TOKYO December 20, 2005-ANA (All Nippon Airways) yesterday unveiled to the public its first Boeing 737-700 airplane, the first of 45 737-700 airplanes ordered in 2003 and the first Next-Generation 737 to be delivered to Japan.

To mark the occasion the aircraft, dubbed the 'Gold Jet', carries the ANA livery painted in gold, an auspicious colour in Asia. Actual delivery of the aircraft took place last month on November 23.

The ANA Next-Generation 737 fleet will carry between 118 and 136 passengers depending on the configuration, and feature ANA's brand-new seats, which recently received a Japanese Good Design award. The fleet will be operated on ANA's domestic and short-haul Asian networks, with the Gold Jet itself plying the route between Nagoya and Taipei from January 10, 2006. It will be operated by ANA subsidiary ANK (Air Nippon).

"This begins the simplification of our narrow-body fleet," said Mineo Yamamoto, President and CEO of ANA. "We look forward to reducing operating costs in this time of high fuel prices with the Next-Generation 737s. Additionally, our passengers will enjoy our new award-winning seats in the 737-700's comfortable interior."

ANA's new ergonomic, slimmer and lighter seats were introduced in October this year on ANA's Boeing 767-300 fleet, and are being incorporated in all ANA aircraft. Without increasing seat pitch, the new design increases passenger leg room by moving the magazine pocket from knee level to occupy space behind the tray table. To further enhance amenity, a coat hook has been provided, and the reclining button redesigned for greater ease of use.

In a first for a Japanese airline, a number of the seats also convert into center-row tables allowing the creation of up to 36 Premium Economy Asia seats - a new class for ANA. On domestic routes the 737-700 will fly with an all-Economy configuration of 136 seats. On international routes, up to 36 Premium Economy Asia seats can be created in line with demand, simply by converting 18 seats into center tables.

Rob Henderson, ANA Public Relations: r.henderson@ana.co.jp