Next week I am flying STL-ORD-NRT-HKG with a 3 hour layover in Narita on United Airlines. My associate is flying LAX-NRT-HKG on American Airlines and will also have a 3 hour layover in Narita at the same time.

I have two questions:

1. I remember that even though I'm connecting in NRT on UAL I still must go through security again in NRT. If I want to get together with my associate in NRT, how far is it from the UAL gates to the AA gates and with 3 hours there how much time should I allow for the security lines?

2. We will have a choice of relaxing in the Red Carpet Club or the Admiral's Club (first class area). Any suggestions on which is the better choice?

Thanks in advance.

Yes, when you disembark the aircraft you go through a very quick and painless security before going down the esculators to the main floor. American is located in the North Wing while UA is located in the South Wing the max is twenty minutes walking without the travelators to get from the extreme ends of each. The UA lounge is located much closer to the center of T1 in my opinion then say the NH lounge which is located on the tip of the south wing. On my last trip through NRT I found the NH lounge very welcoming.

Yes, when you disembark the aircraft you go through a very quick and painless security before going down the esculators to the main floor. American is located in the North Wing while UA is located in the South Wing the max is twenty minutes walking without the travelators to get from the extreme ends of each. The UA lounge is located much closer to the center of T1 in my opinion then say the NH lounge which is located on the tip of the south wing. On my last trip through NRT I found the NH lounge very welcoming.

I agree Wings900-Michael. I would at least tour the NH lounge and then you golks make a decision where to spend you bench time.

Have fun--------

NH lounge has REAL food and GREAT ice cream.

NH lounge has REAL food and GREAT ice cream.

The Fauchon is wonderful. :D

1. I remember that even though I'm connecting in NRT on UAL I still must go through security again in NRT.

You will get screened again, but it's all done airside. (much better than it was in the old terminal.)

-David

Next week I am flying STL-ORD-NRT-HKG with a 3 hour layover in Narita on United Airlines. My associate is flying LAX-NRT-HKG on American Airlines and will also have a 3 hour layover in Narita at the same time.

2. We will have a choice of relaxing in the Red Carpet Club or the Admiral's Club (first class area). Any suggestions on which is the better choice?

Thanks in advance.

No mention of the Amazing Beer Machine in the RCC?

If the associate is flying AA, I don't think RCC would let her/him enter.

2. We will have a choice of relaxing in the Red Carpet Club or the Admiral's Club (first class area). Any suggestions on which is the better choice?
I personally think the AA lounge at NRT is quite awful, and to note, there is no first class area (Flagship Longe) at any rate. If you're in UA F, you get to use their IFL & bring a guest. If you're in UA paid biz only (no 1P/1K status), you cannot bring a guest (I'm pretty sure). AA works the same way (I am sure) -- if he's PLT/EXP w/ AA, he could bring a guest but not by the biz ticket alone. If I'm reading your OP and your signature lines correctly, unless someone is in F or he has AA status (or you have an RCC/AC membership), you may wind up unable to 'lounge' together.

Partner lounges generally work the same way -- you need to have status to bring a guest (the biz ticket alone doesn't allow you guests). And note that some partners require that the guest be travelling with you (which would not be the case here). I don't specifically know the NH rules though, maybe someone could comment on that.

I personally think the AA lounge at NRT is quite awful, and to note, there is no first class area (Flagship Longe) at any rate. If you're in UA F, you get to use their IFL & bring a guest. If you're in UA paid biz only (no 1P/1K status), you cannot bring a guest (I'm pretty sure).

In any case the caveat for bringing the guest into the RCC is that s/he needs to be flying *alliance.

Since this question involves more than just United, we're going to move it to the Tokyo forum, where it will likely bring in more responses.

letiole & cblaisd
UA co-mod

[QUOTE=HeadInTheClouds]I personally think the AA lounge at NRT is quite awful, and to note, there is no first class area (Flagship Longe) at any rate. If you're in UA F, you get to use their IFL & bring a guest. If you're in UA paid biz only (no 1P/1K status), you cannot bring a guest (I'm pretty sure). AA works the same way (I am sure) -- if he's PLT/EXP w/ AA, he could bring a guest but not by the biz ticket alone. If I'm reading your OP and your signature lines correctly, unless someone is in F or he has AA status (or you have an RCC/AC membership), you may wind up unable to 'lounge' together.

My associate is Plat Exec so I think I'll take the 20 minute walk and join him in the AA lounge. In addition I am a member of the AA Admiral's Club so that should alleviate any problem of getting in. I'm using mileage to upgrade from econ to business (hence the STL-ORD-NRT-HKG rather than the direct ORD-HKG which is almost impossible to upgrade).

Thanks to everyone for the replies....it's appreciated!

I think the Admirals Club in nrt is a nice lounge. It can get very crowed,but it also has a neat beer machine as well as showers. Enjoy!
jeff

Just to clarify.. is there any lounge at NRT that doesn't have a 'neat' beer machine???

Just to clarify.. is there any lounge at NRT that doesn't have a 'neat' beer machine???

Ha

I was thinking the same thing...

It was carefully explained to me in another thread somewhere that the beer machine at the UA club is better than the one in the AA club because the UA one also TILTS THE GLASS automatically to pour better!

In any case the caveat for bringing the guest into the RCC is that s/he needs to be flying *alliance.

Not true if you are actually a RCC member. From the UAL RCC T&C page:

"Member guest limit for Clubs in the United States is two, or spouse and dependent children. Member guest limit in Clubs outside the United States is one, or spouse and dependent children."