redmaple9

I am getting back into flying to Japan after a few years off due to COVID delays. Checking the Delta flights, 1) they're crazy expensive and 2) connecting via DTW to Japan is no longer feasible due to the early departure times (about 6am)—I'm in the Boston suburbs and can't get into Logan that early. Instead, the system wants me to fly to NY or ALT, but these aer airports I have always disliked in comparison to my beloved DTW—and the departure time is not much better, except for the flight to ATL, which seems far.

What airline are folks using these days to get from BOS to Japan? Air Canada looks reasonable. JAL is direct but crazy expensive. United to DC, then ANA to NRT seemed reasonable, but last month's flight back to BOS via Chicago on ANA was a nightmare. Chicago immigration is so disorganized and the arrival was a zoo. 3 hrs in line vs 20 mins in DTW in the past.

I miss my BOS-DTW-NRT flight. Did it over 50 times.

Recommendations on your preferred route?

VFR

I'm partial to the Japanese airlines, so I would suggest JL or NH, especially if you can get the non-stop. I have experienced nightmares at immigration in ORD, JFK, and BOS recently, so I quite sympathize.

Be aware that you will have to clear Canadian immigration and security if you connect in Canada. EDIT: I was wrong, other posters have said you don't have to clear Canadian immigration in either direction.

If you don't mind connecting in Asia, you may consider BOS-ICN-HND on KE – it leaves BOS at 1 pm most days.

Aside from that, you seem to have covered most of the bases.

cvision

I've avoided AC for anything myself, but if going through DTW is your preferred way, why not break the travel there and fly over the evening before and stay in a hotel nearby? I assume you're already paying good dollar for the flights so another ~150 shouldn't break the bank? It might also make for less stress in the morning and if there's any cancellations on the s/h part.

Otherwise JL/NH as suggested, but again the issue is getting to a connection with UA/AA.

FireEmblemPride

KE's BOS-ICN-HND is an option with good layover length. The return would be a bit tougher (leaving HND at 2am) but maybe you can fly DL on the return given their joint-venture?

joejones

There is no Canadian immigration as long as you stay inside the airport. Flying BOS-YYZ/YUL-HND/NRT you just clear security in Canada on the outbound, and do security and US immigration in Canada (pre-clearance) on the way back, arriving in BOS like a domestic flight. It is possible to check bags through both ways, and US customs inspects checked luggage while you wait in a special waiting room -- no baggage claim required at the connecting airport on the way back.

All in all, I think connecting at YYZ or YUL is a lot easier than connecting at ORD or IAD, especially when flying back to the US. However, AC sucks in economy class, and some people complain about their business class seats spontaneously deflating (though I have never had this problem).

I have done quite a few WAS-TYO flights via the West Coast in the last couple of years. It means more time in a domestic seat, but SFO tends to be a smooth connection and LAX, despite being very spread out, has excellent lounges. Flying via the West Coast also allows you to leave the East Coast in the evening and arrive in Japan early in the morning, which saves a day on the calendar, although I wouldn't recommend doing this in coach.

xliioper

The DTW-HND flight switches to early afternoon departure starting Oct 28th through late March (so you know no longer need to take early BOS-DTW flight to catch it). DL has seasonal fares on BOS-HND from $1300 ($1500 Main) roundtrip with 7-day min stay that are good from January through early March. Outside of that window, if you don't mind the drive, you might want to consider flying out of PVD as fares are quite a bit cheaper out of there due to the fact that it is not a DL hub.

guv1976

OP: In which class of service do you travel for BOS-TYO?

CPH-Flyer

Non stop on Japan Airlines seems quite the obvious solution. With the caveat that you'll be going to Narita instead of Haneda. But that is not the end of the world, the soft product compared to Delta will more compensate.

joejones

The bigger caveat with JAL, as pointed out by OP, is that it's crazy expensive. Monopoly power. I feel the pain, as NH/UA's monopoly power on IAD-TYO was the bane of my existence for a long time.

redmaple9

@guy1976, on my beloved Delta, I am usually in Comfort+ although sometimes Delta Premium Select.

redmaple9

Wow, great find! Why does this happen and why will it only last until March 2024? The later departure is so much better.

WillBarrett_68

I totally get the expense complaint, but avoiding ATL because it's "far" seems kinda unnecessarily nitpicky when you're talking about a total journey distance as far as BOS-HND. Getting sentimentally attached to a particular connection airport is probably a net negative for you long term (a "leak in your game" in poker terms).

joejones

HND slot allocation process. It is a very congested airport and airlines have to take the times they can get.

Duke787

Agree — if flying your “beloved” Delta is a requirement, you’ve got to suck it up and deal with connecting at another hub or deal with complication of going through DTW with the current schedules. You spend far more time on the plane than you will in the airport.

ATL and JFK are perfectly fine as is MSP (no idea if the timing works to connect there).

Otherwise lots of other good options in this thread for non-DL metal

moondog

Where did you hear that?

I will say that I'm not a fan of trans border US immigration in YYZ, though.