Japan Airlines (JAL)’s Tokyo–Guam route marked its 55th anniversary of service on October 1. A commemorative ceremony was held at Narita Airport, where Guam’s traditional Chamorro dance was performed.
JAL launched the Tokyo/Haneda–Guam route on October 1, 1970, operated at the time with DC-8 aircraft three round trips per week. It subsequently opened the Osaka/Itami–Guam route on September 1, 1971, and the Nagoya/Komaki–Guam route on November 3, 1989. Around the same period, on May 22, 1978, with the opening of Narita Airport, the Tokyo/Haneda service was transferred to Tokyo/Narita. Today, the Tokyo/Narita–Guam route operates one round trip daily with a Boeing 767-300ER configured with 199 seats (24 in business class and 175 in economy). Notably, in 2020, the 50th-anniversary year, operations were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and no commemorative events were held.
At the ceremony at Narita Airport, JAL Executive Officer Kaori Nishiharaguchi, Deputy Head of the Solution Sales Division and General Manager of the Tokyo Branch, said, “Guam is the closest overseas resort for travelers from Japan. For many, trips there with family and friends are cherished memories,” adding, “Some visitors will go on to have new encounters and moving experiences in Guam. We hope to contribute to making that happen.”
▲ Executive Officer Kaori Nishiharaguchi, Deputy Head of JAL’s Solution Sales Division and General Manager of the Tokyo Branch, delivering remarks at the ceremony
Regine Biscotiri, Director and CEO of the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB), noted that the bureau was established in 1970, the same year JAL launched service to Guam, and remarked, “Tourism exchange between Guam and Japan has been supported by air links. For Guam, JAL is more than just an airline; it is a vital partner connecting tourism and friendship.”
The commemorative flight, JL941 (Boeing 767-300ER, registration: JA617J), pushed back from Stand 62 at 10:00 a.m. and took off from Runway A at 10:23. A total of 175 passengers (including 2 infants) traveled on the flight. It landed in Guam at 2:32 p.m. local time and arrived at Stand 6 at 2:36, where it was welcomed with a water salute from airport fire trucks.
▲ Flight JL941, the commemorative service, receiving a water salute in Guam
At Narita Airport’s Sakura Lounge, two popular snacks in Guam—Lay’s potato chips and Hershey’s pretzels—were offered on October 1 only.
JAL has been running a 55th Anniversary Campaign since September 25. Customers who book the Tokyo/Narita–Guam route via the airline’s official website can receive various perks usable on the island.
▲ Two flight deck crew and nine cabin crew who operated the commemorative flight JL941
▲ Commemorative snacks served in the Narita Airport lounge
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This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
