British Airways and Japan Airlines have begun their new joint business on all flights between Europe and Japan.
The two Oneworld members will co-operate and share revenue on the 19 weekly flights between the UK and Japan, as well as on JAL’s services to Paris and Frankfurt.
The joint business means that customers will be able to combine flights from both carriers more easily, while the airlines are promising that flight transfers will be improved through a wider codeshare network beyond their main hubs in the UK and Japan.
Frequent flyer benefits will also be enhanced as well as the possibility of launching new routes between the UK and Japan.
Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA’s parent company IAG, said: “We are proud to have served Japan for more than 60 years and are delighted to cement the relationship between British Airways and Japan Airlines.
“This new venture heralds a bigger and better service for our customers and the promise of greater co-operation in the future.”
Yoshiharu Ueki, president of Japan Airlines, added: “Together with the inauguration of JAL's brand new seats and services between Narita and London from January next year, we hope to offer our customers an even greater travel experience than before.”