Until last month, there were 44 non-stop flights a week on the London-Tokyo route, one of the busiest between Europe and Asia. But following a decision by Japan Airlines to halve its double daily service as part of a rationalisation of its long-haul operations, that figure has now dropped to 37. JAL has also replaced its Boeing 747-400s on the route with the smaller and more fuel-efficient Boeing 777-300. British Airways maintains its double daily service, while both ANA All Nippon Airways and Virgin Atlantic have a daily frequency. Russia’s Aeroflot operates two flights a week between Heathrow and Narita, and there are indirect services with a number of carriers, including Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Korean Air and Swiss International. All but JAL offer a Premium Economy cabin on the route. Since Japan's tightening of the economic belt, many travellers now have difficulty in justifying the full Business class fare, but can afford the upgraded Economy product for the extra legroom on the 12-hour flight. ANA, BA and JAL provide a First class, and there are also sleeper seats in Virgin’s Upper Class, BA Club World, ANA's new-style Club ANA and JAL’s Executive Seasons cabins. At Tokyo Narita, the opening of Terminal 1’s South Wing in June will see ANA and other Star Alliance member airlines all housed in the new facility. There will be 126 self-service check-in units – the largest number of any airport in the world – which also have the capacity to be used by other airlines. Shorter connecting times are also promised as a result of the move. In addition, passengers connecting from international to domestic flights in the new South Wing will no longer be required to call at the domestic departures counter to check-in their bags again. Making use of Japan's first baggagedrop facility after clearing customs, they can transit simply and quickly to their domestic flight. In another first for Japan, ANA has created an arrivals lounge equipped with showers for passengers to freshen up after their international flight. The new facility is available to ANA First Class and Club ANA Business class passengers, ANA Mileage Club Diamond and Platinum members, and ANA Super Flyers cardholders. The arrivals lounge also doubles as the domestic departures lounge.
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