All Nippon Airways Mileage Club - Tight connection in Narita

Don't know whether to put this in the United or ANA forum so I guess it will just go here for now. I'll be travelling to the Philippines soon and have to book a last minute ticket. The one I am looking at is overall not bad except the return connection in Narita is 55 minutes. I will be transferring from ANA to United. Will this be enough time to get through security and find my gate? Thanks in advance.

IIRC, MCT at NRT is 45 minutes -- but even then you should have plenty of time. Transfers between UA and NH are pretty seamless, and if your connection gets especially tight, NH or UA will likely send ground staff to escort you from gate to gate.

I was given this gem of advise via PM when I had a similar connection issue between AC and UA, who both operate next to T1 North Sat 4.

Do this *only* after confirming the location of your connecting gate as ANA uses different gates while UA generally uses the same gates - each satellite has it's own security check area vs the main central check area for connecting flights.

While the main area can get very crowded and take a long time to clear (plus walking time to/from the checkpoint), the smaller checkpoints at each satellite are not crowded as most passengers don't know about them and everyone seems to walk to the central checkpoint while ignoring the one right there in the middle of the Satellite.

If your ANA flight arrives Sat4, you can use the Sat4 checkpoint (don't follow all the people to the central checkpoint), go downstairs and walk to the UA gate quickly and easily. If your ANA flight arrives Sat5, I think there is also a local checkpoint there, clear and go downstairs, then walk briskly over to the UA gates closer to Sat4.

Also, make sure you have your UA connecting boarding pass in hand before arriving at any of the int'l transfer security checkpoints (or at least a copy of your itinerary) or they won't let you through.

Thanks for the replies. As it turns out, I ended up with a slightly longer connection in Narita. Still, the security checkpoint info is definitely useful, and I'll make sure I have all my traveling info.

I have done this trip from Manila many times (just got back yesterday again) and you will not have a problem, the ANA flight from MNL is almost always on-time or early. I think maybe you are flying to SFO, but I fly to EWR with a 1.5 hour connection and 55 mins would have been plenty of time for the connection. Also with status, even at the main transfer area you can do this quickly as the premier access line moves fast. This is a very efficient airport and as long as the ANA flight is not late you will for sure make your flight.

Also with status, even at the main transfer area you can do this quickly as the premier access line moves fast. This is a very efficient airport and as long as the ANA flight is not late you will for sure make your flight.

Since when did the transfer security line at T1 has a separate line for premier access ?

I thought that line always have a sign saying only for GS/F/1K.

I haven't been to NRT T1 since December, is it something new ?

Since when did the transfer security line at T1 has a separate line for premier access ?

I thought that line always have a sign saying only for GS/F/1K.

I haven't been to NRT T1 since December, is it something new ?

There is a Premier Access sign and line at the main checkpoint - but it can help a lot or help just a little depending on how big the crowd is...I've seen a 2 minute wait and a 30+ min wait because the line feeds into one WTMD.

Things get really out of control when the line guard goes missing