JAL Mileage Bank - JL017/018 NRT-YVR will be upgraded to 777 from Oct 28 2012

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/362006--japan-airline-increasing-size-of-planes-into-vancouver

Steve Chen with the airline says demand for flights is ramping up on both sides of the Pacific.

...

Chen says starting in November, they will be offering about 90 extra seats per flight.


JAL booking engine shows it will be upgraded to 777-200ER with W32 config (the one with Skyluxe) from Oct 28 2012

Edit: Now booking engine shows 777-200ER with W52 config (the one with JAL Shell Flat) will be used on Sat while the current 763 config will be used for the rest of the week from Oct 28 2012

And JA701J comes into mind when I found this out :p

Business class +33, economy +42, so it seems to be an even increase in both. But isn't the Skyluxe a downgrade from the SkyRecliner?

Business class +33, economy +42, so it seems to be an even increase in both. But isn't the Skyluxe a downgrade from the SkyRecliner?

Not when you look at the %. 110% increase in C, but only 21% in Y. The plane itself and capacity wise is an upgrade but seat design and IFE is a downgrade

Does anyone know if this confirmed change in equipment would mean that meal service to YVR would also change to match that of other NA destinations? More specifically, order as much as you want second meal service?

Does anyone know if this confirmed change in equipment would mean that meal service to YVR would also change to match that of other NA destinations? More specifically, order as much as you want second meal service?

I don't think equipment has to do with that. Will need to wait till Oct/Nov menu out to be sure but I doubt it.

I don't think equipment has to do with that. Will need to wait till Oct/Nov menu out to be sure but I doubt it.

OT - How about on the BOS route? It's not specifically mentioned on JL website, but since its in N/A and the flight distance is technically longer than to JFK, it would make sense to match the same service? Or they can't be bothered since there is no direct competition? Anyway I wonder how much food a cute 787 can carry :p

OT - How about on the BOS route? It's not specifically mentioned on JL website, but since its in N/A and the flight distance is technically longer than to JFK, it would make sense to match the same service? Or they can't be bothered since there is no direct competition? Anyway I wonder how much food a cute 787 can carry :p

Yes NRT-BOS has a la carte service in C

Just out of curiosity, though, anyone know why there aren't any plans to put nicer C seats on this flight?

Just out of curiosity, though, anyone know why there aren't any plans to put nicer C seats on this flight?

There was. JL017/018 used to have Shell Flat but it wasn't profitable and was downgraded to 763

Does anyone know if this confirmed change in equipment would mean that meal service to YVR would also change to match that of other NA destinations? More specifically, order as much as you want second meal service?

Equipment change does not affect meal service.

But keep in mind that JAL tends to put "777" as default schedule for Vancouver service as JAL haven't start adjusting Winter 2012 schedules (usually happens in July or even August) apart from those being announced already. There's still a chance that it could go back to 767, which has happened twice before. So don't be fooled by the OP and news media.

Equipment change does not affect meal service.

But keep in mind that JAL tends to put "777" as default schedule for Vancouver service as JAL haven't start adjusting Winter 2012 schedules (usually happens in July or even August) apart from those being announced already. There's still a chance that it could go back to 767, which has happened twice before. So don't be fooled by the OP and news media.

Thanks for the reminder, jimyvr! But for now I would choose to believe the media report which quotes the airline official unless there are evidence to suggest this isn't the case.

Well, when I was on it a couple days ago, there were only two seats empty up front and the back was pretty packed too, as opposed to when I flew it during the AA reduced-mileage promo, where C was only half-full. So things are definitely picking up for them on this route.

(also, have they always had HKG-based CAs on this flight? This time around it seemed that anyone who needed English-language service was served by one lady from HK- according to the name tag.)

Also, interesting to know that they used to have long-haul product on this flight but downgraded it...

Thanks for the reminder, jimyvr! But for now I would choose to believe the media report which quotes the airline official unless there are evidence to suggest this isn't the case.

Not everything airlines tell you are 100% accurate either.

Not everything airlines tell you are 100% accurate either.

True but when it's simple things like plan of aircraft change it should have higher accuracy and I don't think they will intentionally mislead the public, especially when the information is given by the airline in an interview.

True but when it's simple things like plan of aircraft change it should have higher accuracy and I don't think they will intentionally mislead the public, especially when the information is given by the airline in an interview.

NRT YVR is operated by Boeing 767 on/after 28OCT12, already reflected in the GDS.

This proved my point that not everything airline tells you is 100% correct.

NRT YVR on Saturdays from 28OCT12 is operated by 777-200ER instead of 767-300ER. (777 operate once a week only, which still hardly an upgrade based on current status)

NRT YVR on Saturdays from 28OCT12 is operated by 777-200ER instead of 767-300ER. (777 operate once a week only, which still hardly an upgrade based on current status)

It is still a capacity upgrade and hard product upgrade esp with W52 config you get JAL Shell Flat seats instead of JAL SKYRECLINER.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/jal-mileage-bank/1366352-jal-777-200er-w52-config.html

Business class +33, economy +42, so it seems to be an even increase in both. But isn't the Skyluxe a downgrade from the SkyRecliner?

Turns out it's -2 for C and +87 for Y and you get Shell Flat instead :)

So it seems like Saturday's the day to go in C, then.

So it seems like Saturday's the day to go in C, then.

You never know until they make an official announcement for the winter schedule with a press release.

You never know until they make an official announcement for the winter schedule with a press release.

I would rather being misled by the GDS, the ultimate official information, instead of the press release.

You never know until they make an official announcement for the winter schedule with a press release.

http://www.jal.co.jp/inter/time/pdf/america1028_0330.pdf

Although there's no press release, JAL has listed 777-200ER as the equipment type on Sat flights in their advanced edition of their winter timetable.

I haven't traveled much (if at all with JAL).

How often do they update their schedules. Looking to fly in 2014, and am hopeful the 777 stays put on the Saturday for YVR-NRT-YVR. What is the likelihood this will change, or stay the same? Cheers

I haven't traveled much (if at all with JAL).

How often do they update their schedules. Looking to fly in 2014, and am hopeful the 777 stays put on the Saturday for YVR-NRT-YVR. What is the likelihood this will change, or stay the same? Cheers

In general twice a year. It might be in your interest to fly on the 763 because JAL plans to rollout new seats (and winglets) on the long-haul configured 763 this summer. However, the plan might be delayed due to the 788 grounding.

In general twice a year. It might be in your interest to fly on the 763 because JAL plans to rollout new seats (and winglets) on the long-haul configured 763 this summer. However, the plan might be delayed due to the 788 grounding.

Appreciate the heads up! I'll explore this a little further before deciding on a Friday or Saturday trip. Either way, it'll be in J... first world problems.