Originally Posted by
corporate-wage-slave
Assuming this is weekdays, I'd take the 06:06 on the direct Kansai Airport Rapid Service, that would get you there at about 07:20. Being Japan, this is more reliable than anything else on the planet. You could go a bit later if changing at shin-Osaka.
Many thanks - excellent advice (as always ...). The train was indeed super-punctual, and there was really no point in arriving any earlier than 07:20, given that we could use the Fast Track for security and as the JAL lounge by gate 38 is relatively basic (and very busy at that time of day!).
Once I am back at a desktop computer I will update this thread later with some additional notes on getting from the Central South exit of the JR Osaka Station to the Hilton, as the road works at present mean either a dip down to level B1 (the best option in my opinion) or a circuitous detour involving two road crossings (but staying at road level all the way).