Note: This Article is written for mainly Japanese Travelers, but if you have a opportunity to travel from Japan, this can be referable for you.
Access to Washington D.C. is not only possible through direct flights from Haneda but also by making a layover in other cities within the United States or Canada.
Among these cities, Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis in the Midwest are located along the direct route between Haneda and Washington D.C., making them popular stopover destinations.
In this case, let’s introduce Delta Air Lines, which operates a route to Washington D.C. via Detroit.
About Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is one of the three major airlines in the United States and is a member of the SkyTeam alliance. It is headquartered in Atlanta and operates non-stop flights to five continents from its hub, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Delta Air Lines is the only U.S. airline with non-stop flights to five continents.
From Japan, Delta operates flights from Atlanta, Detroit, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Honolulu to Haneda. Additionally, it operates flights from Detroit to Nagoya and from Seattle to Kansai, providing access to Washington D.C. through these connecting cities in Japan.
The Legacy of Northwest Airlines’ Japan Route
Delta Air Lines’ predecessor on the Japan route was Northwest Airlines, which operated the Haneda-Detroit route not as Delta Air Lines but as Northwest Airlines.
Northwest Airlines had been flying to Narita even before Japan Airlines entered the international market. It operated its own flights between Narita and major cities in the U.S. and Asia.
In 2008, the merger with Delta Air Lines was announced, and from the following year, code-share flights were introduced. On January 30, 2010, flight NW2470 from Los Angeles to Las Vegas marked the end of Northwest Airlines, and it became fully integrated into Delta Air Lines.
The Narita-Detroit route was historically served by the iconic Boeing 747-400, also known as the “Jumbo Jet,” which transported many passengers between Japan and the U.S. Even after becoming Delta Air Lines, the same aircraft continued to be used, with interior renovations. However, on October 30, 2017, the final Narita-Detroit flight DL276 was operated using a new aircraft, the Airbus A350-900, marking the end of a 28-year history with the Boeing 747.
Since March 29, 2020, Delta Air Lines has transferred all its routes to Haneda, connecting Tokyo with various cities in the United States.
New Facilities and Services with the Airbus A350
When Delta Air Lines introduced new aircraft, they chose to debut them on routes from Detroit, their hub in the Midwest, rather than from Atlanta, their headquarters.
The Airbus A350 has a seating capacity of 306 seats, with 32 seats in the private suite-style business class called “Delta One Suite,” 48 seats in the premium economy class called “Delta Premium Select,” and 226 seats in the economy class called “Main Cabin.”
Creating a Comfortable Cabin Environment with LED Lighting
The Airbus A350’s cabin features LED lighting, which allows for a variety of colors to create a comfortable onboard atmosphere. The overhead compartments are installed on the ceiling, but in the center of the business class, there are no compartments, creating a spacious and open feel.
In premium economy and economy classes, overhead compartments are available as usual. However, unique to the Airbus A350, LED lights are installed throughout the space between the compartments and the ceiling. These lights illuminate the cabin with various colors depending on the time of day.
During boarding and disembarkation, the lighting above the window side is in shades of dark and light blue, while the lighting between the window-side compartments and the ceiling is white. The lighting above the center seats is in shades of dark and light blue with a gradient effect that moves from front to back. The lights gradually dim during takeoff and landing to help passengers adjust their eyes to the brightness outside during emergencies.
When in-flight service is not being provided, only the ceiling lights are on, creating a comfortable and relaxing ambiance with deep blue lighting, reminiscent of the night sky.
During service hours, the window-side lighting gradually changes from blue to bright purple, then orange, and finally becomes yellow. The entire cabin is then illuminated with warm yellow lighting during service.
In the previous 747 aircraft, regular lighting was used instead of LED, which made it challenging to make precise adjustments to brightness and color, resulting in sudden changes from dark to bright. However, with the Airbus A350, LED lighting is employed, enabling fine-tuning of brightness and color. This allows passengers to experience more comfortable ambiance and also helps reduce the effects of jet lag.
The beautifully Lit Lavatories
The Airbus A350 lavatories are equipped with LED lighting, too. When locked from the inside, the lavatories on the right side of the main cabin and the left side of the left aisle gradually change their lighting from dark blue to purple, then orange, and finally to yellow. This creates a unique and enjoyable experience during the flight.
Designs on the Cabin Dividers
When boarding an airplane, pay attention to the walls in front and behind you. The rear divider features the Delta Air Lines logo on a gray wall, while the front divider showcases a design inspired by Delta Air Lines’ triangle logo. The dividers between Delta Premium Select and Main Cabin have a stylish design with curves, adding to the excitement of the journey.
Enjoy Your Own Flight with Delta Air Lines’ Largest Personal Monitor
In the main cabin of Delta Air Lines’ Airbus A350, the largest personal monitor in the Delta fleet is installed, providing access to free content for passengers. The “Delta Studio” entertainment system is especially impressive, with monthly updates of movies and music content.
In addition to entertainment, the flight tracker on the monitor is also remarkable, providing various information such as the aircraft’s position, equipment information, and more. Please note that the displayed time for Detroit on the monitor is not adjusted for daylight saving time, so be cautious when traveling during daylight saving time.
The highlight of in-flight service: Delta Airline’s onboard meals
Do you assume that “American airline food is bad”? Well, that’s not the case with Delta Air Lines, especially on their Japan routes. Specifically, on the Haneda to Detroit route, they collaborate with well-known Japanese restaurants to provide exceptional in-flight meals on both outbound and inbound flights.
Typically, such premium in-flight meals are offered in business class or higher, but Delta Air Lines provides them in all cabins. So, even in Economy class, you can savor a unique dining experience compared to other airlines.
Moreover, starting from November 2019, Delta Air Lines revamped their international main cabin service.
On the Haneda to Detroit route, you’ll receive not just two meals, but also a mid-flight snack and ice cream. Japanese flights feature Hӓagen-Dazs ice cream served in all cabins, while Detroit flights offer Ben & Jerry’s.
Having the chance to enjoy premium ice cream from both Japan and America is a delight for those with a sweet tooth!
In-Flight Amenities Catered to Japanese Passengers
On Delta Air Lines’ flights departing from or arriving in Japan, amenities provided to Japanese passengers include slippers in all cabin classes. This consideration is given to the Japanese habit of not wearing shoes for long periods. This service is also offered by Air France, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, for its flights to and from Japan.
Enjoying the Scenery on the Haneda-Detroit Route
When boarding a plane, many people prefer to sit by the window to enjoy the views outside. Here, I’ll introduce some key points to consider for those who want to enjoy the scenery on the Haneda to Detroit route.
Enjoying the Night Flight – Scenery between Haneda and Detroit
As more than half of the flight from Haneda to Detroit takes place at night, passengers can open the window shades and enjoy the outside views during most of the flight. The flight route usually takes a southern detour rather than the shortest distance.
Departing Haneda before sunset allows passengers to admire the evening sun over the Pacific Ocean. Especially if seated on the left side, passengers can witness the sunset from the aircraft, making sure to experience the beauty of the sunset from the sky.
Once the area becomes dark, during winter, passengers on the right side can observe the winter constellations, including Orion, nearly sideways. The star Sirius, located below the Winter Triangle, can be seen from a top-down perspective.
Approaching Vancouver airspace, the eastern sky gradually brightens, and passengers can witness the sunrise from the aircraft, providing a unique experience of witnessing the boundary between day and night.
However, as the area becomes completely bright, it is recommended to close the window shades and rest since the flight is set to a night mode, ensuring a well-rested and enjoyable journey until landing in Detroit.
Noteworthy are the Airbus A350’s white-painted wings with beautifully curved winglets, featuring Delta Air Lines’ logo, creating a striking contrast with the scenery.
“Chasing the Red Tail” – Inherited from Northwest Airlines
Detroit, serving as a hub airport in the Midwest, inherited many routes from Northwest Airlines.
During summer, passengers can enjoy takeoff and landing while admiring the vast Midwest plains. In winter, however, the surroundings are covered in snow, presenting a completely different view.
The region is often hit by severe blizzards due to the lack of obstructions, prompting Northwest Airlines to adopt eye-catching red vertical tails to remain visible even during snowstorms.
As a result, airlines operating in the region, including those flying to and from Detroit, often use Delta Air Lines’ red-logoed tails as a guide for safe takeoffs and landings, giving rise to the saying, “Chase the Red Tail.”
Admiring the Scenery – Departure from Detroit until Arrival in Japan
While most of the flight from Haneda to Detroit occurs at night, the return flight from Detroit to Haneda experiences daylight throughout the journey. Therefore, passengers can only open the window shades during the period after the first in-flight meal and shortly before the final meal is served. Alternatively, passengers who wish to view the outside can do so near the lavatory area.
When opening the shades during the last meal service, it’s recommended to do so gradually, allowing the eyes to adjust to the light. Furthermore, when flying from Detroit to Haneda, the flight is often affected by westerly winds, resulting in a longer flight time due to a significant northern detour.
Comfortable Aircraft to Washington D.C. via Delta Air Lines
The Airbus A350, replacing the 747, is Delta Air Lines’ state-of-the-art aircraft and is particularly prominent on the Haneda to Detroit route, which is a major route for Delta Air Lines. It is a highly recommended route for traveling from Japan to Washington D.C.
Detroit Airport, as a transit point, is designed to accommodate Japanese passengers, ensuring a smooth connection.
Furthermore, Delta Air Lines offers Japanese passengers the opportunity to acquire the affiliated Amex Gold Card, granting them unconditional Gold Medallion status for one year. This perk makes it even more appealing for passengers to take advantage of the benefits.
