ADVERTISEMENT
Delta to Become Top US Carrier at Tokyo Haneda After DOT Finalizes Routes
Ben Mutzabaugh
Managing editor
Ben Mutzabaugh is one of the nation's longest-tenured journalists covering aviation, having started with USA Today's groundbreaking "Today in the Sky" blog in 2002. From the inaugural flight on Virgin America to the final flight on US Airways, Ben has been at the forefront of aviation news in the U.S. for two decades.
Aug. 10, 2019
•
2 min read
Delta to Become Top US Carrier at Tokyo Haneda After DOT Finalizes Routes
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
American, Delta, Hawaiian and United airlines all secured new daytime access to Tokyo's Haneda Airport. That came Friday as the US Department of Transportation confirmed which airlines get to divvy up the rights for the 12 daily flights.
The DOT already had preliminarily awarded the Haneda slots, which were finalized in Friday's announcement.
The 12 new daytime Haneda services are going to the following airlines:
- American Airlines for flights from Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles
- Delta Air Lines for flights from Seattle, Detroit, Atlanta, Honolulu and Portland, Oregon
- Hawaiian Airlines for flights from Honolulu
- United Airlines for flights from Newark, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles and Washington-Dulles
Flights on the new routes are expected to begin in 2020.
Related: Why Smart Travelers Prefer Flying to Tokyo Haneda
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Haneda, along with Narita, is one Tokyo's two airports. But Haneda is much closer to downtown Tokyo, making it the preferred airport for most travelers heading to or from Tokyo.
The newly awarded routes will be in addition to six Haneda routes already served by US airlines. They are:
- American: Los Angeles, which will increase to twice-daily service with the new slots
- Delta: Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul
- Hawaiian: Honolulu, Kona
- United: San Francisco
With the new route selections that were finalized Friday, Delta noted that it will become the largest US airline at Haneda.
Related: Sayonara, Narita: The Rise and Fall of Delta's Tokyo Hub
But, Delta will completely scrap its hub at Narita after winning the Haneda access.
"This new service is a game-changer for Delta's ability to offer competitive and comprehensive access to the city," Delta says in an Aug. 1 newsletter to employees. "Haneda saves up to two hours of travel time from the airport to the city center compared to Narita."
Featured image by AKIO KON/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
TPG featured card
Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Apply now
for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Cardat American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026.
Earn up to 125,000 Bonus Miles
Annual fee
$650
Regular APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
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
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