On January 21, All Nippon Airways launched the first commercial intercontinental service using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The plane now flies from Tokyo to Frankfurt three times a week, though the frequency will increase to daily.

The mid-size aircraft, which can forge new nonstop routes thanks to its light-weight materials and superior fuel-efficiency, has been heralded as a game-changer in the aviation industry.

Later in the spring, ANA will launch 787 flights from Tokyo to Seattle and San Jose. No other airline offers a nonstop route between Tokyo and San Jose (in Silicon Valley), illustrating the advantages offered by the aircraft. Similarly, in April Japan Airlines will launch a one-of-a-kind nonstop route between Tokyo and Boston using the aircraft.