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American Airlines' new Tokyo schedule includes more premium seats

Sept. 26, 2019
3 min read
American Airlines B777-300ER
American Airlines' new Tokyo schedule includes more premium seats
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American Airlines will add more premium seats to Japan next spring with its new flights to Tokyo's close-in Haneda Airport.

The Oneworld Alliance carrier will debut a daily flight between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Haneda (HND) and a second daily flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and Haneda on March 29, American announced Thursday. Both the DFW and LAX flights will replace existing frequencies to Tokyo Narita (NRT), which is significantly further from downtown Tokyo than Haneda.

American will fly its flagship Boeing 777-300ER on the new DFW-Haneda flight. The aircraft has eight first-class, 52 business, 28 premium economy and 216 economy seats. The airline will be the only U.S. carrier operating a first-class cabin between the U.S. and Japan.

Related: How American Airlines' Path to Africa Landed in a Gin Joint in Casablanca

First class on American's 777-300ER. (Courtesy of American Airlines)

On the second LAX-Haneda flight, the carrier will operate a Boeing 787-9 with 30 business-class, 19 premium economy and 234 economy seats.

American's decision to operate a 777-300ER on the new DFW-Haneda flight represents a nearly two-thirds increase in the number of first-and business-class seats as compared to its existing DFW-Narita flight that it flies with a 777-200. The smaller 777-200 only has 37 business-class seats.

Tickets for the new flights to Haneda go on sale on Monday (Sept. 30).

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded American the two Haneda flights as part of 12 new flights made available to U.S. carriers from 2020. Delta Air Lines received five, Hawaiian Airlines one and United Airlines four of those flights.

Related: The Rise and Fall of Delta's Tokyo Hub

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The new frequencies to Haneda are part of an effort by the Japanese government to increase capacity to Tokyo ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that begin in July.

From March, American and its partner Japan Airlines (JAL) will offer nonstop service between Tokyo Haneda and Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO), according to current Diio by Cirium schedules.

The Japanese government is expected to award JAL some of the 12 new U.S.-Haneda flights that are also being made available to Japanese carriers.

Vote for TPG UK's four-class British Airways review in this year's Lovie Awards!

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • Intro Offer
    You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.