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JAL to Introduce Brand New Seats on US Routes in August, Overall Capacity Reduction Improves Upper Class Capacity Ratio
Mid-June 2008
Japan Airlines (JAL) will introduce new Boeing B777-300ER
aircraft on its US routes from Narita from August 1, launching brand
new passenger seats in its First Class, Executive Class and Economy
Class. Premium Economy Class will also be featured in the new
aircraft.
The airline plans to operate new Boeing B777-300ER, starting with
the New York route from August 1 and then the San Francisco route
from September 13, 2008. The Chicago and Los Angeles routes will
follow with the same new service in FY2009 or later.
Haruka Nishimatsu, JAL President and CEO emphasized that the
brand new passenger seats provide customers "hours of bliss in the
ultimate spacious and relaxing atmosphere"' reflecting the various
feedbacks from customers. It is a global trend, he added, that
airlines try to enhance customers' satisfaction, introducing newer
products and services with higher quality.
Commenting on the airline's Premium Strategy, Nishimatsu
mentioned, "We endeavor to continue to provide the customers our high
quality products in order that JAL always remains as the preferred
airline by the customers. The airline expects to improve the line
revenue by approximately 2.5 billion Yen annually.
As a result of the fleet downsizing, JAL will reduce seat
capacity on the US routes by 19% up to 24%. Currently, the airline
operates Boeing B747-400 with two different versions - one with 12
First Class, 77 Executive Class and 235 Economy Class totaling 324
seats and the other with 11 First, 91 Executive and 101 Economy Class
seats totaling 303.
The new aircraft Boeing B777-300ER replacing B747-400 will have a
total capacity of 246 seats with 8 First Class, 77 Executive Class,
46 Premium Economy Class and 115 Economy Class seats. The superior
class seat capacity including Premium Economy Class will take up
53.3% of the total capacity of the passenger cabin compared to some
30% presently.
Regarding the fleet downsizing, President and CEO Nishimatsu
said, "Unfortunately, the new aircraft will have a fewer Economy
Class seats." "However, under the current severe leisure market
environment, the tourist class brings us only half of the yield we
used to generate," he explained, requesting customers' understanding.
Having said that, he added, "Tourism is indeed important for the
airline industry." public relations officer of JAL also said, "We
anticipate to revitalize leisure demand by providing attractive
travel products, utilizing, for instance, charter flights and
improving our customer service as well."
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