American Airlines has announced an expansion of its long-haul flights, as it will restart the Chicago-Tokyo route. The service will connect Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Narita (NRT), commencing in spring 2027.
The Reactivation of the Route
The route is scheduled to recommence on March 27, 2027, marking American Airlines 11th long-haul flight departing from ORD. Regarding the aircraft that will conduct the flights, the airline has opted for the B787-9 Dreamliner.
It is expected that the service will occur on a daily basis and will further strengthen the transatlantic partnership between American and Japan Airlines. Additionally, these flights will offer connection links to other major cities in the Asian continent, such as Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei and Bangkok.
Robert Isom, CEO of American, has disclosed that the carrier and Japan Airlines have “an incredible relationship” and the service is proof of their long lasting partnership.
Why Has the Route Restarted?
After a seven year break, the carrier has decided the put the route back on its’ calendar, symbolising a desire to position itself more forward in the Asian aviation industry, mostly as Tokyo is one of the region’s largest markets.
Isom has also mentioned that the route is:
“a testament to our continued commitment to make our hub stronger, broaden choices for customers and keep Chicago competitive on the world stage.”
Concerning the U.S. market, the route will further the carrier’s competitiveness, as the demand for flights to Japan are speedily increasing. For instance, United Airlines operates a daily service to Tokyo Haneda (HND) from ORD, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) has flights to both HND and NRT.
Where else do you think the carrier should add flights to within Asia? Why? Let us know your thoughts on the comments below.
