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When the precursor of today's Japan Airlines was first formed in August of 1951, it was an airline with no aircraft, no flight crews and practically no money. What it did have were some intangible assets including the Japanese heritage of pride in service and a management determined to create a world-class airline. On October 25 the first JAL aircraft took to the skies to link Tokyo with several other Japanese cities. The aircraft – three Martin 202s – and the flight crews had been leased from Northwest Airlines. A year later JAL had its own aircraft and crews; a year after that JAL opened overseas offices. In February 1954 it became an international airline with the inauguration of Tokyo - San Francisco service. Southeast Asia operations began next, followed by expansion in the U.S. In 1960 JAL entered the jet age with custom tailored DC-8s. The interiors took two years to design, and recreated the atmosphere of a fine Japanese home. Europe was the next destination for international service with Tokyo linked to Copenhagen, London and Paris via the North Pole and to Rome, Frankfurt and London via Calcutta, Karachi and Cairo. From its modest entrance on the international scene to the latest innovation, JAL Executive Class - Seasons, JAL concentrated on maintaining the highest possible standards of service on the ground and in the air. A unique JAL feature, since adopted by many other airlines, is the serving of steaming hot towels – oshibori – to passengers, followed by a selection of foods that includes traditional Japanese delicacies. The name "JAL" became synonymous with unequaled inflight luxury. Rates in U.S. dollars (USD) per person
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