American Airlines to Operate World's Only Service Between New York and Japan's Tokyo International Airport at Haneda After Historic Open Skies Agreement

FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines today announced it will be the first U.S. airline to launch service between the continental United States and Tokyo's International Airport at Haneda (Haneda) since the United States and Japan signed a historic Open Skies Agreement in October 2010. American is the world's only airline to fly between New York and Tokyo's Haneda – located only 30 minutes from downtown Tokyo, a long-awaited benefit for travelers – in more than 30 years. American will begin its historic service on Friday, Feb. 18, from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, and on Feb. 20, from Haneda.

Haneda is the most convenient airport serving Tokyo for customers traveling to or from the city center. With almost 70 million annual passengers, it is one of the busiest airports in Asia, and the fourth busiest airport in the world. It is also Japan's main hub for domestic flights, providing the widest range of options for connections to and from cities throughout the country. With the New York – Haneda service, American will be the only airline to serve both Narita and Haneda Airports from New York, while the oneworld® alliance will have more flights between the U.S. and Haneda than any other alliance.

In addition to its new service to Haneda, American will continue to provide service to Tokyo's Narita Airport from New York-JFK, Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth. These American Airlines cornerstone markets are also some of the most traveled U.S. – Japan markets. Passengers traveling to or from one of these AA cornerstone markets represent approximately 43% of the Continental U.S. – Tokyo traffic.*

This announcement is the latest in a series of moves by American and oneworld to strengthen their position in New York and other key U.S. cities. Less than a year ago, American announced it was adding 31 flights on 13 new routes from New York, including some new international routes, and investing $30 million in its JFK and LaGuardia terminals. New York is a key city for both of American's joint businesses – across the Atlantic with British Airways and Iberia, and across the Pacific with Japan Airlines. Customers now have more travel choices to Europe and the Pacific on these partner airlines than in the past.

Japan Airlines will codeshare on American's New York – Haneda flight and also serves the New York – Tokyo market via Narita, and together, the two airlines will provide a choice of three daily round-trip flights for customers traveling between New York and Tokyo. In addition, Japan Airlines also offers service to Narita from Los Angeles, Chicago and Honolulu and to Haneda from San Francisco and Honolulu. American markets and codeshares on these Japan Airlines flights.

American also announced that it will offer triple AAdvantage® miles for First and Business Class travel and double AAdvantage miles for Economy Class travel on American's new JFK – Haneda route through May 31, 2011. For customers purchasing a First Class or Business Class fare, that adds up to more than 20,000 miles** for a one-way trip (includes base plus bonus miles earned) to reward customers for their loyalty. To participate in this offer, register prior to travel and obtain complete details at www.aa.com/haneda.

"New York and Tokyo are the economic engines of the U.S. and Japan, and the principal network gateways of American and Japan Airlines," said Virasb Vahidi, American's Chief Commercial Officer. "Open Skies between the U.S. and Japan will stimulate both national economies, enable us to bring more service benefits to our customers, and promote cross-cultural exchanges. American and Japan Airlines are key partners in realizing this strategy, and we are focused on delivering these benefits as quickly as possible."

Vahidi also noted the dedication of government officials in Washington D.C. and New York as well as members of the Japanese Government: "Without their vision, this would not have been possible."

"New York - Tokyo travelers have a number of flights to choose from: this new JFK - Haneda flight of American Airlines, in addition to conventional flights to and from Narita," said Mamoru Shinohara, Acting Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in New York.  "This JFK-Haneda flight, together with the overall closer cooperation between American and Japan Airlines, will surely benefit both countries by encouraging travel and trade and promoting the sharing of ideas."

Shuichi Kameyama, Executive Director, New York Office, of the Japan National Tourism Organization, said: "We are excited about American Airlines nonstop flight to Haneda from JFK.  The proximity of Haneda to downtown Tokyo will make it all the more inviting for Americans to visit our fascinating city for business and leisure travel, and to experience its many attractions, including the finest in culture, food, sports and entertainment."

JFK-Haneda Schedule

Here is American's schedule between New York JFK and Haneda. All times shown are local.

Onboard Amenities

The new AA flight will use a Boeing 777 with 247 seats, 16 in First Class, 37 in Business Class, and 194 in Economy Class. Customers aboard this flight can enjoy the style and comfort of the American Airlines Flagship(SM) experience in First and Business Class as well as entertainment at every seat in the Economy Cabin. The First Class cabin Flagship Suite® offers privacy dividers, 1-2-1 across cabin seating, and the ultimate in video and audio entertainment options. American's Next Generation Business Class cabin features fully customizable lie-flat-at-an-angle seats and a library of entertainment at your fingertips. Bose® QuietComfort® Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones are available in both First and Business Class.

Customers can also enjoy award-winning wines and chef-inspired dining in First and Business Class, including a new breakfast service on flights from Tokyo Haneda. American collaborated with celebrity consulting chef, Sam Choy, to create several new Asian-fusion menu items for this flight. Customers can choose to pre-order Japanese-style entrees prior to their flight at no cost. The pre-order option provides convenience to customers traveling to and from Japan. In addition, a variety of teas, including green tea, are available onboard for premium customers traveling between Tokyo Haneda and New York JFK.

Premium passengers on the JFK-HND flight can also enjoy minimum check-in times that reduce the time required to be at the airport, which is one hour for check-in with bags and 45 minutes for check-in without bags.

* Source:  2010 MIDT Data

**AAdvantage Triple Miles Offer

Customers who fly on this new route and purchase a First Class or Business Class fare can earn triple AAdvantage miles for travel through May 31. Or, they can fly on a purchased Economy Class fare and earn double AAdvantage miles. They can earn this bonus an unlimited number of times. AAdvantage bonus mile offer is valid on American Airlines marketed and operated nonstop flights for travel between New York/JFK and Tokyo Haneda (HND), Feb. 18, 2011 through May 31, 2011. Offer applies only to AAdvantage members who purchase and fly on eligible published fare tickets. Flights operated by our codeshare partners are not eligible for this promotion. Bonus miles do not count toward elite status qualification and will be awarded based on the booking class purchased. Registration prior to travel is required. To register and obtain complete offer details, visit www.aa.com/haneda.

About the AAdvantage® Program

The AAdvantage program was the first frequent flyer program. Established in 1981, the program now has more than 66 million members. Members can earn miles at more than 1,000 participating companies, which include 27 hotel chains representing more than 60 brands, more than 20 airlines, eight car-rental companies, 11 financial companies, and over 500 brand name retailers. In addition, members can earn miles when making purchases with one of more than 100 affinity card products in over 40 countries. In 2009, AAdvantage members redeemed more than 150 billion miles to claim more than 6.9 million awards for flights, upgrades and car rentals. For more information and a listing of AAdvantage program participating companies, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve approximately 750 destinations in nearly 150 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet. The address is http://www.aa.com

SOURCE American Airlines