SEATTLE – The Port of Seattle joined Alaska Airlines and Visit Seattle to welcome executives from Japan Airlines(JAL) and its Pacific Joint Business partner American Airlines as they announced nonstop service beginning March 31, 2019 between Tokyo-Narita (NRT) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The new daily service via Boeing 787-8 aircraft will be a welcome back to Seattle as JAL previously served nonstop route to Tokyo from 1983 to 1992.
“Tokyo is Seattle’s second largest international market, and is a strong destination for both business and leisure travelers,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Ryan Calkins. “With additional growth of international services in response to the demand of our growing region, this announcement highlights the need to move forward with the construction of new International Arrivals Facility.”
"We are pleased to announce the introduction of the Seattle-Narita route, which will go into service in March 2019. Along with our joint business partner, American Airlines, we look forward to welcoming more visitors to Asia for business or pleasure who will experience Japanese hospitality from the moment they step onboard the aircraft," said Tadashi Fujita, Executive Vice President of Japan Airlines.
“We love partnering with Japan Airlines to bring their Tokyo service back to Sea-Tac,” said Brad Tilden, Alaska Airlines Chief Executive Officer. “Every day, our global partners connect almost ten 737s full of our Mileage Plan members to international markets. Guests traveling to Japan and throughout Asia can look forward to JAL’s warm hospitality and amazing inflight experience the moment they step on the plane.”
“Visit Seattle is honored to welcome Japan Airlines back to Sea-Tac Airport,” said Tom Norwalk, President and CEO of Visit Seattle. “Japan is a critically important visitor market for our destination and this non-stop service from JAL will provide our Japanese visitors another wonderful option when flying to Seattle. I applaud JAL for its use of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on this route and I look forward to personally welcoming the inaugural flight next spring.”
“This new route will strengthen American and JAL’s joint business across the Pacific and meet the growing demand in the Seattle-Tokyo market,” said American Airlines President Robert Isom. “Our customers in Seattle will soon have nonstop service to one of the world’s most important business and leisure destinations, as well as convenient connections to many other cities in Asia.”
