Aug. 18--American Airlines on Tuesday operated its first flight to Japan from O'Hare Airport with a customer-pleasing Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The 1:20 p.m. flight marked the return of American's daily service to Narita International Airport near Tokyo. It previously operated flights five days a week on the route from Chicago.
American broke in its first 787s on domestic routes, including one to O'Hare, before putting them on international routes, where the fuel-efficient, long-flying planes are more economical. The composite-structure planes allow airlines to be more profitable and serve new city pairs with a smaller plane than a jumbo jet.
For passengers in the cabin, twin-aisle Dreamliners offer larger, dimmable windows, and the ability to adjust cabin pressure and humidity to more comfortable levels than in metal planes. Airlines that already use the jet have said customers highly rate the 787.
While the 787 is a big deal for American, United Airlines has flown the model since 2012. United does not use the 787 on a regular O'Hare route, although some foreign airlines do.
American also uses Dreamliners on Dallas routes, to Beijing, Shanghai and Buenos Aires, Argentina. It had previously used a Boeing 777 on the Chicago-to-Tokyo route.
American expects to take delivery of 13 Dreamliners this year, part of an order of 42, with the right to acquire 58 more. So far it has taken delivery of eight.
American's Dreamliner, a 787-8, is arranged in a two-class cabin and has 28 lie-flat business-class seats. The main cabin has 48 extra-legroom seats and 150 coach seats.
Each seat has an entertainment screen, 15.4-inch screens in business class and 9-inch screens in the back of the plane. Seats throughout the plane have power outlets and USB jacks.
The plane is equipped with satellite Wi-Fi and a walk-up bar with snacks and drinks in the premium cabin.
American on Tuesday also announced it would partner with Cuba Travel Services to operate charter flights between Los Angeles International Airport and Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on Dec. 12. American will also operate a Saturday flight between Miami International Airport and Havana. Both will be sold by Cuba Travel Services.
This year, American will operate about 1,200 charter flights to Cuba, which it says is more than any other airline.
gkarp@tribpub.com
