JAL Reinforces The Domestic Class Divide

[Mulboyne]

Asahi: JAL to add 1st class to domestic flights
Japan Airlines Corp. plans to introduce a first-class section on key domestic flights as early as fiscal 2007 in an effort to win back passengers, sources said. JAL, hard hit by a spate of accidents and other problems in recent years, has been suffering from dwindling revenue as passengers, particularly business travelers, switched to All Nippon Airways Co. and other carriers. The introduction of a first-class section will be one of the main innovations of a wide-ranging reform plan to be announced Feb. 6, the sources said...Each flight will have about 10 luxury seats reserved for first-class passengers...more...

[Ninja Shinichi]

First class travel by air sound much interesting but not possibility for me. First not enough salary for that ticket. Second airplane travel is forbid ninja weapon so no interest for me. Ninja without shuriken similar to foreign womens without amaze size chest - not possibility.

[IkemenTommy]

I wonder where the incentive is for flying first class on flights that last 1 or 2 hours max. They better serve food and champagne on flight.

[DrP]

I almost always take the upgrade to 1st or bizclass when flying domestically in China. I hate the wait off and on the plane. And the 1-2hr flight gives you just enough time to get 'primed' for dinner. Probably the same in Japan. If you are a frequent biz traveller, these perks are nice. Faster check-in, sit at the front of the plane, get off first, priority luggage. And of course the nomihodai. Hell, considering each flight <might> be your last - better make it good while you can!

[IkemenTommy]

I almost always take the upgrade to 1st or bizclass when flying domestically in China. I hate the wait off and on the plane. And the 1-2hr flight gives you just enough time to get 'primed' for dinner. Probably the same in Japan. If you are a frequent biz traveller, these perks are nice. Faster check-in, sit at the front of the plane, get off first, priority luggage. And of course the nomihodai. Hell, considering each flight <might> be your last - better make it good while you can!

Jal business class upgrade (J-class) only costs 1000 yen more, which is a steal considering how you said.. you get on and off quickly. The problem is that hose seats go quickly so you have to reserve well ahead in advance.

ANA's domestic business class, on the other hand, costs a hell of a lot more. At least with ANA business class, you get to use the lounge without the Star Alliance Gold.

[Captain Japan]

Struggling JAL looks to slash 3,000 jobs
Mainichi

Japan Airlines (JAL) is planning to cut over 1,000 jobs next fiscal year amid a management restructuring process and is considering slashing 2,000 more jobs over the next two to three years, company officials said.

The airline has decided that it will offer early retirement packages to over 1,000 workers during the coming fiscal year beginning in April. The reduction of workers will form the core of the company's restructuring plans to be announced on Feb. 6.

Over the next two to three years JAL will also consider increasing the number of early retirement packages, bringing the total number of workers laid off to about 3,000, or roughly 6 percent of its entire group workforce, targeting mainly senior workers from the baby-boom generation....more...

[IkemenTommy]

Struggling JAL looks to slash 3,000 jobs
Mainichi

Maybe they are becoming more efficient getting the job done.

[IkemenTommy]

JAL to drop three Kyushu routes

The three routes link airports between Fukuoka and Aomori; Fukuoka and Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture; and Centrair Airport close to Nagoya and Nagasaki, the sources said.

JAL is considering pulling out of about 10 domestic routes in fiscal 2007, including those between Kobe and Kumamoto; Sapporo and Misawa, Aomori Prefecture; and Kitakyushu and Nagoya.