JAL's History - History of Company 1951s
- History of Company
- History of Aircraft
- History of Uniforms
1951-1960
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.
1.17- A temporary office for the foundation of Japan Air Lines Inc. is established. (Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo/Japan Trading Center Director’s room)
- 3.31
- The office applies for a license to conduct domestic aviation transport business.
- 5.12
- The Transportation Council recommends JAL (representative: Mr. Aiichiro Fujiyama) to be as a qualified domestic aviation transport business to the Minister of Transport.
- 5.14
- The first establishment committee meeting is held. (Mr. Aiichiro Fujiyama is elected to Chairman, and Mr. Seijiro Yanagida to President.)
- 5.22
- JAL acquires an air transportation license for domestic scheduled flights.
JAL is amalgamated with Japan Air Transportation (Nihon Kouku Yusou) (representative: Mr. Koshichi Suzuki).
- 6.15
- 200,000 shares (10% of the whole) are offered to the public.
- 7.31
- The JAL General Foundation meeting (Executive Director and Auditor are elected) and the Board of Directors Meeting is held (Chairman, President, Executive Director and Managing Director are elected).
- 8.1
- Japan Air Lines Inc. is established with capital of 100 million yen. Chairman is Mr. Aiichiro Fujiyama, President Mr. Seijiro Yanagida. HQ is located on Ginza-nishi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
JAL establishes Tokyo head and sales office (8-1, Ginza-nishi, Chuo-ku,Tokyo).
- 8.15
- JAL establishes Fukuoka branch office and Sapporo local office.
- 8.20
- The first 15 stewardesses are employed at JAL.
- 9.1
- JAL establishes Osaka branch office.
- 9.20
- JAL incepts company emblem.
- 10.11
- JAL concludes a consignment operation contract with Northwest Airlines, abolishing the contract with JDAC (Japan Domestic Airline Company).
- 10.25
- JAL launches the first civil aviation service in Japan since World War Ⅱ (establishing the domestic routes), with its first aircraft, Martin 202 'Jupiter'. (Tokyo=Fukuoka=Osaka).
JAL sets up basic fares, round-trip discount fares and family discount fares.
The second uniform of JAL's first generation stewardesses begin to be worn. (Winter Uniform: color/air force blue, material/dark blue pepper-and-salt gabardine, designed by Minoru Kadota)
JAL initiates the in-flight meal service on its domestic flights (sandwiches in paper boxes). It starts the service on its international flights on February 2, 1954.
- 10.26
- JAL inaugurates the Fukuoka=Sapporo route.
- 11.1
- JAL inaugurates regular scheduled operation. (Tokyo=Sapporo with 1 round trip a day, Tokyo=Osaka with 3 round trips a day, Tokyo=Osaka=Fukuoka with 1 round trip a day)
- 11.2
- JAL introduces the first DC-4 'Uranus' service.
- 11.28
- The first general meeting of shareholders is held.
1.11- JAL begins to include Misawa on the Tokyo=Sapporo route.
- 2.23
- JAL sets up group discount fares.
- 3.11
- JAL establishes a local office in Nagoya (Sasashima-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi).
- 3.20
- JAL begins to include Nagoya on the Tokyo-Osaka route.
- 4.15
- JAL begins to include Iwakuni on the Tokyo=Osaka=Fukuoka route.
- 4.18
- JAL submits an application to conduct international flights operational plan with the Ministry of Transport.
- 5.26
- JAL initiates a special discount system for shareholders.
- 6.25
- JAL signs a contract for the mail transportation consignment with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
- 7.1
- Establishment of Japan Airlines Maintenance Co., Ltd. (capital 50 million yen, President Seijiro Yanagida (7.7 registration).
- 9.1
- Company-owned first DC4 Takachiho-go arrives at Tokyo International Airport .
- 9.20
- JAL introduces the first-owned DC-4 aircraft 'Takachiho' to service the Tokyo=Osaka=Fukuoka route.
- 10.13
- Decision to send 11 pilot trainees and 2 flight engineer trainees to TALOA training center.
- 10.20
- JAL renews its license of 6 routes such as the Tokyo=Sapporo route ( applied on August 30), based on the Aviation Act (promulgated and enforced on July 15).
- 10.24
- Purchase of third company-owned aircraft DC4 Tokachi-go (former NW Tennou Hoshi-go).
- 10.25
- JAL launches an independent service with three DC-4 aircrafts. (Tokyo=Sapporo one round trip a day, Tokyo=Osaka two round trips a day, Tokyo=Osaka=Iwakuni=Fukuoka one round trip a day)
- 10.25
- Martin202 aircarft is retired from service .
- 11.14
- JAL acquires business licenses for irregular air transportation service and aircraft use.
- 12.8
- JAL’s head office is relocated. (Shin-Marunochi Building; 1-4, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
- 12.21
- JAL conducts the first special overseas flight between Tokyo and Manila to send back the corpse of the Philippine Ambassador to Japan.
4.16- JAMCO maintenance staff member is qualified as the first airline plant inspector. The first first-class maintenance staff is qualified in May 1953.
- 6.20
- The first two Japanese aviators are officially qualified.
- 8.1
- The Japan Air Lines Limited Law (JAL LAW) comes into effect (approved on July 24).
- 8.4
- A Japanese pilot acquires the first DC-4 co-pilot licence.
- 8.10
- JAL employed The first generation of stewards (10 persons).
- 10.1
- Under the JAL Law, the present Japan Air Lines Inc. is established.( capital; 2 billion yen, Chairman; Mr. Kunizo Hara, President; Mr. Seijiro Yanagida). The former Japan Air Lines Inc. is dissolved.
- 10.2
- JAL introduces the first DC-6B aircraft 'City of Tokyo' on the Tokyo-Sapporo route.
- 12.9
- JAL establishes New York office.
- 12.20
- JAL inaugurates the Tokyo=Fukuoka route, as a extra nonstop service (with DC-6B plane).
2.2- JAL revises stewardesses' uniform along with the establishment of international routes (designed by Mohei Ito, dark blue tight skirt).
JAL inaugurates the Tokyo=Wake=Honolulu=San Francisco route as the first international flight service (with DC-6B plane, 2 round trips a week, one way fare; $650, ¥234,000).
- 2.5
- JAL inaugurates the Tokyo=Okinawa(Naha) route. (with DC-6B plane)
- 2.22
- Start of Japan’s first complete overhaul work by JAL Maintenance (DC4 Tokachi-go) (6.7 completion)
- 4.1
- JAL establishes two seat classes, 'First Class' and 'Tourist Class (present Economy Class)' on its international routes.
- 6.1
- Five Japanese emplyees become the first to gain the qualification of flight engineer (DC-6B).
- 8.23
- Their Imperial Majesties of Showa Emperor and Kojun Empress board a JAL flight for the first time (Sapporo-Tokyo).
- 10.23
- Two Japanese acquire the first pilot license (DC-4). The first operation after the World War Ⅱby both Japanese pilot and copilot is realized (Tokyo-Fukuoka) on November 2.
- 12.6
- JAL establishes Chicago branch.
2.4- JAL extends the Tokyo=Okinawa(Naha) route to Hong Kong (with DC-6B plane).
- 3.18
- Two Japanese acquire the first qualification of dispatcher.
- 12.7
- The first Japanese pilot is qualified as DC-6B captain. (the first captain for international flights)
5.25- JAL issues the first corporate bond of 500 million yen (Government guaranteed, allotted to the advance payment of DC-8 aircraft).
- 9.13
- JAL inaugurates the Fukuoka=Naha route (with DC-4 plane).
- 10.4
- JAL extends the Tokyo=Hong Kong route to Bangkok (with DC-6B plane).
- 12.5
- JAL operates the first extra freighter service (DC-4 chartered aircraft) on the Tokyo=San Francisco route.
7.20- JAL inaugurates the Tokyo=Sapporo midnight discount service 'Aurora' (with DC-4 plane, every summer until 1967)
- 9.6
- JAL establishes London office.
2.12- JAL introduces the first DC-7C aircraft 'City of San Francisco' to commence the Tokyo=Honolulu=San Francisco route.
- 5.8
- JAL extends the Tokyo=Hong Kong=Bangkok route to Singapore (with DC-6B plane).
- 6.23
- His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince (the Kinjo Emperor) boards a JAL scheduled flight for the first time (Tokyo-Sapporo).
1.26- Inauguration of Operation Center (2.15 opening).
- 5.2
- JAL inaugurates the first scheduled freighter flight on the Tokyo=San Francisco route (with DC-4 plane).
- 5.28
- JAL inaugurates the Tokyo=Honolulu=Los Angeles route (with DC-7C plane).
- 6.27
- JAL inaugurates the Tokyo=Anchorage=Seattle route (with DC-7C plane).
- 7.30
- JAL inaugurates the Tokyo=Taipei=Hong Kong route. (with DC-6B plane)
- 8.15
- JAL starts rolled hand towel service on its domestic flights, and distributes happi coats on its international flights.
- 10.12
- Sponsors 15th IATA General Meeting (Chaired by President Yanagida) in Tokyo( - 10.16).
- 11.25
- JAL introduces the remodeled DC-6 semi-cargo aircraft to replace the Tokyo=San Francisco private cargo freighter (DC-4 chartered aircraft).
3.- JAL participates in the formation of IATP (International Airlines Technical Pool). Affiliated in March, 1961.
- 4.1
- JAL inaugurates Northern route service to Europe (Tokyo=Anchorage=Hamburg=Paris) by joint operation with Air France (with B707 plane).
- 6.3
- JAL inaugurates to calling at Osaka on the Tokyo=Hong Kong route.
- 8.12
- JAL introduces the first DC-8 aircraft 'FUJI' on the Tokyo=San Francisco route .JAL changes the uniform of its stewardesses, according to the inauguration of jet flight (designed by Mohei Ito, dark blue colour with gold buttons).
- 8.18
- JAL introduces the DC-7C aircraft on the Tokyo=Sapporo route, the first introduction on domestic route.
- 9.22
- JAL conducts a special flight to the U.S. with 'City of Los Angeles' for the goodwill visit of their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince (the Kinjo Emperor) and Crown Princess. - 10.07
- 10.1
- JAL introduces a private freighter service on the Tokyo=San Francisco route (with DC-6A plane, two round trips a week).
- 10.21
- His Majesty the Emperor Showa and Her Majesty the Empress Kojun board JAL jet plane (DC-8) to attend the National Athletic Meet in Kumamoto.
- 11.2
- JAL introduces the DC-8 plane on the Tokyo=Hong Kong direct route.
- 11.12
- JAL conducts a Asia/Africa special flight for the goodwill tour of Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince (the Kinjo Emperor) and Princess with 'City of Osaka'.
Related Links
- History of Company
- History of Aircraft
- History of Uniforms
