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Founded | October 5, 1990 (as Japan Air Charter) |
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Commenced operations | February 22, 1991 | |||
Hubs | Narita International Airport | |||
Secondary hubs | Kansai International Airport | |||
Frequent-flyer program | JAL Mileage Bank | |||
Member lounge | Sakura Lounge | |||
Alliance | Oneworld | |||
Destinations | 15 | |||
Parent company | Japan Airlines | |||
Headquarters | Narita, Chiba, Japan | |||
Key people | Hiroshi Ikeda (President and CEO) |
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Website | www.jalways.co.jp |
JALways Co., Ltd. (JAZ) (株式会社ジャルウェイズ Kabushiki-gaisha Jaruweizu ), formerly Japan Air Charter Co., Ltd. (ジャパンエアチャーター株式会社 Japan Ea Chātā Kabushiki-gaisha ), is an international airline registered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan, with its headquarters in the Japan Airlines Narita Operation Center (日本航空成田オペレーションセンター Nihon Kōkū Narita Operēshon Sentā ) at Narita International Airport in Narita, Chiba Prefecture and its main hub at Narita International Airport.[1] The airline has a secondary hub at Osaka's Kansai International Airport. Its operations include scheduled and non-scheduled international passenger services to 15 high-density low yield tourist destinations in nine countries; with a fleet of Boeing only aircraft, wet-leased from Japan Airlines.
JALways is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's flag carrier, Japan Airlines, and an affiliate member of the Oneworld alliance. The airline was founded as Japan Air Charter on October 5, 1990 and began charter operations with a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 on February 22, 1991. JAZ obtained license to operate scheduled services on July 30, 1999 and operated its first scheduled passenger service on October 1. On the same day, the airline changed its name to JALways. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, JALways, together with its sister airlines within the JAL Group, carried over 32 million passengers and over 1.1 million tons of cargo and mail.
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The airline was established on October 5, 1990, as Japan Air Charter Co., Ltd. (JAZ), an 80 percent-owned low-cost charter subsidiary of Japan Airlines (JAL), to operate leisure flights to Asia-Pacific resort destinations from regional airports in Japan; in response to a Ministry of Transport policy. JAZ obtained its aircraft from JAL; its cockpit crews were American contract pilots based in Hawaii and its cabin crews were hired and based in Bangkok, where it operates a cabin crew training centre. JAZ obtained license to operate non-scheduled services on February 22, 1991 and operated its first charter flight from Fukuoka to Honolulu with a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 on July 1. The airline celebrated its 100,000th passenger in July 9, 1993, in a ceremony held in Sendai.[2][3][4]
During the 1990s, JAL was hit by the effects of Japan's recession, increased foreign competition and the strengthening of the Japanese Yen, JAZ was given a new role to help reduce costs. The airline obtained the license to operate scheduled services on July 30, 1999 and would operate as a scheduled carrier on a wet-lease basis for JAL. It would operate on high-density low yield tourist routes in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the Japan–Hawaii services; with a fleet of four McDonnell Douglas DC-10s and five Boeing 747s. On October 1, the airline changed its name to JALways Co., Ltd. and operated its first scheduled passenger service from Tokyo to Kona and Honolulu.[2][3][4]
JALways became a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines on March 9, 2001 through an exchange of shares. The change in ownership enabled JAL to consolidate and improve management and operational efficiency in the JAL Group's international passenger operations, part of the JAL Medium Term Corporate Plan 2000-2002.[5] The airline introduced new uniforms for its cabin crew on April 1, 2005, and retired its last McDonnell Douglas DC-10 on October 31.[2] JALways became an affiliate member of Oneworld on April 1, 2007, together with four of its sister airlines, in the alliance's biggest expansion in its young history.[6]
As part of the JAL Medium Term Corporate Plan for 2005-2007, announced on March 10, 2005, the JAL Group accelerated the retirement of older Boeing 747 aircraft. The airline operated its last Boeing 747-300 Classic Jumbo Jet as JALways Flight 73 from Honolulu to Tokyo on July 30, 2009; after 26 years of service to the airline group. The aircraft was draped in a giant Hawaiian lei before departure at Honolulu International Airport; and the day was declared as "Japan Airlines Classic Jumbo Jet Day" by the State of Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle and Lt. Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr. The aircraft was met on arrival in Tokyo by the "Father of the 747", Mr Joseph F. "Joe" Sutter. A sell-out commemorative flight flew fans of the Boeing 747-300 Classic Jumbo Jet from Tokyo (Haneda) to Shimojishima on a round-trip day tour on July 5, 2009.[7][8]
In May 2009, it was reported that the airline terminated the assignments of 130 American contract Hawaii-based Boeing 747 pilots and closed its Oahu office. Japan-based JAL cockpit crew now operates the five daily flights previously operated by the JALways crew.[9]
JALways operate scheduled services to 12 international and 3 domestic destinations in 9 different countries and 3 different continents (at March 2010).
JALways operates a fleet of Boeing 747-400, Boeing 767 and Boeing 777-200 aircraft, wet-leased from its parent, Japan Airlines.[10]
Aircraft that have been in service with JALways are (in alphabetical order):
JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) is the travel rewards program of JAL Group, including Japan Airlines, JALways, JAL Express, Japan Transocean Air, Japan Air Commuter, Hokkaido Air System and Ryukyu Air Commuter. The program's airline partners also include JAL's Oneworld partners, as well as Air France, China Eastern Airlines and Emirates. For the airline's most frequent flyers, JMB offers Fly On Program, a frequent flyer service status program; and JAL Global Club (JGC), an exclusive club designed for experienced travelers.[11][12]
The JMB program has no membership fee and mileage will be valid to the last day of the 36th month following the month of the flight or transaction date. In addition, if a JMB member does not accumulate mileage within 36 months after becoming a member, or a JMB member's account remains inactive at zero mileage for a consecutive 36 month period, JAL may withdraw or cancel the membership of such member.[11][13]
The Fly On Program is the frequent flyer service status program and is divided into four membership levels, Crystal, Sapphire, JGC Premier and Diamond, based on the member's travel in the last calendar year. Additionally, a minimum of four JAL Group flights on eligible fare classes are required. Members earn Fly On points on eligible fare classes on JAL Group and Oneworld member airlines. These are used to calculate the member's eligibility for membership renewal, upgrade or downgrade during the membership year. Higher-tiered members are provided with increased travel benefits such as bonus mileage, additional baggage allowance, priority boarding and airport lounge access. There are two phases to the Fly On Program service benefits; one begins after two months following qualification for membership and the other begins from April of the following year. Membership is valid until March 31 of the second year following membership qualification.[14][15]
Crystal level is achieved or retained when the member earns 30,000 Fly On Points or boarding more than 30 flights and minimum of 10,000 Fly On Points. Services and benefits after two months of membership qualification include priority waitlisting, 50 percent bonus mileage, airport lounge access for Japan domestic flights with lounge coupons via mileage deduction, priority check-in at Executive Class counters for international flights, JGC counters and priority baggage for class J on JAL Group domestic flights, 10 kg (22 lb) or one piece of extra baggage allowance, priority boarding on international flights, priority airport standby and class J upgrade with class J coupon via mileage deduction. Services and benefits from April of the following year include 10 upgrade points for complimentary flight upgrades. JMB Crystal membership level is equivalent to Oneworld Ruby tier status, which entitles members to Oneworld Ruby benefits when travelling on a Oneworld member airline.[16][17]
Sapphire level is achieved or retained when the member earns 50,000 Fly On Points or boarding more than 50 flights and minimum of 15,000 Fly On Points. Additional services and benefits for Sapphire members after two months of membership qualification include 100 percent bonus mileage, JAL or Sakura Lounge access with one guest when flying on JAL Group airline flights. Priority check-in at First Class counters for international flights and JGC counters for Japan domestic flights, priority baggage, 20 kg (44 lb) or two pieces of extra baggage allowance and access to JAL Fast Security Lane. Additional services and benefits for Sapphire members from April of the following year include 20 upgrade points for complimentary flight upgrades. JMB Sapphire members will be invited to join the JGC, which is dedicated to cater for experienced travelers. JMB Sapphire membership level is equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire tier status, which entitles members to Oneworld Sapphire benefits when travelling on a Oneworld member airline.[17][18]
JGC Premier is achieved or retained when the member earns 80,000 Fly On Points or boarding more than 80 flights and minimum of 25,000 Fly On Points. Additional services and benefits for JGC Premier members after two months of membership qualification include mileage expiry suspension during membership period, First Class and Diamond / Premier Lounge access with one guest when flying on JAL Group airline flights, and priority check-in at First Class counters and priority boarding for both international and domestic flights. Additional services and benefits for JGC Premier members from April of the following year include three complimentary transferable JAL and Sakura Lounge coupons, 30 upgrade points for complimentary flight upgrades, one complimentary JAL Hotels one night stay coupon, five complementary passes to the Century 21 Club and one flower gift coupon. JGC Premier membership level is equivalent to Oneworld Emerald tier status, which entitles members to Oneworld Emerald benefits when travelling on a Oneworld member airline.[17][19]
The highest membership level in the Fly On Program of the JAL Mileage Bank. Diamond level is achieved or retained when the member earns 100,000 Fly On Points or boarding more than 120 flights and minimum of 35,000 Fly On Points. Additional services and benefits for Diamond members after two months of membership qualification include 125 percent bonus mileage and any seat award tickets with double mileage deduction. Additional services and benefits for Diamond members from April of the following year include 40 upgrade points for complimentary flight upgrades, two complimentary JAL Hotels one night stay coupons and Century 21 Club membership. JMB Diamond membership level is equivalent to Oneworld Emerald tier status, which entitles members to Oneworld Emerald benefits when travelling on a Oneworld member airline.[17][20]
The JAL Global Club is an exclusive club dedicated to cater for JAL Group's most experienced and valuable travelers. Membership is available to JMB members who have earned 50,000 Fly On Points or boarding more than 50 flights and minimum of 15,000 Fly On Points. In addition, membership can be enrolled under JALCARD Club-A, Club-A Gold or JAL's Diners Club membership after payment of an annual fee. Life-time membership will be given as long as a one-time qualifying member continues to pay the JALCARD annual fee. The Oneworld tier status as a JGC member will depend on the JMB Fly On program membership levels, with the following exception: JGC members will automatically attain Oneworld Sapphire status upon enrollment, regardless of the number of FLY ON Points accumulated in the previous calendar year.[21][22]
JGC benefits include 3,000 bonus miles for the first JAL Group eligible flight flown every year, JAL or Sakura Lounge access with one guest, priority baggage, 20 kg (44 lb) or two pieces of extra baggage allowance, priority check-in, personlized leather baggage tags, annual gifts of a calendar and a diary and exclusive use of member lounges at designated hotels. In addition, JALCARD Club-A, Club-A Gold and JAL Diners Club holders receive 35 percent JALCARD flight bonus mileage.[21]
On August 12, 2005, JALways Flight 58 operated by a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 from Fukuoka to Honolulu experienced left-wing engine trouble shortly after takeoff. The aircraft immediately returned to Fukuoka Airport. Some engine parts fell on the Sharyo district of Fukuoka and several people were slightly injured and parked car windscreens damaged.[23]
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