Japan Airlines and American Airlines will begin their joint venture April 1, based on the expected start of revenue-sharing on applicable trans-Pacific flights. The airlines, after receiving regulatory approvals from the Japanese government and the U.S. Department of Transportation, are using a phased approach to bring more travel choices and greater benefits to consumers as quickly as possible and to maximize the value for stakeholders. The partnership should mean better flight schedules, expanded codesharing, more coordinated services, and greater access to a wider variety of fares, according to the two airlines.
Japan Airlines will also co-locate in American’s Terminal 3 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport effective March 27, when Japan Airlines’ summer schedule begins. Additional consumer benefits over the coming months are expected as the cooperation level deepens between the two airlines.
In addition, to bring benefits to consumers sooner, Japan Airlines and American announced a jointly formulated commemorative trans-Pacific economy-class airfare for sale in Japan for travel between Feb. 1 and March 31, 2011. Historically, routings involving both airlines were typically only available at much higher fare levels. It is good on the following routes: Tokyo to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Dallas/Fort Worth. Customers may choose to fly Japan Airlines, American or a combination of both airlines on these routes. Fares can be purchased between Jan. 11 and March 17. The joint business will apply to nonstop flights on 10 routes initially. It is expected to be expanded upon obtaining the required approval from authorities of third-party countries to add routes linking destinations beyond Japan and North America.
Alignment of the 2011 summer schedules, effective from March 27, 2011, for Japan Airlines and from April 5, 2011, for American Airlines, are expected to result in reduced connection and overall travel times, a better choice of flight times, and increased connection opportunities to destinations beyond gateway cities.
Expanded codesharing is expected to result in more routing choices and more destinations. Including those announced, Japan Airlines and American will codeshare on a total of 123 routes and will continue to expand codeshare routes in the future. Co-location at Chicago is expected to result in shorter connections and travel times, increased connection opportunities and greater convenience for customers beginning March 27, greater access to a wider choice of fares through fare alignment between the two airlines, and increased mileage promotion opportunities for trans-Pacific customers.
Beginning this summer, an enhanced customer experience is expected due to content sharing on the airlines’ websites, online booking capability and check-in regardless of which airline is being flown, more aligned operational policies and procedures, facility co-locations, and more coordinated pricing and programs for travel agencies and corporations.
The two airlines have begun sharing best practices and cultural insights to serve customers better. Chicago, used often as a transit point to and from other parts in North America to Asia, is a key gateway from which both Japan Airlines and American operate to and from Japan. To enhance the customer experience, the two airlines have agreed to realign their flight schedules to maximize the benefits of co-locating at Chicago. By adjusting the schedule of Japan Airlines’ Narita-Chicago flight to depart earlier in the day and moving the American Airlines flight later in the day, the number of possible connections that can be made to other parts of the U.S. within three hours of arrival into Chicago increases from approximately 43 to 45 destinations. In addition, customers can now choose Japan Airlines for an earlier start in Chicago or choose American for more time in Japan. For more information, visit www.aa.com or www.jal.com.
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