Originally Posted by
les37b
I have a cruise booked from Osaka to Seward in April / May 2023 (my third attempt) and hopeful this time it may sail.
We have been allocated flights from London via Tokyo on BA but really concerned on the connecting time of 1h15m in Tokyo, which even pre covid I would not be happy with.
The CL are insisting it's a scheduled connection and shouldn't be a problem. Given missing the flight could also mean missing a 16 night cruise, I don't want to take any chances.
24 April BA4600 0720PM LHR to TKO arr 0315PM
25 April BA4361 0430PM TKO to Osaka are 0535PM
That's as much info as we've been given. I assume the second leg is operated by JAL.
Do we clear Passport control and security in Tokyo? Collect luggage like we would in the US or will that be handled by the airline? Ii assume these tasks are connected and it's all or nothing.
Having missed a 4h15m connecting flight in Atlanta having to queue for passports, baggage reclaim and 2 lots of security, I'm wary now. Annoyingly the return, I've got a 1h6m connection in Seattle... But that's not a question for here (and already know that's impossible).
Thoughts and advice?
Both flights are operated by JAL.
When you arrive in Haneda, you have to go through immigration, reclaim luggage, and pass customs. There is a transfer check in desk at the international terminal, but you will likely be too late for the cut off, but with or without luggage you'd have to take the bus or train to T1. Last cut for passing security at T1 is 20 minutes before departure. Even with JAL sending staff to assist you, that is an ambitious connection in my view.
As a resident using the automated immigration lanes when they were in operations I would normally say 25 to 30 minutes from landing until passing customs with luggage. As a non resident, that is bound to take longer. But even by passing all lines with the help of JAL, it probably can't be quicker.
(and a pet peeve, Haneda is HND, Tokyo for all airports is TYO. After some googling, TKO is a gravel strip airfield in Lesotho)