American Airlines announced today the next route to feature their brand new Boeing 787 aircraft. On August 18th, they’ll launch service from Chicago O’Hare to Tokyo Narita on the 787, replacing the older angled-flat equipped 777. It will be available to book on May 3rd.
From Chicago, flight 153 will depart at 12:45pm, arriving in Tokyo the next day at 4pm. From Tokyo, flight 154 will leave at 5:55pm and arrive into Chicago at 3:35pm, the next day.
Award Pricing
The great thing about Asia I, where Japan is located, is that it features an off-peak coach pricing of 25,000 miles one-way. Main Cabin, at the traditional lowest level will cost 32,500. Business class is 50,000 miles, and it’s worth noting that there is not First Class cabin on the new 787 for American.
Availability
Japan Airlines also operates a once-dilly flight to Narita, though I suspect with the availability of the new 787 on American, you’ll find initial availability in the forward cabin to be slim, as AAdvantage members seek to use their miles on the new aircraft. If you’re an Executive Platinum, you may find additional award availability, but I wouldn’t expect anything bountiful. The easiest way to book an award on the new aircraft is online, since American’s website shows all of their metal’s availability.
Cover Image Credit: Dallas News
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
Not really accurate to say they’re launching service from Chicago to Tokyo-Narita: AA already serves this route with the same flight number, just with a 777. This is just a change of equipment.
True. Poor wording on my end.