JAL unveils recyclable new uniforms

The JAL Group today unveiled new uniforms that will be adopted from April 2004 for the approximately 26,000 employees of the Group when the complete integration of Japan Airlines and Japan Air System is completed and two new airlines will be created.

Cockpit crew, cabin attendants and ground staff (airport, sales office and maintenance staff) will receive new uniforms. Cabin attendant uniforms are designed by leading Japanese couturier Yoshie Inaba, who designed the current JAL cabin crew uniform in 1996.

Integration of  JAL and JAS has been planned in two phases, with phase one launched in October 2002 by the formation of the JAL Group holding company, Japan Airlines System Corporation. Phase two of the integration begins in April 2004, when the Group will be restructured into two new airline companies, JAL International, which will handle international operations, and JAL Japan, which will fly domestic routes.

The uniforms feature JAL's newly-branded "Arc of the Sun" symbol and the red, silver, black and off-white colors used in all aspects of JAL Group design to create an image that communicates Japan, safety, innovation, quality, and reliability.

Introduction and procurement of the new uniforms has been the focus of a procurement improvement project using bulk orders and supply chain management to minimize costs. It is estimated that the new system will include a one billion yen saving over a six-year period compared to continued use of current uniform policy.

Currently, uniforms that are no longer usable are disposed of by burning, but now a uniform recycling system is being introduced as part of the JAL Group's environmental activities, to minimize waste of non-renewable resources.

The recycling system begins with shredding the old uniforms then turns the fiber thus produced into felt for automotive applications. Because of these efforts to reduce the burden of waste on the environment, the uniforms will be certified to bear the Eco mark.

NEW JAL GROUP UNIFORMS

Flight crew uniforms

Flight crew will wear black double-breasted suits with gold arm stripes. The new JAL mark is used for cap and chest emblems, and the wings around the mark are spread in flight. This uniform style is intended to project tradition, reliability and peace of mind.

Cabin crew uniforms

Japanese designer Yoshie Inaba, creator of the current JAL cabin crew uniforms so popular among customers and crew alike, was tapped to design the new uniforms. The design concept, based on reliability and sophistication, is spare and projects a strong feeling of integration.

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In tune with today's urbane tastes, female cabin crew uniforms are charcoal gray with pink or blue coordinated scarves, projecting a bright yet gentle feeling. Senior flight attendants will wear scarves in a white and navy pattern.

Male cabin crew will wear midnight blue jackets with narrow regimental stripe ties.

Ground staff / Airport and city offices

To express pride in Japanese tradition, the fabric used for jackets and vests worn by airport and city office staff incorporates a diamond-shaped motif, while scarves with a rolling wave design, intended to express limitless possibility, will be worn as an accent.

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Maintenance engineers

These uniforms incorporate black accents, to express sincerity, accuracy and uncompromising professionalism. Work coveralls carry a large JAL logo on the back. The plain design of these uniforms belies the painstaking touches used to ensure functionality and safety. Chief maintenance engineers' uniforms have a shoulder patch symbolizing leadership authority.