Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced it will introduce "JAL SKY" – a high-speed wifi service – onboard its international flights this summer.
The wireless internet connection, provided by Panasonic’s eXConnect, will be available alternating days on JAL’s Boeing 777-300ER fleet, which operates between Tokyo Narita and New York JFK, starting July 15. It will be provided on a daily basis on this route from early August.
JAL expects to also offer wifi on flights to and from Chicago, Los Angeles and Jakarta by the end of October this year, and London, Paris and Frankfurt by next spring.
The new service is available for passengers of all classes, and enables them to browse the web with their own personal electronic devices. Prices will be US$11.95 for one hour, and US$21.95 for 24 hours. Passengers who purchase wifi for 24 hours can continue to use it on connecting JAL international flights that also offer the service.
Only credit cards will be accepted for payment. Passengers with a JAL CARD, JAL USA CARD or the JAL Shanghai Pudong Development Bank credit card will receive discounts, with the first hour costing US$10.75 and the 24-hour package costing US$19.75.
From July 15 to September 30, passengers in first and executive class on flights offering the service will receive a free one-hour trial.
JAL’s announcement closely follows similar news from All Nippon Airways (ANA), see story here. JAL, however, will get a head start as ANA plans to roll out their service some time next year.
In addition to ANA, several other carriers are now also offering wifi onboard. Most recently, Virgin Atlantic has installed it on its new A330 aircraft alongside mobile connectivity (see story here) and Qantas launched a trial of the service on six of its A380 aircraft earlier this year (see story here). For a round up of more carriers offering internet access onboard, click here.
For more information, visit www.jal.com
Michelle Fong
