American Airlines Boosts U.S.-Asia Connectivity With Bigger Aircraft for Shanghai and Tokyo

Published on September 12, 2024

American Airlines is set to expand its services from the U.S. to Asia next summer, with key routes to Shanghai and Tokyo benefiting from larger aircraft designed for business travelers. While flight frequencies will remain unchanged, the increase in aircraft size will boost overall capacity on these routes.

The affected sectors include:

• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
• DFW to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
• DFW to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to HND

As in this summer, American Airlines will continue operating two daily flights from Dallas to Tokyo next summer, with one flight to Haneda and another to Narita. Due to slot restrictions at Haneda, the carrier is unlikely to consolidate its operations entirely at this airport. The Boeing 777-200 will serve Narita, while the Boeing 787-9 will operate the Haneda route. Below is a summary comparing the airline’s August 2024 schedule with the upcoming summer plan.

Cirium data shows that the Boeing 787-8 provided 7,254 seats per month on each sector in August 2024. Both aircraft planned for next summer will boost seat capacity. Currently, the Boeing 787-8 operates American Airlines’ Los Angeles to Tokyo route, but next year, the airline will upgrade to the Boeing 787-9, maintaining twice-daily service. In August 2024, American offered 14,508 seats on this route, facing competition from four other airlines.

Los Angeles is one of the largest U.S. markets from Tokyo, but American faces stiff competition, including:

• Delta Air Lines (A330-900neo)
• Japan Airlines (787-9 & 777-300ER)
• All Nippon Airways (787-8 & 787-9)
• United Airlines (787-10)

American Airlines started daily flights with a Boeing 777-200 on June 28, and these are expected to continue next summer. However, the carrier’s website indicates the Boeing 787-9 will also be used.