Japan Airlines (JAL) and Mexicana (MX) announced today that they will expand their code share partnership to cover new routes that will improve the connection between Japan and Mexico, using three mutual gateways in North America - Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver.

From January 14, 2010, Japan Airlines will expand its services between Los Angeles and the Mexican city of León/Bajío (Guanajuato) and between San Francisco and Mexico City by adding its “JL” code on flights operated by Mexicana. Concurrently, Mexicana will begin placing its “MX” indicator on JAL-operated round-trip flights between San Francisco and Tokyo (Narita). Reservation and ticket sales for these new code share flights start tomorrow.

The frequency of existing code share one-way flights from Tokyo (Narita) to Vancouver operated by JAL, and from Vancouver to Mexico City operated by MX, will also increase from 5 to 7 flights a week starting January 18, 2010 - when reservations and ticket sales will also commence.

JAL and Mexicana, both members of the oneworld alliance, inked their first bilateral agreement in 2005 before they joined the alliance in 2007 and 2009 respectively. The carriers can now market JAL operated flights from Tokyo (Narita) to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver, as well as connections on MX operated flights to and from five Mexican cities Guadalajara, Cancun, Los Cabos, Mexico City and the newly added León/Bajío. Through the expansion of their partnership, Japan Airlines and Mexicana look forward to strengthen their respective offerings and network, and jointly present valued customers with evermore options and convenience.