On February 14, 2024, Japan Airlines filed an application with the US Department of Transportation seeking authorization to put Finnair (AY) flight numbers on its flights between Japan and the United States, starting with flights between Tokyo Haneda and Honolulu.
According to the application, JAL is looking to start codesharing with Finnair on the Honolulu route when the 2024 summer schedule sets in on March 31, 2024. The airline did not rule out adding Finnair flight numbers on other US routes in the future.
JAL, however, “will not transport local traffic under the AY code between Japan and the United States.” I.e. JAL-operated flights will only be bookable as Finnair flights by connecting passengers.
Currently, JAL operates two daily flights between Tokyo Haneda and Honolulu. It also Tokyo Narita – Honolulu daily and Narita – Kona seasonally. Outside Tokyo, JAL connects Osaka Kansai and Nagoya Chubu with Honolulu.
Given the extra distance in flying from Europe to the US mainland via Japan, adding Finnair codes on flights between Tokyo and the US mainland would not be as useful.
