The FINANCIAL — Japan Airlines (JAL) and American Airlines (American) on January 31 announced the implementation of the next phase of their joint business through joint selling in Japan beginning February 1, 2011.
The two airlines have more closely coordinated most of their Business Class and Economy Class carrier-filed fares for North America-bound flights originating from Japan effective April 1, 2011 – the day the airlines commence their trans-Pacific joint business.
As a result of the two airlines’ tighter relationship and closer coordination, it will now be easier for customers to benefit from carrier-filed discount fares for itineraries using both airlines as well as a combination of different classes of service. Some, but not all, combinations of carrier-filed fares within Economy Class will also now be available. Previously, it was much more difficult and expensive to combine itineraries between the airlines or when the class of service was not the same round trip due to restrictions which limited carrier-filed discount fares to the use of a single airline’s flights or to one class of service. The closer cooperation and commencement of joint selling announced today enables customers greater access to lower fares and provides them many more choices when making travel arrangements.
Through American’s route network in North America, JAL will increase the number of destinations available for sale to some 200 cities in that region which American continues to sell. Similarly in the near future, from North America, the joint business is expected to increase the number of Asian destinations that American can sell, and that JAL will continue to sell. Customers originating in Japan will have a greater opportunity to access lower fares to more destinations as a result of today’s announcement.
Newly Coordinated Carrier-filed Fares
The names listed below refer to carrier-filed fare products that will be sold jointly by both airlines starting tomorrow, February 1. Pricing of each fare level will be identical across both airlines.
1. More itinerary options through combination of airlines in a round trip
Historically, Japan-based customers who needed to travel one way on JAL and the other on American, both ways in Business Class, could only purchase the full International Air Transport Association (IATA) system fare. Effective Feb. 1 for travel after April 1, customers needing some flexibility may be able to obtain it at a much lower fare.
2. More itinerary options through combination of cabin class / carrier-filed fares
Customers also have the option to fly one way in Business Class and Economy Class on the other in a round-trip journey by mixing the use of the variety of available fares. All types of Business Class fares announced today can be used in conjunction with most Economy Class fares listed in the appendix.
These newly coordinated fares between the partners offer customers fare combinability so they have more freedom to mix-and-match their desired class of travel and airline, enabling customers to purchase an itinerary of their choice at a much lower price than was previously available. Some restrictions apply.
3. Customers benefit from JAL/AA Network Combination
Through the joint business and tighter relationship, customers gain access to more destinations. With American’s network and now that two transfers are permitted each way, JAL can now offer customers expanded routing choices and destinations as well as an expanded opportunity to purchase tickets at lower fares to some 200 destinations in North America which American sells today. Destinations beyond the gateway cities in North Americathat Japan Airlines and American fly to will be available for an additional amount that may be charged as either an add-on or included as part of the fares.
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