Originally Posted by
CPH-Flyer
The usual problem in that is cabotage, but by flying United that is out of the question. A fair amount of people fly mainland US NRT GUM on United which technically also US Japan US.
Originally Posted by
paine445
Correct. On United the whole time so no problem with cabotage. I assume I will be getting off and then going to transit security, then right back into the terminal. Appears I need passport with me but no covid test - similar situation to when traveling to GUM.
Pretty sure that there are different rules for GUM since it is just a territory... you even need to clear CBP/customs flying GUM-HNL. A friend has an offices in LA and Guam and transits NRT regularly on a GUM-NRT-LAX routing, both same and separate tickets. Just because UA will sell you a ticket does not mean that they will let you fly the routing... unless you can legally enter Japan. You risk being denied boarding at your outbound US gateway either because you can legally enter Japan or cabotage. But if you decide to go for it, good luck. You may or may not one successful, but I'd recommend having a plan B.
From up thread....
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33086865-post79.html