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JAL's History - History of Company 1961s

1961-1970
We will take a look back at the history of Japan Airlines (JAL), from its founding to the present day, with a timeline of details and notable events.


1.6
JAL introduces DC-7F aircraft (the first substantial cargo private freighter in Japan, the conversion type of DC-7 plane) on the Tokyo=San Francisco cargo private freighter service.
2.2
JAL inaugurates the Tokyo=Osaka=Okinawa(Naha) route (with DC-6B plane).
6.1
JAL inaugurates the Osaka=Sapporo route (with DC-6B plane,).
6.6
JAL switches the Northern route to Europe service to a fare pool from joint operation with Air France, and inaugurates independent service (with DC-8 plane).
9.25
JAL introduces the Convair880 planes on the Tokyo=Sapporo route.
10.2
JAL’s stock is listed on the second section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

7.16
JAL extends the Tokyo=Singapore route to commence the Jakarta route (Tokyo=Hong Kong=Bangkok=Singapore=Jakarta) (with Convair880 plane).
10.4
JAL inaugurates the Southern route to Europe (with Convair880 plane).
11.20
JAL inaugurates the Tokyo-Sapporo late-night cargo flight 'Tonakai (Reindeer)' (with DC-4 plane).

6.13
JAL absorbs and merges the Japan Aircraft Maintenance Company(JALCO).
10.2
JAL displays the Tokyo Olympic mark on its aircrafts.
10.3
JAL introduces DC-8 planes on the Southern route to Europe.

4.1
JAL inaugurates the 'Sunset Express' service, connecting Hong Kong and Transpacific routes (Hong Kong-Tokyo-Honolulu-Los Angeles).
4.2
JAL conducts a Tokyo-New York special flight to transport staff of the New York World Fair (with DC-8 plane, the first flight into New York).
4.15
JAL inaugurates the Tokyo=Seoul route (with Convair880 plane).
5.10
JAL conducts a special flight (with DC-8 plane) for the visit to Mexico by their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince (the Kinjo Emperor) and Princess.
7.1
Began using electronic seat reservation systems on international routes. Established fee for canceling reservations.
8.14
DC-6B plane departs Tokyo International Airport to transport the Tokyo Olympic Flame. Athens-Okinawa(Naha) special flight is conducted on August 23. -09.06

1.20
The first international travel packages in Japan (JALPAK) was offered.
2.1
JAL extends the Tokyo=Okinawa(Naha) route to Taipei.
4.1
JAL introduces the DC-8F 'ASAMA', the passenger-cargo combination aircraft, on the Tokyo=Honolulu=San Francisco route (shifts to unit loading from bulk loading).
4.2
JAL extends the Tokyo=Okinawa(Naha)=Taipei route to Hong Kong to operate Tokyo=Okinzwa(Naha)=Taipei=Hong Kong.
5.1
JAL inaugurates the Northern route to Paris (Tokyo=Anchorage=Copenhagen=Paris).
5.2
JAL inaugurates the Northern route to London (Tokyo=Hamburg=London).
5.4
JAL inaugurates the Southern route to London (Tokyo=New Delhi=Paris=London).
7.23
JAL introduces the first B727 plane.
8.1
First Boeing 727 "Tone" arrived at Tokyo International Airport. Began using aircraft equipment with self-test systems for line maintenance.
9.30
JAL tentatively orders three Concorde aircrafts (cancels later).
10.1
JAL introduces 'Tsurumaru' (crane) as a company badge, utilising it on its employees' badge.
10.31
DC-7C planes retire from its route operation.

4.2
JAL inaugurates Amsterdam route (Tokyo=Copenhagen=Amsterdam, with DC-8 plane).
JAL inaugurates Tokyo-Nagoya-Fukuoka-Taipei-Hong Kong route (with Convair 880 plane).
7.1
JAL sets up the 'Sky Mate System' targeting customers between 12 and 21 years on the Tokyo=Osaka route and extends it to all domestic routes on April 1, 1967.
8.23
JAL introduces Chinese (Hong Kong) hostesses on the Hong Kong route.
11.12
JAL inaugurates New York route (Tokyo=Honolulu=San Francisco=New York) with DC-8 plane 'Seto'.

3.6
JAL renews its uniform of stewardess in time with the completion of round-the-world route (designed by Hanae Mori, sky-blue suit).
The first round-the-world west-bound flight departs from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda). On March 7, the first east-bound flight departs, leading to the completion of round-the-world route.
4.18
The first flight of Moscow route by Japan-Soviet Union joint operation (Tokyo=Moscow) arrives at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda); Departure of the first flight from Tokyo on April 20.
5.8
JAL inaugurates Kuala Lumpur route (Tokyo=Hong Kong=Bangkok=Kuala Lumpur, (with DC-8 plane).
5.9
JAL conducts a special flight to South America (Peru, Argentina, Brazil) for their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince (the Kinjo Empror) and Princess. -05.31
6.19
JAL is designated as the official airline of Japan World Expo.
9.2
JAL inaugurates the Fukuoka=Pusan route (DC-6B plane).
9.3
JAL inaugurates the Osaka=Seoul route (Convair880 plane).
10.1
JAL establishes Berlin office.
10.17
JAL introduces DC-8-55F, an international exclusive cargo freighter, on San Francisco route (Tokyo-San Francisco-Honolulu-Tokyo).
11.20
JAL inaugurates Manila route. (Convair880)

4.1
JAL introduces YS-11 of Japan Domestic Airlines wet-chartered flights on the Tokyo=Osaka cargo and mail exclusive service.
4.2
JAL introduces cargo freighter exclusive service with DC-8-55F plane on New York route (Tokyo-San Francisco-New York-San Francisco-Honolulu-Tokyo).
JAL inaugurates Osaka=New York route via Tokyo (Osaka=Tokyo=Honolulu=San Francisco=New York, with DC-8 plane).
6.3
JAL introduces DC-8F cargo freighter exclusive service on its transpacific route, departing from Osaka (Osaka-Tokyo-San Francisco-Honolulu-Tokyo-Osaka).
6.16
JAL inaugurates the Tokyo-San Francisco direct operation on New York route (with DC-8-62 plane).
7.1
JAL inaugurates the New York-Paris route (with DC-8 plane).
9.11
JAL inaugurates Vancouver route (Tokyo=Vancouver=San Francisco, with DC-8 plane, two round trips a week).

2.25
The JAL President Mr. Kogoro Uemura retires and Vice President Mr. Teruo Godo takes over.
3.30
DC-6B planes are retired from operation.
4.1
Began service on Fukuoka - Pusan route (wet lease of YS-11 from Japan Domestic Airlines).
JAL introduces DC-8-61 planes on Southeast Asian route (three routes).
JAL introduces DC-8F plane of passenger-cargo mixed type with to Los Angeles route.
JAL carries out a pooling agreement concerning cargo freighters on the Northern route to Europe with Air France and Lufthansa German Airlines, and introduces B707 exclusive cargo freighter for the joint operation.
4.15
JAL introduces B727-QC plane for the Tokyo=Osaka cargo freighter service.
6.1
JAL renews its female counter staff uniform.
7.15
Opened JAL Building on New York's 5th Avenue.
9.30
JAL inaugurates the Sydney route (with DC-8 plane).

2.2
JAL's stock is listed on the first section of the stock exchange in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.
3.6
JAL renews its uniform for cockpit and cabin crew, and introduces the new uniform along with the inauguration of B747 jumbo jet on July 1.
3.10
JAL establishes 'JAL Global Club (JGC)'.
3.28
JAL inaugurates an independent operation on the Paris route via Moscow (Tokyo=Mowcow=Paris), (DC-8-62 plane, two round trips a week).
4.1
JAL introduces DC-8-61 planes on the Tokyo=Sapporo and Tokyo=Osaka routes; On October 1, on the Tokyo=Fukuoka route.
JAL introduces DC-8F exclusive cargo freighter on the Tokyo=Los Angeles route .
6.1
Completed hanger for Boeing 747.
6.2
JAL inaugurates the London route via Moscow (Tokyo=Moscow=London) (with DC-8 plane, two round trips a week).
6.11
JAL inaugurates cargo freighter service on the Rome route by code-sharing flights with Alitalia Airlines. (with DC-8F plane)
7.1
JAL introduces the B747 plane on Tokyo=Honolulu. Tokyo=Honolulu=Los Angeles routes on July 2.
10.1
JAL inaugurates the Tokyo=Guam route (with DC-8 plane, 3 round trips a week).
10.9
JAL is designated as the official airline of the Sapporo International Winter Sport Meeting (pre Olympic, 1971. 02).
10.31
Convair880 plane is retires from operation.

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