OREANDA-NEWS.  February 15, 2012. Japan Airlines (JAL) announced today as part of its Mid-Term Management Plan for fiscal years 2012 to 2016, that it will launch new nonstop services from Tokyo (Narita) to San Diego in December 2012 and to Helsinki in March 2013, utilizing the strategic Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft on both routes, in addition to the inaugural service between Tokyo (Narita) and Boston which will commence April 22 this year*.

JL066/065 will be the first nonstop flights linking San Diego with Japan and Asia, and will be operated with the 787 Dreamliner fitted with Executive Class and Economy Class cabins. JAL will begin serving the eighth most populous U.S city, also the city with the largest Asian community currently without a direct flight to Asia, with four flights a week from December 2012 and daily from March 2013 to/from Narita.

With approximately 1.4 million residents, San Diego is a thriving city with an economy made up largely of international trade, tourism and defense sectors. Furthermore, it is home to many research centers and higher educational institutions, and enjoys a healthy traffic of travelers going through each year, with substantial demand to/from Asia. San Diego is situated 200km south of Los Angeles and adjacent to the Mexican Border near the city of Tijuana where several Japanese companies operate factories. JAL’s new direct service will eliminate the need for transit at U.S gateways, offer customers the superior comfort of the 787 Dreamliner, and also cut down more than two hours in travel time.

The latest addition to JAL’s U.S network is part of the transpacific joint business agreement between JAL and its oneworld alliance partner, American Airlines (AA), which is scheduled to codeshare on this route. Together with fellow alliance partner British Airways, who offers direct flights between London and San Diego, JAL’ new route is expected to further strengthen oneworld’s position in the market, enabling it to offer customers in California’s second largest city even greater convenience and benefits.