Originally Posted by
chrisb
The website does seem to backup your view - It's currently showing 69mins from Shinagawa to Narita, at 5.30pm - Which i assume is relatively busy.
For the 6.25am departure, we have in our favour the fact it's a Sunday and that we're travelling in J, so checkin shouldn't be a major issue. (Not that i can find any minimum recommended checkin times on Cathay's website!)
Another option is staying in Narita the night before, but the last Bus leaves at 17:10, which puts us back on the train - with luggage and all the fun. Currently the cost of Bus+Hotel room is the same as the estimated Taxi fare. (Based on roughly 20000 Yen)
Narita Airport has to be one of the best airports to have a chance at boarding if you arrive late. I'm also very cautious and leave margin for error but I once screwed up badly and boarded the wrong train and so missed check in for a KLM flight (in Y). The staff were wonderful, I was escorted all the way to the plane which was just finishing boarding. Even my bags made it to London. I'm still thankful (and I'm still glad I
tried to get there 2 hours early - as you will be doing).
Obviously, I wouldn't count on this incredible kindness happening again, but with a C ticket, arriving one hour before departure (and you'll almost certainly arrive earlier) I would be confident about my chances of boarding.
I've taken the limobus from Shinagawa a couple of times, it really is expressway most of the way... just be sure to have your passports with you as the police will board the bus to inspect your documents just outside the airport.