I introduced the ANA Blue Hangar tour the other day, but today I would like to talk about a similar tour offered by Japan’s other flag carrier, JAL. So let’s get started!
First, let me introduce an overview of the tour.
JAL’s maintenance hangar tour is an opportunity to visit JAL’s maintenance facility located at Haneda Airport. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours, with the first 45 minutes dedicated to see the museum called JAL SKY MUSEUM, followed by the remainder of the time for touring the maintenance hangar. The hangar houses a variety of aircraft undergoing maintenance, and you will be captivated by the sight.
If the weather is well, the hangar doors may be open, providing a chance to witness planes taking off and landing in close proximity, which is truly awe-inspiring.
During my visit, I had the chance to see the Boeing 777, Boeing 737, and Airbus A350. Especially Airbus A350 is a state-of-the-art aircraft with beautiful curved winglets, and JAL is the only Japanese airline that owns this aircraft, making it a special experience.
Compared to the ANA Blue Hangar tour, the visitation time at the hangar was slightly shorter. However, a good point is that at the JAL SKY MUSEUM, you can explore various historical uniforms, flight simulators and the interior of the aircraft used by the Emperor of Japan.
Making a reservation is extremely simple. All you need to do is visit the official web site of the JAL SKY MUSEUM. Although the reservation page appears to be available only in Japanese, you can easily proceed with the reservation by using the translation feature in your browser.
However, there is one important point to note. This tour is really popular even within Japan, and the slots tend to sell out quickly as soon as reservations open.
Reservations begin exactly one month before the tour date, so it’s advisable to plan ahead. It seems that reservations start around 9:00 AM Japan Standard Time. Please be aware that slots, especially for weekends, fill up rapidly, so exercise caution.
You can easily reach the JAL’s maintenance hangar from the Tokyo Monorail’s Shinseibi Station on foot. Once you go up the escalator at the station, immediately turn right, and you will find your way without getting lost. It is not necessary to arrive too early as you won’t be allowed inside the building. Arriving about 5 minutes in advance should be sufficient.
To enter the hangar, make sure to have the email you received upon completing your reservation, as you will need to show it. Please remember to prepare it in advance.
Lastly, I will conclude by showcasing a few additional photos taken during JAL’s maintenance hangar tour. While photography and videography is generally allowed during the tour, please follow the instructions of the guide.
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