Skyliner
Keisei AE series EMU on a Skyliner service, July 2010
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Limited express |
| Locale | Kanto region, Japan |
| First service | 1972 |
| Current operator(s) | Keisei Electric Railway |
| Route | |
| Start | Keisei Ueno |
| End | Narita Airport Terminal 1 |
| Average journey time | 36 minutes (fastest) |
| Line used | Narita Sky Access |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Monoclass |
| Seating arrangements | Forward facing 2+2 |
| Technical | |
| Keisei AE series EMUs | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | 1,500 V DC overhead |
| Operating speed | 160 km/h (100 mph) |
The Skyliner (スカイライナー sukairainā?) is a limited-express airport train service between Tokyo and Narita Airport in Japan. It is operated by Keisei Electric Railway and runs on the Narita Sky Access route.
The Skyliner service operates between Keisei Ueno Station and Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, with stops at Nippori Station and Narita Airport Terminal 2·3 Station.
The one-way ride between Nippori and Narita Airport Terminal 2·3 takes about 36 minutes and costs ¥2,470.
The main competitor for the Skyliner is JR East's Narita Express.
The Skyliner's predecessor was the Kaiungō express service, which began operation non-stop from Keisei Ueno to Keisei Narita on May 1, 1952, 26 years before the opening of Narita Airport. Seat reservations were mandatory.
The Kaiungō Express service was operated by 1600 series trains from 1953 to 1967. Although the first trains were small, with only two cars, they had reclining seats and televisions, making them luxurious trains for their time. The trains were lengthened to three cars in 1957 (although only one of those cars was an actual Type 1600 car). In 1967, the 1600 series trains were replaced by 3150 and 3200 series trains, fitted with semi-transverse seating in order to comply with subway specifications.
In 1972, new AE series trains began operation as the Skyliner, while the Kaiungō became the main train running during afternoons and holidays. The Kaiungō service was taken over by AE series trains on December 30, 1973, and the Skyliner became a nonstop Ueno-Narita service. Although the Skyliner's name was chosen, it wasn't announced soon enough and thus the first trains were shipped with the inscription "Express".
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