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How about flying direct from Las Vegas to Tokyo? No stops, no transfers, no fuss. Sounds great right? But there is a catch. It’s only going to happen for 11 days.

Planned to coincide with the epic Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019. American Airlines will be laying on a Las Vegas to Tokyo direct route to accommodate all the visitors to this world-renowned event. We all know that some of the best tech in the world comes from Japan, so undoubtedly this is going to be a highly popular route (for all 11 days).

The route will run from 4th January 2019 through to the 14th. During this time, it’s anticipated more than 180,000 visitors will arrive in the city, many of which will pass through the McCarran International Airport. It will be operated by American Airlines in conjunction with their favourite Asian partner, Japan Airlines (JAL).

World class flying from Tokyo to Las Vegas

During the period of CES, American Airlines plans to offer one daily flight between Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport (LAS) and Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT). The route will be served by the Boeing 787-8 ‘Dreamliner’, which will seat 226 passengers including 28 business class life-flat seats.

The Flagship Business facilities also extend to chef designed meals, Casper bedding and Cole Haan amenity kits. Even standard class is top of the range, with on board wifi throughout the flight and HD touchscreen monitors for entertainment.

Managing director of American Airlines’ Asia Pacific Sales commented that,

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“The network and onboard experience offered by American and Japan Airlines as part of their Pacific Joint Business is world-class, and we are thrilled to make getting to the world’s largest technology event faster and easier than ever before.”

Last year, CES brought a total of 6,434 attendees from Japan to the US, generating an estimated $270m for the local economy. American Airlines have stated that they expect their temporary direct air service to have an economic impact of $2.8m.

Modifying the Chicago route

Rather than this being an additional, standalone new route, American are simply modifying their existing Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Tokyo direct route to accommodate a stop in Las Vegas. Whilst CES is on, the Chicago route will stop off in Nevada before continuing directly to Tokyo.

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The return trip will do the same in reverse, flying Tokyo to Las Vegas direct before continuing to Chicago as its final destination.

This tactic offers American Airlines the opportunity to try out this new route at a particularly low risk time for them. The additional demand generated by CES almost guarantees a high uptake on the route for the 11 days it will be operating. Taking off the Chicago direct route is also less risky at this time of the year than at others, as January is a typically quiet period for bookings.

For travellers still wanting to fly Las Vegas to Tokyo direct, Japan Airlines will maintain a service along this route. As a business partner of American, frequent fliers of both airlines will still be able to benefit from their usual perks.