May 21, 2020, 5:59 pm
Japan Transit/Connection/Layover Master Thread
Jul 7, 2021, 6:11 pm
#166
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,534
Are there specific PCR forms available in Japan (or online) for those headed to the US? Japan is very particular for inbound passengers, but it seems the US guidelines don't point to an actual form, just certain required information. It also seems that an all-Japanese form would be okay if departing from Japan.
One more question, when flying ITM-HND, HND-ORD, are your PCR documents checked first in ITM or HND?
One more question, when flying ITM-HND, HND-ORD, are your PCR documents checked first in ITM or HND?
Jul 7, 2021, 6:17 pm
#167
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,178
Are there specific PCR forms available in Japan (or online) for those headed to the US? Japan is very particular for inbound passengers, but it seems the US guidelines don't point to an actual form, just certain required information. It also seems that an all-Japanese form would be okay if departing from Japan.
One more question, when flying ITM-HND, HND-ORD, are your PCR documents checked first in ITM or HND?
One more question, when flying ITM-HND, HND-ORD, are your PCR documents checked first in ITM or HND?
I'd expect Itami to ask, and Haneda to ask again.
Jul 7, 2021, 8:13 pm
#168
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
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So no real requirement for the format, even antigen testing is accepted. The test result is reviewed for being allowed to check in and board the flight. But not actually checked arriving in the US.
Jul 7, 2021, 8:53 pm
#169
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kobe/Osaka
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,587
Jul 9, 2021, 2:01 am
#170
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,534
I made up my own form for my son, but then thought it might make more sense just to use the Japan Form (for arrivals), since that is already bilingual. That form says quantitative, but not qualitative, antigen is acceptable.
Jul 14, 2021, 5:59 pm
#171
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,534
Son #2 made it home to KIX. Landed at 6:30pm and was out of baggage claim by 8:00pm. Airport wifi and COVID processors offering to tether to their personal phones is the solution for those arriving with phones but without Japanese SIM cards.
Flight turned out to be 1/3 full, so I am left wondering why it did not show up as selling seats the last few days.
Flight turned out to be 1/3 full, so I am left wondering why it did not show up as selling seats the last few days.
Jul 14, 2021, 6:11 pm
#172
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Son #2 made it home to KIX. Landed at 6:30pm and was out of baggage claim by 8:00pm. Airport wifi and COVID processors offering to tether to their personal phones is the solution for those arriving with phones but without Japanese SIM cards.
Flight turned out to be 1/3 full, so I am left wondering why it did not show up as selling seats the last few days.
Flight turned out to be 1/3 full, so I am left wondering why it did not show up as selling seats the last few days.
Jul 14, 2021, 7:04 pm
#173
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kobe/Osaka
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,587
I just heard from a friend yesterday who is scheduled to return with his family in early August. All flights to KIX that they are eligible for have been cancelled, so it looks like probably HND. He's also concerned that they will need to do a 3-day hotel quarantine upon landing. I've volunteered to drive there to pick them up, but we'll see if things change again.
Jul 15, 2021, 10:10 pm
#174
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,534
Good news! No long drive for you. :-)
I just heard from a friend yesterday who is scheduled to return with his family in early August. All flights to KIX that they are eligible for have been cancelled, so it looks like probably HND. He's also concerned that they will need to do a 3-day hotel quarantine upon landing. I've volunteered to drive there to pick them up, but we'll see if things change again.
I just heard from a friend yesterday who is scheduled to return with his family in early August. All flights to KIX that they are eligible for have been cancelled, so it looks like probably HND. He's also concerned that they will need to do a 3-day hotel quarantine upon landing. I've volunteered to drive there to pick them up, but we'll see if things change again.
With a paid ticket it may be tough. Son #1 has gone from UA to LH to OZ now, but that is on an award flight so there are more options. Has your friend looked at Nagoya?
The whole pickup rule is pretty fuzzy. Supposedly you can only be picked up by people you live with, yet "private" taxis are there collecting people, and plenty of friends are doing pickups. In truth no one is following you out the door past baggage claim. Jumping on a train might get you busted, as the route on your phone might give you away.
Jul 16, 2021, 12:24 am
#175
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kobe/Osaka
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,587
My friend is a frequent trans-Pac flyer, well at least in normal times, and probably knows his options. In fact, he mentioned to me in an email the other day that he has spent 50+ hours on the phone arranging the flights for this trip since earlier in the year. He had reasons to go and some complicated routing, but man what a hassle.
I've done a pickup twice now, once last September at HND and once a couple of months ago at KIX. Both times my friends just walked out of customs like normal. Certainly in those days before the app, they could've jumped on public transportation from the airport. These days, who knows. I certainly wouldn't want to be the one to test the system.
The whole pickup rule is pretty fuzzy. Supposedly you can only be picked up by people you live with, yet "private" taxis are there collecting people, and plenty of friends are doing pickups. In truth no one is following you out the door past baggage claim. Jumping on a train might get you busted, as the route on your phone might give you away.
Jul 16, 2021, 5:46 pm
#176
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
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Son #2 made it home to KIX. Landed at 6:30pm and was out of baggage claim by 8:00pm. Airport wifi and COVID processors offering to tether to their personal phones is the solution for those arriving with phones but without Japanese SIM cards.
Flight turned out to be 1/3 full, so I am left wondering why it did not show up as selling seats the last few days.
Flight turned out to be 1/3 full, so I am left wondering why it did not show up as selling seats the last few days.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/ba...46f544ed0893c0
Jul 16, 2021, 5:59 pm
#177
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,534
Well, here is the exact answer. Due to the high number of inbound Olympic participants and officials, airlines were asked to stop selling inbound tickets to regular passengers from the 11th to 22nd of July.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/ba...46f544ed0893c0
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/ba...46f544ed0893c0
Although at KIX there are only around 4 inbound flights a day, so I doubt there was any need to "limit" the number of passengers.
Good thing I bought the ticket when I did. I noticed 13th and 20th were no longer for sale, which must have pushed up demand and so the 27th only had $5,000 business class seats left.
Jul 21, 2021, 10:57 pm
#178
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,465
To confirm, is connecting between NH and JL on separate tickets at NRT allowed? Most of the discussion about connecting on separate tickets has been about connecting within *A, i.e., NH to NH or NH to UA/AC.
I am looking to fly MEX-NRT-KUL, with the first leg on NH arriving at 6:30am. The NH NRT-KUL flight doesn't depart until 5pm, whereas JL has an 11am departure, making for a much shorter connection. I will not have checked bags, so all I would need to do is to get a JL boarding pass via OLCI or at a transfer counter. I haven't seen any indications that the airside shuttle bus between T1 and T2 is not operating.
I am looking to fly MEX-NRT-KUL, with the first leg on NH arriving at 6:30am. The NH NRT-KUL flight doesn't depart until 5pm, whereas JL has an 11am departure, making for a much shorter connection. I will not have checked bags, so all I would need to do is to get a JL boarding pass via OLCI or at a transfer counter. I haven't seen any indications that the airside shuttle bus between T1 and T2 is not operating.
Last edited by dkc192; Jul 21, 2021 at 11:16 pm
Jul 22, 2021, 12:53 am
#179
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
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The airside bus is operating. And it is allowed, and people have done it.
Be sure to have prints of your E-ticket to be able to show the onward ticket at check in. Also be certain to leave plenty of time for check in, as there may be more checking of documents than usual, even more than covid-19 travel usual that is.
Be sure to have prints of your E-ticket to be able to show the onward ticket at check in. Also be certain to leave plenty of time for check in, as there may be more checking of documents than usual, even more than covid-19 travel usual that is.
Aug 7, 2021, 6:14 pm
#180
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SFO/OAK/SJC
Programs: UA 1P, HH Silver
Posts: 144
Does anyone know if there are layover restriction in Japan? I'm planning a trip to Indonesia next month but apparently Singapore doesn't allow transit if you've been in Indonesia (and a few other countries) in the past 14 days. So definitely SQ is out. Thinking of going with ANA if there aren't restrictions.