Jaunted

Japan Airlines / Airlines / Airline News / Livery / AIrplanes / JAL / Hello Kitty / Japan Travel / Cartoon Travel / → All Tags

Watch Out, EVA Air; Japan Airlines Has a 'Hello Kitty' Plane Too

The carriers over in Japan just can’t get enough of wacky airplane liveries and specialty paint jobs, and that’s fine with us because we can’t stop talking about them. Japan Airlines is the latest to reveal a fresh look, and it’s a brand new tribute to the Hello Kitty empire.

It’s not just all fun either, as this latest color scheme (for this plane only) is hanging around to bring recognition and awareness about cervical cancer. Japan Airlines, TOKYO FM, and Sanrio are all joining forces as part of the "Hellosmile Project." The plan is to support prevention programs with the plane—it’s a Boeing 777 with the registration number JA8941—as it flies in and around Japan and the globe for the next year or so.

more ›

Japan Airlines / JAL / In-Flight Entertainment / Airlines / Airline News / Boeing 787 / 787 / Boeing 787 Dreamliner / 787 Dreamliner / Cartoon Travel / → All Tags

Japanese Manga Will Be Yours for the Reading Aboard JAL's 787s

We were certainly all pumped up over the arrival of the very first Boeing 787 to All Nippon Airways, but now we’re getting just as enthused over the offerings arriving aboard Japan Airlines’ new bird.

To get everyone in the mood for a little slice of Japan the airline is planning to roll-out in-flight manga—like Japanese comic books—on all 787 flights. There’s going to be like 30 different comics from which to choose, and they’ll all be there for your reading pleasure right in the seatback entertainment screen. The airline is partnering up with Japanese publisher Shogakukan Inc and eBook Initiative Japan Co—just in case those names sound familiar to you.

more ›

Flight Deals / 787 / Dreamliner / 787 Dreamliner / Boeing / Boeing 787 Dreamliner / BOS / NRT / Tokyo Travel / JAL / Japan Airlines / Airplanes / → All Tags

JAL: 'We're Getting 787s Too, You Know'

Our shot of a JAL 787 being built at Boeing's HQ. Notice the lack of engines

It feels like just yesterday we were freaking out over the launch of the very first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, by Japanese airline ANA. Well, their rival JAL wants everyone to know that they've got some Dreamliners coming as well, and they're taking them overseas to the US of A, and soon.

Like April 22, 2012 soon. If you've been dying to try the new plane and have been waiting for a oneworld airline to fly it, or just to experience it in the spring, then JAL has some airfares that may work for you. It's not a "sale" so much since the prices aren't cheap: from $1,500 roundtrip in economy between Boston and Tokyo-Narita or $6,500 in business class. Buy it before January 31, 2012 for travel between April 22 and September 30, 2012. We're thinking it would make an awesome holiday gift...!

Here's all the details to make it happen.

{Photo: Jaunted]

New Routes / Airline News / Airlines / Copa Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines / Air France / Japan Airlines / Turkish Airlines / → All Tags

More Seats, More Planes, More Routes from Air France, Hawaiian and Others

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Air France:
For those planning a trip to Paris next summer things just got little easier thanks to the pilots and crew over at Air France. Sure the carrier already flies from Los Angeles to Paris, but now they’re switching things up and using the A380 to link LAX with CDG.

Your winter plans won’t be getting the upgrade, as the plane swap is supposed to start beginning next May. Obviously a lot of stuff can change between now and early next year, but if you’re already looking to pick a flight try your best to score a ride with the big bird—it'll be number four at LAX in case you’re counting.

· Japan Airlines:
Apparently checking out the northern lights can cause quite a boost in tourism, so Japan Airlines is adding some more flights to and from Alaska this winter. They'redesigned for those looking to head into Alaska, but the planes also head back to Japan—just in case you need a little Tokyo. The airline is bumping up service between Japan and the United States from cities like Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Tokyo, and it’s all in hopes of checking out that elusive Aurora Borealis. We’re sure the souvenir shops are already ordering extra goodies in advance of the tourist invasion.

more ›

New Routes / Airline News / Airlines / Delta / Japan Airlines / Korean Air / British Airways / JetBlue / → All Tags

Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Delta and More Make This Week's New Route Options

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Korean Air:
We’ve been eager to hear what Korean Air was planning with their first Airbus A380, and it now looks like they’ve finally figured it out. They’ll start by flying the plane between Seoul-Incheon and Tokyo-Narita—a short route—because they want to give everyone a chance to hop aboard the super jumbo jet. Korean Air is planning to send the plane up in the sky for the first time on June 17. For those elsewhere around the globe—don’t worry—the carrier will be getting a few more planes by the end of the year and is planning to send them to Europe and North America.

· JetBlue:
Pack the sunblock and the beach balls, as it’s time for JetBlue to bring back their seasonal service to Martha’s Vineyard. Everyday of the week—at least through Labor Day—JetBlue will be flying from New York-JFK to the island destination thanks to their Embraer 190 jets. That means no propellers to get to Martha’s Vineyard, and of course, they’ll be plenty of free TV—even for the short flight. To welcome the flights back, JetBlue is offering one-way fares of just $69, but you do need to book by June 15 and travel by the middle of July.

more ›

In-Flight Meals / Food Travel / Airline Food / JAL / Japan Airlines / Airline News / Fast Food Travel / → All Tags

Japan Airlines Eats It Up with New Mos Burger Meal on Flights

If there's one thing a traveler quickly learns while on the road, it's that the winning McDonald's formula of a hamburger and fries has universal appeal, even in the Middle East (example: the McSchwarma) and brown-sauce-loving UK (mmm, bacon roll). Even in Japan, where the golden arches reign next to the Starbucks' green siren, there are knock-off chains.

The two best mass-franchised, McD's-like Japan chains are Mos Burger and Freshness Burger. For the moment, we'll focus on the former, since Mos is now in the news as a collaborator with Japan Airlines for in-flight food.

more ›

Travel Deals / Tokyo Travel / Japan Travel / Earthquakes / ANA / Japan Airlines / United / Hotels / → All Tags

Go to Tokyo. Now! Insane Deal Gets You Flights and Four Nights' Hotel for $780

Just when we thought we'd found one of the best travel deals for post-earthquake Tokyo, up pops an even sweeter bargain. This $780 airfare including four nights hotel deal found by Frommers is making us think of canceling already booked trips to hop across the Pacific to Japan.

How can it possibly be so cheap? As Frommer's states, "this is a desperation offer designed to shock the American travel industry into once again considering tourism to Japan." Also, it's only valid for June travel and from select departure cities for select hotels in Tokyo. The participating airlines are pretty solid choices, though: ANA, Japan Airlines and United/Continental.

more ›

New Routes / Airlines / Airline News / Delta / Emirates / Virgin America / Spirit Airlines / Japan Airlines / → All Tags

New Routes from Spirit, Emirates and Delta, Plus Rumors fom Virgin America

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Delta:
We heard that Delta was looking to expand their options into London’s Heathrow airport, and it looks like the airline has now gotten the necessary signatures from both the US and UK. Delta will start up brand new daily flights from both Boston and Miami to London beginning on March 27 of next year. They haven’t announced specifics regarding the flight schedules, but the plans should be released in the next week or so. We’re not expecting a crazy sale to correspond with the announcement, but another way to cross the pond is always welcome.

· Japan Airlines:
Despite battling against that pesky bankruptcy stuff, Japan Airlines is moving forward. The airline just started new flights to and from Tokyo’s more convenient airport—Haneda—and San Francisco at the end of last month. Things might be a little slow, as they’re offering up a discount for those looking to sit up front. JAL is offering 15,000 mile upgrades—a 10,000 miles savings—for those looking for a little more legroom. You’ll have to fly before the end of the year and buy a certain class of ticket, so check out the full rules here.

more ›

Airline News / Airline Industry / Japan Airlines / JAL / Low Cost Carriers / → All Tags

Japan Airlines Wants to Party with a New Low-Cost Option

Japan Airlines has had all kinds of financial issues over the past year or so, but despite all the problems managing their cash, they are looking to spend even more. The airline is thinking that a low cost carrier might be a way to help out their bottom line, so they’re considering moving forward with a new budget option.

The airline plans to submit all kinds of information within its corporate turnaround plan this week, so the plans for the possible LCC might be revealed sooner than later.

more ›

Airline News / Flight Attendants / Pilots / Japan Airlines / JAL / → All Tags

More Troubling News For Japan Airlines As They Cut 16,500 Employees

Japan Airlines has had a pretty tough 2010, and it appears that things aren’t getting better anytime soon. The airline had to file for bankruptcy back in January, and then there was the whole off again on again saga about which airline alliance to choose—they stuck with oneworld in the end. Now we find out that the airline is letting loose almost one third of their workforce.

In total they are cutting about 16,500 jobs from all areas of their business. Roughly 5,000 cargo workers will be forced to look elsewhere for employment, and there are around 2,000 sales representatives that will need to update their resumes. The airplanes will be a little lighter too, as 775 pilots and 2,460 flight attendants will be let go.

more ›

Flight Attendants / Airline News / Sex Travel / Japan Airlines / JAL / Bad Ideas / → All Tags

With JAL In Trouble, Its Laid-Off Flight Attendants Sell Their Uniforms to Sex Clubs

We’ve been pretty interested in all that has been happening with Japan Airlines, and it is unfortunate that some employees of the airline have lost their jobs over the last few months. However, those laid off have become quite the entrepreneurs, and they've have made a little extra cash selling their uniforms to workers in sex clubs.

Apparently uniforms of JAL and All Nippon Airways are in high demand, and people have been shelling out thousands of dollars to purchase them. The flight attendant fantasy seems to be quite the hit on the menu at some of the sex parlors in Japan, and this isn’t anything new as these uniforms have been appearing on the black market for some time. One club in Osaka—Air Touch—offers the full airline experience including drinks, meals, seat belts, and a little something extra during periods of turbulence.

more ›

Japan Airlines / JAL / American Airlines / Delta / Airlines / Airline News / Japan / Japan Travel / → All Tags

More JAL Rumors, and This Time They're In American's Favor

Remember when we told you about those rumors trickling out of Japanese media outlets, to the effect that JAL was dumping American/oneworld and embracing Delta/SkyTeam? Remember how we told you that the story made sense because, the shadiness of the sourcing aside, switching probably makes the most financial sense for the bankrupt Japanese airline? Turns out we may have called that putt a little too early:

more ›