JAL's new international aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000, has been given a completely new cabin specification. It's not just the seats and interior that have been reborn. The entire in-flight service, including in-flight meals, in-flight entertainment, and aircraft equipment, has also been renewed.
Three themes were set for development: "Concierge service in the sky" to provide service tailored to each individual, "sustainable experiences created together with customers" to clearly communicate the intentions and effects, and "ultimate comfort and relaxation" to present new and diverse options through technology. These elements are incorporated throughout the in-flight service.
Expanded in-flight meal lineup gives customers more choice
Yoshida: "In particular, we have developed our in-flight meals based on our 'sky concierge service' and 'sustainable experiences created together with our customers.' We will gradually launch a service that allows customers to select from a wide range of food and beverage options to suit their preferences and the way they spend their time."
These are the words of Kaori Yoshida from the Product and Service Development Department. In this article, we will introduce some of the expanded services.
In addition to vegan and vegetarian menus, all meals on board are specially prepared
Yoshida: As the number of international customers continues to increase, we are revamping our vegan and vegetarian menus in first and business class on flights departing from Japan. The menus will be overseen by No Code owner and chef Fumio Yonezawa, who has a deep knowledge of vegan cuisine. We would like even customers who normally eat regular meals to try our high-quality, healthy vegan and vegetarian menus, full of the appeal of spices.
For our Premium Economy and Economy Class meals, we will continue our collaboration with a top-ranked chef from Japan's largest culinary competition, "RED U-35." We will also actively incorporate environmentally friendly "50 Future Ingredients" while focusing on nutrition. Please enjoy our well-being in-flight meals that are not only delicious, but also have been designed to be nutritious and to be paired with other foods.
Additionally, paid in-flight meal service will also be available in Premium Economy and Economy Class. Why not enjoy a luxurious meal on board as a memory of your trip with a loved one or as a treat for yourself?
In addition to the in-flight meals, the bar counter available in Business Class has also been renovated.
"The self-bar corner is currently very popular, but we will be installing a Child Space so that customers can enjoy their drinks at the optimum temperature," continues Mami Suzuki of the department.
Suzuki: "I think the bar counter is one element that allows customers to spend their time more freely on board. Please stop by the counter, which is beautiful to look at and has items that are easy to reach, and enjoy a chat with the cabin attendants over a drink."
A reborn in-flight entertainment with 4K in every seat
Additionally, the high-definition 4K in-flight monitors (in-flight entertainment) installed in all seats, where in-flight meal service can be ordered, will also be renovated.
Kaku: "We are introducing a completely new system called the next-generation in-flight entertainment system. Previously, in-flight monitors were used to play movies and music, but this is a digital tool that will be of service to our customers during their time on board. It will also be able to link data with ground systems and introduce new content one after another."
"Once an in-flight entertainment system is introduced, it has to continue to use the same system for at least 10 years, and toward the end of its lifespan, the operation and interface design can sometimes feel outdated. However, with the new system, we can provide a media environment that meets our customers' needs through repeated updates," says Moeha Kaku of the department.
Kaku: "We will also expand the content that you can enjoy. JAL's first live TV on an international flight will allow you to watch TV channels in real time, as well as outside cameras, text news, and more e-books, magazines, and foreign language content. For children, there will also be a cute Kids Map feature that displays dinosaurs."
As part of the "Sky Concierge Service," in addition to displaying a timeline of in-flight services, the app also has a full range of content recommendations, including recommendations from JAL, customer viewing history, and related content. You can also bookmark the content you want to watch on board before boarding using the JAL app on your smartphone (starting in spring 2024). In addition, it will display information about connecting flights and birthday messages for customers who have birthdays.
In addition, to make it easier for a diverse range of customers to use, the number of supported languages has been increased to 15. Various visual support functions, such as screen enlargement and color correction, have also been developed.
We paid particular attention to sound quality, but you can also use your own Bluetooth earphones.
Kaku: "We have installed 4K displays in all classes, from economy class to first class. In first and business class, because the monitors are located some distance from the seats, we have provided separate handsets with touch panels for control. They are also compatible with AC power sources and USB Type-A/C charging. We have also paid particular attention to sound options, and in first and business class we are the first in the world to install high-quality European speakers in the headrests. We will also provide higher quality headsets than conventional headsets. In addition, all classes are compatible with Bluetooth audio. We also have wired headphone jacks, so customers can use the earphones and headphones they are accustomed to."
The development team is currently working on acoustic tuning of the headrest speakers in noisy environments.
Kaku: "We are proud to have prepared the best possible product, incorporating easy-to-understand design and the JAL brand image, as well as as many ideas that will please our customers from their perspective. We are developing the system together with Panasonic Avionics Corporation (USA), and they said that this is the first time they have developed a system that incorporates so many functions in both hardware and software. And while functionality is important, the operations that support the service are also important. We are also designing the operation flow, and will always provide a comfortable environment that is close to our customers."
Improving the sleeping environment. Reviewing bedding specifications and introducing relaxation wear to business class for the first time
Another feature of this renewal is that after enjoying your meal and in-flight entertainment, you can now relax and get a good night's sleep. Kenya Okazawa of the Product and Service Planning Division, who is in charge of aircraft supplies, is confident about the improved sleeping environment.
Okazawa: "In first class, the seats will be wider, and when you put them into bed position, you will have more space to move around. To coincide with this, we have updated our popular airweave mattresses to fit the bed size. As before, cabin attendants will make the beds according to the customer's wishes. Meanwhile, in business class, we have prepared a new option in addition to the airweave mattress. The seats themselves are equipped with cushions that distribute body pressure, and if you spread out the newly introduced bed pads with excellent moisture absorption and quick drying properties, you will be able to sleep even more comfortably."
In First Class, we have previously provided 100% organic cotton relaxation wear in three sizes, S/M/L, to meet the needs of our customers. Meanwhile, in Business Class, we did not provide relaxation wear, but only loaned cardigans, because there was no place to store clothes that had been removed. On the A350-1000, each seat is now equipped with a wardrobe with a door, which solved this issue, and we have decided to start a relaxation wear loan service.
Okazawa: "Because there are many seats in business class, it is difficult to provide different sizes to suit each customer, so we had to assume that we would provide one size. Also, we assumed that some customers would change clothes at their seats, so we decided to make it a pullover robe style so that the customer could put it on over their clothes and then take off the clothes they were wearing. We were particular about the material, and used a material called "Airy Touch" that is trademarked and patented by UCHINO, a long-established towel manufacturer. It is an ultra-thin towel material with extremely short pile, and is thin, light, soft, moisturizing, absorbent, and breathable. It feels like wearing air. Of course, we will continue to lend out the cardigans that have been popular so far if you ask."
In addition, Premium Economy Class will feature new cushions that are softer and firmer and made from plant-based materials.
Co-created with "HERALBONY" - an amenity kit that deepens sustainable efforts
Okazawa: "We will provide an amenity kit with a pouch design featuring art by a contracted artist of the welfare experimental company "HERALBONY," whose mission is to "Unleash your unique style." In first class, we will provide a pouch that is the result of a one-of-a-kind collaboration, with the exterior of the ZERO HALLIBURTON and the interior lining featuring art by a contracted artist. In business class, we will provide six randomly selected pouches that reflect the individuality of six artists."
Okazawa: "We have also reviewed the items in the pouches. In first class, with the cooperation of Yume Shokunin Co., Ltd., we will be introducing the company's "MISOKA" water-based toothbrush, in an original JAL specification that does not use petroleum-derived plastics. It can withstand repeated use, so we hope you will take it home and use it. In business class, we have adopted cables (compatible with USB Type-C and Lightning) that can be used to charge smartphones and tablets, as well as smartphone stands that can also be used to place tablets horizontally."
Okazawa: "In addition, in first class, the bags that wrap the pouches are made from 100% recycled PET, the hairbrushes are made from a mixture of straw and recycled plastic, and in business class, the bags that wrap the pouches have been eliminated and replaced with paper bands. The petroleum-based materials in the toothbrushes have been reduced by 53% (35% plant-based materials + 18% slimmer), and the smartphone stand is made from a material that contains 51% calcium carbonate. In both classes, the bags that wrap each item have been changed from petroleum-based plastic to paper, creating an amenity kit that is committed to sustainability."
The A350-1000 service is the culmination of the values that JAL has cultivated.
We offer a wide range of services on international flights. You can enjoy your favorite in-flight meal while immersing yourself in the latest release movies and a wide range of music. You can use your free time for business or to read a book. When it's time to rest, you can recline your seat and relax.
It would be a waste to think of long international flights, where you can spend a variety of time, as just traveling. Our elaborate services are meant to help you make your flight a fulfilling experience. JAL has defined this as a service and has been refining it. The new specifications of the A350-1000 are one of the achievements of this.
*Some content was updated on November 22, 2023.
We'll take you behind the scenes of JAL's work, including inside stories on the introduction of the A350 and the development of in-flight meal menus.
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
