) will finally move to Terminal 2 of Narita Airport (NRT) on October 31 2010. After that, all OW members will be using T2 at NRT and therefore making connections much easier. The bad news is BA won't be building its own lounge at NRT T2, instead, it will start using Japan Airlines' (JAL) lounges at NRT. That means the Sakura lounge will become even more crowded. Last couple of times, I had problem finding a table in the dinning area and the wait time for shower is just way too long. I will see how bad it gets when I am there in January.

Source: JAL Press Release

After suspending Japan Airlines' (JAL) longest route NRT-GRU (via JFK) as part of the restructuring, JAL has successfully kept Sao Paulo in its network by reaching an agreement with American Airlines (AA). JAL will put its JL codes on AA's flights between JFK and GRU from October 31 2010. Reservation and ticketing starts on October 28 2010 (Subject to government approval). Below are the schedules of the codeshare flights operated by AA

JL5010/AA951 JFK 21:30 - GRU 10:15 (+1) Daily 777
JL5009/AA950 GRU 23:20 - JFK 06:25 (+1) Daily 777

Source: JAL Press Release (English, Japanese)

Today, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) approves Japan Airlines (JAL) and American Airlines' (AA) antitrust immunity (ATI) application submitted back in June. US DOT granted a tentative approval earlier this month. The final approval will be obtained after the Open Skies between Japan and the US is signed. After that JAL and AA can coordinate on flights between the US and Asia. For details, you can refer to JAL Press Release (English, Japanese).

During a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan this week, Japan Airlines (JAL) CEO Dr. Inamori gave a little bit of update on JAL's restructuring progress. Apparently JAL is likely to secured a record operating profit of 100 billion yen in the first half of the fiscal year (April-Sep)! They originally forecast an operating profit of 64.1 billion yen for the entire fiscal year ending in March!

JAL opens new Haneda Lounges. Image by Japan Airlines.

Japan Airlines (JAL) has finally updated its website on the new business class seats JAL Skyrecliner and the new inflight entertainment system MAGIC-V. These new products will be available on the following routes: NRT-SIN, NRT-HAN, HND-PEK, and HND-SIN.

JAL special site for 747 retirement. Image by Japan Airlines.

Japan Airlines (JAL) corporate promotion video with the Japanese version of "I Will Be There with You" as background music. Enjoy! (This video is a few months old :p)

JAL new regional business class seat JAL Skyrecliner. Image by Japan Airlines

Finally Japan Airlines announced its new regional business class seat - JAL Skyrecliner, and the new in-flight entertainment system MAGIC-V! The new seats and IFE will be installed on the four brand new 767-300ER aircraft and will be introduced on Haneda-Beijing and Haneda-Singapore routes starting this month.

As some of you might have heard already, Japan Airlines (JAL) still has not reached its early retirement target of 1,500 job cuts. Earlier JAL discussed with the unions about possible layoffs if the target is not met but that still is not enough. Now JAL is targeting about 320 pilots and some cabin attendants and essentially told them either retired or be dismissed. How? By grounding them!

Japan Airlines (JAL) has sold the remaining 19 747-400's in its fleet to AerSale. AerSale will disassemble a couple of the JAL 744's and sell them as aftermarket parts but expects the majority of the 19 JAL 744's remaining flying as passenger planes and freighter.

Source: AerSale Press Release via PRNewswire

Japan Airlines (JAL) has added an auto web check-in button to the bottom of the itinerary list. Still not sure how this will work but looks like you could fill out the info now and it will automatically check you in when the web check-in opens (need to wait for my December flight to find out the entire workflow).

JAL added auto web check-in function on its website.

US Department of Transportation has granted tentative ATI approval on the ATI application of Japan Airlines (JAL) and American Airlines (AA). Now it is only waiting for Japan's MILT to grant the approval (which shouldn't be a problem). At the same time US DOT has granted approval on ANA and UA's ATI application. You can find the press release from AA here.