Japan's Air, Rail Carriers Upgrade Biz Travel Offerings

Japan Airlines System and All Nippon Airways, Japan's two main airlines, this month said they will receive emergency aid from a state-run bank to help them overcome the impact of SARS and the Iraq war.

JAS' Japan Airlines, Asia's largest airline in terms of revenue, said it will get a ¥70 billion (US$632 million) emergency loan from the Development Bank of Japan. ANA said it also would receive an emergency DBJ loan, believed to be about ¥15 billion (US$136 million). The bank previously lent $1.4 billion to JAL and $768 million to ANA following the 2001 terrorist attacks. Like many carriers around the world, the two Japanese airlines' international operations were hit hard by falling passenger numbers this year after the outbreak of the Iraq war and SARS.

Both airlines last week also announced they are expanding their networks into China, through codeshare operations and other agreements with Chinese carriers.

Meanwhile, ANA within a year will be offering high-speed Internet access aboard its planes that the carrier claimed will provide passengers with the same access to the Internet inflight as they are accustomed to on the ground. The capability will enable passengers to send e-mail in real time during flights and will coincide with the delivery of the first of six Boeing 777-300 ER planes, scheduled between 2004 and 2006.

Earlier this year, ANA rolled out a new business class product that includes a seat/bed featuring 65 inches of legroom and the ability to fully recline. Business class passengers also now enjoy a nine-inch video monitor, 58 channels of digital audio/video on demand and noise-reducing earphones.

ANA also has upgraded its economy offerings. Seats now feature 39 inches of pitch, nearly 20 percent greater width, an adjustable headrest and legrest, universal power port, an individual video screen and the same audio/video entertainment choices as business class.

Back on the ground, the popular JR East Rail passes—which feature specific numbers of travel days within a given period—now are available for sale within Japan. Previously available for purchase only outside of the country, the passes offer great convenience and bargain fares in and around greater Tokyo, an area that includes the route linking Narita Airport and Tokyo, as well as such cities as Akita, Aomori, Matsumoto, Morioka, Nagano, Niigata, Sendai and Yokohama. Available service includes passage on bullet trains, which boast a top speed of approximately 170 miles per hour. Options for unlimited travel now include a flexi-pass, usable any four days within a month. Like all JR passes, the JR East pass continues to be available for purchase outside of Japan.

Meanwhile, the opening of the Shinagawa bullet train station means greater ease of access not just to those in the immediate area but for those starting their journey from the west or south sides of Tokyo, including such neighborhoods as Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya. Along with the station debut, there will be a concurrent increase in premium price Nozomiu trains and a reduction in standard Hikari service. This is pertinent to users of Japan Rail passes, since they are valid only on Hikari trains. However, even after the service shifts, Japan Rail assured users that there will still be two or more Hikari runs on the most popular routes, such as Tokyo-Osaka.