Japan Airlines adds new Tokyo Narita-San Francisco flight
Japan Airlines is adding nonstop service to San Francisco from Tokyo Narita, a route that will complement its existing service from Tokyo Haneda.
The new flight between Narita (NRT) and San Francisco (SFO) begins March 29, about four months before the 2020 Summer Olympics kick off in Tokyo. JAL will offer one daily round-trip flight on Boeing 787-8 aircraft, though JAL had not yet confirmed which of its several configurations of the plane will be flying the new route.
JAL flies its current route between SFO and Haneda (HND) with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
Tickets for JAL's NRT-SFO service will become available for booking on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Narita and Haneda — Tokyo's two main airports — fill different roles for the city. Haneda is much closer to downtown — about 10 miles — and is generally preferred by those traveling to or from Tokyo itself. Narita is about 40 miles from central Tokyo, with transit times frequently topping an hour for those headed into the city.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
JAL and Japanese rival All Nippon Airways (ANA) each offer connections via Haneda, though they focus more on domestic and regional destinations. Narita has historically been the main international hub for Tokyo, though Haneda has recently gained a number of new routes to North America. Still, passengers connecting to long-haul flights from Tokyo may see options via Narita.
The Narita flight, JAL says, will offer "smooth connections for business and leisure customers seeking to travel throughout Asia."
In addition to the new SFO-Tokyo route, JAL also is beefing up its schedule to the U.S. territory of Guam. The airline will add a second daily flight between Narita and Guam. Both fights will be on Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.
Related: Tokyo Narita vs. Haneda: Which airport should I fly into?
JAL is a Oneworld frequent-flyer alliance and joint-venture partner of American Airlines. Customers of each airline can earn and redeem miles on flights on the other.
American Airlines customers can also book award flights on JAL via American's own website, with first-class "saver" tickets for JAL flights beginning at 80,000 miles each way.
JAL also is a frequent-flyer partner of Alaska Airlines, offering mileage earning and burning options for members of Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan program.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Unlimited up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Housing payments may include transaction fees, depending on the payment method
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 3 months + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.