American to Offer the Only Service Between New York and Tokyo/Haneda

Posted: February 18th, 2011

American Airlines has announced it will begin service between New York and Tokyo's International Airport at Haneda (Haneda), making it the first U.S. airline to provide service between the continental United States and Haneda since the United States and Japan signed a historic Open Skies Agreement in October 2010. Haneda, which is located 30 minutes from downtown Tokyo, is the most convenient airport for people traveling to or from Tokyo’s city center. The new flight has been put in service as a result of increased corporate travel. American will start flying from New York's John F. Kennedy airport to Haneda on February 18, and service from Haneda will begin February 20.

American also said it was looking to expand its network in China. The airline has said it is adding 31 flights on 13 new routes from New York, and investing USD$30 million in its terminals at JFK and LaGuardia airports.

Here are some facts pulled from American Airline’s web page:

Haneda Facts:
- Haneda is the most convenient airport serving Tokyo for customers traveling to or from the city center - located only 30 minutes from downtown Tokyo.
- With almost 70 million annual passengers, Haneda is one of the busiest airports in Asia, and the fourth busiest airport in the world.
- Once the route begins, the oneworld® alliance will have more flights between the U.S. and Haneda than any other alliance.
- Haneda is Japan’s main hub for domestic flights, providing the widest range of options for connections to and from cities throughout the country.

American Airlines Facts:
- With the New York – Haneda service, American will be the only airline to serve both Narita and Haneda Airports from New York.
- In addition to its new service to Haneda, American will continue to provide service to Tokyo’s Narita Airport from New York-JFK, Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth.
- American Airlines cornerstone markets are also some of the most traveled U.S. – Japan markets. Passengers traveling to or from AA cornerstone markets to Japan represent approximately 43% of the Continental U.S. – Tokyo traffic.*
- American Airlines codeshares on Japan Airlines service between Tokyo’s Narita Airport and New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Honolulu as well as from San Francisco and Honolulu to Haneda – providing customers with even more travel choices to Japan and Asia.
- The new AA flight will use a Boeing 777 with 247 seats, 16 in First Class, 37 in Business Class, and 194 in Economy Class