American vs. United on Chicago–Tokyo Narita (NRT): Which Is Better?

The aircraft used on this route became available after American discontinued its Philadelphia–Doha service, which has since been replaced by Oneworld partner Qatar Airways. American also serves Tokyo Narita out of Dallas (DFW), while it serves Tokyo Haneda (HND) from New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), and Dallas (DFW).

This Boeing 787-9 has 30 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 254 economy seats for a total of 305. It features a reverse-herringbone Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat, identical to the one Air Canada uses. Of course, American has its own colours, cabin finishes, etc.

AA 787-9 business class

Note American also operates Boeing 787-9s with a new, updated 51-seat “Flagship Suite” business class, commonly denoted as Boeing 787-9P. This is not the aircraft used on this route from Chicago to Tokyo.

American Airlines’ joint-venture partner, Japan Airlines, also flies Chicago (ORD)–Tokyo (NRT), but I suspect this route will be suspended, and AA will be the sole Oneworld airline offering this route, akin to what we saw with the Philadelphia (PHL)–Doha (DOH) route swapping from American to Qatar. At the time of writing, Japan Airlines no longer appears to be selling this route, at least on Google Flights. Although I can’t find an official announcement.

American vs. United on Chicago (ORD)–Tokyo (NRT)

Since both airlines fly this route and United and American have been competing fiercely at Chicago O’Hare (ORD), it’s a fun exercise to see which airline offers a superior overall experience.

Lounges

On the ground, United business class passengers get access to the United Polaris lounge, while American Airlines business class passengers use the American Airlines Flagship Lounge.

I haven’t visited either personally, but my impression is United Polaris lounges are better than American Flagship Lounges, at least until AA upgrades or opens new Flagship Lounges. For what it’s worth, AA is in the midst of rehauling its lounges as part of its strategy to increase profitability, with new Flagship Lounges opening and existing lounges being overhauled.

For Chicago O’Hare (ORD) specifically, American has not announced a new Flagship Lounge but will open a new Admirals Club. Admirals Clubs compete more with United Clubs and not Polaris lounges, though, so I’ll declare United Polaris as the winner on the ground in Chicago (ORD).

United Polaris Lounge (pictured EWR)

For what it’s worth, premium cabin passengers on ANA and Japan Airlines also use the Polaris Lounge and the Flagship Lounge, respectively.

In-Flight Experience

We discussed AA’s Boeing 787-9 business class above, so let’s take a look at United. United deserves praise for its consistency in product offerings, as the Polaris business class seat is available on all wide-body international flights except the Boeing 757.

I’ve flown it twice, and it’s a decent business class product, holding up well even in 2026 despite United launching new Polaris Studio seats this year.

United Polaris business class

However, which is the better hard product between the United Polaris business class seat and the American Airlines reverse-herringbone Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat comes down to personal preference, as I don’t think one is objectively better than the other. Personally, I prefer the Polaris seat, and United provides excellent Saks 5th Avenue bedding for sleep.

Overall, though, I’d say it’s a tie since online reviews say American has better catering than United.

Route Network

Not explicitly related to the ground or in-flight experience, but it’d be remiss not to mention the ongoing route network for connections onwards in Asia. As part of its new route announcement, American mentions convenient onward connections on Japan Airlines.

However, United does one better not only by offering connections on its own Star Alliance partner, All Nippon Airways, but also by offering flights on United metal out of its mini-hub at Tokyo Narita. All are fifth freedom flights, and there is quite an impressive network to Ulaanbaatar (UBN, Mongolia), Kaohsiung (KHH, Taiwan), and Cebu (CEB, Philippines), along with a few Pacific islands: Koror (ROR, Palau), Guam (GUM), and Saipan Island (SPN).

United route network from mini-hub Tokyo Narita (NRT)

Is a United 737 the product you want to fly between Tokyo and Kaohsiung? Probably not when you can fly a lie-flat business seat on China Airlines or EVA Air. But is it extremely fun, exciting, and cool? Yes, yes, and yes.

Fly Japan Airlines or ANA Instead

I know there will be comments saying the exercise is futile, and that you should simply fly ANA or Japan Airlines instead. In the case of Japan Airlines, I would wholeheartedly agree on either its Boeing 777 or Boeing 787 Apex Suites product, but this route is already no longer for sale (at least according to Google Flights).

When it comes to ANA, I believe the old business class product commonly flown on the Tokyo Narita (NRT)–Chicago (ORD) is inferior to both United and American’s offerings. You might luck into ANA’s “The Room” business class on this route, but ANA is known for last-minute equipment swaps.

ANA “The Room” business class

When it comes to service and catering, I’d say service is surely better on any Japanese airline than on an American one. Catering is not as clear-cut, in my opinion, because I believe the airport matters more than the airline here, so all food catered from Tokyo will be relatively similar (and high-quality).

Takeaway

American’s new Chicago–Tokyo Narita service doesn’t meaningfully expand Oneworld’s network, since it appears to replace Japan Airlines’ existing service. While I give United the edge overall thanks to the Polaris Lounge and its unique mini-hub at Narita, American’s business class hard product is very much still competitive and not substantially worse in any way that matters.

Of course, if ANA happens to schedule “The Room” on your flight, that’s probably the best option of the three, but with equipment swaps and older seats still common on this route, I wouldn’t book expecting it. As always, award availability and your preferred loyalty program matter more than the logo on the tail.