nzh

Hi,

I'm travelling from America to Japan in late Jun on the itinerary: BOS -> JFK -> HND -> KOJ
I booked in business class but decided to upgrade the JFK -> HND to first class using miles.
I'm arriving into HND on JL5 at 1635 and departing on JL653 at 1755, with a connection time of 80 mins. The MCT for HND used to be 70mins which was why I was able to purchase this route, but recently changed to 90 mins due to congestion at HND. I am a little worried about this tight connection (and my first time connecting at HND since 5 years ago), so would appreciate any advice. Especially because flights out of JFK might often be delayed as well so the connection time could be further reduced. Specifically:

1. How congested is the immigration at HND recently? Any chance to use a fast track if rushing for a connection?
2. Would it be a reasonable request to ask the CAs to guide me through the airport and connection if running on a tight schedule?
3. Since my route met the MCT before change but now does not meet MCT, is JAL still legally obligated to help me make my connection?

P.S. I know a safe option will be to rebook onto a later HND -> KOJ flight, but I do have a dinner planned for the evening and would like to stick to the current itinerary as far as possible

Thanks for any advice

mediator

Late afternoon is peak time in HND. Lots of INTL arrivals and I doubt you could make it. I don�t think anyone could guild you though the immigration and domestic connection unless due to mobility issue.

There is a later flight to KOJ on ANA which leaves HND at 18:55. I would just purchase that flight as a backup.

xjaehyun

Since you're in F on JFK-HND, I wouldn't worry too much. I flew in F on the same route 3 months ago and while I was gathering my things after pulling into the gate, a JAL rep came on board and escorted me throughout the airport, occasionally looking back to make sure I was still with her. I've heard of customs and immigration horrors of Haneda but my total wait was maybe 10 minutes (although being one of the first off the flight helped). For my departure, I got to the airport around 7-8am and I think it took me 15-20 minutes to get through security. Not sure if Haneda has a transit area where you don't have to clear security.

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

I was on JL 44 ( schd 1720 ) on 1st May arriving into HND but we ended up being 20 or so mins late ( congestion around HND on approach). As we got onto the airbridge there was a JAL agent with a sign for the JL flight to Okinawa ( 1845 IIRC) so there maybe some assistance.

If it no longer meets MCT you may get an email from JAL with new timings

Regards

TBS

turncol

I arrived on JAL44 around 17:15 a couple of weeks ago in 1st, I was 3rd off the plane, after a fair bit of a walk (I guess we were at the furthest end of the airport), I was through immigration in a couple of minutes, then a 20 minute wait for bags.

I was connecting to a ANA flight on a separate booking, using the domestic check-in/bag drop in T3, I must complete that whole process in 45 minutes, so plenty of time to transfer terminals.

joejones

It doesn't. Fortunately domestic security in Japan is fast and fairly easy (no liquids rules, etc.)

At HND they direct domestic passengers to go through security 20 minutes before departure and be at the gate 10 minutes before departure, which sounds insanely tight by the standards of most other countries but is totally doable in Japan.