JAL to take delivery of first 787-8 on 25-Mar-2012, commercial service to commence from 22-Apr-2012

Japan Airlines (JAL) announced (21-Mar-2012) it will take delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 on 25-Mar-2012, becoming the first carrier to take delivery of a 787 with General Electric engines and the second to receive 787 equipment after All Nippon Airways. The carrier will deploy the aircraft on commercial service from 22-Apr-2012, becoming the first carrier to operate non-stop service between Asia and Boston with the launch of Tokyo Narita-Boston service. The carrier, later in 2012, will also deploy 787 equipment between Tokyo Narita and San Diego, Beijing, New Delhi and Singapore, once subsequent aircraft are delivered and all necessary preparations are completed. JAL's 787 aircraft will be configured in two classes with 42 seats in business and 144 seats in economy, with a 2-4-2 economy configuration and a 2-2-2 business class configuration. The carrier's business class will be fitted with JAL SHELL FLAT NEO seats that are 5cm wider than the seats now fitted on JAL's Boeing 777 equipment while the economy class seating product will have 2cm more seat width than current seats. [more - original PR]