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American Airlines will resume its flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, beginning June 1. Haneda is the closest airport to the central commercial area of Tokyo, and the flights will place travelers just 20 minutes away from key downtown business districts.
Nearly 70 million customers pass through Haneda Airport annually, making it Asia’s second busiest airport and the fifth busiest airport in the world. It is also Japan’s main hub for domestic flights, providing the widest range of options for connections to and from cities throughout the country.
American and Japan Airlines, its Pacific joint business partner within the oneworld alliance, will now offer customers the choice of two daily flights between JFK and Tokyo – one JAL flight to and from Tokyo’s Narita Airport, and the resumed American Airlines flight to and from Haneda. Japan Airlines will codeshare with American on the New York-Haneda flight.
"We are delighted to again offer our customers these extremely convenient flights," said Tim Ahern, American’s Vice President – New York/International. "Travel between these two great cities is a key ingredient in commerce and cultural exchange between the United States and Japan, and we are pleased to team up with our excellent partner JAL in providing customers two travel choices every day."
Yuki Tanaka, Executive Director, New York Office of the Japan National Tourism Organization, added: "Tourism from the United States to Japan is on the upswing, and American visitors will be delighted by the many new hotels and attractions Tokyo offers today. The resumption of American’s nonstop flight to Haneda from JFK should accelerate this positive trend, since the proximity of Haneda to downtown Tokyo will make it all the more inviting for Americans to visit this fascinating city and experience its many attractions, including the finest in culture, food, sports and entertainment."
Onboard Amenities
The new American Airlines flight will use a Boeing 777-200ER with 247 seats – 16 in First Class, 37 in Business Class and 194 in the Main Cabin. The First Class cabin is outfitted with American’s Flagship Suite in a 1-2-1 configuration. Considered one of the most comfortable and popular First Class seats in the industry, each Flagship Suite transforms into a fully lie-flat 6-foot-6-inch bed with drop-down armrests that allow for easier access and more sleeping space. Customers traveling in First Class can also enjoy the ultimate in video and audio entertainment options, as well as a variety of inflight amenities, including American’s turndown service with a quilted bed topper, pajamas and slippers as well as amenity kits that include Dermalogica products and a premium-class duvet paired with an oversized plush pillow.
The 777-200ER Business Class cabin features fully adjustable lie-flat seats, a library of entertainment at the customer’s fingertips, amenity kits, and the premium-class duvet paired with an oversized plush pillow. Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones are available in both First and Business Class.
American Airlines briefly flew between JFK and Haneda beginning Feb. 18, 2011, but was forced to suspend the flights when demand for travel to Japan subsided following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The JFK-Haneda flights will now offer connecting opportunities to North American cities such as Boston, Miami, Raleigh/Durham, Washington, D.C. and Montreal, as well as from Haneda to Singapore and Bangkok.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.