Originally Posted by exerda

And I should clarify that the NRT-LAX fares I was seeing for sub-$1k were connecting onward to IAD... I didn't check the nonstop fares to LAX but expect they were even lower. IAD either nonstop to HND, or connecting anywhere but LAX, was in the $2.5-3k range for most of the dates I checked (for Y or split Y/PE bookings), yet connecting via LAX was showing $960-ish. Of course, then you're stuck on either a 777 HD or a narrowbody for most of the connecting flights back to IAD...

The explanations above make sense about why that particular route is relatively cheap and underutilized.