🇯🇵✈️ Japan Airlines Launches New Chicago ⇄ Tokyo Narita Route 🇺🇸
📅 Service Officially Began May 31, 2025
📰 Originally announced January 21, 2025
Japan Airlines (JAL) has officially launched its newest international route: daily nonstop flights between Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Tokyo Narita (NRT). While the route was first announced in the JAL Group’s January 21 Summer 2025 schedule press release, flights officially began operating on May 31, 2025 — just in time for peak travel season.
🛫 Flight Details – JL55 & JL56
JL55 – Chicago to Tokyo Narita
Departs ORD: 12:30 PM
Arrives NRT: 3:15 PM (+1 day)
Duration: 12h 45m
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER (773)
JL56 – Tokyo Narita to Chicago
Departs NRT: 6:15 PM
Arrives ORD: 4:00 PM (same day)
Duration: 11h 45m
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER (773)
📆 Daily Service | Operated in codeshare with American Airlines
📍 Valid through October 25, 2025 (Summer Schedule)
🌐 Why This Route Matters
More options for U.S.–Asia travel using miles
Opens up award space with Alaska, AAdvantage, and JAL Mileage Bank
Offers an alternative to Haneda with different timings and connections
Flown on the flagship B777-300ER with JAL’s Sky Suite Business Class
📣 Route Was Part of JAL's FY2025 Summer Network Overhaul, which also includes:
JTA’s first-ever international flight: Naha–Taipei (Taoyuan)
Daily service added to:
Narita–San Diego & Bengaluru (from Mar 30)
Kansai–LA, Kansai–Honolulu, Chubu–Honolulu (from Jul 18)
A350-1000 debuts on:
Haneda–Paris (May 1)
Haneda–LA (date TBD)
💡 Booking Tips
Redeem via Alaska for great award rates + free stopovers
Use AA miles for peak/off-peak sweet spots
Book early or last-minute for best premium cabin availability
Expect low surcharges and great onboard service in JAL Sky Suite
📌 tl;dr – Japan Airlines' New Chicago ⇄ Tokyo Narita Route
🚀 Launch Date: May 31, 2025
✈️ Route: Chicago O’Hare (ORD) ⇄ Tokyo Narita (NRT)
🛩️ Flight Numbers:
JL55: ORD ➡️ NRT | 12:30 PM → 3:15 PM (+1) | 12h 45m
JL56: NRT ➡️ ORD | 6:15 PM → 4:00 PM (same day) | 11h 45m
🗓️ Frequency: Daily service (Summer 2025 schedule through Oct 25)
🤝 Codeshare: American Airlines
🛫 Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER with JAL’s Sky Suite (Business Class)
🌐 Award Travel:
Bookable with Alaska, AA, and JAL miles
Great for U.S.–Asia connections and premium cabin redemptions
Expect solid availability and low fuel surcharges
🎯 Why It’s Exciting:
New transpacific award space
A premium long-haul experience from the Midwest
Alternative airport/timing to Tokyo Haneda with strong connectivity