Thanks, I'm able to price it out on a single ticket so at least on paper it shows that it's possible.

I had a similar connection at NRT about four years ago only it was from T2 (arrival on JL from Manila) to T1 (departure on SQ to LAX). The flights were on separate tickets. The entire process took about half an hour from arrival gate to departure gate. However, everything went very smoothly. There was no line at transit security and the bus pulled up one minute after we got to the bus stop. Nearly all of the half hour was spent walking through terminals and riding the bus. I did not have a BP and did not need one. The printed itinerary sufficed at transit security.

Thanks for sharing. I know from experience transit security is painless, so the wait is typically just on the bus side.

My only worry is without a BP and if there's a queue at the transit counter, can I simply go to the gate and have them print off a BP and board directly?

I believe I should have adequate time, but somewhat concerned about how Enthronement Day will affect traffic between airports.

I booked an ANA single ticket (return flight), Domestic to International from KIX to HND, then NRT to HNL on October 22nd. I have 3.5 hours between arriving at HND (4:30 PM) & leaving NRT (8:00 PM) and plan to take the limo bus. I allocated 1.5 hours for the limo bus and 30 minutes to collect baggage at HND. I figured that will provide me 1.5 hours to check in and await my flight at NRT.

Does that seem about right? Do you think Enthronement Day will create added traffic for the limo bus to navigate through the city? Or, given it will be a holiday there will be less commuter traffic.

That is the minimum connection time (3.5 hours) for a transfer between HND and NRT, so a tight connection. The Enthronement Day won't have effects on the bus.

However, KIX to HND to NRT is a very roundabout way to go. Is it possible to change your ticket to depart from Itami (ITM, Osaka domestic airport) and fly straight to NRT? ANA has a flight set up from ITM for your domestic to international transfer. It would be much smoother. Just a thought.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, a very roundabout way, but it was an award ticket and that was the only option available. ANA does have a direct from KIX to HNL that I'd have preferred, but couldn't book via an awards ticket.

Looks like there's another ANA flight from NRT to HNL an hour later, so I supposed if we missed the first one, we might be able to get on the 2nd flight if there's room.

Got it. Well, hope it goes well for you. Would be good to keep the bus schedule handy so you know if you need to run from collecting baggage at HND. Fortunately, NRT is a pretty efficient airport.

Another idea would be to send check-in luggage ahead to NRT by the baggage transport service common all over Japan. Downside is that sending to an airport requires 2 days ahead (vs. 1 day ahead for nearly everywhere else). Still, might be something to consider. It would save you from waiting for baggage to come out of the plane at HND.

I'm not sure about that. I was flying in F and SQ sent a representative to the ANA F lounge to check my passport and hand deliver my BP and luggage tags for the NRT-LAX flight. That was great service by SQ.

International to Domestic at Haneda
 

I’m looking at an AA award flight in J on JAL metal that routes as SFO-HND-KIX-BKK. SFO-HND arrives at 6:45PM and HND-KIX departs at 9:10PM, meaning a 2 hour and 25 minute window. Is that enough to get the immigration, collect luggage, get to the domestic terminal, recheck luggage and get to the gate? Seems very rushed to me. We’re currently booked on Cathay through HKG and my wife is concerned that the unrest there could affect us.

2 hrs. and 25 min. is enough time. Customs and immigration at Japanese airports are more efficient than customs and immigrations at the U.S. airports. I always say 2 hrs. to be on comfort zone for Int. to Dom. connection. However, I have done 1 hr. and 30 min. connection from International to Domestic at HND, I still had a time to buy boxed dinner at the shop in the terminal to take home and time at the lounge.

Thanks Always. My main concern is that theRe is no other HND-KIX flight on JAL, so if We miss that one, we have a 24 hour delay. Of course, we could always get rerouted on HND direct to BKK I guess.

Yes, look this way, if you miss connect to your KIX flight at HND then there is a chance that JL will rebook you on non-stop HND-BKK departing 12:05 midnight. :)

Booked it
 

We decided to book it with AA miles. The trip is in March, so I’ll be checking the AA site to see if the JL 1/ JL 33 combo comes available. If it does, we’ll switch to that flight. If not, this should be fine and my wife is happy.....for now.

Thanks again for your reply.

AA miles J redemption ticket LAX-BKK on JL

JL61 LAX-NRT departs 12:00 pm, arrives 4:45 pm
JL33 HND-BKK departs 12:05 am, arrives 5:05 am

Final destination is USM so I have to purchase a separate BKK-USM ticket from Bangkok Airways. The first BKK-USM flight departs at 6:30 am but I may opt for the 7:00 am to be safe.

So about 7 hours layover in Tokyo but realistically, maybe 5 hours to change airport. I will have only carry on luggage. I've been to Tokyo many times so generally familiar with NRT transportation options but expert FT opinions are welcome.

Questions:
1. I've actually never done the NRT-HND transfer. Is this enough time? I assume yes otherwise AA/JL won't ticket.
2. What's the best transfer option? Take the limo bus or take the train? I usually take N'EX into the city and I won't have problem navigating Shinagawa station to change train to HND. The question is if that is worth the pain? And will the train be faster? For sure the train will be on time while the bus is subject to traffic situation.
3. It's technically not related to this but AA offered me an alternate routing that involves at 16 hour layover in HKG and gets me into BKK at 12:05 AM.

So if you have the choice, would you do the NRT-HND shuffle but one that gets me to BKK at a decent time to catch the first flight of the day to USM; or you do the CX to HKG route, take the 16 hours for a day trip to the city, but then have to sit at BKK for 6 hours for the next flight to USM?

I was once on a bus that took four hours to go from NRT to Hayama (on the far side of Yokohama) on the first weekend of school vacation (I was accompanying a student group), but under normal circumstances, seven hours should be plenty of time to cross the Tokyo metropolitan area, especially at night.

I've never done that transfer myself, but I can't think of any means of transportation (except walking or cycling) that wouldn't get you to HND on time.