Nonstop soaring to Tokyo: American Airlines secures tentative approval for direct flights from New York

Saturday, January 27, 2024

American Airlines is pleased to receive tentative approval from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for the initiation of nonstop service between New York (JFK) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). This approval positions American as the exclusive U.S. carrier offering this route, enhancing the collaborative efforts with its joint business partner, Japan Airlines.

“American looks forward to beginning nonstop service to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from JFK,” said American’s CEO Robert Isom. “We are grateful to the DOT and thankful to our partner Japan Airlines for supporting our application. Together, we are well-positioned to offer customers a comprehensive network between two of the most robust economies in the world. This new service will add nearly 200,000 additional round-trip seats annually between the U.S. and Japan, offering customers more ways to conduct business in the global marketplace or connect with family and friends.”

American Airlines plans to launch the nonstop JFK–HND service in the coming months, marking its fourth daily nonstop flight to HND. This new route will complement the existing daily services from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and two daily flights from Los Angeles (LAX).

“American thanks the DOT for tentatively approving our application to operate the only nonstop U.S. carrier service between JFK and Haneda Airport,” said Molly Wilkinson, American’s Vice President of Regulatory and International Government Affairs. “We appreciate the strong bipartisan support from elected officials in New York, including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Schumer, U.S. Congressman Meeks, U.S. House Democratic Leader Jeffries, U.S. Congressman LaLota, U.S. Congressman D’Esposito, New York City Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, New York State Assembly Speaker Heastie, New York State Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Queens Borough President Richards throughout the application process.”

This new service by American Airlines complements the existing services between JFK and HND operated by Japan Airlines, providing passengers with a broader range of options and convenient flight schedules throughout the day.

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