Bangkok Airways and Japan Airlines Start Codeshare and Mileage Tie-up

TOKYO, 2012-11-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — Japan Airlines (JAL) and Bangkok Airways (PG) today announced the commencement of their codeshare agreement on select flights between three airports in Japan and Bangkok operated by JAL, as well as between Bangkok and four points within the region on PG, effective from November 15, 2012.

The new partnership will enable customers of both Japan Airlines and Bangkok Airways travelling from Tokyo’s Haneda and Naritaairports, and Osaka (Kansai), a smoother transit through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and onward to Mumbai, Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai, and vice versa.

JAL and PG have also agreed on a reciprocal mileage tie-up that will enable members of their respective mileage programs to redeem^*1 award tickets on either airline for departures on or after November 15, 2012. This development expands the number of JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) partner airlines to 15^*2 as JAL seeks to make the program more beneficial and attractive for customers.

Reservations, sales and redemption for the codeshare flights and award tickets start from November 8, 2012.

“Creating a more comprehensive network and providing a wider range of mileage-redemption options for the convenience of our customers are important aspects of service,” said Tsutomu Ando, Executive Officer for International Relations and Alliances of Japan Airlines. “Through partnerships with quality airlines that have an extensive reach in their region such as Bangkok Airways, we hope to improve our ability to facilitate travel for businesses and leisure to and from Japan.”

Mr. Peter Wiesner, Bangkok Airway’s Senior Vice President – Network management commented “This new partnership will offer better flight connectivity for passengers travelling from long-haul routes with Japan Airlines to Bangkok for their onward journey to Mumbai. Moreover, Thailand’s key destinations namely Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai always have great potentials which attract a large number of tourists, especially Japanese. Therefore, we believe this partnership will offer a unique service for Japan Airlines passengers and will strengthen Bangkok Airways’ extensive network as well as boosting tourism in Asia.”

^*1The current partnership excludes accrual of mileage when frequent flyer members of both airlines travel on flights operated by the other.

^*2JMB partner airlines: Air Berlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Finnair, Iberia, LAN Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, S7, Air France, Emirates, China Eastern, Hokkaido Air Commuter, Bangkok Airways.

Japan Airlines (JL) operated flights (International):

Bangkok Airways (PG) operated flights (International):

Bangkok Airways (PG) operated flight (Domestic):

The codeshare flights above are subject to government approval.

For more information on Japan Airlines and Bangkok Airways, including its destinations and services, please visit www.jal.com and www.bangkokair.com.

About Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines (JAL), a member of the oneworld® alliance, is based in Tokyo with hubs in Narita and Haneda. It has an international network reaching more than 221 airports in 40 countries and regions together with its codeshare partners while domestically, the airline serves over 50 airports throughout Japan. JAL’s fleet of 215 aircraft includes the revolutionary Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737s, 767s, 777s, Embraer 170 and other regional jets. The JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) has reached over 25 million members worldwide today and is Japan’s biggest frequent flyer program. Japan Airlines was awarded the most punctual major global airline in 2009 and 2010.

About Bangkok Airways

Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com), with the ASIA’S BOUTIQUE AIRLINE slogan, is the first private airline established in Thailand since 1968. Taking off daily with about a hundred flights per day from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok Airways flies travelers from around the world to more than twenty exquisite destinations across Thailand and Asia. To name a few; Samui, Phuket, Trat (Koh Chang), Maldives are amongst the hottest beach selections; whilst Sukhothai, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap (Angkor), are of the world heritage personalities, each of which possesses her unique flair.

Bangkok Airways is the only airline in Asia that has won the Skytrax’ Best Regional Airline for six consecutive years since 2004. As a member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Bangkok Airways continues to provide comfort at an uncompromised safety standard to all passengers towards the region’s tourism sustainability.

Presently, Bangkok Airways’ fleet consists of 19 aircraft; eight ATR 72s, three Airbus 320s, and eight Airbus 319s.

Media Contact

Bangkok Airways    Passapong Jirawattanasak, Deputy Manager – Regional and International, Corporate Communications

DID: (66) 2265-5670

Email: passapong@bangkokair.com / regional@bangkokair.com

Japan Airlines           Sze Hunn Yap, Corporate News Group, Public Relations

DID: (81) 3-5460-3109

Email: sze_hunn.yap@jal.com

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