Japan Airlines (JAL) has inaugurated its new international flagship, the Airbus A350-1000, on the Tokyo/Haneda to London/Heathrow route on October 24th. This marks the third route for the A350-1000, following the Tokyo/Haneda to New York/John F. Kennedy and Dallas/Fort Worth routes, and it is the aircraft’s first operation on a European route.
One round-trip flight per day, departing from Tokyo/Haneda in the morning and from London/Heathrow in the evening, is operated on the JL43/44 flights. This aircraft will be operated every other day for the time being, alternating with the Boeing 777-300ER.
The in-flight entertainment (IFE) offers London-themed content. First and Business classes will serve Shiso Hakka candy in collaboration with London’s kaiseki restaurant “Roketsu” and Tokyo-Nihonbashi’s Eitaro Sohonpo.
The first flight, JL43 on October 24th, was served by the recently launched 6th aircraft (registration number: JA06WJ), carrying 6 First Class, 48 Business Class, and 146 Economy Class passengers (including one infant).
At the boarding gate ceremony, JAL Tokyo Airport Branch Vice Manager Ichiro Yomiya introduced the aircraft, stating, “Though assembled in Toulouse, France, its engines are made by Rolls-Royce, and the main wings are manufactured in Broughton, North Wales. Looking inside, you’ll find First and Business Class seats made in Wales, Premium Economy seats made in France, and Economy Class seats made in Germany, making this airplane a true collection of European craftsmanship.”
On the tarmac, the ground staff performed a water art performance by drawing characters and illustrations on the ground with water. They made drawings of London’s landmarks, such as the Tower Bridge, visible from the aircraft’s external cameras.
Flight JL43 departed from spot 112 at 9:55 AM and took off at 10:19 AM, seen off by employees with a banner.
Furthermore, the international lounge at Haneda Airport offered a special menu on October 24th to commemorate the launch. The First Class Lounge served Fish & Chips and English Scones, snacks from British snack maker Tyrrell’s, vodka martinis inspired by the British movie “007”, and British craft beer ‘BREWDOG PUNK IPA’, while the Sakura Lounge offered Tyrrell’s potato chips.
▲The A350-1000 features first-class private compartment seats
JAL’s A350-1000, which started operations on January 24th as a successor to the Boeing 777-300ER, the mainstay on international flights. The cabin configuration consists of 239 seats in four classes; First Class has 6 ‘1-1-1’ arrangement seats, Business Class 54 ‘1-2-1’ arrangement seats, Premium Economy Class 24 ‘2-4-2’ arrangement seats, and Economy Class 155 ‘3-3-3’ arrangement seats. For the first time for JAL, First and Business classes feature compartment-type seats with doors.
JAL has firm orders for 13 A350-1000 aircraft, with the sixth aircraft already received, and plans to operate eight aircraft by the end of this fiscal year.
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