American Airlines applauds the U.S. DOT for awarding right to fly between New York Kennedy and Tokyo

The new service also will complement the two daily flights that American's oneworld partner, Japan Airlines (JAL), plans to operate between Tokyo (Haneda) and the U.S., which would give oneworld the most daily nonstop U.S.-Haneda flights of any aviation alliance.

"We are excited about beginning to fly between New York and Tokyo (Haneda), the closest airport to downtown Tokyo, which hasn't had service from the U.S since 1978 when Tokyo's Narita International Airport opened," said Will Ris, American's Senior Vice President - Government Affairs. "We thank U.S. Department of Transportation officials for their thorough review of our application and final decision granting us this new route.

"We also thank our supporters from the Transport Workers Union and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants whose advocacy aided us in winning this new route. Additionally, American would like to thank the government officials who sent letters to DOT on our behalf, including U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand of New York, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and U.S. Reps. Gregory W. Meeks and Michael McMahon, along with 15 other members of the New York congressional delegation.

"We also appreciate the support we received from the U.S. Senators from Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, Texas Governor Rick Perry, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, and Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief."

"The new service will strengthen our relationship with our oneworld partner, Japan Airlines, which has extensive operations at Haneda, and benefit our respective customers as oneworld will offer more daily frequencies between the U.S. and Haneda than any other alliance," said Craig Kreeger, American's Senior Vice President - International. "With almost 70 million annual passengers, Haneda is the busiest airport in Asia, and the fourth busiest airport in the world. We look forward to working more closely with Japan Airlines at its Haneda facilities."

"We congratulate American Airlines on gaining the rights," said Tsutomu Ando, Executive Officer of International Affairs at Japan Airlines. "The allocation of frequencies from the U.S. DOT is a clear endorsement of the benefits that customers can expect with the commencement of the New York to Haneda route by American Airlines.

"JAL will initiate service to San Francisco and Honolulu from Haneda this autumn and we look forward to leveraging on the collective synergy that both oneworld members can create at one of the most strategic airports in a region of growth. This will significantly heighten competition with the other alliances and thereby deliver a host of benefits to consumers," Ando added.

"We are excited about American Airlines direct flight to Haneda from JFK," said Shuichi Kameyama, Executive Director, New York Office, of the Japan National Tourism Organization. The proximity of Haneda to central Tokyo will make it all the more inviting for Americans to visit our fascinating city and experience its many attractions, including the finest in culture, food, sports and entertainment. Haneda also provides access to great rail and bus connections throughout Tokyo and the surrounding area."

American will serve the JFK - Tokyo (Haneda) route starting Jan. 20, 2011, with 247-seat Boeing 777 aircraft, which can carry 16 passengers in First Class, 37 in Business Class, and 194 in Economy Class. American will announce its JFK-Tokyo (Haneda) schedule shortly.

American currently operates nonstop service to Tokyo (Narita) using Boeing 777 aircraft from Chicago (daily), Dallas/Fort Worth (twice daily), Los Angeles (daily), and New York JFK (daily). Under a codeshare arrangement between JAL and American, JAL displays its JL code on each of American's U.S.-Tokyo flights and American displays the AA code on daily flights operated by JAL between Narita and Chicago, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), and San Francisco.

On Feb. 12, American and JAL filed a joint application with DOT for antitrust immunity to operate a joint business between North America and Asia. Subject to government approvals, the planned joint business will allow for greater cooperation between American and JAL, enhance competition, and improve air travel services on trans-Pacific routes.