American Airlines to begin flying between New York and Haneda

Today, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) granted authority to American Airlines to operate daily, year-round scheduled service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tokyo International Airport at Haneda (HND). Service will commence on October 1, 2010.

“We are very pleased to be able to start this new service between two of the world’s principal financial centers. As we told DOT, we have long wanted to fly from New York to Haneda, the closest airport to downtown Tokyo,” said Will Ris, American’s senior vice president – government affairs. “The new service will strengthen our relationship with our oneworld partner, Japan Airlines (JAL), which has extensive operations at Haneda.

“Our success in winning this designation was greatly enhanced by the strong support from the Transport Workers Union and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. We recognize and are grateful for the effectiveness of their advocacy,” Ris added.

“American also publicly commends DOT for making this award, and we thank all of the government leaders who sent in letters to DOT on our behalf, including US Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand of New York, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and US Reps. Gregory W. Meeks and Michael McMahon, along with 15 other members of the New York congressional delegation,” said Ris. “We also appreciate the support we received from the US Senators from Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn; Texas Governor Rick Perry; Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert; and Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief.

“The US Department of State successfully negotiated an Open Skies accord with Japan in December 2009 that clears the way for US airlines to serve Haneda once the new agreement is signed,” Ris added. “There has been no scheduled service between the US and Haneda since Narita opened in 1978.

“With almost 70 million annual passengers, Haneda is the busiest airport in Asia, and the fourth busiest airport in the world,” said Ris. “It is in the public’s best interest that New York is first in line for this important new service opportunity.”

American will operate these new flights featuring 247-seat Boeing 777 aircraft, which hold 16 passengers in First Class, 37 in Business Class, and 194 in Economy Class. Here are the tentative schedules:

From JFK to Haneda: From Haneda to JFK:
Depart at 7:20 pm Depart at 7:00 am
Arrive at 10:20 pm (next day) Arrive at 6:50 am (same day)

The early evening departure from New York, and the early morning arrival in New York, will allow convenient round-trip connections to a number of beyond cities, including Boston, Miami, Orlando, Raleigh/Durham, St. Louis, and Washington (Reagan).

American currently operates nonstop service to: Tokyo’s Narita airport using Boeing 777 aircraft from Chicago (daily), Dallas/Fort Worth (twice daily), Los Angeles (daily), and New York JFK (daily). Under a codeshare arrangement between JAL and American, JAL displays its JL code on each of American’s US-Tokyo flights and American displays the AA code on daily flights operated by JAL between Narita and Chicago, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), and San Francisco.

On February 12, American and JAL filed a joint application with DOT for antitrust immunity for an alliance agreement and a joint business agreement for services between North America and Asia. Subject to government approvals, those agreements will allow greater cooperation between American and JAL, enhanced competition and improved air travel on trans-Pacific routes.

American’s and JAL’s oneworld partner, British Airways, previously announced its intention to create a joint business agreement with JAL so that, from April 2011 and subject to regulatory approval, the two carriers can enjoy greater revenue sharing opportunities that will offer real long-term value for Japan Airlines. As part of a joint business venture, British Airways has offered to support and facilitate a new service between London Heathrow and Haneda.