Japan Airlines revives a second daily Tokyo-New York service, as Japan's market power wanes

Japan Airlines may seem to be reclaiming something of its former glory by bringing back a second-daily Tokyo-New York service, which it last offered prior to its bankruptcy and deep restructure. But the route will have a different strategy - and implications - when resumed on 30-Mar-2014. The service will be on JAL's relatively small 186-seat 787-8, not the 747-400s of past times. That represents a decrease in seat capacity, further aggravated by the service largely replacing American Airlines' recently-cancelled New York-Tokyo flight. The JV between AA and JAL makes that switch relatively easy, coupled with the convenience of being able to alter market profiles with the 787.

Whereas previously one of JAL's New York services continued to Sao Paulo, the re-introduced second daily service will have better connections to South America on partner airlines, not on JAL's own metal. The 787 will overnight at New York, allowing for an early return the next day. JAL will have the second earliest morning departure from JFK to Asia, allowing for more time in Tokyo with limited improved connections. This contrasts to ANA's second daily New York-Tokyo service, which leaves JFK in the evening and arrives in Tokyo even later when there are limited connecting opportunities and ground transport options.