JAL to launch a new route to N. American West Coast in FY2019
 

http://press.jal.co.jp/en/items/uplo...91aef36c40.pdf


Let the guessing game begin! SEA, PDX, PHX, SJC? So looks like MIA isn't going to happen any time soon? At least it's not "planned" for now?

SJC would be great... 8AM departure into HND would be perfect... A350 with a new F would be legendary :)

A350-1000 is direct replacement of the existing SS7 fleet. Don't expect to see additional F routes unless JL excises its A350-1000 options.

oneworld doesn't really have a strong presence in the bay area. That's a reason JL001/002 are the only F route in NA that is eligible for discounted upgrade. I would be surprised if it's SJC. With the new partnership with AS, SEA could be a tempting option though.

And just like MIA, once in a while we will hear rumors on PDX so I wouldn't rule that out completely either given NH has launched both SEA and SJC routes already.

I guess I should add LAS to the list too. JL used to service LAS via LAX in the good old days :)

It is a bit sad that it is the West Coast that is getting the annoucement, rather then the East Coast. At least in my view.

My guess would go with PDX. Though PHX could connect very well to the AA Network.

Maybe SFO-NRT in order to reconnect SFO with other destinations in Asia that are not served via HND?

Or perhaps HND-YVR using an evening slot?

Those would technically be "new"...

The Japanese version says a new "destination" so I suspect SEA, PDX, SJC in that order. Unless they consider DEN or PHX to be West Coast as well...

The partnership with Alaska could make SEA attractive. How are they represented in PDX?

AS has a PDX lounge, but I see frequent complaints on the AS board that it's cramped as is.

I will be pleasantly surprised if it’s PHX. Note that, of all the airports mentioned, PHX is the only one without any TPAC service!

I think it will be SEA.
No current Oneworld partner flies out of SEA to Asia and JL would be the first.
SEA to Asia traffic is growing a lot and would feed into JL routes.
MSFT, AMZN have HQ there and population is booming.
Lots of companies and disposable income to sustain pax count.
AS is also a good partner and the main hub at SEA would provide connections to other parts of N.America.

It wouldnt be SJC as there is SFO nearby.
Wouldnt be PDX, PHX, LAS as there isnt nearly enough traffic to Asia.

But i'm a bit biased... :)

Hoping for PDX but fully expecting SEA. However, at SEA JL has to compete with NH & DL directly and KE/OZ/HU/BR for onward traffic. The last time we saw three airlines on the SEA-TYO route, UA ended up dropping out.

I think UA didnt succeed because they are the same alliance as NH and didnt have many onward connections to other parts of Asia from NRT.
The initial loads for NH on the SEA-NRT route when they started it were super light, like less than 50 pax in Y!
Now the NH flights are almost always high load.

JL would do much better as the only Oneworld partner and with plenty of connections in Asia.
Frankly, i am quite surprised there is up to now, still no Oneworld partner to Asia out of SEA.