All Nippon Airways (ANA) has announced it will launch flights between Tokyo and Seattle on July 25 this year. Initially using a Boeing 777-300ER on this route, it will eventually switch to the Dreamliner, making it the carrier's first US flight operated by the new aircraft type.
The daily direct service will depart Tokyo Narita at 1725, arriving in Seattle at 1055, while the return leg departs at 1315, arriving back in the Japanese capital at 1545.
The carrier has also announced it will eventually fly between Tokyo and San Jose, using the Dreamliner, although an exact launch date and timetable have not yet been announced.
The Tokyo-Seattle route was originally planned for a later launch date some time between October 2012 and March 2013, however, the carrier decided to start up operations earlier in order to “capture passenger demand over the busy summer season.” The exact date of the switch to the Dreamliner on this route has yet to be confirmed.
Explaining these two destination choices, Shinichiro Ito, president and chief executive of ANA, said “Seattle is an important international business hub and home to companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and, of course, Boeing itself while San Jose is in the heart of Silicon Valley. Passenger demand to fly to both destinations is high, not only from Japan but from many Asian cities.”
For an in-depth look at the Dreamliner aircraft, read our feature here originally published in the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific December 2011 issue and for more information, visit www.ana.co.jp
Alisha Haridasani
