JAL Auckland service
Aug 3, 2019, 5:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 245
JAL Auckland service
I will soon be starting to travel a few times a year to Auckland and whilst a direct service is preferred, the current Oneworld routing from Tokyo would be via HKG, SYD etc.
Based on flyertalk user’s knowledge/experience, do you think JAL would ever launch a direct service?
Based on flyertalk user’s knowledge/experience, do you think JAL would ever launch a direct service?
Aug 4, 2019, 4:42 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Japan
Programs: BA Silver, NH SFC, JL JGC, ITA Executive, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 19
Didn’t JAL fly to Auckland way back?
I think that’s why Air New Zealand condeshared with JAL for a long time, even for few years after most other Star Alliance members “moved under one roof” to South Wing of Terminal 1 at Narita
I think that’s why Air New Zealand condeshared with JAL for a long time, even for few years after most other Star Alliance members “moved under one roof” to South Wing of Terminal 1 at Narita
Aug 4, 2019, 8:51 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,169
They did indeed fly to Auckland, the only reason I know is that among the memorabilia in the new F lounge in Narita, is a commemorative letter from the opening of the route. I seem to remember the Air New Zealand logo on thst as well, but maybe that is just my imagination. I'll look for a year and date next time I am in the lounge.
Aug 5, 2019, 2:53 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
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They did indeed fly to Auckland, the only reason I know is that among the memorabilia in the new F lounge in Narita, is a commemorative letter from the opening of the route. I seem to remember the Air New Zealand logo on thst as well, but maybe that is just my imagination. I'll look for a year and date next time I am in the lounge.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/show...&postcount=170
Aug 5, 2019, 3:46 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
I will soon be starting to travel a few times a year to Auckland and whilst a direct service is preferred, the current Oneworld routing from Tokyo would be via HKG, SYD etc.
Based on flyertalk user’s knowledge/experience, do you think JAL would ever launch a direct service?
Based on flyertalk user’s knowledge/experience, do you think JAL would ever launch a direct service?
doesnt make much business sense to do this route, with the fortress star alliance presence, no reasonable onward connection opportunities, and presence of a OW partner on the route.
Your best strategy would depend on what OW status you currently hold and what cabin you primarily expect to fly.
Economy cabin with no OW status - better switch to star alliance (more choices of flights on NH/NZ/OZ/TG/SQ)
Economy cabin with sapphire or above OW status - better fly CX/JAL for the Hong Kong/Tokyo/Sydney lounges
Business cabin with no OW status - better switch to star alliance (and qualify for gold/diamond)
Aug 5, 2019, 8:08 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
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Posts: 21,169
Not your imagination! Nov 28 1989. Some helpful soul posted photos of the displays.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/show...&postcount=170
Aug 5, 2019, 10:06 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,438
It does not look like there is enough demand between New Zealand and Japan for two airlines. JAL actually did fly to AKL, the service started on July 4, 1980 NRT-NAN (Fiji)-AKL using DC-8. 1989 JAL started codeshare with NZ on NRT-AKL and terminated JAL's own flight to AKL. JAL and NZ continued codeshare after NZ joining Star Alliance and JAL joining OneWorld. However, 2011 NZ switched codeshare partner to ANA, Star Alliance partner.
There seems to be no rumors of JAL resuming AKL service on its own and ANA looks like no intention to start their own service either.
There seems to be no rumors of JAL resuming AKL service on its own and ANA looks like no intention to start their own service either.
Last edited by AlwaysAisle; Aug 5, 2019 at 10:57 am
Aug 5, 2019, 7:35 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Tokyo
Programs: DL Diamond, ANA Platinum
Posts: 1,532
There is a slot for overnight slot from HND that the Japanese airlines haven't used. If Australia doesn't get any additional slots, I can see JL going after AKL instead in the future, but probably not anytime soon. JL has been trying to use overnight slots more recently, with the LHR and MNL-HND flights.
Aug 5, 2019, 11:19 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,498
The current bilateral air services agreement only allows one Japanese carrier to operate between NZ and Tokyo. That is currently ANA on codeshare with Air NZ. Under the current regime JAL could fly to New Zealand out of any other Japanese city, but not Tokyo.
Aug 6, 2019, 9:47 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 245
Thanks for this insight - I think it's a bit of a shame that "one Japanese carrier" is used up by a codeshare arrangement rather than an actual flight (although I know absolutely nothing about the legalities of codeshare arrangements!).
Aug 6, 2019, 9:27 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
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