Japan Airlines History: JAL and the Red Crane Since 1951 – Airline Employee Shop

Japan Airlines History

Japan Airlines was born in 1951 as Japan rebuilt after the war, and its red crane became one of the most recognised symbols in the sky. Here's a short history of Japan Airlines, plus the Japan Airlines collection that celebrates it.

A postwar start (1951-1953)

Japan Airlines Co. was established on 1 August 1951, with headquarters in Ginza, Tokyo. Its first domestic service began on 25 October 1951 with a Martin 2-0-2 named Mokusei, flown with crew leased from a subsidiary of Northwest Orient. In 1953 the National Diet passed the Japan Airlines Company Act. A new state-backed JAL was formed on 1 October 1953 and took over the original company.

Across the Pacific and over the Pole (1954-1986)

On 2 February 1954, a Douglas DC-6B named City of Tokyo flew JAL's first international service, carrying 18 passengers from Tokyo to San Francisco via Wake Island and Honolulu. The airline's first jet, a Douglas DC-8 named Fuji, entered service in 1960. In 1961 JAL began transpolar flights via Anchorage to cities including Copenhagen, London and Paris. Boeing 747s and DC-10s joined the fleet in the 1970s.

A private airline (1987-2009)

JAL was fully privatised in 1987. In 2002 it agreed to merge with Japan Air System, and a joint holding company was set up on 2 October 2002. On 1 April 2004 the combined airlines were reorganised as Japan Airlines International and Japan Airlines Domestic. JAL joined the oneworld alliance on 1 April 2007.

Restructuring and return (2010-today)

On 19 January 2010, JAL filed for protection under Japan's Corporate Rehabilitation Law. Kazuo Inamori, founder of Kyocera, led the airline through its turnaround. JAL emerged from bankruptcy protection in March 2011 and returned to the Tokyo Stock Exchange on 19 September 2012.

A few things collectors love

  • The tsurumaru, a red crane with its wings forming a circle, was first registered as a JAL trademark in August 1959.
  • JAL set the crane aside in the 2000s for the "Arc of the Sun" design, then brought it back on 1 April 2011.
  • Early JAL aircraft carried names: the Martin 2-0-2 Mokusei, the DC-6B City of Tokyo and the DC-8 Fuji.

Shop Japan Airlines

Browse Japan Airlines logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Japan Airlines collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for a gift any Japan Airlines fan will enjoy.

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