From October 28, 2007, JAL will introduce a 12-seat first class cabin on its daily service between Haneda Airport, Tokyo and Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai.

JAL will inaugurate a daily service between Haneda Airport, Tokyo and Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai from September 29, 2007. Initially, the airline will operate B767 on the new route with two classes: business and economy. From October 28, 2007, JAL will start operating 747-400 aircraft between the two airports, at which time it will also offer JAL First Class onboard.

Passengers traveling in JAL First Class will be able to relax in a JAL Skysleeper seat which reclines a full 180 degrees. Large partitions between each seat ensure passenger privacy. For a pleasant in-flight sleep, feather comforters and pillows are provided.

JAL will offer first class passengers on the route a combination of the very best Western and Asian gourmet food created using the finest ingredients and accompanied by award-winning wines and sake of the highest quality.

In JAL First Class, passengers can select from a choice of Western entrees, one of which is a JAL Healthy Menu Selection: a low calorie, nutritionally balanced option for the health-conscious. The Western menu is carefully prepared under the guidance of the Association des Disciples d'Auguste Escoffier du Japon, whose members are French cuisine chefs at some of Japan's finest hotels and restaurants.

Alternatively passengers can savor the seasonally changing flavors of the 'haute cuisine of Japan': the traditional Kyoto-style menu known as kaiseki-ryori. The Japanese menu is created under the supervision of the Kyoto Cuisine "Mebaekai". Found throughout Japan, "Mebaekai" are special associations of long-established restaurants set up with the purpose of maintaining and promoting traditional Japanese cooking techniques and cuisine.

JAL will offer at Hongqiao and Haneda airports, check-in counters exclusively for the use of JAL First Class passengers.

Tickets for first class on the new route go on sale from September 26, 2007.

The new JAL route will provide customers traveling between the city centers of Tokyo and Shanghai with even greater convenience. Hongqiao Airport (SHA) is located only 13 kilometers away from Shanghai's city center, and central Tokyo can be reached in just under 30 minutes from Haneda (HND).

JAL currently offers 5 flights a day between Narita International Airport, Tokyo (NRT) and Pudong International Airport, Shanghai (PVG). This includes a daily JAL code share flight operated by China Eastern Airlines. Flight frequency between the two cities will therefore increase to 6 flights per week once the new Haneda - Hongqiao service is inaugurated.

At present, JAL serves 12 cities in China on 29 routes with a total of 287 flights per week, including code shares. From September 29, 2007, the network will increase to 30 routes and 301 flights per week.