Japan Airlines Restarts Tokyo Narita to Chicago

That didn’t take long. Coming this spring, Japan Airlines restarts Tokyo Narita to Chicago.

In fact, it was only in 2023 that this route was axed, leaving Chicago O’Hare to be connected with only Tokyo Haneda for a spell. However convenient Haneda is for passengers going to downtown Tokyo, or for connecting to domestic flights, it left much to be desired for international transfers.

But Narita, that’s still the place to depart Tokyo for points beyond East Asia…or more aptly, it’s very weak for domestic flights.

That JAL reconnects Narita with Chicago so soon after canceling the route shouldn’t come as a surprise. Leisure travel is booming, and Narita’s airport facilitates international connections arriving from the United States (i.e. no need to queue up for security again).

Most often, I use Narita when heading to Tokyo and destinations in the region. I like getting my souvenir shopping done in Chiba prefecture, where Narita is located, then make my way to the standard fare.

Briefly, on 31 May, the route restarts with Japan Airlines’ flagship Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Tickets will only go on sale as of 12 February.

In other Japan Airlines North American route news, Tokyo Narita to San Diego will go daily between 30 March and 25 October. Plus, Ōsaka to Los Angeles becomes a daily flight from 18 July, as will Honolulu to both Ōsaka and Nagoya.