Haneda & Narita
May 21, 2019, 1:18 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 78
Haneda & Narita
This is just out of interest, but with only two flights a day in each direction why does BA fly to both Tokyo airports instead of just focusing on one? Is one more convenient for Leisure travellers and one for Business travellers?
May 21, 2019, 1:46 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
As a major global destination, the Tokyo market generates high demand for BA services to both airports, in much the same way that several overseas long-haul carriers choose to serve both LHR and LGW.
May 21, 2019, 2:47 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
NRT is roughly where STN is from London (but with much better transport connections) - it will take you about the same time to get to as either LHR or LGW from Central London, generally. HND is like if they'd built LHR where LCY is instead.
Both leisure and business travelers are likely to prefer HND, but the key with Tokyo is where your hotel is - if it is very near the Narita Express/ KEISEI Skyliner stations (which are the two HEX equivalent services for NRT) it might actually be quicker to get to NRT than HND.
The other nuance is HND is better for domestic connections within Japan or shorthaul Asian connections, NRT is better for longhaul connections.
Both leisure and business travelers are likely to prefer HND, but the key with Tokyo is where your hotel is - if it is very near the Narita Express/ KEISEI Skyliner stations (which are the two HEX equivalent services for NRT) it might actually be quicker to get to NRT than HND.
The other nuance is HND is better for domestic connections within Japan or shorthaul Asian connections, NRT is better for longhaul connections.
May 21, 2019, 2:48 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,166
If BA could fly both planes to Haneda, they might well do - but capacity is very tight and so the second flight goes to Narita...plus, there may be onward connections or destinations other than downtown Tokyo which do make more sense from NRT than from HND - same in New York: you'd think BA would just sent all their flights to JFK given their infrastructure there, but there is clearly a market for the EWR flights - which probably isn't really about connections (since AA is primarily connected through JFK) and is more likely that EWR is much more convenient if headed to New Jersey, or in some cases the left hand side of Manhattan...
May 21, 2019, 3:22 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Tokyo
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 194
You also need to appreciate that this is not just about tourism into Tokyo but also out of Tokyo. There are a lot of Japanese citizens on the BA flights and a lot of tour groups. If you live in North or North East Tokyo or Chiba then Narita is by far more convenient. The populations of these areas is upwards of around 10 million people.
I live in Shinjuku. If I take the BA flight I tend to choose Narita. Narita is an express train with reserve seating and lots of space for luggage. Haneda is local train only and, given the HND flight time, is a journey you have to make with luggage during Tokyo's infamous rush hour. Not pleasant.
I live in Shinjuku. If I take the BA flight I tend to choose Narita. Narita is an express train with reserve seating and lots of space for luggage. Haneda is local train only and, given the HND flight time, is a journey you have to make with luggage during Tokyo's infamous rush hour. Not pleasant.
May 21, 2019, 6:07 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BA Gold, TK, DL, IHG Diamond, HHonours Gold, Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 497
I prefer HND because I am more often flying onto the Hokkaido and the range of flights domestically is better the NRT.
May 21, 2019, 7:09 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Japan/Thailand
Programs: AS, UA
Posts: 1,201
Another difference between the two is their hours of operation - Narita is closed at night (23:00-06:00) while some late night flights are allowed at Haneda. It used to be the case that most international flights at Haneda could only be at night due to lack of slots during the day, but more have been made available recently.
It looks like the BA flights are in the daytime, but JL42 landing at HND (5:25) or JL41 departing HND (01:55) wouldn't be allowed to/from Narita at those times.
It looks like the BA flights are in the daytime, but JL42 landing at HND (5:25) or JL41 departing HND (01:55) wouldn't be allowed to/from Narita at those times.