Japan Airlines says no flight cancellations are expected due to engine inspections spurred by the mid-flight engine fire on a Cathay Pacific flight several days ago. JAL is one of several airlines which conducted full inspections of Airbus A350-1000 jets following the incident. Cathay had to ground 15 planes for engine component replacements. JAL said it inspected all of its A350-1000 and A350-900 jets last week. "No issues were found on any aircraft," JAL said However, it needs additional checks as required by European aviation regulators. Engine maker Rolls-Royce is ‘working with our customers and our supply chain, and are confident in our ability to deliver on the inspection regime.’ 

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A strong typhoon is starting to play havoc with travel plans in southern and central Japan. Typhoon Shanshan is bringing winds with gusts of up to 200 km/h and heavy rains which are disrupting trains and flights. Bullet trains were temporarily cancelled between the cities of Hamamatsu and Toyohashi. There were also delays on Central Japan Railway and West Japan Railway high speed and local commuter services. Japan Airlines is cancelling over 100 flights through Wednesday, including six international services. ANA said it will cancel at least 68 domestic flights starting from Wednesday through to Friday. Singapore Airlines is also cancelling flights to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of landslide risks in the central Shizuoka region and storm surge in the southern Amami region. Typhoon Shanshan is rolling towards the island of Kyushu throughout this week. 

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A Japan Airlines Tokyo flight from Dallas was scrapped over the drunken antics of a pilot. The JAL captain was on a layover in a Dallas hotel when his disruptive behavior led to police being called. Police were called by a hotel employee who gave the pilot a warning for his disorderly conduct. His JAL colleagues had already warned him about his behavior. Japan Airlines then canceled the Tokyo flight due to the need to assess the captain's physical and mental wellbeing. It hasn’t confirmed whether the pilot was breath tested on the day of the flight and if so, what the result was. The airline said the unnamed pilot began drinking during dinner with flight crew colleagues and continued in the hotel bar and then his room until at least 2am. The 157 passengers booked on the flight were later re-accommodated on an American Airlines Tokyo flight. 

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Two major East Asia airlines have just confirmed big aircraft orders. Japan Airlines has inked deals with both Airbus and Boeing to refresh its long haul fleet. It is ordering 21 Airbus A350-900 jets and 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. JAL also ordered 11 Airbus A321neos, which will become a new aircraft model for the airline. The airline will deploy most of the new A350s on international routes. Deliveries for the A350s and the Dreamliners are expected to begin in 2027. JAL will start receiving the Airbus A321neos in 2028. Flag carrier Korean Air has ordered 33 Airbus A350s, comprising 27 of the largest version - the A350-1000 and six A350-900s. These will refresh its long haul fleet as it gradually retires older jets including Boeing 777s.   

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Japan Airlines has come up with a unique new ancillary service. It has started offering clothing rentals for fliers who travel light and want to save on baggage fees. JAL is teaming up with Sumitomo Corporation to offer clothing rental for leisure and business purposes. The Any Wear, Anywhere clothes rental service offers up to eight outfits per passenger with clothes delivered to their hotel in Japan. Rental costs start from ¥4,000 ($28). Passengers must reserve at least a month in advance of their arrival. The service will be available on all inbound JAL flights during the summer. Sumitomo Corp said it is mulling extending the service to other Oneworld alliance airlines.

Japan Airlines is inviting passengers to skip in-flight meals for ‘ethical’ reasons. The ‘JAL Ethical Choice MealSkip Option’ is now available on all international flights. “You can cancel your meals to enjoy your sleep throughout the flight,” JAL wrote in an email to customers. Customers can select the ‘No Meal’ option on the JAL website. For every customer skipping in-flight meals, JAL will donate to a charitable project offering school lunch for children in developing countries.

The Japan Tourism Agency has revealed the measures required for reopening the country to guided tours groups later this week. JTA issued the rules which require travel agencies to ensure all tourists follow the infectious disease control measures. Private health insurance is required and mask must be worn indoors and outdoors. Travel agencies must report any suspected infections. "Tour guides should frequently remind tour participants of necessary infection prevention measures, including wearing and removing masks, at each stage of the tour," the JTA said Tourists will be accompanied by tour guides throughout their stay in Japan. All must be part of a travel agency organised tour with a fixed itinerary. Speaking on the reopening, Wendy Wu, founder of Wendy Wu Tours said: “This is fantastic news for the travel industry and for everyone that has had to delay and defer their Japan travel plans over the last three years.” “We have been working hand in hand with the Japanese Government to prepare for the reopening and so it’s so exciting to finally welcome back visitors.” To celebrate the reopening, Wendy Wu Tours is offering free flights to Japan and half price flight single supplements, travelling in 2022 and 2023 There are also savings of up to £970 per person, on selected tours booked by 30 June 2022.