SFO to NRT via PVG (on Air China) - 2 hour layover enough?
 

I'm looking at various open-jaw itineraries on ITA Matrix from SF Bay Area to Tokyo, and then from KIX back to SF Bay Area, and the cheapest options are on Air China via PVG or PEK. For example:

-------
Itinerary

San Jose (SJC) to Tokyo (NRT) — Tue, Oct 23

San Jose (SJC) to Shanghai (PVG) — Tue, Oct 23
Air China 830 Dep: 10:50 am Arr: 3:10 pm 13h 20m Airbus A330 Economy (L)

Layover in PVG Wed, Oct 24 2h 5m

Shanghai (PVG) to Tokyo (NRT) — Wed, Oct 24
Air China 157 Dep: 5:15 pm Arr: 8:40 pm 2h 25m Boeing 737 Economy (L)



Osaka (KIX) to San Jose (SJC) — Tue, Nov 13

Osaka (KIX) to Shanghai (PVG) — Tue, Nov 13
Air China 164 Dep: 9:25 am Arr: 11:10 am 2h 45m Airbus A321 Economy (T)

Layover in PVG
2h 30m

Shanghai (PVG) to San Jose (SJC) — Tue, Nov 13
Air China 829 Dep: 1:40 pm Arr: 8:50 am 11h 10m Airbus A330 Economy (T)


Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) $500.01
Total cost for 1 passenger $500.01
-------------
This one has a 2 hour layover in PVG. Is this sufficient? What about PEK?

Obviously, I don't want to miss my connecting flight, but I'll be spending the first few days of my trip in Tokyo, so even if the connecting flight gets rescheduled or delayed I won't be in too bad of a shape.

I think your itinerary is safe.

@moondog, thanks for responding. I am not an experienced traveler and I have been reading many horror stories about PVG on this website, So I have a few questions:

1. if my first flight gets delayed, causing me to miss the second flight, what do I do? I suppose I should go to the transfer desk and show my ticket, so that they can put me on a later flight. However, many posts on FlyerTalk say that Chinese airlines have poor customer service / Chinese airlines refuse to help in these circumstances. Are these rare occurences, or is there a significant risk that Air China will refuse to book me on another flight?

2. if the first flight is delayed such that there is still time before the connecting flight departs, but that time is insufficient to make the transfer, is AIr China still obligated to put me on another flight? If so, what is the definition of "insufficient" - the minimum connection time?

I haven't booked any flights yet, of course, and I have the option of going to Japan on a non-Chinese airline for about $200 more. I would like to save $200, but I want even more not to get stranded in a foreign airport with no one to help me.

I don't think your first will be delayed. If it is, CA will take care of you.