Free Wi-Fi service

All Nippon Airways (ANA) now offers free in-flight Wi-Fi service to ANA premium members on all domestic flights.

Customers who have joined the ANA mileage club and have platinum or diamond status are eligible for this service.

The airline also plans to extend the free, unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi service to all other customers from April 1.

The service is available on Boeing 777, 787, 767 and 737-800 aircraft, as well as Airbus A321 aircraft for all classes. It will not be offered on Boeing 737-500 and 737-700 or Bombardier DHC-8-Q400 planes.

ANA will install Wi-Fi equipment on approximately 100 aircraft for its domestic line by the end of fiscal 2018. It has already completed installation on 70 aircraft.

Historic fashion showcase

In celebration of 65 years of service between Paris and Tokyo, Air France held a reception at the French ambassador’s residence on Dec. 14, organizing a fashion show to showcase past uniforms worn by their flight attendants.

Thirteen uniforms were shown, including the first uniform worn on the inaugural flight to Japan in 1952. All were originals worn by flight attendants on duty.

Air France realized very early on that uniforms were crucial in creating the company’s brand image, so they sought out famous Paris fashion houses and designers. Past collaborators include Georgette de Treze, Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, Carven, Louis Feraud, Nina Ricci and Christian Lacroix.

Wearing designer uniforms, the flight attendants of Air France became ambassadors of French haute couture as they traveled the world. Air France now operates 22 weekly flights from Paris to Osaka and Tokyo.

New routes introduced

Thai Airways has launched direct flights between Bangkok and Narita airports on Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with the inaugural flight arriving in Japan on Jan. 17.

In addition to Narita, the airline plans to offer direct A350 flights serving Haneda and Kansai airports starting Feb. 17. TG643 departs Narita at 11:48 a.m. and arrives at Bangkok at 4:50 p.m.

For the inaugural A350 flight between Bangkok and Haneda, TG682 will depart Bangkok at 11:15 p.m. Feb. 16 and arrive in Haneda at 6:55 a.m. Feb. 17. Upon returning, TG683 will depart from Haneda at 10:35 a.m. Feb. 16 and arrive in Bangkok at 3:40 p.m.

Meanwhile, the first A350 flight from Bangkok to Kansai International Airport will depart at 11:15 p.m. on Feb. 16 and arrive at 6:25 a.m. on the following day.

For the return, TG623 will depart from Kansai at 11:00 a.m. on Feb. 16 and arrive in Bangkok at 3:45 p.m.

Thai Airways received its first A350 aircraft on Aug. 31, 2016, and now owns seven of the planes, with five more scheduled for delivery.