WestJet is Launching Flights to Tokyo this month (if not last). the flight Number is WS0081, and is operated by WestJet. It is possible they use JAL staff at Narita though, that I don't know.

EDIT: They launched the route in May

I cleared missed that. I do stand corrected.
​​

FYI - we used the inter-terminal bus this past week when I had to go and pick up my Japanese TTP card in the international terminal after arriving from a domestic flight -- it is very quick and easy.

Planning to fly ITM-HND-ORD where ITM-HND and HND-ORD will be on separate tickets but both JL.

Thinking to either book the 7:10AM or 7:30AM flight from ITM-HND. so I'll will have between 2h10m to 2h30m connection at HND.

Travelling with a family of 4. It will also be on a Friday morning so I'm guessing I'll be trying to get to the airport during morning rush hour.

Questions:
1. How early do I need to arrive at ITM with checked luggage vs. without checked luggage? Seems airport check-in opens at 6AM
2. Hotel is near Hommachi station in between Midosuji/Yotsubashi lines. What is the best way to get to airport reliably / fairly quick in the morning?

1. Subway to Namba / Osaka station and take the Airport limo
2. Subway+monorail all the way
3. Taxi
4. Other

It is very likely that JAL will check your bags all the way through from ITM. They've done that for me and others when connecting to an unrelated airline in Tokyo. Go to the international connection check-in counter at ITM, not the regular video machines for domestic. You can arrive at ITM one hour before departure.

Airport limo bus is convenient and drops you off right in front of check-in terminal. There is a departure point at Uehommachi. Maybe taxi to there from hotel?
https://www.okkbus.co.jp/en/timetable/E/

Thanks. Looks like earliest limo bus doesn't arrive until 630. Might be too late. If I taxi all the way how is traffic in Osaka before 6am?

No traffic to speak of before 6am.

Cts-hnd (nh) hnd-lax (ua)
 

Can't quite find this scenario on the thread. flying from CTS-SFO on NH and taking a UA flight HND-SFO. Separate reservations.

Will I be able to check bags all the way to SFO or will I need to retrieve luggage from the domestic arrival and bring it them to the international for recheck?

NH will check it through. Be sure to go to the counter for international connections, have your United e ticket and passport handy, and leave a bit of extra time for the process.

Cool thanks. I had a typo in my original post. It's actually CTS-HND on NH.

Do you know if JAL will check through to a UA flight (HND-SFO) if I flew JAL instead of NH?

Appreciate your help!

for ITM to HND on JL, do cash prices fluctuate much and is there a specific time (T-X) that is best to purchase? Wondering if there is any reason to hold off, or it makes no difference. It's for 5 months later.

I completed nrt-kix-nrt-kix-nrt a couple of weeks ago- kix is amazing for a domestic turnaround as inbound and outbound passengers mix and the airport has a calm about it ! NRT T3 is a dump and immediate turnaround wud be much harder on domestic- need walk several minutes to reach the security which can be busy!

JAL has times sales with a quite regular schedule which will see seats offered at a discount. Usually with a limited booking period. Not sure if there is a current one running.

Apart from the time sales, it does not really fluctuate. The booking classes are quite set, and once depleted don't come back unless there is a sale. The Japanese domestic market is still quite regulated and all players are basically either Team Blue or Team Red, no truly independent airlines of any significant size.

If you know the date that you wan to fly, there's basically nothing to be gained by delaying your purchase. There are discounted booking classes specifically for advance purchases - If available, those booking classes are the cheapest fares offered to the general public.

If you don't find those fares, your next best option might be a special "Explorer Pass" or "Discover Japan" fare for foreign visitors. Explorer and Discover fares don't fluctuate at all. They are almost as cheap as the cheapest advance-purchase fares. and there are a limited number of seats available at those fares - just like the other booking classes.

This page has info. about advance fares and passes:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2364.html

I have a few questions about this flight/connection: LAX 13:10 > KIX 18:50+1, KIX 21:10+1 > 22:20+1 HND (both on the same ticket on JAL. arr/dep in KIX both state terminal 1)

1. I was initially concerned about the very late landing at HND of 22:20 that we would miss all limousine buses/trains to get to Shinjuku that night:
   1. But realized that all customs/immigration would be done at KIX and not at HND, is that correct?
   2. Are the late limousine buses very packed (because of any other late arrivals?) and if so would it be best to buy these tickets in advance? Even though we may miss it based on variable arrival time?
   3. Does anyone know if one bus time can be switched to another if we miss a particular one? (or change to earlier one?)
2. Is 18:50 to 21:10 (both terminal 1) enough time to pick up luggage, get through customs/immigration and recheck our bag comfortably? We may nix the checked luggage in favor of buying something over there for our return flight, as we will be taking a SW flight to LAX, so would need to pick up our luggage twice on the way to Japan. :rolleyes:

Thank you in advance for your help!