JAL Changes Boarding Order on Domestic Flights to Smoother Method

 

JAL Changes Boarding Order on Domestic Flights to Smoother Method with Tokyo Tech Collaboration; International Flights Now Guided by LINE 

September 13, 2024 #LINE Yahoo #Japan Airlines (JAL)

Travel Voice, a Japanese travel business news site reported the following.

JAL has changed the boarding procedure on wide-body aircraft with two aisles in the cabin on domestic flights. This change is being implemented after joint research with Professor Toshiyasu Obutsu of the Tokyo Institute of Technology's School of Environmental and Social Science and Engineering revealed a boarding method that is expected to reduce in-flight congestion on wide-body aircraft more than the current method.

An image of the revised boarding process by JAL for Airbus A350-900

The organization of groups to be called in order at boarding will be changed. Group 3, which is called after pre-boarding and priority boarding (Group 1 and 2), was previously seats after 40 and emergency exit row seats, but will be changed to seats after 40, window-side A and K seats, and emergency exit row seats; Group 4 will be changed from seats after 20 to all seats; and Group 5 will be eliminated. Group 4 will be changed to all seats from number 20 onward, and Group 5 will be eliminated.

From the press release The boarding bridge aisle that passengers pass through when boarding will also be changed. For aircraft that use two boarding bridges, the boarding bridge aisle has been guided according to the class of service. From now on, the system will be changed to guide passengers by row for standard seats. This will alleviate congestion near the doors, according to the company.

The Tokyo Institute of Technology's research used a 360-degree camera installed in the cabin to measure the movements of passengers during boarding, and built a unique boarding simulation model based on the data obtained. The optimal boarding method was derived from this simulation model by conducting approximately 1,000 trials of multiple scenarios, changing the boarding order and other factors.

On September 18, 2024, JAL will begin using LINE's corporate function "LINE Notification Message" on international flights to provide boarding information and other information based on individual reservations to passengers on international flights.

Up until now, LINE has only provided a service to notify information on the status of flights scheduled for international flights, while information on reservations and boarding has been provided via e-mail and the JAL application.

After the renewal, LINE will use "LINE Notification Messages" to provide information on flight status, boarding procedures, when check-in has not been completed, information on passing through security checkpoints, flight cancellations and delays, and other flight status information.

Next Time You Arrive at Haneda, You Can Go to your Hotel Free From Your Baggage

 

Same-Day Luggage Delivery Service at Haneda Airport For Visitors to Japan

A Japanese startup, ecbo (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), announced on August 19 that it has partnered with Keihin Electric Express Railway. On April 19, ecbo announced the start of a demonstration experiment of a "same-day luggage delivery service for foreign visitors to Japan" at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station in cooperation with Keihin Electric Express Railway Co.

The service also aims to attract an increasing number of foreign visitors to Japan and to tourist attractions along the line. The service is available with advance reservations through a multilingual website. Prices start at 2,000 yen per piece of luggage within Haneda Airport. The service is available at a special counter in Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station on the Keikyu Airport Line from 9:00 to 15:00. Delivery is available to hotels and lodging facilities in the 23 wards of Tokyo, Kawasaki City, and Yokohama City.

ecbo won the "President's Award" in the second phase of the "KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM," an open innovation program conducted by Keikyu Corporation and Samurai Incubate (Minato-ku, Tokyo) to create new businesses aimed at revolutionizing mobility. During the four-month program in 2019, the company conducted a demonstration test of luggage storage at stores along the Keikyu railway line, and actually accepted more than 3,000 pieces of luggage, 50 times the number of coin-operated lockers at Keikyu Shinagawa Station. 

This clearly demonstrated the demand for luggage storage, as well as the burden placed on tourists when traveling with large luggage and the congestion on the trains and in the stations. The company has focused its attention on Haneda Airport, the gateway to Tokyo, which is located along the Keikyu Railway line and is frequented by foreign visitors to Japan carrying large luggage, and will launch a demonstration experiment of a "same-day luggage delivery service for foreign visitors to Japan" on January 19. This service aims to realize comfortable and smooth access to the airport by eliminating congestion in the station and trains caused by large baggage, as well as by verifying the needs of the increasing number of foreign visitors to Japan and attracting more passengers to tourist spots along the train line. 

H3 Launch Vehicle Test Flight No. 3 Successfully Launched; More Than 70,000 People Cheered from the Ground via JAXA's Live Broadcast

 

JAXA

H3 Heavy Launch system JAXA

Advanced radar sattelite “DAICHI-4”（ALOS-4）

July 01, 2024 12:47 JST Published

On July 1, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched the third test flight of its next mainstay rocket, the H3, in a live broadcast on JAXA's official YouTube channel that was viewed by over 72,000 people at one point, probably because it was lunchtime.

One minute and 57 seconds after liftoff, the H3 Test Flight No. 3 jettisoned the SRB-3 booster, followed by the separation of the first stage engine and the firing of the second stage engine. The separation of the Advanced Radar Satellite "Daichi No. 4" (ALOS-4) was confirmed about 16 minutes after liftoff, as scheduled.

The control room immediately after the successful jettison of the Daichi-4. Relief and applause could be heard.

Daichi-4 is an "advanced radar satellite" equipped with L-band synthetic aperture radar, the successor to Daichi-2. The newly adopted digital beam forming technology will maintain the high spatial resolution of Daichi-2 (3 m) while expanding the observation range by a factor of four (200 km).

This will increase the frequency of observations of crustal and ground deformation. It is expected to play an important role in efforts to mitigate disasters, such as understanding the situation in the event of an earthquake or other disaster.

In March 2011, JAXA failed to launch the first test model of the H3 rocket and lost the onboard advanced optical satellite "Daichi III. In February of this year, JAXA successfully launched Test Flight No. 2, releasing the small satellite CE-SAT-IE, which was developed by Canon Electronics Inc.

Isao Furuya, an engineer at JAXA's Space Transportation Engineering Division, who was in charge of technical commentary during the live broadcast, said, "With this success, H3 has proved that it can launch a real satellite. We can say that we have started to move toward full-scale operations. He also said that they are preparing to launch a fourth test satellite, and asked for support for the launch in the not-too-distant future.

One Year after the Disappointing Destruction of the Command: Developers' Prayers Supported by Daichi No. 4

Daichi-2, which is currently in operation, is equipped with radar that can make observations at night and in bad weather, and was able to detect the uplift of up to 4 meters caused by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January and the flooding of the Kuma River during the heavy rainfall in Kumamoto in July 2020. This information is conveyed to the government and local governments, and is also used to determine where to place supplies and personnel.

However, the design life of the Daichi-2, which was launched in 2002, is five to seven years, and it could be out of service at any time.

The launch of Daichi No. 4 has been hurried because of the loss of Daichi No. 3 (development cost: JPY28.2) due to the launch failure of H3 No. 1.

Compared to the No. 2, the No. 4 satellite has a four-fold wider range of observation capability and improved accuracy. As a result, the frequency of observation of all of Japan will increase from four times a year to 20 times a year.

In addition to responding to disasters, the new satellite can also be used for early detection of abnormalities, such as signs of volcanic eruptions and land subsidence.

The system will also be used to detect, within millimeters, whether dams and levees are warped due to aging, and to receive information on the type and location of vessels for use in operational management. The system is also expected to be used for agricultural policy by identifying the area of rice paddies planted in various regions of the world.■

New F-35 Engine Maintenance Deport Starts Operation in Tokyo from June 30

• Japanese aviation website Flyteam reported the start of operation at maintenance of jet engines for the F-35 in Tokyo.

© IHI

The Ministry of Defense has opened an engine (F135 turbofan engine) maintenance depot for the F-35A/B Lightning II fighter jet and began operations on June 30, 2023. The U.S. government decided in December 2014 to establish F-35 engine maintenance bases "Regional Depots" in Japan and Australia in the Asia-Pacific region, and the IHI Mizuho Plant in Nishitama-gun, Tokyo, was designated to assume this role.

This will enable maintenance and refurbishment of engines for the F-35 (F135 turbofan engines) operated by Japan and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including periodic inspections, overhauls (overhauls), and inspections, to be performed in Japan. In the Asia-Pacific region, the Air Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Air Force, the Republic of Korea Air Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force operate the F-35A, and the U.S. Marine Corps operates the F-35B.

IHI Mizuho Plant has been performing final assembly and inspection of the new F-35 engine (F135 turbofan engine), and will also have overhaul capabilities. The aircraft itself can be serviced at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya, thus strengthening the operational system in Japan.■

Recommended for Aviation Lovers: Stay at JAL Flight & Red Suite at Grand Nikko Tokyo Daibal Hotel

 

The new "JAL FLIGHT & RED SUITE" at Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba

ITmedia Business Online reported an attractive hotel package for aviation enthusiasts who stay closer to Tokyo’s Haneda before flights.

Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced the addition of a new guest room at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba hotel, inspired by the first class lounge at Haneda International Airport. The new guest room is called "JAL FLIGHT & RED SUITE.” 

 A flight simulator will be installed in the bedroom to create an extraordinary experience that allows guests to feel the seat move and vibrate along with the flight controls. 

 The new suite will be located on the 28th floor of the Executive Lounge, where guests can enjoy a spectacular view of the bay area. The suite consists of two rooms: a living room with a lounge atmosphere and a bedroom with a flight simulator (X-Plane 12). 　In the living room, a signboard with the JAL logo, and "RED SUITE" is installed. An air route map (en route chart) is installed on one wall to create a sense of excitement as one prepares for the journey in the sky. 

　Rates start at JPY98,000 (USD695) per room for two persons (including breakfast, service charge, and tax). The available period is limited from July 15, 2023 to July 14, 2024. 　■

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/17772d538f8a9d2e429c341584408ac1d8d8f418

6/24 (Sat) 8:05

Next time, Fly from Centrair NGO Airport, if you are a Priority Pass member---Free Ofuro/Massage with Meals

 Centrair Chubu International Airport, serving Nagoya and its vicinity in Central Japan, has added two facilities for free access by Priority Pass holders.

One is THE PIKE BREWING RESTAURANT ＆ CRAFT BEER BAR inside Flight of Dreams where the first example of Boeing 787 is permanently exhibited. The Restaurant offers up to JPY3,400 worth of meals and drinks of choice by presenting your Priority Pass.

 Another new addition is KUTSUROGI-DOKORO (Fourth Floor, Main Building), a complex of spa-hot bath (ofuro) and restaurant. A Priority Pass holder can claim a set  menu from the following three choices:

• Spa menu worth JPY3,400 
• Bathing + Korean dish  +One alcoholic beverage or one soft drink with ice cream
• Bathing + Nagoya delicacy dish  +One alcoholic beverage or one soft drink with ice cream
  
  
  

 Noteworthy is your bathing experience looking down the runway from above, unless you do not mind sharing a big bathtub with others. 

Enjoy your travel from Centrair, next time.

(All photos from Centrair website.)

Is this a bargain? Starflier's Housing + Unlimited Round trip Subscription Service for Remote Workers

 

Living in Fukuoka and Commuting to Tokyo, Housing and Unlimited Round trips in All-in-One Package, New Subscription Service by STARFLIER for Remote Workers

Nikkei reported the new subscription service by Starflier on October 12:

Starflier will launch a subscription service by spring 2023 that combines rental housing in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, with airfare between Tokyo and Fukuoka. The service will encourage company employees in the Tokyo metropolitan area, who often work remotely, to relocate to Fukuoka. In principle, the service will allow unlimited air travel, which will lead to a recovery in yield that has dropped due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Starflier Chairman Tomonori Yokoe told the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), "We will launch a subscriber program by spring 2023 that includes rent for an apartment or house and a round-trip ticket between Kitakyushu Airport and Haneda Airport. We hope to announce the outline of the service as early as by the end of this year," he said.

Yokoe explained that the target users of the new service are "company employees who live in rental apartments in Tokyo with their families. He hopes to set the monthly fee at the same level as the rent of an apartment for a family in the 23 wards of Tokyo. The family will be able to move to a property in Fukuoka and fly to Tokyo whenever they need to for work or other reasons. He emphasizes, "If they can live in a larger house in Fukuoka for about the same rent as in Tokyo, and also have unlimited access to airplanes, we will increase the satisfaction of our customers.

Users will be able to make reservations for airline tickets by accessing a members-only page. The monthly fee is expected to be in the JPY 200,000 (USD1,350 up)  range, but Mr. Yokoe said, "There is an opinion within the company that 300,000 to 400,000 yen would be preferable," and that the details will be worked out in the future. While he stated that "there is no point in subscriptions if you can't fly whenever you need to," he added that he was still considering whether to include peak periods, such as the year-end and New Year holidays, in the unlimited travel period.

Fukuoka City is home to many branches and offices of large corporations, and corporate demand for single workers is also expected.

Mr. Yokoe commented on the airline business, "Basically, it is a fixed-cost business. In order to recover the business performance that deteriorated due to the Corona disaster, we need to reduce the number of empty seats on board," he explains. Starflier's average occupancy rate for the fiscal year ended March 2010 was 52.6%, down about 22 points from the pre-Corona disaster level in the fiscal year ended March 2007.

The standard break-even point for an airline is said to be a boarding rate of about 70%. With remote work taking root, there is a strong possibility that business travel demand will not return to the same level as before the COVID disaster. In order to return to profitability, which had been in the red for three consecutive years until the previous fiscal year, it is essential to cultivate demand from non-business travelers. The airline companies' new subscription plans are expected to capture the demand for regional migration in the aftermath of the Corona disaster.

Yokoe came to Starflier from Hankyu Corporation, a major private railway company. He was asked by Advantage Advisors (Minato, Tokyo), an investment company that supports Starflier, to become chairman in late June, together with President Osamu Machida, who transferred from All Nippon Airways (ANA). Although he has no experience in the airline industry, he is expected to develop services from an outsider's perspective.

He confided that when he solicited ideas for new services within the company after assuming the chairman's position, "we received 120 replies. He plans to launch a new project, including the person who proposed the idea as a member, with the aim of commercializing the service.