American Airlines announces flights from JFK to Tokyo's Haneda, citing DOT approval
A major U.S. airline is poised to launch a new nonstop route from New York to Tokyo. American Airlines plans to soon fly from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND).
The Fort Worth-based carrier revealed the news in an announcement late Friday, saying it won tentative approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to fly the route.
A DOT spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
It's not yet clear when, exactly, the new flights will begin. American hopes to begin the new route "in the coming months," it said in a statement.
The carrier plans to fly the route daily with a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. American's proposed schedule of service, detailed last fall, called for a 10:00 a.m. departure from JFK with a 1:05 p.m. next-day arrival in Tokyo.
On the return flight, departure from Tokyo would be at 3:05 p.m. local time, with a 3:10 p.m. arrival in New York.
Haneda slots limited
U.S. airlines can operate a limited number of flights to Haneda, which is governed by use-it-or-lose-it rules flight rules, known as slots. In recent months, carriers have been vying for those Haneda flight rights, petitioning the DOT for the slots. It now appears American has emerged victorious in that effort.
"We are grateful to the DOT and thankful to our partner Japan Airlines for supporting our application. Together, we are well-positioned to offer customers a comprehensive network between two of the most robust economies in the world," American CEO Robert Isom said in a statement Friday evening.
Expanding Tokyo service
This would not be the first JFK's first nonstop service to Haneda.
American's Oneworld Alliance partner Japan Airlines also offers nonstop service between the two airports. In fact, TPG's Eric Rosen just flew the route in recent days on Japan Airlines' inaugural JFK-to-Haneda flight with its new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.
For its part, American already flies to Haneda once daily from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and twice daily from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The new route will add 200,000 seats annually between the U.S. and Japan, American said.
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- What is American Airlines elite status worth?
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- Everything you need to know about flying basic economy on American Airlines
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees