Japan Airlines (JAL) will take delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 aircraft on 25 March, becoming the second carrier to operate the aircraft type.
The aircraft will depart from Seattle, Paine Field, at 16:00 hours local time on 26 March and arrive at Tokyo's Narita Airport at 18:30 hours local time the following day, operated by JAL pilots.
On 22 April, the carrier will start nonstop services between Tokyo and Boston with the aircraft.
Later this year, JAL will also launch a nonstop Tokyo-San Diego service operated with the same 787.
The carrier, which has 25 firm orders for the 787-8 and 20 for the 787-9, plans to deploy the aircraft on routes between Tokyo and Beijing, Moscow, New Delhi and Singapore once the aircraft are delivered. JAL also expects to receive its second 787 before April.
JAL also unveiled the cabin configuration of the aircraft. There will be 186 seats - 44 in business class in a 2-2-2 configuration and 144 in economy class in a 2-4-2 configuration.
The carrier originally planned to take delivery of its first 787 in mid-February and to start services to Boston on 1 April.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
