At the end of January 2024, the US Department of Transportation tentatively approved American Airlines’ application to be allocated daytime slots to operate daily flights between New York JFK and Tokyo Haneda. With no objections to the decision having been filed, American Airlines’ application has now been fully approved.
To maintain the slot, American Airlines will have to start serving the route no later than 90 days after March 31, 2024. It will also not be able to pause the route for more than 90 days or else the slot will revert back to the DOT.
The slots that were allocated to American Airlines were made available after Delta Air Lines decided not to launch Portland – Tokyo Haneda flights by DOT’s deadline. In addition to American Airlines, United Airlines also applied to be allocated the slots. The airline, which planned to use it for daily Houston – Tokyo Haneda flights, had its application rejected in favor of American.
American Airlines will use Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on the flilghts, offering a total of 273 seats including 37 in business, 24 in premium economy, and 212 in economy class (including 66 extra legroom “Main Cabin Extra” seats).
While both ANA and JAL offer double daily service on the Tokyo Haneda – New York JFK route, American Airlines will be the first airline from the US to do so. American Airlines currently connects Tokyo Haneda with Los Angeles twice a day and with Dallas once a day.
First published on 2024/02/19. Updated on 2024/02/23 to remove incorrect schedule information.
