50 Years of JAL GROUP International Flight Operations
1953
09DEC - First JAL International office opens in New York
15DEC - 2nd JAL International office opens in Honolulu
1954
02FEB - First International Flight inagurated, Tokyo-Wake Island-Honolulu-San Francisco (JL604), with DC6B (JA6201; City of Tokyo). 2 weekly flight costs USD650 o/w
JL604 Day 2 Tokyo2130-0800+1Wake Island0930+1-2040+1Honolulu0010+2-1130+2San Francisco
JL602 Day 6 Tokyo2130-0800+1Wake Island0930+1-2040+1Honolulu0010+2-1130+2San Francisco
JL601 Day 3 San Francisco1100-1850Honolulu2040-0330+1Wake Island0500+1-1010+1Tokyo
JL603 Day 5 San Francisco1100-1850Honolulu2040-0330+1Wake Island0500+1-1010+1Tokyo
05FEB - Okinawa flight (Okinawa was under US contol in 50s) inagurated
01SEP - First office in SE Asia opens in Hong Kong
06SEP - Chicago office opens
1955
04FEB - Inaguration to Hong Kong (3rd international city) with DC6B
20MAY - Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) begins operation
01NOV - Tokyo-Hong Kong becomes nonstop
07DEC - First 2 Japanese pilots received certificates for international rotues
1956
28APR - Japan received its own control on international airspace once again
13SEP - Fukuoka-Okinawa inagurated, opb DC-4
17SEP - Opening of Bangkok office
04OCT - Bangkok flight inagurated, opb DC-6B
1957
06SEP - Office in London opens
23DEC - First DC-7, "City of San Francisco" delivered
1958
12FEB - First DC-7C flight to San Francisco
08MAY - First flight to Singapore, opb DC-6B
1959
02MAY - First CARGO flight to San Francisco
28MAY - Los Angeles flight inaguration, opb DC-7C
12JUN - Office in Taipei opens
27JUN - Seattle flight inaguration, opb DC-7C
30JUL - First flight to Taipei, opb DC-6
15AUG - Titles of fuselage change to english title
1960
01APR - Joint operation with Air France begins to Europe, opb B707, northbound flight
12AUG - First DC-8 International service, operating to San Francisco
15AUG - Rome office opens
05SEP - Los Angeles upgrades to DC-8
18OCT - Frankfurt office opens
01NOV - Seattle upgrades to DC-8, all trans-pacific flight except CARGO are operated by Turbofan Jet
02NOV - Hong Kong upgrades to DC-8
First DC-8 is called "FUJI"
1961
01APR - Joint operation with Air France on southbound flights to Europe begins, opb B707
06JUN - JAL begin to operate its own Northbound International flight to Europe, opb DC-8, joint-fare service with Air France
01OCT - Convair-880 service to SE Asia begins. (Except Fukuoka-Okinawa, Osaka-Okinawa, Hong Kong flight via Taipei and Osaka)
1962
16JUL - Inaguration to Jakarta, with Convair 880
04OCT - Southbound European flight inagurated, opb Convair 880
1963
03OCT - Southbound European flight opb DC-8 inagurates
1964
02APR - Special charter to New York inagurated for EXPO64 in New York
15APR - Joint service with Korean Air to Seoul begins, opb Convair 880
01JUL - International reservation computerized
14AUG - Special flight, Athens-Okinawa, is flown for Olympics 1964 in Tokyo
03SEP - Special JAL charter, Tokyo-Moscow, is flown
1965
01MAY - Northbound flight to Paris (via Copenhagen), opb JAL, begins
02MAY - Northbound flight to London (via Hamburg), opb JAL, begins
04MAY - Southbound flight to London (via New Delhi & Paris), begins
30SEP - Ordered 3 Concorde
1966
02APR - Tokyo-Nagoya-Fukuoka-Taipei-Hong Kong inagurated, opb Convair880
02APR - Amsterdam service inagurated, opb DC-8
23AUG - Chinese hostess (from HK), begins on Hong Kong flight
02NOV - First scheduled New York service (extension from SFO)inagurated, opb DC-8
04DEC - Hostess are now called Stewards
First New York service is operated by a DC-8-55, JA8015, called "Seto"
1967
06MAR - First JAL round-the-world flight (Westbound) is launched, departs from Tokyo
07MAR - First JAL round-the-world flight (Eastbound) is launched, departs from Tokyo
18APR - Joint-service with AEROFLOT to Moscow is launched
(The only Soviet-built aircraft with JAL title)
28APR - Ordered 3 B747
08MAY - First service to Kuala Lumpur, opb DC8
02SEP - Fukuoka-Busan is launched, opb DC-6B
03SEP - Inaguration of Osaka-Seoul, opb Convair 880
17OCT - DC-8F in service, first flight to San Francisco
JAL's Round-the-World route on Westbound:
Tokyo-Hong Kong-Bangkok-New Delhi-Tehran-Cairo-Rome-Frankfurt-Paris-London-New York-San Francisco-Honolulu-Tokyo
1968
01APR - Kuala Lumpur service extends to Singapore
02APR - Osaka-New York service via Tokyo is launched, opb DC8
16JUN - First non-stop Tokyo-San Francisco route operated, opb DC8-62, extends to New York
26JUL - JAL's own Tokyo-Seoul service inagurated
11SEP - Vancouver service inagurated, opb DC8
1969
01APR - DC-8-61 put into service on SE Asia flight
01APR - First Fukuoka-Busan service, wet-leased YS-11
02APR - Northbound European service via Frankfurt starts
15JUL - JAL office in New York moved to 5th Ave
30SEP - First flight to Sydney , opb DC8
1970
28MAR - JAL's own service to Paris via Moscow begins, opb DC8
02JUN - Flights to London via Moscow is launched, opb DC8
01JUL - First 747 Trans-Pacific flight to Honolulu
01OCT - First flight to Guam, opb DC8
JAL's 747 First Class service is decorated in Japanese style, reflecting JAL's title as the national carrier
1971
12FEB - JAL's 1st 747-200B delivered
02APR - First Osaka-Busan service
01JUN - First 747 service to Hong Kong and San Francisco
02JUN - First passenger service to Khabarovsk, opb 727
01SEP - First flight to Guam via Osaka is launched
27SEP-14OCT Special European flight, carrying Emperor family
The First B747 service was to Honolulu in 1970, followed by Hong Kong and San Francisco in 1971. First 747-200B to Hong Kong is registered JA8104
1972
01APR - First New York flight via Anchorage inagurated, opb DC-8-62
01APR - First B747 flight on Tokyo-Guam
03APR - Vancouver service extends to Mexico City
03APR - Scheduled service to Copenhagen via Moscow
03APR - Amsterdam northbound service via Paris is launched, opb 747
03APR - Hamburg northbound service via Paris is launched
15MAY - Okianwa service now classified as "Domestic" when US returned the territory
03JUN - Fukuoka-Kagoshima-Hong Kong is launched
25SEP - Special flight to China is flown, carrying the Prime Minister for resuming political ties between Communist China and Japan
28OCT - Carried 2 pandas, named "KanKan" and "LanLan"
1973
31MAR - B747 Frankfurt northbound service launched
02APR - B747 London northbound service launched
01JUL - Tokyo-Seoul upgrades to 747
On 21JUL, JL404 (B747, JA8109) was hijacked shortly after it took-off from Amsterdam. Plane was blown-up in Benghazi (Libya) on 24JUL
1974
01APR - Rome service, via Moscow, is launched. Opb DC-8-62
01APR - All Northbound European service is operated by B747
05APR - Frankfurt via Moscow service is opened, opb DC-8-62
21APR - Taiwanese (Republic of China) authority halted all flights between Taiwan and Japan, as a result of resumption of political ties between Japan and Communist China (People's Republic of China). JL704 was the last flight to leave Taipei
29SEP - First scheduled service to Communist China, Tokyo-Osaka-Beijing, opb DC-8-62 (JA8032)
01OCT - First B747F service is flown on Tokyo-San Francisco-New York. B747F carries 100t of Cargo, comparing to 35-40t of a DC-8 can carry
31OCT - Japan's First Jet Aircraft, JA8001, retired
1975
02APR - Tokyo-Sydney becomes non-stop, opb DC-8-62
02APR - First 747 service to Vancouver
03APR - Tokyo-Osaka-Manila extends to Bangkok
01JUN - Tokyo-San Francisco becomes non-stop, opb 747
01JUL - Tokyo-Los Angeles becomes non-stop, opb 747
01JUL - First 747 service on Southbound Europe flight
09AUG - establishment of Japan Asia Airways (JAA)
15SEP - Japan-Taiwan flight resumed, Tokyo-Taipei opb JAA DC-8-50, 12 weekly flights
DEC - JAA receives 1 DC-8-61, Tokyo-Taipei increase to 13 weekly
1976
JAN - JAA Tokyo-Kaohsiung Freighter Charter launched
JAN - JAA Nagoya-Taipei charter launched
FEB - Inaguration of 14 Taiwanese flight attendants on JAA
FEB - JAA Fukuoka-Taipei, Kagoshima-Taipei charter launched
26JUL - JAA begins Osaka-Taipei-Manila, Taipei-Hong Kong
JUL - JAA's 2 DC-8-50 and 2-DC8-61 in the fleet, Tokyo-Taipei increase to double daily
01SEP - First Fukuoka-Seoul flight, opb DC-8-61
JAA flies 4x weekly Osaka-Taipei, Daily Osaka-Taipei-Hong Kong, 2x weekly Tokyo-Osaka-Taipei-Manila
1977
01APR - First DC10 service to New York, via Anchorage
01APR - Tokyo-Singapore becomes non-stop, opb Dc-8-61
02APR - Tokyo-Hong Kong-Bangkok-Singapore launched, opb DC10
15AUG - JAL break a new record, carried the most international passengers in a day, 11030 pax
SEP - JAA staff gets new uniform
01OCT - Tokyo-Guam via Saipan launched with DC-8
01OCT - First Nagoya-Seoul service, opb DC8
JAL faced a tough competition as PanAm launched non-stop Tokyo-New York flight with 747SP, while JAL still provides 1-stop service with a smaller DC10
1978
10JAN - B747F service on Tokyo-Hong Kong
10JAN - Joint B747F service with Lufthansa on Tokyo-Hamburg-Frankfurt
01APR - Osaka-Tokyo-Honolulu is launched, opb DC8/747
21MAY - First plane to arrive New Tokyo International Airport (Narita)
22MAY - First plane to depart New Tokyo International Airport (Narita)
07JUN - Carried 100th million pax, together with Domestic flight
20JUN - Service to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro launched, via Los Angeles, opb DC-8-62
01AUG - SkySleeper Service on TransPacific flight introduced
01OCT - SkySleeper Service on Northbound European flight introduced
02NOV - Osaka-Honolulu becomes non-stop, opb 747
1979
JAN - Taiwan's restriction on foreign travel is lifted, JAA launch Sapporo-Taipei charter
FEB - Taipei opens new CKS International Airport
APR - JAA's Tokyo-Taipei double daily servie all opb DC-8-61, and opens "Pearl Lounge" in Taipei
01APR - Tokyo-Copenhagen-Zurich launched, opb 747
02APR - Tokyo-Kagoshima-Hong Kong is launched, opb DC-8-61
JUN - JAA Kumamoto and Komatsu to Taipei charter launched
02JUL - Tokyo-Busan opened, opb DC-8-62
AUG - JAA unveiled company's theme song
11AUG - Carried 14792 pax internationally in a day, another record for JAL
01SEP - B747F service to Los Angeles and Singapore
11SEP - Tokyo-Nagasaki-Shanghai is launched, opb Dc-8-62
26SEP - First Kumamoto-Seoul service with DC8
OCT - JAA opens its own check-in counter at NARITA, instead of sharing with JAL
05OCT - DC10 on international flight equipped with Skylink Liner service
NOV - JAA launch ITC on Nagoya-Taipei
NOV - JAA launch 2x weekly Okinawa-Taipei with DC-8-61
12DEC - Niigata-Komatsu-Seoul is launched, opb 727
1980
JAN - JAA phase in DC-8-62AF from JAL, launch Tokyo-Taipei weekly Cargo flight
01JAN - First DC10 Osaka-Busan flight
FEB - JAA bought 3 DC-8-61 from JAL
14FEB - introduction of B747SR, carrying 550pax, largest number of seats on a 747 at that time
07MAR - First DC10 Tokyo-Beijing service
03JUL - Fukuoka-Busan-Seoul introduced with Dc-8-61
04JUL - Tokyo-Nadi-Auckland introduced with Dc-8-62
08JUL - First Tokyo-Copenhagen-Madrid with B747
08JUL - Approval of equipping Skylink Liner on 747
12JUL - 109.5t of CARGO carried on a B747F (Tokyo-New York)
AUG - JAA Tokyo-Taipei Cargo flight increase to 2x weekly
01SEP - 3-class configuration introduced on Trans-Pacific, Europe (North-bound), Sydney, Auckland, Moscow flight
12OCT - carried 16275 pax in a day internationally
01NOV - Nagoya-Fukuoka or Kagoshima or Okinawa-Hong Kong-Singapore service launched, opb DC-8-61
DEC - New JAA uniform introduced again
25DEC - JAA operates first DC10 service on Tokyo-Taipei, Osaka-Taipei (2 DC10 flying daily on both routes)
25DEC - Osaka-Manila via Taipei suspended
JAA gets 2nd new uniform in 3 years
1981
FEB - JAA launch Hakodate-Taipei charter
26FEB - Special charter flown for Italian Royal Family, Nagasaki-Anchorage-Rome
27FEB-07MAR - Special charter flown for Japan's Emperor Family, to Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand
23MAR - Sapporo-Narita-Honolulu is launched, opb Dc-8-62/747
APR - JAA's DC10 enters service on Okinawa-Taipei
APR - JAA carried 1,000,000 pax on Tokyo-Taipei
01APR - First Osaka-Narita-Los Angeles service, opb 747
04MAY-10MAY - Special US charter for Prime Minister
06JUN - First Fukuoka-Narita-Honolulus ervice, opb DC-8-61/747
09JUN-21JUN - Special Europe charter for Prime Minister
03JUL - First 747 service to Sydney
15JUL - JAA inagurates Kaohsiung service, extension from Tokyo-Taipei
15JUL - JAA introduce Osaka-Kaohsiung-Hong Kong with DC-8-61, 2 weekly
18JUL-25JUL - Special flight to Ottawa for Prime Minister
26JUL-02AUG - Special charter carrying Emperor family for the UK's Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana
DEC - JAA drop Tokyo-Manila via Taipei
1982
JAN - JAA Adjustments on Kaohsiung flights:
Tokyo-Kaohsiung-Taipei-Tokyo
Osaka-Kaohsiung
Hong Kong-Kaohsiung-Osaka
09FEB - JL350 hijacked, crash-landing at sea, just few meters off the runway of Haneda
APR - JAA Adjustments on Hong Kong flights:
Osaka-Taipei-Hong Kong 5x weekly DC-8-61
Osaka-Kaohsiung-Hong Kong-Kaohsiung-Taipei-Osaka 2x weekly DC-8-61
01APR - B747 service on Europe flight that stops at Moscow for refuelling
JUL - JAA Okianwa-Taipei increase to 4 weekly
19JUL - JAL ranked #3 airline worldwide in terms of # of pax carried, and #1 for CARGO
09NOV - "FeiFei" the Panda, transported from Beijing
12DEC - JAA operates first 747-100 service to Taiwan, Daily Tokyo-Taipei, Daily Osaka-Taipei
24DEC - DC10 service on Southbound Europe flight
1983
11JAN - Special charter to Korea for Prime Minister
17JAN - Special charter to US for Prime Minister
FEB - JAA bought 2 B747-100 from JAL
01FEB - Introduction of "Super Executive J Class" on 747 international
10MAR - Special charter to Europe and Africa for Emperor Family
01APR - Inaguration of Seattle and Chicago flight
30APR - Special charter for Prime Minister to ASEAN countries
29SEP - Approval of B767-200/-300 order
14NOV - Introduction of new "JAL Executive Class"
30NOV - Delivery of 1st B747-300SUD
15DEC - First B747-300SUD TransPacific flight
*For the first time, JAL operates DC-10 as special charter for Prime Minister (to ASEAN countries) instead of 747
*JAL Mileage Bank USA introduced
1984
02FEB - 30th aniversary of international flight
25FEB - Special charter to Africa for Emperor Family
23MAR - Special charter to Communist China for Prime Minister
04APR - First DC-8F CARGO service between Japan and Communist China
30APR - Special charter (DC10) to SW Asia for Prime Minister
18JUN - Ranked #1 worldwide in terms of # of pax carried
JUL - JAA launch Oita-Taipei charter
31AUG - DC-8F retires from Trans-Pacific flight
NOV - JAA launch Akita-Taipei charter
NOV - JAA introduce Executive Business Class
17DEC - Tokyo-Los Angeles-Rio de Janeireo upgrades to 747
22DEC - Special charter flight to Ethiopia for towels donation
1985
01JAN-05JAN - Special charter to US for PM
04FEB - Delivery of 50th 747, Washington state and Seattle declared this day as "Japan Air Lines Day"
23FEB-09MAR - Special charter to Europe for Emperor Family
APR - JAA adds 4 extra flights on Tokyo-Taipei with Dc-8-61, leased from JAL
02APR - B747F service to Seoul
29APR - Special charter for PM
03JUN - Tokyo-Dusseldorf service launched
22JUN - New York flight becomes non-stop, configured in Business Premium configuration
03JUL - Ranked #1 for the 2nd year in a row for the most pax carried
12AUG - JL123 crash, 520 killed, 4 survived
17AUG - 1st 767, JA8232, delivered
19OCT-26OCT - Special charter to US for PM's UN Summit
JAL is 8 years behind PanAm to launch the non-stop flight to New York
1986
JAN - JAA Nagoya-Taipei operation 10 years
FEB - JAA opens its hotel operation in Kenting, southern tip of Taiwan
02APR - Chicago and London becomes non-stop
05APR - Paris becomes non-stop
JUL - JAA Osaka operation 10 years
JUL - JAA Nagasaki-Taipei charter launched
02JUL - Atlanta service inagurated
SEP - JAA's 1st 747F Tokyo-Taipei Cargo flight
24SEP - Retirement of DC-8F on scheduled flight
DEC - JAA puts DC10-40 on Kaohsiung-Hong Kong
1987
06JUN - Special charter to Venice for PM
JUL - JAA gets new uniform
18NOV - JAL privatised bill passed
29DEC - Final B727 international flight, Guam-Kumamoto charter
31DEC - Last passenger flight of JAL DC-8 (Busan-Narita; JL95. Plane in service since 1960
1988
01JAN - New uniform introduced
14JAN - 113 foreign stewardess introduced
01APR - JAL lease plane and crew from JAA on Hong Kong-Bangkok
01APR - Frankfurt becomes non-stop
03APR - Nagoya-Singapore inaguration
03APR - JAL's own Brisbane service launched
16JUN - 26JUN - Special charter to Toronto for PM
21AUG - NEw record, carried 29998 pax internationally in a day
31OCT - Code-share with Thai on Nagoya-Bangkok begins
01NOV - JAA introduce B747-300 service (JA8189)
1989
31JAN - 07FEB - Special charter to US for PM
01MAY - Code-share service with Canadian on Tokyo-Toronto begins
29MAY - JAL unveils 1st aircraft with new livery
JUN - JAA unveils new livery
JUL - JAA Nagoya-Taipei unscheduled charter launched
01JUL - Code-share service with Qantas on Tokyo-Adelaide-Melbourne-Tokyo begins
12JUL - Code-share service with Swissair on Tokyo-Zurich begins
12JUL - 18JUL - Special charter for PM
30AUG - 10SEP - Special charter to US/Canada/Mexico for PM
30OCT - Code-share service with Qantas on Fukuoka-Brisbane-Sydney begins
NOV - JAA Okinawa-Taipei 10 year anniversary
03NOV - Nagoya-Guam/Saippan begins
18NOV - Code-share service with IBERIA covers Tokyo-Madrid
28NOV - Code-share service with Air New Zealand on Tokyo-Christchurch-Auckland
1989 could be the year with the most code-share flight launched
1990
04JAN - Joint-service with Air France on Tokyo-Papeete
FEB - JAA reached 50,000 flights mark since first take-off
14FEB - First 744, JA8071 arrives Narita
01APR - B747-400 service on Tokyo-Seoul
01APR - Introduction of new "Executive Class". PTV installed on 744 First and Business Class
JUN - JAA's 747, JA8103, unveils new livery
JUN - B747-400 service on Tokyo-Singapore
JUL - JAA Nagoya-Taipei increased to 4x weekly
06JUL-15JUL - Special charter for PM
20JUL - Code-share flight with IBERIA, opb IB, on Tokyo-Moscow-Madrid begins
AUG - B747-400 service on Tokyo-New York
19SEP - Special charter to transport Kuwaiti refugees as Iraq invades Kuwait
05OCT - Japan Air Charter (JAZ), established
02NOV - Tokyo-Moscow-Amsterdam launched
DEC - JAA Takamatsu-Taipei charter inagurated
09/12DEC - 2 Special flights operated to transport Japanese residents in Iraq
1991
28JAN - War in Iraq, JAL operates 2 special flight from Cairo, another 2 operated on 30JAN, to transport Japanese residence
APR - JAA unveils new uniform
01JUL - JAA's 10 year anniversary on Kaoshiung service, as well as Kaohsiung-Hong Kong. 15th anniversary for Osaka-Taipei-Hong Kong
01JUL - First JAZ flight, Fukuoka-Honolulu launched with DC10 charter
28OCT - Approval of ordering 20 B777 (10 firm)
30OCT - Last Northbound European service, JL437 to Paris
03NOV - First Tokyo-Berlin, B747 service
25NOV - Onboard telephone service introduced with KDD
01DEC - JAA launch 4 weekly DC10-40 service on Nagoya-Saipan-Guam-Nagoya
*JAL's Northbound European service introduced since JUN1961. All northbound flights mentioned here all required technical stop in Anchorage
*JAA once again introduced new uniform in 4 years time
1992
21MAR-25SEP - Emergency supplies includes 28t of Milk transported to Russian-Far East. Plane arrives Khabarovsk
23MAR - Osaka-Cairns-Sydney launched with 747
01APR - JAA introduce its own Japanese flight attendants
01APR - Code-share with Qantas on Tokyo-Brisbane-Sydney begins. Qantas supplies aircraft and pilots, JAL provides cabin attendants
13APR-16APR - Special charter to North Korea for the first time
MAY - JAA launch Aomori-Taipei charter
18MAY - Last JAL's 1st B747 flight (JA8101) operates honolulu-Tokyo
01JUN - Executive Class service provides instant noodles on long-haul flights
19JUL/10AUG - Special charter carrying Japanese team to Barcelona Olympics
01OCT - JAL BIG Express introduced to London and New York
25OCT - Code-share flight with Alitalia on Tokyo-Milan-Rome begins, opb 747
25OCT - Tokyo-Munich with 747 introduced
Until 1992, JAA's Japanese flight attendants comes from JAL. Since 1992, JAA hires its own flight attendants in Japan.
1993
JAN - JAA launch Sendai-Taipei charter
FEB - JAA launch Matsuyama-Taipei charter
02APR - JAL's own Tokyo-Milan-Rome begins
15APR - 4 Routes, including New York, equipped with First Aid supplies
MAY - JAA launch Okayama-Taipei charter
29NOV - 1st MD-11, known as J-Bird, delivered
"JAL Sky Plus", original name of JAL Mileage Bank, introduced
1994
JAN - 5-day stay, visa-free service in Taiwan provided for Japanese
FEB - JAA launch Ohibiro-Taipei charter
25FEB - Sky Massage Seat introduced on First Class for New York/London flight
25MAR - Official announcement of MD-11 as "J-Bird" Fleet
01APR - Tokyo-Jakarta-Denpasar opens with B747
01APR - "GOKU" Fare introduced
01APR - New York flight introduced with 50" seat pitch of Super Executive Class Seats
28APR - 7 734 ordered for Domestic flight
31MAY - 1st 734 delivered
04JUN - JAZ begins scheduled Tokyo-Honolulu, as wet-leased from JAL
04JUN - Super Resort Express introduced on Honolulu flight
01AUG - Ground handling for PM's own 747
01SEP - JAA unveils upgraded "Executive Class" seats
04SEP - Osaka Kansai Airport opens, new service from Osaka to London, Los Angeles, Brisbane with 747s
07SEP - Kansai-Paris launched with 747
SEP - JAA launch Kansai-Denpasar-Jakarta-Osaka with DC10-40
01OCT - Super Resort Express expands to Guam/Saipan
09NOV - Sendai-Honolulu introduced with DC10
1995
01JAN - Japanese tourists gets 14-day stay, visa-free service in Taiwan
01JAN - FFP ties with American Airlines
17JAN - Osaka/Kobe/Kansai Region M7.2 Earthquake killed 6000+. JAL transport emergency supplies for free to the region
01APR - Super Resort Express expands to Australia
01JUN - FFP ties with Air France announced
01JUL - JAA's JA8128 gets new livery
JUL - JAA introduce upgraded "Executive Class" service on Okinawa-Taipei
AUG - JAA 20th anniversary, flew 242000hrs, carried 17.7passengers
NOV - JAA unveils first special livery on JA8128, called "Naluwan"
NOV - JAA dropped Nagoya-Saipan-Guam-Nagoya
DEC - JAA closed Hong Kong office, HK area handled by JAL
06DEC - Super Logistic changed its name to JAL CARGO
First airline in Japan to launch internet websitein June
1996
26APR - First 777-200 service introduced
JUL - JAA celebrates 20th anniversary on Osaka-Taipei
JUL - Japanese Government approved JAL/JAA/JTA sharing aircrafts on some routes
JUL - JAA launch Hiroshima-Taipei charter
SEP - JAA launch Ishigaki-Taipei charter
02SEP - Expansion of cooperation with Qantas announced
04SEP - New uniform unveiled
OCT - JAL Sky Plus becomes JAL Mileage Bank
01OCT - Stewardess are now called flight Attendants
NOV - JAA increase flights to Indonesia to daily, progressively
03NOV - Kansai-Milan-Rome launched with 747
05NOV - first Class' JAL Sky Sleeper introduced on JL006 to New York
01DEC - JAL Executive Class "Seasons" begins
1997
JAN - JAA launch Tottori-Taipei and Miyako-Taipei charter
16JAN - Online booking expands to International flight
29JAN-28FEB - Free flights provided between Tokyo and Komatsu due to oil spill
FEB - JAA launch Okinawa-Kaohsiung charter
APR - JAA receives 1st 767, direct delivery from Boeing, flying Okinawa-Taipei
23APR-28APR - Special charter Tokyo-Lima during the Japan Embassy in Lima's hostage crisis
MAY - JAA launch Izumo-Taipei charter
JUN - JAA launch Miyazaki-Taipei, Kochi-Taipei charter
27AUG - Signed the deal to sell 20 DC10s between 1997 and 2005. DC10 replaced by 777
AUG - Last DC-10 flight flying for JAA
05SEP - Becomes official carrier of 1998 Nagano Olympics
18OCT - FFP ties with Canadian Airlines
26OCT - Kansai-Ho Chi Minh launched, plus code-share with Vietnam Airlines
02NOV - Kansai-Dalian launched with 767
17DEC - JL5417, Tokyo-Athens-Frankfurt, carries the olympic torch
1998
JAN - JAA expands Nagoya-Taipei service to daily
FEB - JAA launch Niigata-Taipei charter
25FEB - Reached code-share deal with AA, which will sees AA/JL code on more than 100 routes
02APR - Hiroshima-Honolulu launched with DC10
03APR - Nagoya-London launched with MD11
04APR - Tokyo-Shanghai cargo flight with 747F launched
20APR - Osaka-Tianjin, Nagoya-Tianjin launched with 767
18MAY - Indonesia Crisis, 10 charter flights operated to transport Japanese out of Jakarta
01JUL - Tokyo-Dalian launched with 767
04JUL - Tokyo-Qingdao with 767 launched
07JUL - Expansion with Swissair on commercial cooperation
OCT - JAA introduce new uniform
OCT - JAA flies the last JA8128 flight in "Naluwan" livery
02OCT - First flight to Las Vegas with 747
15OCT - Code-share deal with Cathay Pacific signed
NOV - JAA becoems the first Japanese carrier to ban inflight smoking
19NOV - JAL received 100th 747, including 1 direct delivery to JAA
19DEC - Niigata-Honolulu launched with DC10
1999
13JAN - Code-share deal with British Airways signed
MAR - JAA launch Yamagata-Taipei charter
15MAR - New service to Dallas with 744
01APR - JAA's Indonesian operation handover to JAL
01APR - Non-smoking on all international flights
01APR - Code-share deal with Cathay Pacific on Nagoya-Hong Kong and Osaka-Hong Kong begins
10MAY - JAL starts code-sharing with American Airlines
OCT - New York, London, Los Angeles' Executive Class seats upgraded
01OCT - JAZ becomes JALWays
22OCT - Orders CRJ200
15DEC - Introduction of "MAGIC", inflight entertainment network for all classes, 18 music channels, 17 movies channels, and 7 games installed on JA8050, B747-400 (MAGIC-II)
*In 1990s, JAL signed code-share deal with KLM on AMS-ZRH, AMS-MAD, AMS-BCN
*Since mid-1990s, JAL has been code-sharing with Turkish Airlines on Tokyo-Istanbul, Osaka-Istanbul
*Between 1997 and 1999, JAL code-shares with South African Airways' Johannesburg-Bangkok-Osaka
*Until 1999, JAL code-shares with Air France on Osaka-Paris, Nagoya-Paris, as well as Paris-Istanbul; Paris-Istanbul dropped, but JAL instead code-sharing on AF flight to Munich, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Stockholm since 1999/2000
*Code-share with Swissair expands, covering Japan-Zurich, Zurich-Geneva, Zurich-Vienna until OCT 2001 when Swissair collapsed and shut down its operation
*Code-share with Canadian Airlines expands between 1999 and 2001 on Vancouver-Tokyo, until Air Canada bought Canadian
2000
17APR - E-Ticket introduced on international flight
01AUG - Charter to Quebec
02NOV - Tokyo-Ho Chi Minh launched, with 767
2001
31JAN - 2 JAL Aircraft (JL907 & 95 nearly collided over Okinawa air space, injured 42
MAR - Last JAL Hong Kong-Bangkok flight, wet-least aircraft and crew from JAA ends
08MAR - FFP deal reached with Dragonair
14FEB - First Class' "Sky Sleeper Solo", introduced on New York flight
JUL - JAA 20th anniversary for Kaohsiung operation
11SEP - Terrorist Attack in New York and Washington forcing JAL to reduce flights
01NOV - JAL expands code-share deal with Air France on Paris-Dusseldorf, Paris-Hamburg
12NOV - JAL and JAS agreed to merge
2002
22MAR - JAL Mileage Bank recorded 10th million member
01JUN - First 763ER on Tokyo-Seoul flight (JA601J)
02JUN - Tokyo-Xiamen launched with 767
01JUL - JAA introduce Executive Class "Seasons"
25JUL - Executive Class "Seasons" introduced with "Shell Flat Seat" on Tokyo-London
01AUG - First 777-200ER flight internationally on Tokyo-Beijing (JA701J)
01SEP - Code-share with China Eastern begins
18SEP - New Logo unveiled
18SEP - Nagoya-Shanghai launched, opb 767
18SEP - Tokyo-Hanoi launched, opb 767
18SEP - JAL CARGO joins "WOW Alliance", includes Lufthansa Cargo, SAS Cargo, and Singapore Airlines CARGO
26SEP - Decisions to replace 747-100SR with 777-300, 747-200F replaced with 747-400F approved
01OCT - Code-share and FFP ties with Emirates begins
14NOV - New Aircraft livery unveiled, featuring "The Arc of the Sun"
2003
01FEB - CARGO Code-share with China Cargo Airlines gegins
MAY - SARS hits Asia, JAA forced to reduce flights
12NOV - Signed deal with Boeing to install onboard internet
2004
19JAN - Signed code-share deal with Air Tahiti Nui, to start on 30APR
02FEB - JAL's 50th anniversary of international flight
18FEB - Code-share with British Airways begins on London-Stuttgart/Hamburg
31MAR - Last JAS International flight (Tokyo-Shanghai)
01APR - JAL's international operation becomes "JAL International", while domesitc operation merged with JAS under "JAL Japan"
*In 2001/2002, JAL signed code-share agreement with Alitalia, covering Japan-Italy flight
*In 2000/2001, JAL and IBERIA resumed their code-share deal after few years of hiatus, covering AMS-MAD/BEN/NRT
Pictures from JAL Website.
1953
09DEC - First JAL International office opens in New York
15DEC - 2nd JAL International office opens in Honolulu
1954
02FEB - First International Flight inagurated, Tokyo-Wake Island-Honolulu-San Francisco (JL604), with DC6B (JA6201; City of Tokyo). 2 weekly flight costs USD650 o/w
JL604 Day 2 Tokyo2130-0800+1Wake Island0930+1-2040+1Honolulu0010+2-1130+2San Francisco
JL602 Day 6 Tokyo2130-0800+1Wake Island0930+1-2040+1Honolulu0010+2-1130+2San Francisco
JL601 Day 3 San Francisco1100-1850Honolulu2040-0330+1Wake Island0500+1-1010+1Tokyo
JL603 Day 5 San Francisco1100-1850Honolulu2040-0330+1Wake Island0500+1-1010+1Tokyo
05FEB - Okinawa flight (Okinawa was under US contol in 50s) inagurated
01SEP - First office in SE Asia opens in Hong Kong
06SEP - Chicago office opens
1955
04FEB - Inaguration to Hong Kong (3rd international city) with DC6B
20MAY - Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) begins operation
01NOV - Tokyo-Hong Kong becomes nonstop
07DEC - First 2 Japanese pilots received certificates for international rotues
1956
28APR - Japan received its own control on international airspace once again
13SEP - Fukuoka-Okinawa inagurated, opb DC-4
17SEP - Opening of Bangkok office
04OCT - Bangkok flight inagurated, opb DC-6B
1957
06SEP - Office in London opens
23DEC - First DC-7, "City of San Francisco" delivered
1958
12FEB - First DC-7C flight to San Francisco
08MAY - First flight to Singapore, opb DC-6B
1959
02MAY - First CARGO flight to San Francisco
28MAY - Los Angeles flight inaguration, opb DC-7C
12JUN - Office in Taipei opens
27JUN - Seattle flight inaguration, opb DC-7C
30JUL - First flight to Taipei, opb DC-6
15AUG - Titles of fuselage change to english title
1960
01APR - Joint operation with Air France begins to Europe, opb B707, northbound flight
12AUG - First DC-8 International service, operating to San Francisco
15AUG - Rome office opens
05SEP - Los Angeles upgrades to DC-8
18OCT - Frankfurt office opens
01NOV - Seattle upgrades to DC-8, all trans-pacific flight except CARGO are operated by Turbofan Jet
02NOV - Hong Kong upgrades to DC-8
First DC-8 is called "FUJI"
1961
01APR - Joint operation with Air France on southbound flights to Europe begins, opb B707
06JUN - JAL begin to operate its own Northbound International flight to Europe, opb DC-8, joint-fare service with Air France
01OCT - Convair-880 service to SE Asia begins. (Except Fukuoka-Okinawa, Osaka-Okinawa, Hong Kong flight via Taipei and Osaka)
1962
16JUL - Inaguration to Jakarta, with Convair 880
04OCT - Southbound European flight inagurated, opb Convair 880
1963
03OCT - Southbound European flight opb DC-8 inagurates
1964
02APR - Special charter to New York inagurated for EXPO64 in New York
15APR - Joint service with Korean Air to Seoul begins, opb Convair 880
01JUL - International reservation computerized
14AUG - Special flight, Athens-Okinawa, is flown for Olympics 1964 in Tokyo
03SEP - Special JAL charter, Tokyo-Moscow, is flown
1965
01MAY - Northbound flight to Paris (via Copenhagen), opb JAL, begins
02MAY - Northbound flight to London (via Hamburg), opb JAL, begins
04MAY - Southbound flight to London (via New Delhi & Paris), begins
30SEP - Ordered 3 Concorde
1966
02APR - Tokyo-Nagoya-Fukuoka-Taipei-Hong Kong inagurated, opb Convair880
02APR - Amsterdam service inagurated, opb DC-8
23AUG - Chinese hostess (from HK), begins on Hong Kong flight
02NOV - First scheduled New York service (extension from SFO)inagurated, opb DC-8
04DEC - Hostess are now called Stewards
First New York service is operated by a DC-8-55, JA8015, called "Seto"
1967
06MAR - First JAL round-the-world flight (Westbound) is launched, departs from Tokyo
07MAR - First JAL round-the-world flight (Eastbound) is launched, departs from Tokyo
18APR - Joint-service with AEROFLOT to Moscow is launched
(The only Soviet-built aircraft with JAL title)
28APR - Ordered 3 B747
08MAY - First service to Kuala Lumpur, opb DC8
02SEP - Fukuoka-Busan is launched, opb DC-6B
03SEP - Inaguration of Osaka-Seoul, opb Convair 880
17OCT - DC-8F in service, first flight to San Francisco
JAL's Round-the-World route on Westbound:
Tokyo-Hong Kong-Bangkok-New Delhi-Tehran-Cairo-Rome-Frankfurt-Paris-London-New York-San Francisco-Honolulu-Tokyo
1968
01APR - Kuala Lumpur service extends to Singapore
02APR - Osaka-New York service via Tokyo is launched, opb DC8
16JUN - First non-stop Tokyo-San Francisco route operated, opb DC8-62, extends to New York
26JUL - JAL's own Tokyo-Seoul service inagurated
11SEP - Vancouver service inagurated, opb DC8
1969
01APR - DC-8-61 put into service on SE Asia flight
01APR - First Fukuoka-Busan service, wet-leased YS-11
02APR - Northbound European service via Frankfurt starts
15JUL - JAL office in New York moved to 5th Ave
30SEP - First flight to Sydney , opb DC8
1970
28MAR - JAL's own service to Paris via Moscow begins, opb DC8
02JUN - Flights to London via Moscow is launched, opb DC8
01JUL - First 747 Trans-Pacific flight to Honolulu
01OCT - First flight to Guam, opb DC8
JAL's 747 First Class service is decorated in Japanese style, reflecting JAL's title as the national carrier
1971
12FEB - JAL's 1st 747-200B delivered
02APR - First Osaka-Busan service
01JUN - First 747 service to Hong Kong and San Francisco
02JUN - First passenger service to Khabarovsk, opb 727
01SEP - First flight to Guam via Osaka is launched
27SEP-14OCT Special European flight, carrying Emperor family
The First B747 service was to Honolulu in 1970, followed by Hong Kong and San Francisco in 1971. First 747-200B to Hong Kong is registered JA8104
1972
01APR - First New York flight via Anchorage inagurated, opb DC-8-62
01APR - First B747 flight on Tokyo-Guam
03APR - Vancouver service extends to Mexico City
03APR - Scheduled service to Copenhagen via Moscow
03APR - Amsterdam northbound service via Paris is launched, opb 747
03APR - Hamburg northbound service via Paris is launched
15MAY - Okianwa service now classified as "Domestic" when US returned the territory
03JUN - Fukuoka-Kagoshima-Hong Kong is launched
25SEP - Special flight to China is flown, carrying the Prime Minister for resuming political ties between Communist China and Japan
28OCT - Carried 2 pandas, named "KanKan" and "LanLan"
1973
31MAR - B747 Frankfurt northbound service launched
02APR - B747 London northbound service launched
01JUL - Tokyo-Seoul upgrades to 747
On 21JUL, JL404 (B747, JA8109) was hijacked shortly after it took-off from Amsterdam. Plane was blown-up in Benghazi (Libya) on 24JUL
1974
01APR - Rome service, via Moscow, is launched. Opb DC-8-62
01APR - All Northbound European service is operated by B747
05APR - Frankfurt via Moscow service is opened, opb DC-8-62
21APR - Taiwanese (Republic of China) authority halted all flights between Taiwan and Japan, as a result of resumption of political ties between Japan and Communist China (People's Republic of China). JL704 was the last flight to leave Taipei
29SEP - First scheduled service to Communist China, Tokyo-Osaka-Beijing, opb DC-8-62 (JA8032)
01OCT - First B747F service is flown on Tokyo-San Francisco-New York. B747F carries 100t of Cargo, comparing to 35-40t of a DC-8 can carry
31OCT - Japan's First Jet Aircraft, JA8001, retired
1975
02APR - Tokyo-Sydney becomes non-stop, opb DC-8-62
02APR - First 747 service to Vancouver
03APR - Tokyo-Osaka-Manila extends to Bangkok
01JUN - Tokyo-San Francisco becomes non-stop, opb 747
01JUL - Tokyo-Los Angeles becomes non-stop, opb 747
01JUL - First 747 service on Southbound Europe flight
09AUG - establishment of Japan Asia Airways (JAA)
15SEP - Japan-Taiwan flight resumed, Tokyo-Taipei opb JAA DC-8-50, 12 weekly flights
DEC - JAA receives 1 DC-8-61, Tokyo-Taipei increase to 13 weekly
1976
JAN - JAA Tokyo-Kaohsiung Freighter Charter launched
JAN - JAA Nagoya-Taipei charter launched
FEB - Inaguration of 14 Taiwanese flight attendants on JAA
FEB - JAA Fukuoka-Taipei, Kagoshima-Taipei charter launched
26JUL - JAA begins Osaka-Taipei-Manila, Taipei-Hong Kong
JUL - JAA's 2 DC-8-50 and 2-DC8-61 in the fleet, Tokyo-Taipei increase to double daily
01SEP - First Fukuoka-Seoul flight, opb DC-8-61
JAA flies 4x weekly Osaka-Taipei, Daily Osaka-Taipei-Hong Kong, 2x weekly Tokyo-Osaka-Taipei-Manila
1977
01APR - First DC10 service to New York, via Anchorage
01APR - Tokyo-Singapore becomes non-stop, opb Dc-8-61
02APR - Tokyo-Hong Kong-Bangkok-Singapore launched, opb DC10
15AUG - JAL break a new record, carried the most international passengers in a day, 11030 pax
SEP - JAA staff gets new uniform
01OCT - Tokyo-Guam via Saipan launched with DC-8
01OCT - First Nagoya-Seoul service, opb DC8
JAL faced a tough competition as PanAm launched non-stop Tokyo-New York flight with 747SP, while JAL still provides 1-stop service with a smaller DC10
1978
10JAN - B747F service on Tokyo-Hong Kong
10JAN - Joint B747F service with Lufthansa on Tokyo-Hamburg-Frankfurt
01APR - Osaka-Tokyo-Honolulu is launched, opb DC8/747
21MAY - First plane to arrive New Tokyo International Airport (Narita)
22MAY - First plane to depart New Tokyo International Airport (Narita)
07JUN - Carried 100th million pax, together with Domestic flight
20JUN - Service to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro launched, via Los Angeles, opb DC-8-62
01AUG - SkySleeper Service on TransPacific flight introduced
01OCT - SkySleeper Service on Northbound European flight introduced
02NOV - Osaka-Honolulu becomes non-stop, opb 747
1979
JAN - Taiwan's restriction on foreign travel is lifted, JAA launch Sapporo-Taipei charter
FEB - Taipei opens new CKS International Airport
APR - JAA's Tokyo-Taipei double daily servie all opb DC-8-61, and opens "Pearl Lounge" in Taipei
01APR - Tokyo-Copenhagen-Zurich launched, opb 747
02APR - Tokyo-Kagoshima-Hong Kong is launched, opb DC-8-61
JUN - JAA Kumamoto and Komatsu to Taipei charter launched
02JUL - Tokyo-Busan opened, opb DC-8-62
AUG - JAA unveiled company's theme song
11AUG - Carried 14792 pax internationally in a day, another record for JAL
01SEP - B747F service to Los Angeles and Singapore
11SEP - Tokyo-Nagasaki-Shanghai is launched, opb Dc-8-62
26SEP - First Kumamoto-Seoul service with DC8
OCT - JAA opens its own check-in counter at NARITA, instead of sharing with JAL
05OCT - DC10 on international flight equipped with Skylink Liner service
NOV - JAA launch ITC on Nagoya-Taipei
NOV - JAA launch 2x weekly Okinawa-Taipei with DC-8-61
12DEC - Niigata-Komatsu-Seoul is launched, opb 727
1980
JAN - JAA phase in DC-8-62AF from JAL, launch Tokyo-Taipei weekly Cargo flight
01JAN - First DC10 Osaka-Busan flight
FEB - JAA bought 3 DC-8-61 from JAL
14FEB - introduction of B747SR, carrying 550pax, largest number of seats on a 747 at that time
07MAR - First DC10 Tokyo-Beijing service
03JUL - Fukuoka-Busan-Seoul introduced with Dc-8-61
04JUL - Tokyo-Nadi-Auckland introduced with Dc-8-62
08JUL - First Tokyo-Copenhagen-Madrid with B747
08JUL - Approval of equipping Skylink Liner on 747
12JUL - 109.5t of CARGO carried on a B747F (Tokyo-New York)
AUG - JAA Tokyo-Taipei Cargo flight increase to 2x weekly
01SEP - 3-class configuration introduced on Trans-Pacific, Europe (North-bound), Sydney, Auckland, Moscow flight
12OCT - carried 16275 pax in a day internationally
01NOV - Nagoya-Fukuoka or Kagoshima or Okinawa-Hong Kong-Singapore service launched, opb DC-8-61
DEC - New JAA uniform introduced again
25DEC - JAA operates first DC10 service on Tokyo-Taipei, Osaka-Taipei (2 DC10 flying daily on both routes)
25DEC - Osaka-Manila via Taipei suspended
JAA gets 2nd new uniform in 3 years
1981
FEB - JAA launch Hakodate-Taipei charter
26FEB - Special charter flown for Italian Royal Family, Nagasaki-Anchorage-Rome
27FEB-07MAR - Special charter flown for Japan's Emperor Family, to Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand
23MAR - Sapporo-Narita-Honolulu is launched, opb Dc-8-62/747
APR - JAA's DC10 enters service on Okinawa-Taipei
APR - JAA carried 1,000,000 pax on Tokyo-Taipei
01APR - First Osaka-Narita-Los Angeles service, opb 747
04MAY-10MAY - Special US charter for Prime Minister
06JUN - First Fukuoka-Narita-Honolulus ervice, opb DC-8-61/747
09JUN-21JUN - Special Europe charter for Prime Minister
03JUL - First 747 service to Sydney
15JUL - JAA inagurates Kaohsiung service, extension from Tokyo-Taipei
15JUL - JAA introduce Osaka-Kaohsiung-Hong Kong with DC-8-61, 2 weekly
18JUL-25JUL - Special flight to Ottawa for Prime Minister
26JUL-02AUG - Special charter carrying Emperor family for the UK's Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana
DEC - JAA drop Tokyo-Manila via Taipei
1982
JAN - JAA Adjustments on Kaohsiung flights:
Tokyo-Kaohsiung-Taipei-Tokyo
Osaka-Kaohsiung
Hong Kong-Kaohsiung-Osaka
09FEB - JL350 hijacked, crash-landing at sea, just few meters off the runway of Haneda
APR - JAA Adjustments on Hong Kong flights:
Osaka-Taipei-Hong Kong 5x weekly DC-8-61
Osaka-Kaohsiung-Hong Kong-Kaohsiung-Taipei-Osaka 2x weekly DC-8-61
01APR - B747 service on Europe flight that stops at Moscow for refuelling
JUL - JAA Okianwa-Taipei increase to 4 weekly
19JUL - JAL ranked #3 airline worldwide in terms of # of pax carried, and #1 for CARGO
09NOV - "FeiFei" the Panda, transported from Beijing
12DEC - JAA operates first 747-100 service to Taiwan, Daily Tokyo-Taipei, Daily Osaka-Taipei
24DEC - DC10 service on Southbound Europe flight
1983
11JAN - Special charter to Korea for Prime Minister
17JAN - Special charter to US for Prime Minister
FEB - JAA bought 2 B747-100 from JAL
01FEB - Introduction of "Super Executive J Class" on 747 international
10MAR - Special charter to Europe and Africa for Emperor Family
01APR - Inaguration of Seattle and Chicago flight
30APR - Special charter for Prime Minister to ASEAN countries
29SEP - Approval of B767-200/-300 order
14NOV - Introduction of new "JAL Executive Class"
30NOV - Delivery of 1st B747-300SUD
15DEC - First B747-300SUD TransPacific flight
*For the first time, JAL operates DC-10 as special charter for Prime Minister (to ASEAN countries) instead of 747
*JAL Mileage Bank USA introduced
1984
02FEB - 30th aniversary of international flight
25FEB - Special charter to Africa for Emperor Family
23MAR - Special charter to Communist China for Prime Minister
04APR - First DC-8F CARGO service between Japan and Communist China
30APR - Special charter (DC10) to SW Asia for Prime Minister
18JUN - Ranked #1 worldwide in terms of # of pax carried
JUL - JAA launch Oita-Taipei charter
31AUG - DC-8F retires from Trans-Pacific flight
NOV - JAA launch Akita-Taipei charter
NOV - JAA introduce Executive Business Class
17DEC - Tokyo-Los Angeles-Rio de Janeireo upgrades to 747
22DEC - Special charter flight to Ethiopia for towels donation
1985
01JAN-05JAN - Special charter to US for PM
04FEB - Delivery of 50th 747, Washington state and Seattle declared this day as "Japan Air Lines Day"
23FEB-09MAR - Special charter to Europe for Emperor Family
APR - JAA adds 4 extra flights on Tokyo-Taipei with Dc-8-61, leased from JAL
02APR - B747F service to Seoul
29APR - Special charter for PM
03JUN - Tokyo-Dusseldorf service launched
22JUN - New York flight becomes non-stop, configured in Business Premium configuration
03JUL - Ranked #1 for the 2nd year in a row for the most pax carried
12AUG - JL123 crash, 520 killed, 4 survived
17AUG - 1st 767, JA8232, delivered
19OCT-26OCT - Special charter to US for PM's UN Summit
JAL is 8 years behind PanAm to launch the non-stop flight to New York
1986
JAN - JAA Nagoya-Taipei operation 10 years
FEB - JAA opens its hotel operation in Kenting, southern tip of Taiwan
02APR - Chicago and London becomes non-stop
05APR - Paris becomes non-stop
JUL - JAA Osaka operation 10 years
JUL - JAA Nagasaki-Taipei charter launched
02JUL - Atlanta service inagurated
SEP - JAA's 1st 747F Tokyo-Taipei Cargo flight
24SEP - Retirement of DC-8F on scheduled flight
DEC - JAA puts DC10-40 on Kaohsiung-Hong Kong
1987
06JUN - Special charter to Venice for PM
JUL - JAA gets new uniform
18NOV - JAL privatised bill passed
29DEC - Final B727 international flight, Guam-Kumamoto charter
31DEC - Last passenger flight of JAL DC-8 (Busan-Narita; JL95. Plane in service since 1960
1988
01JAN - New uniform introduced
14JAN - 113 foreign stewardess introduced
01APR - JAL lease plane and crew from JAA on Hong Kong-Bangkok
01APR - Frankfurt becomes non-stop
03APR - Nagoya-Singapore inaguration
03APR - JAL's own Brisbane service launched
16JUN - 26JUN - Special charter to Toronto for PM
21AUG - NEw record, carried 29998 pax internationally in a day
31OCT - Code-share with Thai on Nagoya-Bangkok begins
01NOV - JAA introduce B747-300 service (JA8189)
1989
31JAN - 07FEB - Special charter to US for PM
01MAY - Code-share service with Canadian on Tokyo-Toronto begins
29MAY - JAL unveils 1st aircraft with new livery
JUN - JAA unveils new livery
JUL - JAA Nagoya-Taipei unscheduled charter launched
01JUL - Code-share service with Qantas on Tokyo-Adelaide-Melbourne-Tokyo begins
12JUL - Code-share service with Swissair on Tokyo-Zurich begins
12JUL - 18JUL - Special charter for PM
30AUG - 10SEP - Special charter to US/Canada/Mexico for PM
30OCT - Code-share service with Qantas on Fukuoka-Brisbane-Sydney begins
NOV - JAA Okinawa-Taipei 10 year anniversary
03NOV - Nagoya-Guam/Saippan begins
18NOV - Code-share service with IBERIA covers Tokyo-Madrid
28NOV - Code-share service with Air New Zealand on Tokyo-Christchurch-Auckland
1989 could be the year with the most code-share flight launched
1990
04JAN - Joint-service with Air France on Tokyo-Papeete
FEB - JAA reached 50,000 flights mark since first take-off
14FEB - First 744, JA8071 arrives Narita
01APR - B747-400 service on Tokyo-Seoul
01APR - Introduction of new "Executive Class". PTV installed on 744 First and Business Class
JUN - JAA's 747, JA8103, unveils new livery
JUN - B747-400 service on Tokyo-Singapore
JUL - JAA Nagoya-Taipei increased to 4x weekly
06JUL-15JUL - Special charter for PM
20JUL - Code-share flight with IBERIA, opb IB, on Tokyo-Moscow-Madrid begins
AUG - B747-400 service on Tokyo-New York
19SEP - Special charter to transport Kuwaiti refugees as Iraq invades Kuwait
05OCT - Japan Air Charter (JAZ), established
02NOV - Tokyo-Moscow-Amsterdam launched
DEC - JAA Takamatsu-Taipei charter inagurated
09/12DEC - 2 Special flights operated to transport Japanese residents in Iraq
1991
28JAN - War in Iraq, JAL operates 2 special flight from Cairo, another 2 operated on 30JAN, to transport Japanese residence
APR - JAA unveils new uniform
01JUL - JAA's 10 year anniversary on Kaoshiung service, as well as Kaohsiung-Hong Kong. 15th anniversary for Osaka-Taipei-Hong Kong
01JUL - First JAZ flight, Fukuoka-Honolulu launched with DC10 charter
28OCT - Approval of ordering 20 B777 (10 firm)
30OCT - Last Northbound European service, JL437 to Paris
03NOV - First Tokyo-Berlin, B747 service
25NOV - Onboard telephone service introduced with KDD
01DEC - JAA launch 4 weekly DC10-40 service on Nagoya-Saipan-Guam-Nagoya
*JAL's Northbound European service introduced since JUN1961. All northbound flights mentioned here all required technical stop in Anchorage
*JAA once again introduced new uniform in 4 years time
1992
21MAR-25SEP - Emergency supplies includes 28t of Milk transported to Russian-Far East. Plane arrives Khabarovsk
23MAR - Osaka-Cairns-Sydney launched with 747
01APR - JAA introduce its own Japanese flight attendants
01APR - Code-share with Qantas on Tokyo-Brisbane-Sydney begins. Qantas supplies aircraft and pilots, JAL provides cabin attendants
13APR-16APR - Special charter to North Korea for the first time
MAY - JAA launch Aomori-Taipei charter
18MAY - Last JAL's 1st B747 flight (JA8101) operates honolulu-Tokyo
01JUN - Executive Class service provides instant noodles on long-haul flights
19JUL/10AUG - Special charter carrying Japanese team to Barcelona Olympics
01OCT - JAL BIG Express introduced to London and New York
25OCT - Code-share flight with Alitalia on Tokyo-Milan-Rome begins, opb 747
25OCT - Tokyo-Munich with 747 introduced
Until 1992, JAA's Japanese flight attendants comes from JAL. Since 1992, JAA hires its own flight attendants in Japan.
1993
JAN - JAA launch Sendai-Taipei charter
FEB - JAA launch Matsuyama-Taipei charter
02APR - JAL's own Tokyo-Milan-Rome begins
15APR - 4 Routes, including New York, equipped with First Aid supplies
MAY - JAA launch Okayama-Taipei charter
29NOV - 1st MD-11, known as J-Bird, delivered
"JAL Sky Plus", original name of JAL Mileage Bank, introduced
1994
JAN - 5-day stay, visa-free service in Taiwan provided for Japanese
FEB - JAA launch Ohibiro-Taipei charter
25FEB - Sky Massage Seat introduced on First Class for New York/London flight
25MAR - Official announcement of MD-11 as "J-Bird" Fleet
01APR - Tokyo-Jakarta-Denpasar opens with B747
01APR - "GOKU" Fare introduced
01APR - New York flight introduced with 50" seat pitch of Super Executive Class Seats
28APR - 7 734 ordered for Domestic flight
31MAY - 1st 734 delivered
04JUN - JAZ begins scheduled Tokyo-Honolulu, as wet-leased from JAL
04JUN - Super Resort Express introduced on Honolulu flight
01AUG - Ground handling for PM's own 747
01SEP - JAA unveils upgraded "Executive Class" seats
04SEP - Osaka Kansai Airport opens, new service from Osaka to London, Los Angeles, Brisbane with 747s
07SEP - Kansai-Paris launched with 747
SEP - JAA launch Kansai-Denpasar-Jakarta-Osaka with DC10-40
01OCT - Super Resort Express expands to Guam/Saipan
09NOV - Sendai-Honolulu introduced with DC10
1995
01JAN - Japanese tourists gets 14-day stay, visa-free service in Taiwan
01JAN - FFP ties with American Airlines
17JAN - Osaka/Kobe/Kansai Region M7.2 Earthquake killed 6000+. JAL transport emergency supplies for free to the region
01APR - Super Resort Express expands to Australia
01JUN - FFP ties with Air France announced
01JUL - JAA's JA8128 gets new livery
JUL - JAA introduce upgraded "Executive Class" service on Okinawa-Taipei
AUG - JAA 20th anniversary, flew 242000hrs, carried 17.7passengers
NOV - JAA unveils first special livery on JA8128, called "Naluwan"
NOV - JAA dropped Nagoya-Saipan-Guam-Nagoya
DEC - JAA closed Hong Kong office, HK area handled by JAL
06DEC - Super Logistic changed its name to JAL CARGO
First airline in Japan to launch internet websitein June
1996
26APR - First 777-200 service introduced
JUL - JAA celebrates 20th anniversary on Osaka-Taipei
JUL - Japanese Government approved JAL/JAA/JTA sharing aircrafts on some routes
JUL - JAA launch Hiroshima-Taipei charter
SEP - JAA launch Ishigaki-Taipei charter
02SEP - Expansion of cooperation with Qantas announced
04SEP - New uniform unveiled
OCT - JAL Sky Plus becomes JAL Mileage Bank
01OCT - Stewardess are now called flight Attendants
NOV - JAA increase flights to Indonesia to daily, progressively
03NOV - Kansai-Milan-Rome launched with 747
05NOV - first Class' JAL Sky Sleeper introduced on JL006 to New York
01DEC - JAL Executive Class "Seasons" begins
1997
JAN - JAA launch Tottori-Taipei and Miyako-Taipei charter
16JAN - Online booking expands to International flight
29JAN-28FEB - Free flights provided between Tokyo and Komatsu due to oil spill
FEB - JAA launch Okinawa-Kaohsiung charter
APR - JAA receives 1st 767, direct delivery from Boeing, flying Okinawa-Taipei
23APR-28APR - Special charter Tokyo-Lima during the Japan Embassy in Lima's hostage crisis
MAY - JAA launch Izumo-Taipei charter
JUN - JAA launch Miyazaki-Taipei, Kochi-Taipei charter
27AUG - Signed the deal to sell 20 DC10s between 1997 and 2005. DC10 replaced by 777
AUG - Last DC-10 flight flying for JAA
05SEP - Becomes official carrier of 1998 Nagano Olympics
18OCT - FFP ties with Canadian Airlines
26OCT - Kansai-Ho Chi Minh launched, plus code-share with Vietnam Airlines
02NOV - Kansai-Dalian launched with 767
17DEC - JL5417, Tokyo-Athens-Frankfurt, carries the olympic torch
1998
JAN - JAA expands Nagoya-Taipei service to daily
FEB - JAA launch Niigata-Taipei charter
25FEB - Reached code-share deal with AA, which will sees AA/JL code on more than 100 routes
02APR - Hiroshima-Honolulu launched with DC10
03APR - Nagoya-London launched with MD11
04APR - Tokyo-Shanghai cargo flight with 747F launched
20APR - Osaka-Tianjin, Nagoya-Tianjin launched with 767
18MAY - Indonesia Crisis, 10 charter flights operated to transport Japanese out of Jakarta
01JUL - Tokyo-Dalian launched with 767
04JUL - Tokyo-Qingdao with 767 launched
07JUL - Expansion with Swissair on commercial cooperation
OCT - JAA introduce new uniform
OCT - JAA flies the last JA8128 flight in "Naluwan" livery
02OCT - First flight to Las Vegas with 747
15OCT - Code-share deal with Cathay Pacific signed
NOV - JAA becoems the first Japanese carrier to ban inflight smoking
19NOV - JAL received 100th 747, including 1 direct delivery to JAA
19DEC - Niigata-Honolulu launched with DC10
1999
13JAN - Code-share deal with British Airways signed
MAR - JAA launch Yamagata-Taipei charter
15MAR - New service to Dallas with 744
01APR - JAA's Indonesian operation handover to JAL
01APR - Non-smoking on all international flights
01APR - Code-share deal with Cathay Pacific on Nagoya-Hong Kong and Osaka-Hong Kong begins
10MAY - JAL starts code-sharing with American Airlines
OCT - New York, London, Los Angeles' Executive Class seats upgraded
01OCT - JAZ becomes JALWays
22OCT - Orders CRJ200
15DEC - Introduction of "MAGIC", inflight entertainment network for all classes, 18 music channels, 17 movies channels, and 7 games installed on JA8050, B747-400 (MAGIC-II)
*In 1990s, JAL signed code-share deal with KLM on AMS-ZRH, AMS-MAD, AMS-BCN
*Since mid-1990s, JAL has been code-sharing with Turkish Airlines on Tokyo-Istanbul, Osaka-Istanbul
*Between 1997 and 1999, JAL code-shares with South African Airways' Johannesburg-Bangkok-Osaka
*Until 1999, JAL code-shares with Air France on Osaka-Paris, Nagoya-Paris, as well as Paris-Istanbul; Paris-Istanbul dropped, but JAL instead code-sharing on AF flight to Munich, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Stockholm since 1999/2000
*Code-share with Swissair expands, covering Japan-Zurich, Zurich-Geneva, Zurich-Vienna until OCT 2001 when Swissair collapsed and shut down its operation
*Code-share with Canadian Airlines expands between 1999 and 2001 on Vancouver-Tokyo, until Air Canada bought Canadian
2000
17APR - E-Ticket introduced on international flight
01AUG - Charter to Quebec
02NOV - Tokyo-Ho Chi Minh launched, with 767
2001
31JAN - 2 JAL Aircraft (JL907 & 95 nearly collided over Okinawa air space, injured 42
MAR - Last JAL Hong Kong-Bangkok flight, wet-least aircraft and crew from JAA ends
08MAR - FFP deal reached with Dragonair
14FEB - First Class' "Sky Sleeper Solo", introduced on New York flight
JUL - JAA 20th anniversary for Kaohsiung operation
11SEP - Terrorist Attack in New York and Washington forcing JAL to reduce flights
01NOV - JAL expands code-share deal with Air France on Paris-Dusseldorf, Paris-Hamburg
12NOV - JAL and JAS agreed to merge
2002
22MAR - JAL Mileage Bank recorded 10th million member
01JUN - First 763ER on Tokyo-Seoul flight (JA601J)
02JUN - Tokyo-Xiamen launched with 767
01JUL - JAA introduce Executive Class "Seasons"
25JUL - Executive Class "Seasons" introduced with "Shell Flat Seat" on Tokyo-London
01AUG - First 777-200ER flight internationally on Tokyo-Beijing (JA701J)
01SEP - Code-share with China Eastern begins
18SEP - New Logo unveiled
18SEP - Nagoya-Shanghai launched, opb 767
18SEP - Tokyo-Hanoi launched, opb 767
18SEP - JAL CARGO joins "WOW Alliance", includes Lufthansa Cargo, SAS Cargo, and Singapore Airlines CARGO
26SEP - Decisions to replace 747-100SR with 777-300, 747-200F replaced with 747-400F approved
01OCT - Code-share and FFP ties with Emirates begins
14NOV - New Aircraft livery unveiled, featuring "The Arc of the Sun"
2003
01FEB - CARGO Code-share with China Cargo Airlines gegins
MAY - SARS hits Asia, JAA forced to reduce flights
12NOV - Signed deal with Boeing to install onboard internet
2004
19JAN - Signed code-share deal with Air Tahiti Nui, to start on 30APR
02FEB - JAL's 50th anniversary of international flight
18FEB - Code-share with British Airways begins on London-Stuttgart/Hamburg
31MAR - Last JAS International flight (Tokyo-Shanghai)
01APR - JAL's international operation becomes "JAL International", while domesitc operation merged with JAS under "JAL Japan"
*In 2001/2002, JAL signed code-share agreement with Alitalia, covering Japan-Italy flight
*In 2000/2001, JAL and IBERIA resumed their code-share deal after few years of hiatus, covering AMS-MAD/BEN/NRT
Pictures from JAL Website.
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