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Japan Airlines has been awarded two Good Design Awards this year. The winning products are JAL Shell Flat Neo – the airline’s newest international executive class seat, and Soraben – the innovative “resort-feel” economy class in-flight meal served onboard flights to Guam. Sponsored annually by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO), the Good Design Award is Japan’s only comprehensive design evaluation and commendation system, and is a mark of true quality.

The JAL Shell Flat Neo, awarded under the category of Society [Public Transit Vehicles], is a JAL original product that features the popular shell-shape seat. Based on customer feedback and the concept of Universal Design, practical and aesthetic enhancements were made to its predecessor, resulting in the new JAL Shell Flat Neo which boasts a bigger size personal TV screen and increased stowage area among other improvements. It was inaugurated in August 2008 on the Tokyo (Narita) – New York route (JL005/006), followed by service to San Francisco and will soon be available on routes to Los Angeles and Chicago by 25th of this month.

A winner under the Network [Publicity] category, Soraben, a Japanese style lunchbox first served in economy class on JAL’s short haul flights to Korea in July 2008, was introduced in March this year on the route to Guam. Once they are served the visually enticing and gastronomically satisfying lunchbox, passengers on the flight departing Japan can start to immerse in a resort ambience even before they arrive in Guam, and return with beautiful memories of the island evoked by the delightful breakfast menu offered on the return flight. The Soraben has since received numerous commendations and compliments for effectively creating the desired atmosphere in-flight.

Past Awards
This is the fifth Good Design Award Japan Airlines has won for its quality seats and a first for an in-flight meal. In 2002, the airline won the award for its international first class seat, the New Sky Sleeper Solo. This was followed in 2003 with an award for the airline’s international executive class seat, the JAL Shell Flat seat. The next year, JAL also won a Good Design Award for its domestic executive class seat, the class J seat. Preceding this year’s award, Japan Airlines won for its international premium economy seat, the JAL Sky Shell Seat, in 2008.

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