View source for JALways

{{Short description|Defunct charter airline of Japan (1990–2010)}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = JALways<br/>{{nobold|{{nihongo2|株式会社ジャルウェイズ}}<br/>{{transliteration|ja|Kabushiki-gaisha Jaruweizu}}}}
| logo = JALways logo.png
| logo_size = 200
| IATA = JO
| ICAO = JAZ
| callsign = J-WAYS
| founded = {{start date|1990|10|05}}<br />{{small|(as ''Japan Air Charter'')}}
| commenced = {{start date|1991|02|22}}
| ceased = {{end date|2010|12|01}}<br />{{small|(re-integrated into [[Japan Airlines]])}}
| headquarters = [[Narita, Chiba|Narita]], [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]], [[Japan]]
| key_people = Hiroshi Ikeda ([[President (corporate title)|President]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
| hubs = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Haneda Airport|Tokyo–Haneda]]
  | [[Narita International Airport|Tokyo–Narita]]}}
| secondary_hubs = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Itami Airport|Osaka–Itami]]
  | [[Kansai International Airport|Osaka–Kansai]]}}
| frequent_flyer = [[JAL Mileage Bank]]
| alliance = {{nowrap|[[Oneworld]] {{small|(affiliate; 2007–2010)}}}}
| parent = [[Japan Airlines]]
| destinations = 
| website = 
}}

{{nihongo|'''JALways Co., Ltd.''' ('''JAZ''')|株式会社ジャルウェイズ|Kabushiki-gaisha Jaruweizu}}, formerly {{nihongo|'''Japan Air Charter Co., Ltd.'''|ジャパンエアチャーター株式会社|Japan Ea Chātā Kabushiki-gaisha}}, was an international [[airline]] registered in [[Shinagawa, Tokyo|Shinagawa]], [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]], with its [[headquarters]] and its [[airline hub|main hub]] at [[Narita International Airport]]. The airline had a secondary hub at [[Osaka]]'s [[Kansai International Airport]]. Its operations included scheduled and non-scheduled international [[passenger]] services to 15 high-density low yield tourist destinations in nine countries using a fleet of [[Boeing]] only aircraft [[Aircraft lease#Wet lease|wet-lease]]d from [[Japan Airlines]].

JALways was founded as Japan Air Charter on October 5, 1990 and began charter operations with a [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] on February 22, 1991.  The airline obtained a license to operate scheduled services on July 30, 1999 and operated its first scheduled passenger service on October 1. On the same day, the airline changed its name to JALways. In the [[fiscal year]] ended March 31, 1999, JALways, together with its sister airlines within the JAL Group, carried over 32 [[million]] passengers and over 1.1 million [[ton]]s of cargo and [[mail]].

JALways was once a wholly owned [[subsidiary]] of Japan's [[flag carrier]], Japan Airlines, but on December 1, 2010 its operations were merged into those of its parent company.<ref>[http://www.jalways.co.jp/topics/101008.html 特別なお知らせ]{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} "Special News from JALways" {{in lang|ja}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:JAL Narita Operation Center Building.JPG|thumb|JAL Narita Operation Center - JALways's headquarters]]
The [[airline]] was established on October 5, 1990, as Japan Air Charter Co., Ltd. (JAZ), an 80 percent-owned low-cost [[charter airline|charter]] [[subsidiary]] of [[Japan Airlines]] (JAL), to operate leisure flights to [[Asia-Pacific]] resort destinations from regional airports in [[Japan]]; in response to a [[Ministry of Transport (Japan)|Ministry of Transport]] policy. JAZ obtained its aircraft from JAL; its [[aviator|cockpit crew]]s were [[United States|America]]n contract [[aviator|pilot]]s based in [[Hawaii]] and its [[flight attendant|cabin crew]]s were hired and based in [[Bangkok]], where it operates a cabin crew training centre. JAZ obtained license to operate non-scheduled services on February 22, 1991 and operated its first charter flight from [[Fukuoka]] to [[Honolulu]] with a [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] on July 1. The airline celebrated its 100,000th [[passenger]] on July 9, 1993, in a ceremony held in [[Sendai]].<ref name=hist>{{cite web|title=Company Profile - History|url=http://www.jalways.co.jp/english/company/history.html|publisher=JALways|access-date=2009-09-08|archive-date=2019-02-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142603/http://www.jal.co.jp/jalways/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=JALways>{{cite press release|title=JAL's Low Cost Charter Subsidiary Reborn as Scheduled Airline - JALways|url=http://www.jal.com/en/press/1999/062501/062501.html|publisher=[[Japan Airlines]]|date=1999-06-25|access-date=2009-09-08}}</ref><ref name=FI040323>{{cite news|title=J-Air|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200211.html|format=PDF|page=89|work=[[Flight International]]|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|date=2004-03-23|access-date=2009-09-12}}</ref>

During the 1990s, JAL was hit by the effects of Japan's [[recession]], increased foreign competition and the strengthening of the [[Japanese Yen]], JAZ was given a new role to help reduce costs. The airline obtained the license to operate scheduled services on July 30, 1999 and would operate as a scheduled carrier on a [[aircraft lease#Wet lease|wet-lease]] basis for JAL. It would operate on high-density low yield tourist routes in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the Japan–Hawaii services; with a fleet of four McDonnell Douglas DC-10s and five [[Boeing 747]]s. On October 1, the airline changed its name to JALways Co., Ltd. and operated its first scheduled passenger service from Tokyo to [[Kailua, Hawaii County, Hawaii|Kona]] and Honolulu.<ref name=hist/><ref name=JALways/><ref name=FI040323/>

JALways became a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines on March 9, 2001 through an exchange of shares. The change in ownership enabled JAL to consolidate and improve management and operational efficiency in the JAL Group's international passenger operations, part of the JAL Medium Term Corporate Plan 2000-2002.<ref>{{cite press release|title=JAL Changes 80% Owned Airline Subsidiary "JALways" to 100% Ownership|url=http://www.jal.com/en/press/2001/011701/011701.html|publisher=[[Japan Airlines]]|date=2001-01-17|access-date=2009-09-08}}</ref> The airline introduced new uniforms for its cabin crew on April 1, 2005, and retired its last McDonnell Douglas DC-10 on October 31.<ref name=hist/> JALways became an affiliate member of [[Oneworld]] on April 1, 2007, together with four of its sister airlines, in the alliance's biggest expansion in its young history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Japan Airlines|url=http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=8442|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718053503/http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=8442|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-18|work=ATW Daily News|publisher=[[Penton Media]]|date=2007-04-03|access-date=2009-09-12}}</ref>

As part of the JAL Medium Term Corporate Plan for 2005–2007, announced on March 10, 2005, the JAL Group accelerated the retirement of older Boeing 747 aircraft. The airline operated its last [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-300]] ''Classic Jumbo Jet'' as JALways Flight 73 from Honolulu to Tokyo on July 30, 2009; after 26 years of service to the airline group. The aircraft was draped in a giant [[lei (Hawaii)|Hawaiian lei]] before departure at [[Honolulu International Airport]]; and the day was declared as "Japan Airlines Classic Jumbo Jet Day" by the [[Hawaii|State of Hawaii]] [[Linda Lingle|Governor Linda Lingle]] and [[Duke Aiona|Lt. Governor Duke Aiona]] The aircraft was met on arrival in Tokyo by the "Father of the 747", [[Joe Sutter|Mr Joseph F. "Joe" Sutter]]. A sell-out commemorative flight flew fans of the Boeing 747-300 ''Classic Jumbo Jet'' from Tokyo (Haneda) to Shimojishima on a round-trip day tour on July 5, 2009.<ref>{{cite press release|title=JAL Medium Term Corporate Plan for 2005-2007|url=http://www.jal.com/en/press/0000020/img/CORPLAN%20MAR%2010%202005.pdf|format=PDF|page=4|publisher=[[Japan Airlines]]|date=2005-03-10|access-date=2009-09-08}}</ref><ref name=B743>{{cite press release|title=JAL Retires Last 747 Classics|url=http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200907/001271.html|publisher=[[Japan Airlines]]|date=2009-07-30|access-date=2009-09-08}}</ref>

In May 2009, it was reported that the airline terminated the assignments of 130 American contract [[Hawaii]]-based [[Boeing 747]] pilots and closed its [[Oahu]] office. Japan-based JAL cockpit crew now operates the five daily flights previously operated by the JALways crew.<ref>{{cite news|title=Japan Airlines subsidiary JALways|url=http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=16572|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718221858/http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=16572|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-18|work=ATW Daily News|publisher=[[Penton Media]]|date=2009-05-11|access-date=2009-09-12}}</ref>

== Corporate affairs ==
Prior to closing, its [[headquarters]] were on the third floor of the {{nihongo|Japan Airlines Narita Operation Center|日本航空成田オペレーションセンター|''Nihon Kōkū Narita Operēshon Sentā''}} at [[Narita International Airport]] in [[Narita, Chiba|Narita]], [[Chiba Prefecture]] and its [[airline hub|main hub]] at Narita International Airport.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20081219104422/http://www.jalways.co.jp/english/company/index.html Company Profile]" () JALways. Retrieved on December 12, 2009. "Registered Office 4-11, Higashi-Shinagawa 2-chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan Head Office Japan Airlines Narita Operation Center 3F, Narita International Airport, Narita, Chiba, Japan 282-8610" [https://web.archive.org/web/20090830075357/http://www.jalways.co.jp/company/index.html Japanese address] ([https://archive.today/20090830075357/http://www.jalways.co.jp/company/index.html Archive]): Registered office: "本店所在地 東京都品川区東品川2丁目4番11号" Headquarters: 〒282-8610 千葉県成田市成田国際空港内　日本航空成田オペレーションセンター3階."</ref>

Previously its headquarters were on the 23rd floor of the Spheretower Tennoz (スフィアタワー天王洲 ''Sufiatawā Tennōzu'') in [[Higashi-Shinagawa]], [[Shinagawa, Tokyo|Shinagawa]], [[Tokyo]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20080426214228/http://www.jalways.co.jp/english/company/index.html Company Profile]" (). JALways. April 26, 2008. Retrieved on January 19, 2014. "Head Office Spheretower Tennoz 23F, 2-8, Higashi-Shinagawa 2-chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan 140-0002" [https://web.archive.org/web/20080427040315/http://www.jalways.co.jp/company/index.html Japanese address] ([https://archive.today/20080427040315/http://www.jalways.co.jp/company/index.html Archive]): "本社事業所 〒140-0002 東京都品川区東品川2丁目2番8号 スフィアタワー天王洲23階"</ref>

== Destinations ==
Until November 30, 2010, JALways operated scheduled services to 12 international and 3 domestic destinations in 9 countries in 3 continents.

== Fleet ==
[[File:JALways B747-436SR (JA8187) departing Tokyo International Airport.jpg|thumb|JALways [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-300]]|alt=An aircraft taking off from the runway, with a city skyline on the background]]
JALways operated a fleet of [[Boeing 747-400]], [[Boeing 767]] and [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-200]] aircraft, [[aircraft lease#Wet lease|wet-lease]]d from its parent, [[Japan Airlines]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Timetable - September 1, 2009 - October 24, 2009 - Hawaii, Oceania and Guam|url=http://www.jal.co.jp/inter/time/pdf/hawaii0901_1024.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=[[Japan Airlines]]|date=2009-08-05|access-date=2009-09-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112104252/http://www.jal.co.jp/inter/time/pdf/hawaii0901_1024.pdf|archive-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref>

=== Fleet history ===
Aircraft that has been in service with JALways are (in alphabetical order):
* [[Boeing 747-100]] (JA8128)
* [[Boeing 747-200]]<ref name=hist/>
* [[Boeing 747-300|Boeing 747-300/SR]]<ref name=FI040323/><ref name=B743/>
* [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]]<ref name=hist/><ref name=FI040323/>

== JAL Mileage Bank ==
{{main|JAL Mileage Bank}}
<!--[[File:JAL Mileage Bank.png|right|163px|alt=Japan Airlines' "JAL" logo in black font in full capitals with a red and silver arc cross the character "A" in the middle, the words "Mileage Bank" in smaller black font in full capitals on the right and top aligned]]-->
JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) is the travel rewards program of JAL Group, including [[Japan Airlines]], JALways, [[JAL Express]], [[Japan Transocean Air]], [[Japan Air Commuter]], [[Hokkaido Air System]] and [[Ryukyu Air Commuter]].

== Incidents and accidents ==
On August 12, 2005, JALways Flight 58 operated by a [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] from [[Fukuoka]] to [[Honolulu]] experienced left-wing engine trouble shortly after takeoff. The aircraft immediately returned to [[Fukuoka Airport]]. Some engine parts fell on the Sharyo district of Fukuoka and several people were slightly injured and parked car windscreens damaged.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Engine Trouble on JALways Flight 58|url=http://www.jal.com/en/safety/info/info4.html|publisher=[[Japan Airlines]]|access-date=2009-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914161214/http://www.jal.com/en/safety/info/info4.html|archive-date=2008-09-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Tokyo|Companies|Aviation}}
* [[Transport in Japan#Air transport|Air transport in Japan]]
* [[List of airports in Japan]]
* [[List of Japanese companies]]
* [[Transport in Japan]]{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|http://www.jalways.co.jp/english}}
* [http://www.jal.com Japan Airlines]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080111185510/http://www.jazpa.org/ JALways Pilot Association]
<!-- * [http://www.oknation.net/blog/captjackjal CAPTJACK CRAWFORD VS. JAL, JALways] -->

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[[Category:Airlines established in 1990]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2010]]
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[[Category:Japanese companies disestablished in 2010]]
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