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History of Uniforms

1951 -
Introducing various uniforms including cabin attendant uniforms,
going back in time to the founding of the company

October 1951

  • Establishment of Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., capital 100 million yen.
  • Unveiling and invitation flight with DC-3 Kinsei-go (leased from Philippine Airlines).
First Generation Uniform No. 1
(1951 - 1952)
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Designed by Minoru Kadota. The tight skirt made it difficult to step up onto the boarding ramp and was thus used only for a short period of time before the design was changed.
First group of 15 female flight attendants joined the company.
Commemorative photograph in front of a DC-3.
(August 27, 1951)
(Color and Features)
Light blue-gray.

October 1951

  • Launch of first post-war domestic commercial airline operations (Tokyo=Osaka=Fukuoka)

February 1954

  • Launch of first international route (Tokyo =Wake Island=Honolulu=San Francisco)
First Generation Uniform No. 2
(1951 - 1954)
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Designed by Minoru Kadota.JAL's first winter uniform.
Japan's first private domestic airline in the postwar period.
Operation began at Japan's first private domestic airline in the postwar period (Martin 202).
(October 25, 1951)
(Color and Features)
Air force blue (winter uniform).

September 1953

  • First delivery of the DC-6B City of Tokyo-go arrives at Haneda
First Generation Uniform No. 3
(1953 - 1954)
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Designed by Minoru Kadota.Doing away with the collar gave this final version of the first generation uniform a sleeker, cleaner style.
In-flight service on a DC-4.
Aircraft cabins were not pressurized and did not have air conditioning. Electric fans were installed during summer.
(Color and Features)
Light gray.
Collarless jacket (summer uniform).

February 1954

  • Launch of international flights

December 1956

  • Launch of freighter flights (DC-4).
Second Generation Uniform
(1954 - 1960)
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Designed by Mohei Ito. Uniform revised with the launch of international service. A striking dark blue uniform with white accents.
First uniform for international flights and a DC7C.
Revised uniform with the launch of international service in 1954. The DC7C was introduced at the end of 1957 and was the last propeller aircraft.
(Color and Features)
Navy blue.
Collarless jacket.

August 1960

  • Uniform renewal on the introduction of the DC-8 on the San Francisco route

June 1966

  • The Beatles arrive in Japan on JAL to hold concerts at the Budokan
Third Generation Uniform
(1960 - 1967)
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Designed by Mohei Ito. Uniform revised when the first jet, the DC-8, entered service. The hat initially resembled a milkman's hat, but was changed to a cylindrical shape in 1962.
Began service to New York.
The first DC-8 departed to New York. Initially, JAL operated two round trips per week. The flight passed through Honolulu and San Francisco.
(November 12, 1966)
(Color and Features)
Royal blue.
Gold buttons.
Changed to cylindrical shaped hat in 1962.

March 1967

  • Launch of round-the-world service
Fourth Generation Uniform
(1967 - 1970)
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Designed by Hanae Mori. Uniform revised with the launch of round-the-world service. Vibrant sky blue color. Launch of round-the-world service.
JAL announced new uniforms at the party commemorating the departure of the first westward round-the-world flight.
(March 5, 1967)
(Color and Features)
Sky blue.
Round neck blouse.
Broach on the chest.

July 1970

  • Introduction of the B-747 jumbo jet

July 1976

  • Introduction of the DC-10
Fifth Generation Uniform
(1970 - 1977)
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Designed by Hanae Mori. Uniform revised along with the introduction of jumbo jets. The one-piece miniskirt caused a stir.
New uniform with the introduction of jumbo jets.
The adoption of a one-piece miniskirt to match current trends was the talk of the town.
(July 1, 1970)
(Color and Features)
Dark blue with red belt.
Miniskirt.

1978

  • Opening of New Tokyo International Airport (Narita)

1985

  • Introduction of the B767 on domestic routes
Sixth Generation Uniform
(1977 - 1987)
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Designed by Hanae Mori. Featured a striped, long-sleeve body shirt.
Preparing in-flight meals.
Opening of New Tokyo International Airport (Narita).
(May 20, 1978)
(Color and Features)
Dark blue, short-sleeve one piece with either red or blue striped long-sleeve shirt.
Layered body shirt.

April 1990

  • Introduction of the B747-400
Seventh Generation Uniform
(1988 - 1996)
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Ground crew uniforms designed by Junko Shimada. For cabin crew uniforms, JAL accepted design proposals from the public, and from a total of 7,830 proposals, the grand prize design was awarded to Shigenobu Motoi.
JAL hired 113 non-Japanese flight attendants.
JAL hired 70 English, 22 German, and 21 Singaporean flight attendants.
(January 14, 1998)
(Color and Feature)
Dark blue military style suit.

1996

  • Start to wear uniforms with introduction of Seasons Class
  • Stewardess renamed flight attendant
Eighth Generation Uniform
(1996 - 2004)
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Designed by Yoshie Inaba. Based on the concepts of "approachable," "unified beauty," and "elegance." Uniforms with Reso'cha design.
Uniforms for Super Resort Express (Reso'cha). Cockpit crew uniforms were also revised after 26 years.
(Color and Features)
Navy blue single suit (general crew).
Beige double suit (senior cabin attendant).

December 2007

  • Introduction of First Class on JAL domestic routes
  • Introduction of JAL Premium Economy on international routes
Ninth generation of uniforms
(April 2004 - May 2013)
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Collared single suit jacket with three gold buttons
Scarf in three colors (pink, blue, green), two types of scarves for Senior Cabin Attendants (white on dark blue cloth, dark blue on white cloth)

2013

  • Introduction of the 787-8
  • Introduction of SKY SUITE 777 (new seats in all classes)
Tenth generation of uniforms
(June 2013 -)
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Single suite jacket with two gold buttons. JAL brand color “red” used on collar and flared pleated back with Tsuru (crane) motif. One piece dress. Belt with Tsuru (crane) logo. Apron discontinued. White jacket for Senior Cabin Attendants. Scarf varies depending on title and company. Designed by Keita Maruyama.

February 2020

  • JAL SMART AIRPORT partially open at Haneda Airport

March 2020

  • Transport Olympic torch

July 2020

  • World's first introduction of self-driving wheelchair service at Haneda airport
Eleventh generation of uniforms
(April 2020-)
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The concept is hybrid beauty. One-piece dress has chiffon balloon sleeves. The waist part is ribbed for ease of movement. Pants style was introduced for the first time. One-piece and pants styles are selectable. The senior chief cabin attendant's jacket is white. Reintroduced aprons.
Scarves are different for each position and company.
The designer is Yasutoshi Ezumi.

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