American Airlines announced this morning that its Oneworld alliance partner, Japan Airlines, is returning to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) beginning November 30, 2015. JAL will offer nonstop service from DFW to its Tokyo Narita (NRT) hub using Boeing 787 aircraft. This service will be in addition to American’s current twice-daily flights on the same route. JAL plans to offer service 4 days per week and is considering upping its flights to daily status in spring 2016, according to American’s press release.
Conveniently, customers on this new flight connecting through DFW will also benefit from international to international baggage transfer pending government approval. According to American, “this is available to customers who check baggage through to their final destination to and from select countries outside of the United States. The process forgoes the need for customers to reclaim their baggage at DFW and adds another layer of ease and comfort to their journey.”
My Take
This isn’t the last move you’ll see American and its Oneworld partners make, across the globe, and in Asia in particular. Further, the efficiency of the 787 makes routes that may have been marginally profitable in the past more profitable. Throw lower fuel prices in, and you’ve got the recipe for some targeted route expansion to key markets. It will be interesting to see schedules for this new flight and how they compare to American’s existing schedule. Another opportunity to use your AAdvantage miles doesn’t hurt either.
-MJ, August 31, 2015
I’d love to see AA expand its network in Asia. Any ideas on what may be in store?