Japan Airlines returns to Dallas/Fort Worth

Japan Airlines Tokyo Narita to Dallas/Fort Worth

At Tokyo Narita Airport there was a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring less traditional (at least in Japan) Texas cowboy hats. The one person to keep his head uncovered is Japanese film star Hiroshi Abe who is a brand ambassador for Japan Airlines. The six scissor-wielding stetson wearers are: Mr Andrew Wylegala, Senior Commercial Officer, US Embassy in Japan; Mr Kazunari Koizumi, Mayor of Narita City; Mr Yoshiharu Ueki, President, Japan Airlines; Mr Shigeo Kimura, Administrator Narita International Airport, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Mr Makoto Natsume, President & CEO, Narita International Airport Corporation; and Mr Erwan Perhirin, VP Asia-Pacific, American Airlines.

At Dallas/Fort Worth Airport the first Japan Airlines 787 flight from Tokyo Narita was greeted with a welcome banner on the apron. The route was last served by the airline 14 years ago. The new four times weekly service will complement the existing double-daily service operated by oneworld alliance partner American Airlines.

• Japan Airlines has, after a gap of 14 years, resumed non-stop service between Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). On Monday 30 November the oneworld carrier started four times weekly flights on the 10,319-kilometre route using its 787-8s. The route is already served by fellow oneworld carrier American Airlines, which operates a double-daily service with its 777-200s. Dallas/Fort Worth becomes the eighth US airport to be served by Japan Airlines following Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York JFK, San Diego and San Francisco. Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport, said: “We are honoured to welcome back Japan Airlines to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and are excited about the outstanding connectivity and customer service they will provide to passengers flying to Japan and throughout Asia. With the addition of this new flight to Tokyo, coupled with partner American Airlines’ two daily flights, DFW Airport will further support our mission to connect the world to Dallas/Fort Worth.” Yoshiharu Ueki, President of Japan Airlines, added: “We are pleased to announce the return of Dallas/Fort Worth to our international network, which becomes our eighth gateway in North America and our fourth US service launch in just over three years. By making full use of the efficiencies of the Dreamliner as well as capitalising on our even stronger relationship with American Airlines, we are confident this resumed service will provide even more valuable links for commercial and cultural exchanges for our customers in both regions and beyond.” Find out how this route’s Fire Truck Water Arch does in this week’s competition.