With many different cultures found throughout Asia, the continent is a popular destination that many Americans want to cross off their bucket lists. However, nonstop flight options from the United States are very limited.
With a small number of flights being offered per day from the United States, and the high ticket cost for a flight from the United States to Asia, the trip to Asia may not be feasible for most. But for those who can it can be considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
American Airlines is one of the few United States airlines offering flights to the continent of Asia. It only competes with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines in the flight market to Asia.
This guide will explore the different Asian destinations customers can fly directly from the United States on board American Airlines. We will also discuss the history of American Airlines and its operations in Asia. We’ll also discuss the two aircraft in its fleet used for flights to Asia.
History of American Airlines and Asia
The history of American Airlines flying to Asia began in 1987. The first Asian country American began offering service to was Japan. Passengers were able to fly on it’s Boeing 747SP from Dallas to Tokyo.
American added two more routes in 1991 from San Jose to Tokyo, and Miami to Tokyo with a stop in Seattle. The latter route was flown with the airline’s McDonnell Douglas MD-11s. Ultimately, the Boeing 777 took over for the MD-11 on these routes.
China and India entered the picture in the early 2000s thanks to the merger with Trans World Airlines (TWA Airlines), which already had a decent presence in the Asian market.
In February 2010, American expanded its footprint into Asia by offering a flight to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. Initial plans were to have a multiple flights from New York – JFK Airport to Tokyo but these fell through due to low demand and unprofitability.
In 2018, American Airlines scaled back its flight offerings across the Pacific Ocean while expanding its transcontinental destinations from East Coast cities like Philadelphia. The airline cited high oil costs yielding low profitability on routes like Chicago to Shanghai and Bejiing. Some of these routes were eliminated coinciding with the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020.
American Airlines Long Haul Fleet
For flights to Asia from the United States with American Airlines, you will be flying on widebody aircraft. These widebody aircraft are much larger and have much more range than the airplanes you would typically fly on a domestic flight across the United States.
American Airlines relies primarily on the newest Boeing widebody aircraft for flights across the Pacific Ocean; the Boeing 787 and the Boeing 777-300 ER.
Boeing 787
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the newest widebody ultra-long range airplane for American Airlines. American Airlines flies two types of Dreamliners: the 800 version and the 900 version.
There are slight differences between these variants. The 800 variant fits 234 passengers in a four-class configuration (business, economy plus, main cabin plus, and main cabin.
The 900 is a longer plane meaning it can fit more passengers. The Boeing 787-900 fits 285 passengers with the same 4-class configuration.
The Boeing 787 has the latest cabin features that make long-haul flying much easier and more comfortable for passengers. The cabin has dimming windows, ambient lighting, and lower pressurization which are all designed to reduce jet lag.
Both aircraft variants can carry enough gas to sufficiently make the journey across the Pacific to the United States. They can fly well over 7000 nautical miles or 8400 regular miles.
If you want to learn more about the features of the Boeing 787, you can check out our flight review of Norse Atlantic Airways Boeing 787 flight from London to New York, or check out this article about how you can fly domestically on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Boeing 777-300 ER
The other aircraft that American Airlines uses for transpacific flights to Asia is the Boeing 777-300 ER. The 777 was first introduced in the early 1990s and has been a very safe and capable aircraft in its 30 years of existence.
American Airlines has configured its Boeing 777 aircraft to seat over 300 passengers with 5 classes of passenger service (flagship first, business, premium economy, main cabin extra, and main cabin). It fits more passengers than the Boeing 787 Dreamliner however the aircraft isn’t as fuel efficient as the latter.
The Boeing 777-300 ER has a similar range as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. However, it does lack several of the cabin improvements found on the 787.
Four Cities That American Airlines Fly Nonstop from America
Currently, American Airlines provides a disproportionate service to flights to Europe compared to Asia. As of February 2024, there are only 4 cities throughout the entire continent of Asia where American Airlines has a direct flight from the United States.
American flies to Japan, South Korea, China, and India. Here are the cities you can connect to from the United States on a direct flight using American Airlines.
Tokyo
American Airlines flies to Tokyo, Japan by way of two airport options.
Passengers can fly to Narita International Airport, the region’s primary airport for international travel. They can also choose to fly into Haneda Airport which has some international service but is better suited for passengers looking to catch a connecting flight to another city in Japan.
For the flight to Narita International Airport, American Airlines flies there only from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Dallas, Texas. This flight is offered year-round and is flown daily on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Passengers choosing to go to Haneda Airport have two options to depart the United States by using American Airlines. Flights to Haneda can be found at both Dallas Forth Worth International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. These flights are both offered once daily, all year. They are both flown using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
If you’re a passenger who wants to break up the long trip or is seeking a connection once you arrive in Tokyo, flying into Haneda Airport might be your better option. However, for passengers flying into Tokyo, Japan, you will receive top-notch service from anywhere you decide to depart.
Seoul
Customers seeking to explore the best that South Korea has to offer can fly nonstop to Seoul on board American Airlines.
American Airlines flies into Incheon International Airport. However, just note that your options for a direct flight from the United States are very limited as the airline only flies this route from their hub at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
That means for Americans living on the extreme east and west coasts, you will need to catch a connecting flight, adding time to your journey.
For this flight, American uses their Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The route is offered every day throughout the entire year.
Overall, the flight across the Pacific and into South Korea takes 15 hours and spans a distance of well over 6000 miles.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the only Chinese destination offered by American Airlines. Shanghai is the largest city in China and is vital to the Chinese economy as it is the center of business and trade.
Just like Seoul, American Airlines offers a very limited amount of options for Americans to get to China. This can also be a factor in strained political relationships between China and the United States. With that said, Americans can find a once-a-day flight to Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
American Airlines uses their Boeing 787 Dreamliner for this flight. The distance between Dallas and Shanghai is north of 7333 miles. That makes the flight time between these two cities closer to 13 hours depending on the winds over the Pacific Ocean.
New Delhi
The final Asian destination currently being offered a nonstop flight from America is New Delhi, India. Unlike the other Asian destinations, the route to New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport starts at New York John F Kennedy International Airport in New York City, also a hub of American Airlines.
This flight is offered daily, year-round.
Another difference for this particular flight is that Americans use their Boeing 777-300 ER. Taking the great circle route near the Arctic Ocean, there isn’t as much open water that would necessitate the more efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner. While both aircraft can fly this route, it probably comes with the companies’ risk tolerance that decides what airplane is used on this flight.
The flight to New Delhi takes over 16 hours to complete making it the longest flight to Asian offered by American Airlines. The flight mileage is right on the maximum range for the Boeing 777-300 ER being close to 7300 miles.
Sources
https://www.flightconnections.com/route-map-american-airlines-aa
