JAL adds services to San Diego, Helsinki

Japan Airlines (JAL) 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.

JAL will also open its first new service between Japan and Europe in 20 years, when it begins to operate four weekly flights from March 2013, using the 787-8 Dreamliner connecting Narita and Helsinki.

Its geographical location and the extensive network of nonstop flights from its airport make Helsinki one of the most effective gateways for customers traveling between Japan and Europe. It is also the major hub airport for JAL's oneworld alliance partner Finnair, with whom JAL plans to strengthen its relationship.

Helsinki Airport's compact and well-designed terminal allows for minimum connection time as short as 35 to 40 minutes, and offers customers smooth connections to and from 54 cities within Europe. With ample signage in English and Japanese throughout the facility (and with Japanese-speaking staff at the airport), Helsinki is one of the most ideal transit points for a stress-free, speedy connection between Japan and Europe for Japanese and non-Japanese customers alike.

© Japan Today