Originally Posted by richarddd
Or is 17:00 too late to arrive at NRT for a 19:00 flight?
The answer to that is fraught with peril. If we say no, you should plan on arriving 2.5 to 3 hours early, you will surely experience one of those lucky days where you breeze through in an hour and have to sit around. On the other hand, if we say sure, 2 hours is ample, then you will probably run into long lines and problems and risk missing your flight.
Personally, I prefer to give myself plenty of time. I shoot for 3 hours or so and spend the extra time enjoying a last, leisurely meal in one of the restaurants, using up the last of my yen in the shops and sitting outside on the observation deck - or in the club. I live in dread of missing an international flight, so invariably tend to err on the side of caution. Others on this board will tell of times they made it in under an hour. YMMV.
Since you won't have luggage, you will probably be ok. Just don't dawdle along the way.
JR