Japan Airlines is to start new daytime flights between Toyko’s Haneda airport and London in place of a service from Narita.
Heathrow flights from Tokyo Narita airport will continue via a codeshare with British Airways operated by the UK carrier.
The daily Jal Boeing 777 service will run from March 30 as part of international expansion from Haneda which will also see new routes to Paris, Singapore, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh.
Jal is also doubling frequency between Toyko Narita and New York to 14 flights a week while Moscow will see flights rise from three to four a week.
Frequency between Haneda and Yamagata is being doubled and the airline will also resume six domestic routes following a review of flight schedules so passengers will be able to connect more conveniently.
The airline is also expanding the availability of improved ‘Sky Wider’ economy class seating on long-haul services, giving increased seat pitch and legroom.
Sky Wider, currently on 10 aircraft, will increase to 22 aircraft by July.
Fully-flat seats in business class on all medium and long-haul routes to and from southeast Asia and Honolulu will be introduced by the second half of the year.
“The airline is striving to deliver a more enjoyable experience and soothing rest to customers on every journey,” a spokesman said.