All Nippon Airways (ANA) held an event at Tokyo Haneda Airport on July 26 to mark the 40th anniversary of its Tokyo–Washington service.
The Tokyo–Washington route was launched on this date in 1986 and is ANA’s third-oldest international route. It initially operated to and from Tokyo Narita Airport before being transferred to Tokyo Haneda Airport in March 2023. It is also the only route operated by a Japanese airline linking the capitals of Japan and the United States.
On the anniversary date, a ceremony was held near Gate 108A in Terminal 3 at Haneda Airport to coincide with the departure of NH102 to Washington Dulles, operated by a Boeing 787-8 registered JA805A.
A special arch recreating the decorations from the route’s launch event 40 years ago was installed at the gate. It bore the words “Tokyo–Washington Route 40th Anniversary Gate Event,” along with the Japanese and U.S. flags. Passenger service agents, ground handling staff, mechanics and cabin crew, along with Soracchi, ANA’s official social media ambassador character, took part in a photo session.
During the gate event, gate agents made a special announcement. The announcement introduced the route’s history, noting that “exactly 40 years ago today, this nonstop service was launched,” and expressed appreciation to customers for their patronage over the past four decades.
Boarding for NH102 began shortly after 9:50 a.m. Staff waited along the path to the gate and personally handed each passenger commemorative items: a boarding certificate, sticker and flight tag.
The nearly full flight carried 176 passengers and was operated by a crew of 11, comprising three pilots and eight cabin crew members.
Scheduled to depart at 10:20 a.m., the flight pushed back at 10:17 a.m. Ground staff in the ramp area held up banners toward the aircraft as they saw it off.
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