United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA), today applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide non-stop air service from San Francisco to Haneda Airport in downtown Tokyo. United is applying for one of four pairs of daily U.S. to Haneda slots that are available to U.S. carriers under the recently approved US-Japan Open Skies Agreement.

"We have been an active supporter of open skies between the U.S. and Japan because we believe it benefits the customers and communities we serve," said Mark Schwab, senior vice president for Alliances, International and Regulatory Affairs. "United has long been a leader in trans-Pacific service, and we look forward to the opportunity to deliver new options and an improved level on convenience for customers traveling to and from Tokyo."

United's proposed San Francisco-Haneda flight would be its first ever non-stop service between San Francisco and Tokyo's downtown airport, which has been a mostly domestic airport. San Francisco is United's primary U.S. gateway to Asia and is a popular, convenient hub for customers traveling to Tokyo from cities across the United States, Schwab said. At Haneda, passengers will benefit from United's codeshare agreements with All Nippon Airways, which will provide connecting service opportunities from numerous cities in Japan and several cities in Asia.

United plans to serve the market with a Boeing 777-200 aircraft with a three-class seating configuration, which will provide a high-level of customer options and comfort on these long-haul flights. The B777 also provides ample cargo capacity between San Francisco, United's cargo hub, and Haneda.

"Air travelers in San Francisco and the entire Bay Area enthusiastically welcome United Airlines' plan to add service from SFO to Tokyo's downtown airport," said Gavin Newsom, mayor of the city and county of San Francisco. "The new daily flight will strengthen our historic business and tourism links with Japan's commercial center, adding real convenience and cutting the overall journey time for travelers throughout our region, California, and across the U.S. We will add our voice in strong support of United's application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the opportunity to begin this important new air service to Tokyo's Haneda Airport."

(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 17-Feb-10