May 21, 2020, 5:59 pm
Japan Transit/Connection/Layover Master Thread
Dec 16, 2021, 5:01 pm
#331
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FCO
Programs: UA 1K, ITA Executive
Posts: 102
Pretty sure that there are different rules for GUM since it is just a territory... you even need to clear CBP/customs flying GUM-HNL. A friend has an offices in LA and Guam and transits NRT regularly on a GUM-NRT-LAX routing, both same and separate tickets. Just because UA will sell you a ticket does not mean that they will let you fly the routing... unless you can legally enter Japan. You risk being denied boarding at your outbound US gateway either because you can legally enter Japan or cabotage. But if you decide to go for it, good luck. You may or may not one successful, but I'd recommend having a plan B.
From up thread.... https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33086865-post79.html
From up thread.... https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33086865-post79.html
Dec 16, 2021, 5:15 pm
#332
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
Pretty sure that there are different rules for GUM since it is just a territory... you even need to clear CBP/customs flying GUM-HNL. A friend has an offices in LA and Guam and transits NRT regularly on a GUM-NRT-LAX routing, both same and separate tickets. Just because UA will sell you a ticket does not mean that they will let you fly the routing... unless you can legally enter Japan. You risk being denied boarding at your outbound US gateway either because you can legally enter Japan or cabotage. But if you decide to go for it, good luck. You may or may not one successful, but I'd recommend having a plan B.
From up thread.... https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33086865-post79.html
From up thread.... https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33086865-post79.html
Dec 16, 2021, 5:23 pm
#333
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FCO
Programs: UA 1K, ITA Executive
Posts: 102
At the end of the day, if I get a boarding pass for all flights, then its really up to the EWR gate agent at boarding - once I'm in Japan I'm sure they'd be happy to put me on the LAX flight and away if it is allowed. Considering getting GUM ticket as backup. Would they do a document/covid test check at gate or if you have the "travel ready" on your boarding pass you are good to go?
Last edited by priobagtag; Dec 16, 2021 at 5:24 pm Reason: added quote
Dec 16, 2021, 5:36 pm
#334
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Dec 16, 2021, 5:40 pm
#335
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FCO
Programs: UA 1K, ITA Executive
Posts: 102
but looking forward to an interesting experience - will be getting a nice night in Guam if the gate dragon isn't pleased with my current routing 
Dec 17, 2021, 4:56 am
#336
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
What are your exact flight? Generally the flights from San Francisco arrive 4pm to 5pm, that plus 19 hours means you have an overnight connection, which is not allowed. Please check carefully, and talk to your airline, you risk being denied boarding in San Francisco due to an illegal connection.
Last edited by CPH-Flyer; Dec 17, 2021 at 6:12 am
Dec 17, 2021, 6:06 am
#337
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kobe/Osaka
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,587
Dec 17, 2021, 6:12 am
#338
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
Dec 17, 2021, 5:29 pm
#339
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,075
I am planning a RTW including Narita for late January and wanted to get the collective wisdom on what to expect.
• Flying LAX-NRT in JL First arriving T2 at 16:45 on one ticket.
• Connecting to a 22:30 EK departure T2 to DXB on a separate ticket, also in First.
From colleagues, pax that try to pull this kind of stunt appear to be detained on the arrival flight until someone comes to figure outwhat to do with me how to get rid of me. Would JL coordinate with EK for some type of handoff?
Once I'm back in departures, except for Starbucks, is anything open after 6pm... lounges, restos, bars, etc.. since the only two evening departures appear to be EK and QR. EK Lounge is temporarily closed and JL.com says their lounge(s) close at 6:30pm.
• Flying LAX-NRT in JL First arriving T2 at 16:45 on one ticket.
• Connecting to a 22:30 EK departure T2 to DXB on a separate ticket, also in First.
From colleagues, pax that try to pull this kind of stunt appear to be detained on the arrival flight until someone comes to figure out
Once I'm back in departures, except for Starbucks, is anything open after 6pm... lounges, restos, bars, etc.. since the only two evening departures appear to be EK and QR. EK Lounge is temporarily closed and JL.com says their lounge(s) close at 6:30pm.
Dec 18, 2021, 3:08 am
#340
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,075
A few tidbits from this journey so far:
I'm in NRT now transferring from JL to EK. At the transfer desk I was issued a meal voucher for 3500 JPY, but there was only 10 minutes to use it at the only restaurant open in the terminal before it closed.
I showed up at the JAL lounge asking if I could get in either on the basis of my EK flight or the inbound JL flight; answer was no; need a same day departing flight on oneworld to gain access. I considered booking a throwaway or fully refundable ticket on the QR flight just to access the lounge but decided against it.
SFO777 there's literally nothing to do in the terminal after 18h30, it's completely dead. Nothing is open after that time except maybe one duty free shop depending on what day of the week it is.
On the plus side, I was able to check in luggage to DXB on this trip thanks to the very helpful JL staff in LAX
Dec 18, 2021, 3:22 am
#341
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
I'm not sure where you heard this, but sadly it's incorrect, at least it was earlier in the year and again at the present time.
A few tidbits from this journey so far:
I'm in NRT now transferring from JL to EK. At the transfer desk I was issued a meal voucher for 3500 JPY, but there was only 10 minutes to use it at the only restaurant open in the terminal before it closed.
I showed up at the JAL lounge asking if I could get in either on the basis of my EK flight or the inbound JL flight; answer was no; need a same day departing flight on oneworld to gain access. I considered booking a throwaway or fully refundable ticket on the QR flight just to access the lounge but decided against it.
SFO777 there's literally nothing to do in the terminal after 18h30, it's completely dead. Nothing is open after that time except maybe one duty free shop depending on what day of the week it is.
On the plus side, I was able to check in luggage to DXB on this trip thanks to the very helpful JL staff in LAX
A few tidbits from this journey so far:
I'm in NRT now transferring from JL to EK. At the transfer desk I was issued a meal voucher for 3500 JPY, but there was only 10 minutes to use it at the only restaurant open in the terminal before it closed.
I showed up at the JAL lounge asking if I could get in either on the basis of my EK flight or the inbound JL flight; answer was no; need a same day departing flight on oneworld to gain access. I considered booking a throwaway or fully refundable ticket on the QR flight just to access the lounge but decided against it.
SFO777 there's literally nothing to do in the terminal after 18h30, it's completely dead. Nothing is open after that time except maybe one duty free shop depending on what day of the week it is.
On the plus side, I was able to check in luggage to DXB on this trip thanks to the very helpful JL staff in LAX
Dec 18, 2021, 3:29 am
#342
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,075
Interesting, I have certainly encountered Emirates passengers in the JAL lounge in Narita. But it might have been that the JAL lounge closed early compared to the Emirates flight it. If the last JAL flight was around 6pm to 7pm they might not have been wanting to stay open for the Emirates flight around 10pm.
Dec 18, 2021, 3:45 am
#343
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
Dec 18, 2021, 5:45 am
#344
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
I'm not sure where you heard this, but sadly it's incorrect, at least it was earlier in the year and again at the present time.
A few tidbits from this journey so far:
I'm in NRT now transferring from JL to EK. At the transfer desk I was issued a meal voucher for 3500 JPY, but there was only 10 minutes to use it at the only restaurant open in the terminal before it closed.
I showed up at the JAL lounge asking if I could get in either on the basis of my EK flight or the inbound JL flight; answer was no; need a same day departing flight on oneworld to gain access. I considered booking a throwaway or fully refundable ticket on the QR flight just to access the lounge but decided against it.
SFO777 there's literally nothing to do in the terminal after 18h30, it's completely dead. Nothing is open after that time except maybe one duty free shop depending on what day of the week it is.
On the plus side, I was able to check in luggage to DXB on this trip thanks to the very helpful JL staff in LAX
A few tidbits from this journey so far:
I'm in NRT now transferring from JL to EK. At the transfer desk I was issued a meal voucher for 3500 JPY, but there was only 10 minutes to use it at the only restaurant open in the terminal before it closed.
I showed up at the JAL lounge asking if I could get in either on the basis of my EK flight or the inbound JL flight; answer was no; need a same day departing flight on oneworld to gain access. I considered booking a throwaway or fully refundable ticket on the QR flight just to access the lounge but decided against it.
SFO777 there's literally nothing to do in the terminal after 18h30, it's completely dead. Nothing is open after that time except maybe one duty free shop depending on what day of the week it is.
On the plus side, I was able to check in luggage to DXB on this trip thanks to the very helpful JL staff in LAX
Dec 18, 2021, 11:49 am
#345
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FCO
Programs: UA 1K, ITA Executive
Posts: 102
Happy to be the lab rat :P Now realizing I can do a lot better PQP/MR's and maybe 25 hours of travel isn't worth it during COVID especially. Cheers guys. For reference, I was not questioned at check-in, just at boarding. Appreciate the insights and all - hopefully will get to go through NRT on some tourism post-covid