British Airways will begin services to Tokyo’s Haneda airport on Saturday, flying five times a week from Heathrow.
BA will maintain its daily service to the city’s main international hub, Narita airport, but Haneda is closer to Tokyo’s centre and offers extensive domestic flights and connections to China.
Flights depart Heathrow at 08.00 on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until March 26, and at 09.00 from March 27. Return flights from Haneda depart early morning on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
BA believes Haneda will appeal to leisure passengers transferring to regional flights within Japan as well as to business travellers heading to Tokyo’s business district.
Haneda was Tokyo’s original airport but declined in importance after most international flights moved to Narita in 1978. However, Haneda has since been extended into the sea by landfill. A new international terminal opened last October, along with a fourth runway, and – unlike Narita – the airport is open 24 hours.