Japan Airlines: Return of the pioneer

While it’s been four years since the change, Japan Airlines never ceases to amaze the world of international and domestic travel. Their continuing commitment to “Omotenashi” and “daring spirit” makes Japan Airlines one of the most preferred airline groups in the world.

FLY INTO TOMORROW. JAL goes back to its roots and embraces its pioneering spirit once more.

History

Japan Airlines was established in 1951 as Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., flying routes within Japan as an independent scheduled domestic air carrier the following year. In 1953, under the Japan Airlines Act (Act No. 154 of 1953), Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. was established with a capital of 2 billion yen.

In addition with the operation of domestic routes, JAL obtained a license as the sole international scheduled air transportation company in Japan, yet still retaining the former company’s already established domestic routes. It became a fully-private company in 1987, more than 30 years after being run by the government.

2004 saw both JAL and Japan Air System Co., Ltd. changed trading names to Japan Airlines International Co., Ltd. and Japan Airlines Domestic Co., Ltd. respectively. This way, JAL made it easier to handle its international and cargo operations through Japan Airlines International, while maintaining its domestic routes by restructuring Japan Air System. These companies would later merge into one under Japan Airlines Corporation.

After several mergers with other airline companies and organizational restructuring, Japan Airlines Corporation formally trades under the name Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.

Two years later, JAL network gets certified by the US Conducive Technology as “World No. 1 Network by Carrier” for meeting arrival times. They were also certified “No. 1 in the Asian Region” by Japan Air Commuter.

BEST IN THE WORLD. Certified as world’s number 1.

What makes today’s JAL different

JAL adopted a new corporate policy in 2011 which has helped them achieve their status as the World No. 1 Network Carrier.

“Japan Airlines started out as a pioneer and ventured on a path where no other company in Japan explored,” said JAL Group President Masaru Onishi. JAL has since embraced this philosophy and has renewed their commitment to “provide our valued customers with the highest levels of service, and to diligently raise our corporate value so that the JAL Group can once again contribute to the advancement of society.”

This pioneering spirit, combined with “Omotenashi”, or warmhearted in Nihonggo, is embodied in their company logo called Tsurumaru.

Coverage

JAL flies to 51 countries and regions (including domestic flights), landing in 305 airports (59 domestic and 246 international), including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.

They have a total of 223 planes flying different routes. Their all-Boeing fleet includes the 777-300ER, 777-200, 767-300, and the 737-800.

Leadership

JAL is lead by Mr. Masaru Onishi, Chairman of JAL’s Board of Directors. He has been with JAL since 1978, and was president of then Japan Airlines International Co. Ltd in March of 2011. He also serves as a Member of the Board of Governors at International Air Transport Association (IATA).

With their large coverage and commitment to giving the highest level of service, Japan Airlines will surely move forward as one of, if not the best airline companies in the world for many years to come.

For schedules, you can visit https://www.jal.com/.

All photos grabbed from http://www.ph.jal.com/phl/en/aboutjal/.

General Information