Japan's two major international airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), announced this week a massive shift toward flying into Tokyo-Haneda (HND), the Japanese capital's far-closer airport.

Tokyo is blessed with two massive airports: Narita (NRT) and Haneda. Narita has is largely being used as the hub for international connecting flights through Japan as more and more airlines begin flying into Haneda.

JAL and ANA are following suit, according to separate announcements. Together, the new carriers are swapping in 12 daily flights into Haneda from the U.S. – and in some cases, cutting or reducing daily flights to Narita. The swaps take place on March 29, 2020.

 

japan flights haneda

 

Here's a look at the changes by airline:

All Nippon Airways

  • Houston-Intercontinental (IAH) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – new flight, replacing existing flight to Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
  • Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – adds a second daily flight, reducing flights to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) from twice to once daily
  • San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – new flight
  • San Jose (SJC) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – new flight, replacing existing flight to Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
  • Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – new flight, replacing existing flight to Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
  • Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD) to Tokyo-Haneda – new flight, replacing existing flight to Tokyo-Narita (NRT)

 

Japan Airlines

  • Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – new flight, temporarily replacing existing flight to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) which will resume Feb. 21, 2021
  • Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – new flight, replacing existing flight to Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
  • Honolulu (HNL) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – two new daily flights, replacing two of four existing daily flights to Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
  • New York City (JFK) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – adds a second daily flight, replacing existing daily flight to Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
  • Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – new flight, reducing flights to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) from twice to once daily

 

It's no wonder airlines are moving towards Haneda. It may be fairly easy to reach town from both. But while the city is just a 20-plus minute ride away from Haneda, it typically takes an hour or more to get there from Narita.

This shift comes in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. And Japan's two main airlines aren't the first to make this move. All three major U.S. airlines are doing the same. Delta is abandoning Narita altogether early next year.

ANA and Japan Airlines are two of the absolute best airlines in the world. ANA has an outstanding first class seat that's one of the best deals in the world of points and miles. Its brand new business class seats could beat Qatar Qsuites.

 

japan flights haneda

 

Back to front, Japan Airlines could be the best airline in the world – bar none. Economy is more spacious than you'll find on almost any plane. Its business class (shown above) is spacious and private. And JAL First Class is criminally underrated.

 

Bottom Line

More flights into Tokyo-Haneda (HND) just makes it easier to get to the city's better-placed airport. And that's a win in our books.