Japan Airline's New Liverly More Surprising Than You Think

Japan has for years been a culture that strives for new and better in everything they do.  From new technology to competative products sold worldwide, there's nothing like Japan's determined will for good quality and sleek new design.  So when Japan Airlines announced earlier this year that it's coming out with a new livery, I wondered how much more modern and eye catching could they they get?  The result is something no airline in history has done before; they took a humble step back to revere Japan Airline's traditional and historical values.

As a fan of retro airline livery's, this picture of Japan Airlines newly painted Boeing 777-246 at Haneda blew my mind.  I couldn't believe that an airline of this size and global importance was taking such a bold stance with their image.  "Is this a joke?!  Are they running out of ideas? Maybe their marketing towards airline geeks worldwide..."  Well, thankfully, none of these thoughts were true.

To better understand what's going on, here's a quote from JAL Group President Masaru Onishi from a press release earlier this year: "Today, we firmly resolve to recapture the unity and challenging spirit that our employees possessed at the time of JAL's founding, and together, we will propel the company forward over the hurdles that lie ahead to again stand at the forefront of this ever-evolving industry."  With Japan Airlines' financial struggles and, yes, a rapidly changing financial future for airlines worldwide, Japan Airlines' bold new step to highlight their will and determination to move forward as a quality driven and vividly Japanese airline is moving and heartwarming.  With airlines scrambling to find new ways to sell more seats, it's nice to know that there is at least one airline not concerned with lowering prices or lavish interiors (although I do like both), but instead a new shift to honor what Japan Airlines set out to do over fifty years ago; to make a quality airline that not only provides good service but honorably portrays the Japanese spirit and culture. 

With this, I say "way t'go Japan Airlines!" and lift my pint of Asahi towards that beautiful yet simple red crane now being revived throughout the Japan Airlines fleet.  Plus, I just think it looks tight :D