JAL to standardize fuel surcharge calculation for travel via Japan

Japan Airlines (JAL) will finally standardize the way it calculates fuel surcharge for travel via Japan. In case you haven't notice, the fuel surcharge for a roundtrip ticket originating from the US to Asia, say Jakarta (CGK), is only USD670 (USD335 x 2) while the fuel surcharge on the same roundtrip ticket originating from Asia or CGK in this case will cost you USD1096 (USD548 x 2) because JAL is calculating your fuel surcharge as if you were on two separate roundtrip tickets: CGK-Japan (USD213) and Japan-US (USD335). For tickets originating in Europe to Asia, fuel surcharge is also calculated by adding the individual surcharge from each sector. But this will change from October 1 2011 when JAL lower their fuel surcharge at the same time. From October 1 2011, JAL will charge the same amount of fuel surcharge for a roundtrip ticket no matter whether it is originating in Asia or the US. It will be quite a bit of saving for those who travel to the US and Europe from Asia! So on top of the decrease in fuel surcharge, you will get a saving from the change in the way they calculate fuel surcharge too!!! Below are the oneway fuel surcharge from October 1 2011 for travel via Japan. For itineraries originating in North/Central/South America to Asia and Oceania CAD297 for itinerary originating and bought in Canada USD288 otherwise For itineraries originating in Hawaii to Asia and Oceania USD185 For itineraries originating in Europe to Asia and Oceania GBP189 for tickets sold in United Kingdom CHF300 for the itinerary originating in Switzerland and tickets sold in Switzerland EUR219 otherwise For itineraries originating in Middle East to Asia and Oceania USD288 For itineraries originating in Asia to North/Central/South America, Europe, Middle East USD288 For itineraries originating in Asia to Hawaii USD185 For itineraries originating in Oceania to North/Central/South America, Europe, Middle East, Asia AUD313 for the itinerary originating in Oceania and tickets sold in Australia USD288 otherwise Below are some more detailed examples to give you a better idea of how much saving you get. Five numbers are provided for each of the scenario: Current: Current fuel surcharge New: New fuel surcharge from Oct 1 2011 Old Method: Fuel surcharge from Oct 1 2011 if the old way of fuel surcharge calculation were applied Saving from Standardization: Old Method - New Total Saving: New - Current Example 1: Los Angeles - Tokyo - Jakarta (one-way) Current: USD335 New: USD288 Old Method: USD288 Saving from Standardization: USD0 ZERO! Total Saving: USD47 (-14%) Example 2: Jakarta - Tokyo - Los Angeles (one-way) Current: USD548 New: USD288 Old Method: USD473 Saving from Standardization: USD185 (-39%) Total Saving: USD260 (-47%) Example 3: Paris - Tokyo - Sydney (one-way) Current: EUR508 New: EUR219 Old Method: EUR438 Saving from Standardization: EUR219 (-50%) Total Saving: EUR289 (-57%) Example 4: Sydney - Tokyo - Los Angeles (one-way) issued in Australia Current: AUD363 New: AUD313 Old Method: AUD313 Saving from Standardization: AUD0 ZERO! Total Saving: AUD50 (-14%) So basically no saving from standardizing fuel surcharge for those who travel from North/Central/South America and Hawaii to Asia and Oceania, and those from Australia. But huge savings for the rest of the world, especially those who travel from Europe to Oceania!!!! Their surcharge will drop by half just by changing the way JAL calculate fuel surcharge! So, if possible, hold your ticket and by them after October 1 if you are one of those that benefit from the standardization...actually you should try to wait since surcharge is dropping from Oct 1 :p For more details on JAL fuel surcharge calculation for travel via Japan, you can visit JAL website.