The Yomiuri Shimbun
Two major U.S. airlines–American Airlines and Delta Air Lines–are set to begin services between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and U.S. cities Sunday.
The move comes as Japanese and U.S. carriers affiliated with international airline alliances gear up to start code-sharing and more closely integrate their joint operations on trans-Pacific routes in April.
Haneda’s rebirth as a full-fledged international airport is expected to fuel airline competition, according to observers.
American Airlines, a member of the Oneworld airline alliance, will operate flights to New York from Haneda Airport. The U.S. airline has joined with Japan Airlines, also a Oneworld member, to market air-hotel packages on round-trip U.S. routes, including Tokyo-New York. The package prices are about 10,000 yen lower than those offered by other airlines.
Delta Air Lines will begin flying from Haneda to Detroit and to Los Angeles. In a promotion lasting until the end of next month, Delta has lowered round-trip ticket prices between Haneda and nine U.S. destinations.
Meanwhile, United Air Lines and Continental Airlines, both of which were unsuccessful in winning Haneda operating rights, plan to team up with All Nippon Airways and utilize their common membership in the Star Alliance to improve service between Japan and 10 U.S. cities.