Options for flying Economy to Tokyo
Feb 27, 2017, 11:17 am
#1
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Options for flying Economy to Tokyo
I'm planning to go to Tokyo for a week's holiday and would like advice on best flight options.
I've read this is a killer flight for jet lag but is it any worse than HKG which I have done many times, and is it because of BA's flight times with early morning arrival and a day flight on the return?
I'm thinking about going to HKG on a cash fare and burning Avios on CX for the connecting flight. It's longer, but overnight flights in both directions will aid sleep, plus I'd arrive in Tokyo mid evening thus a good time to go to bed.
Can anyone suggest a better option?
I've read this is a killer flight for jet lag but is it any worse than HKG which I have done many times, and is it because of BA's flight times with early morning arrival and a day flight on the return?
I'm thinking about going to HKG on a cash fare and burning Avios on CX for the connecting flight. It's longer, but overnight flights in both directions will aid sleep, plus I'd arrive in Tokyo mid evening thus a good time to go to bed.
Can anyone suggest a better option?
Feb 27, 2017, 11:47 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2015
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Does it have to be OneWorld and do you have to burn Avios?
If yes to either question, why not go for the JAL (as in JAL metal) direct flight from LHR to HND - much better timings than BA metal flights for jetlag. And HND is much better than NRT in terms of proximity to city centre.
If no, ANA operates a similarly timed direct LHR-HND flight.
If you've only got a week in Tokyo and are prepared to pay cash anyway, doing a stopover in HKG seems unnecessarily complicated to me (not to mention you'll have trouble through checking on separate tickets) if jetlag is your main concern.
If yes to either question, why not go for the JAL (as in JAL metal) direct flight from LHR to HND - much better timings than BA metal flights for jetlag. And HND is much better than NRT in terms of proximity to city centre.
If no, ANA operates a similarly timed direct LHR-HND flight.
If you've only got a week in Tokyo and are prepared to pay cash anyway, doing a stopover in HKG seems unnecessarily complicated to me (not to mention you'll have trouble through checking on separate tickets) if jetlag is your main concern.
Feb 27, 2017, 12:10 pm
#3
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I hadn't considered JAL. Also, can overcome through checking by booking CX straight through from LHR. I believe the consensus is that CX is better than BA in Economy but please correct me if I'm wrong.
Feb 27, 2017, 12:22 pm
#4
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Surely what you need to assess here is the benefit of a nonstop flight vs going via some place else. Last week I was in HK on business and whilst my usual option would have been a cheap J class flight that involved a connection, I got CX in premium economy for a relative bargain. Being able to doze all the way home rather than woken up at 1am GMT for breakfast on the way into Helsinki or whatever made for a more than survivable trip.
If if you are doing it in economy, you surely want to be spending the minimum amount of time on a plane.
If if you are doing it in economy, you surely want to be spending the minimum amount of time on a plane.
Feb 27, 2017, 12:25 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2015
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Unless its cheaper or you don't mind spending the time and the miles, I would choose the non stop option.
The London-Tokyo day time flight is a bit of a pain as it's difficult to sleep on the flight and after you land in Tokyo, you then have to "last" a whole day. Maybe go for the JL flight which is an early evening flight from London?
Adding a connection in HKG and then spending miles to get to Tokyo in order to avoid some jetlag seems a bit much, especially when factoring in the additional travel time and the risk of missing your connection.
The London-Tokyo day time flight is a bit of a pain as it's difficult to sleep on the flight and after you land in Tokyo, you then have to "last" a whole day. Maybe go for the JL flight which is an early evening flight from London?
Adding a connection in HKG and then spending miles to get to Tokyo in order to avoid some jetlag seems a bit much, especially when factoring in the additional travel time and the risk of missing your connection.
Feb 27, 2017, 12:38 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2017
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I can highly recommend JAL 787 in Economy, 2-4-2 seating arrangement with lots of legroom (34 inchs IIRC). The food was pretty special too. I don't know if they fly those from LHR as we flew via CDG (from VCE to NRT) to Tokyo. Timings worked quite well too for jetlag (apart from a late arrival into VCE as public transport is non-existent after 10pm!)
Feb 27, 2017, 12:43 pm
#8
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I can highly recommend JAL 787 in Economy, 2-4-2 seating arrangement with lots of legroom (34 inchs IIRC). The food was pretty special too. I don't know if they fly those from LHR as we flew via CDG (from VCE to NRT) to Tokyo. Timings worked quite well too for jetlag (apart from a late arrival into VCE as public transport is non-existent after 10pm!)
Feb 27, 2017, 12:45 pm
#9
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If going economy I would go direct. If arriving in the morning, as many flights from Europe do, I would invest my money in booking the previous night at the hotel so you can check straight in and get a couple of hours sleep.
Japan is a fabulous place but it was worst jet lag I have suffered and that was travelling in J. I got through to the 3pm check in on Coca Cola!
Japan is a fabulous place but it was worst jet lag I have suffered and that was travelling in J. I got through to the 3pm check in on Coca Cola!
Feb 27, 2017, 12:57 pm
#10
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If going economy I would go direct. If arriving in the morning, as many flights from Europe do, I would invest my money in booking the previous night at the hotel so you can check straight in and get a couple of hours sleep.
Japan is a fabulous place but it was worst jet lag I have suffered and that was travelling in J. I got through to the 3pm check in on Coca Cola!
Japan is a fabulous place but it was worst jet lag I have suffered and that was travelling in J. I got through to the 3pm check in on Coca Cola!
Feb 27, 2017, 1:14 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2016
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In case you're looking beyond oneworld, I'll mention that I had a very positive experience with Air France on EDI-CDG-HND in their premium economy. Comfortable enough, then had a very cheap £200 upgrade to business on the way back.
Feb 27, 2017, 1:28 pm
#13
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The timing of the HND is a nightmare. If you can get an early check in/pay for the previous night it may be best to sleep a few hours in your hotel on arrival.
Feb 27, 2017, 1:28 pm
#14
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To OP: I've only flown JAL domestic a handful of times thus far (can't comment on CX as I have not flown them for many years), but given even that experience I'll bet that they beat the pants off BA Y in terms of the soft product.
Feb 27, 2017, 1:34 pm
#15
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A later flight helps!