American Airlines Details New Tokyo Haneda Flights

In August the US Department of Transportation formally granted US airlines 12 additional daytime slots for Tokyo Haneda. This is Tokyo’s most convenient airport, and there was quite some competition for these slots, as American, Delta, Hawaiian, and United, all wanted to launch flights to this airport.

So far both Delta and United have revealed the full details of their new Tokyo Haneda flights, and now American has revealed the details of their additional flights as well.

American Was Granted Two Additional Haneda Flights

As it stands, American has one daily flight to Tokyo Haneda, operated out of Los Angeles. When more Tokyo Haneda slots became available, American requested the following four additional frequencies to Tokyo Haneda:

• 2x daily Dallas flights
• 1x daily Las Vegas flight
• Additional 1x daily Los Angeles flight

They ended up being granted 1x daily Dallas to Haneda flight, and a second daily Los Angeles to Haneda flight, for a total of three daily flights to Tokyo Haneda.

The airline has now revealed the full details of this new schedule, and these flights are expected to go on sale as of September 30, 2019.

American’s New Dallas To Tokyo Haneda Flight

As of March 29, 2020, American will launch daily 777-300ER flights between Dallas and Tokyo Haneda. The flight will operate with the following schedule:

Dallas to Tokyo Haneda departing 12:35PM arriving 3:55PM (+1 day)
Tokyo Haneda to Dallas departing 6:15PM arriving 4:25PM

This is pretty significant, given that American only uses the 777-300ER for their flagship routes, as it’s their only long haul international plane with first class.

American’s 777-300ER

American’s 777-300ERs feature a total of 304 seats, including eight first class seats, 52 business class seats, 28 premium economy seats, 28 extra legroom economy seats, and 188 economy seats.

American’s 777-300ER business class

This will only be American’s second flight from Dallas to Asia on the 777-300ER, as the airline also flies the plane from Dallas to Hong Kong.

First class passengers will have access to American’s Flagship First Dining

This year the airline also started flying the plane seasonally between Los Angeles and Tokyo Haneda, though it’s not yet clear if that route will get the 777-300ER again next summer (it could very well be, given the Olympics).

American’s Expanded Los Angeles To Tokyo Haneda Flights

As of March 29, 2020, American will launch a second daily flight between Los Angeles and Tokyo Haneda, which will operate with the following schedule:

Los Angeles to Tokyo Haneda departing 12:40AM arriving 4:45AM (+1 day)
Tokyo Haneda to Los Angeles departing 11:55AM arriving 6:30AM

This flight will be operated by a 787-9, featuring a total of 285 seats, including 30 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, 36 extra legroom economy seats, and 198 economy seats.

American’s 787-9 business class

The schedule of this flight nicely complements American’s existing Los Angeles to Tokyo Haneda flight, which will operate with the following schedule next spring, also with a 787-9:

Los Angeles to Tokyo Haneda departing 10:15AM arriving 2:20PM
Tokyo Haneda to Los Angeles departing 4:25PM arriving 10:25AM

I will say that I think the schedule of the existing Haneda flight is significantly better. Landing at Haneda on the new frequency before 5AM is brutal, regardless of whether you’re traveling for business or leisure.

American’s 787-9

What Happens To Tokyo Narita Flights?

With American Airlines introducing new flights to Tokyo Haneda, the airline has also announced that they’ll be reducing flights to Tokyo Narita:

• American will cancel 1x daily Dallas to Tokyo Narita flight as of March 30, 2020
• American will cancel 1x daily Los Angeles to Tokyo Narita flight as of March 30, 2020
• American will cancel 3x weekly Chicago to Tokyo Narita flights as of March 30, 2020

That means American will only have a single flight to Tokyo Narita anymore, out of Dallas. Furthermore, this means that American will actually be overall reducing capacity to Tokyo in 2020, which is pretty incredible.

I was expecting they’d cut some flights to Narita, but I’m surprised to see that they’re actually reducing overall capacity.

American has a joint venture with Japan Airlines, so they have a lot of connectivity beyond Tokyo. Furthermore, with the Olympics in Tokyo next year, you’d think in the short term they’d at least want to keep capacity up.

Japan Airlines has a big presence at Tokyo Narita

Bottom Line

Of the “big three” US carriers, American was allocated the fewest additional Tokyo Haneda slots. What’s interesting is that initially they filed to fly the 777-200ER between Dallas and Tokyo Haneda, though they’re now going with a 777-300ER. That’s great for passengers.

Unfortunately with this development, American is decreasing capacity to Tokyo overall. The Dallas and Los Angeles Haneda flights are direct replacements of Narita flights, and American is cutting their Chicago to Narita flight as well.

What do you make of American’s new routes to Tokyo Haneda?