May 21, 2020, 5:59 pm
Japan Transit/Connection/Layover Master Thread
Feb 17, 2022, 9:13 am
#421
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 52
Been though HND on separate NH tickets again today. Can report process was even smoother than when I last did it about 8 weeks ago.
Check-in at origin took all of 10-15 min including document check for final destination, through-check of baggage and issuing connecting boarding passes. Last time the same process took about 50 mins. I imagine this is partly down to the 'ANA Travel Ready' service that has been recently launched, which I was not able to take advantage of but the apparent benefit being it has promoted them to collate entry requirements into an easy-to-lookup format that their agents can also refer to rather than ad-hoc Timatic enquiries and head-scratching.
At HND was the usual 15 min wait to be let off the plane after those entering Japan, but was in the lounge within another 10-15 mins of stepping foot in the terminal.
Check-in at origin took all of 10-15 min including document check for final destination, through-check of baggage and issuing connecting boarding passes. Last time the same process took about 50 mins. I imagine this is partly down to the 'ANA Travel Ready' service that has been recently launched, which I was not able to take advantage of but the apparent benefit being it has promoted them to collate entry requirements into an easy-to-lookup format that their agents can also refer to rather than ad-hoc Timatic enquiries and head-scratching.
At HND was the usual 15 min wait to be let off the plane after those entering Japan, but was in the lounge within another 10-15 mins of stepping foot in the terminal.
Feb 17, 2022, 4:36 pm
#423
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,191
No experience with the specific connection, but from a flow perspective in Narita, it is more than plenty of time so I can't see any issues in doing it.
Feb 20, 2022, 5:22 pm
#424
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
We just did an overnight transit at HND on JAL (same ticket, no luggage). No scrutiny at checkin apart from a very through examination of the UK PLF.
Pretty much everything is closed in the terminal, luckily the JAL lounge was open until 1:10am on our day, so we were homeless at night for only about 5 hours during which we found some recliners near the playground. Bring blankets as the terminal is chilly overnight.
There were a handful of people also camping overnight, but the whole place was eery and quiet.
Interesting experience to say the least.
Pretty much everything is closed in the terminal, luckily the JAL lounge was open until 1:10am on our day, so we were homeless at night for only about 5 hours during which we found some recliners near the playground. Bring blankets as the terminal is chilly overnight.
There were a handful of people also camping overnight, but the whole place was eery and quiet.
Interesting experience to say the least.
Feb 22, 2022, 5:40 pm
#425
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: AA Plat Pro, IHG Diamond
Posts: 97
My husband (triple-vaxxed) is flying LAX-Tokyo-BKK (on ANA) in 2 weeks. He is concerned about the covid requirements - he read somewhere that both Thailand and Japan require a printed paper (not electronic) negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure, signed by a doctor. Does this sound right? If so, any advice on how he can get this? Our health insurance provider could not verify that this could be done within the timeframe.
If this is not the right place to ask this, please move it.
If this is not the right place to ask this, please move it.
Feb 22, 2022, 5:48 pm
#426
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,970
My husband (triple-vaxxed) is flying LAX-Tokyo-BKK (on ANA) in 2 weeks. He is concerned about the covid requirements - he read somewhere that both Thailand and Japan require a printed paper (not electronic) negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure, signed by a doctor. Does this sound right? If so, any advice on how he can get this? Our health insurance provider could not verify that this could be done within the timeframe.
If this is not the right place to ask this, please move it.
If this is not the right place to ask this, please move it.
In Thailand, unless something's changed in the last couple months, the "fit to fly" document signed by a doctor is no longer required. You do have to have an approved Thailand Pass though, and a COVID test within 72 hours of departure, and 50k in travel insurance (your airline will verify these before you board). Check the Thailand forum for more details on current Thailand requirements.
Just to reiterate since you don't mention an airport in Japan: NRT you can transit, but no overnight layovers, HND, overnight layovers are fine up to 24 hours, and you can't switch NRT to HND or HND to NRT during your layover.
Feb 22, 2022, 6:24 pm
#427
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,191
My husband (triple-vaxxed) is flying LAX-Tokyo-BKK (on ANA) in 2 weeks. He is concerned about the covid requirements - he read somewhere that both Thailand and Japan require a printed paper (not electronic) negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure, signed by a doctor. Does this sound right? If so, any advice on how he can get this? Our health insurance provider could not verify that this could be done within the timeframe.
If this is not the right place to ask this, please move it.
If this is not the right place to ask this, please move it.
Feb 23, 2022, 8:42 am
#429
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: AA Plat Pro, IHG Diamond
Posts: 97
I just did this same flight in January on JAL. There are no checks in Japan. We were dumped right in to the NRT terminal coming from LAX. Coming back from BKK through Tokyo, I think they just checked our passport, but for transit-only, there is NO COVID paperwork required in Japan. Japan only requires it if you are entering the country, which you can't do as a tourist (even to change airports).
In Thailand, unless something's changed in the last couple months, the "fit to fly" document signed by a doctor is no longer required. You do have to have an approved Thailand Pass though, and a COVID test within 72 hours of departure, and 50k in travel insurance (your airline will verify these before you board). Check the Thailand forum for more details on current Thailand requirements.
Just to reiterate since you don't mention an airport in Japan: NRT you can transit, but no overnight layovers, HND, overnight layovers are fine up to 24 hours, and you can't switch NRT to HND or HND to NRT during your layover.
In Thailand, unless something's changed in the last couple months, the "fit to fly" document signed by a doctor is no longer required. You do have to have an approved Thailand Pass though, and a COVID test within 72 hours of departure, and 50k in travel insurance (your airline will verify these before you board). Check the Thailand forum for more details on current Thailand requirements.
Just to reiterate since you don't mention an airport in Japan: NRT you can transit, but no overnight layovers, HND, overnight layovers are fine up to 24 hours, and you can't switch NRT to HND or HND to NRT during your layover.
Feb 27, 2022, 10:26 am
#430
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: honolulu
Posts: 49
NRT T2>>>T1
I tried finding the answer from previous posts but dont see this, Can I arrive NRT at T2 on JAL and transfer to T1 to connect to NH? (intl-intl)
And anyone know since I 'm suppose to show my BP to get on the transfer bus, if I if dont have a BP for my NH flight, cause I assume they wont give me an online BP because of document check,do you think they will accept a printed confirmation for the NH flight. Thanks!!
And anyone know since I 'm suppose to show my BP to get on the transfer bus, if I if dont have a BP for my NH flight, cause I assume they wont give me an online BP because of document check,do you think they will accept a printed confirmation for the NH flight. Thanks!!
Feb 27, 2022, 3:06 pm
#431
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,191
I tried finding the answer from previous posts but dont see this, Can I arrive NRT at T2 on JAL and transfer to T1 to connect to NH? (intl-intl)
And anyone know since I 'm suppose to show my BP to get on the transfer bus, if I if dont have a BP for my NH flight, cause I assume they wont give me an online BP because of document check,do you think they will accept a printed confirmation for the NH flight. Thanks!!
And anyone know since I 'm suppose to show my BP to get on the transfer bus, if I if dont have a BP for my NH flight, cause I assume they wont give me an online BP because of document check,do you think they will accept a printed confirmation for the NH flight. Thanks!!
As you will be flying on JAL with a ticket with end point in Japan, make sure to have all of your documents ready for inspection by JAL at the initial check-in point. Onward eticket and required documents for your end destination. They will want to be satisfied that they can carry you to Tokyo, without you getting stuck there. That can take a good bit of time, so show up at the JAL counter early.
Last edited by CPH-Flyer; Feb 27, 2022 at 7:26 pm
Feb 27, 2022, 6:28 pm
#432
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: honolulu
Posts: 49
The airside bus is still running, and as pre-pandemic they do except a print of your onward eticket at transit security and the bus.
As your will be flying on JAL with a ticket wide end point in Japan, make sure to have all of your documents ready for inspection by JAL at the initial check-in point. Onward eticket and required documents for your end destination. They will want to be satisfied that they can carry you to Tokyo, without you getting stuck there. That can take a good bit of time, so show up at the JAL counter early.
As your will be flying on JAL with a ticket wide end point in Japan, make sure to have all of your documents ready for inspection by JAL at the initial check-in point. Onward eticket and required documents for your end destination. They will want to be satisfied that they can carry you to Tokyo, without you getting stuck there. That can take a good bit of time, so show up at the JAL counter early.
Mar 2, 2022, 8:30 am
#433
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 3
I just did this same flight in January on JAL. There are no checks in Japan. We were dumped right in to the NRT terminal coming from LAX. Coming back from BKK through Tokyo, I think they just checked our passport, but for transit-only, there is NO COVID paperwork required in Japan. Japan only requires it if you are entering the country, which you can't do as a tourist (even to change airports).
In Thailand, unless something's changed in the last couple months, the "fit to fly" document signed by a doctor is no longer required. You do have to have an approved Thailand Pass though, and a COVID test within 72 hours of departure, and 50k in travel insurance (your airline will verify these before you board). Check the Thailand forum for more details on current Thailand requirements.
Just to reiterate since you don't mention an airport in Japan: NRT you can transit, but no overnight layovers, HND, overnight layovers are fine up to 24 hours, and you can't switch NRT to HND or HND to NRT during your layover.
In Thailand, unless something's changed in the last couple months, the "fit to fly" document signed by a doctor is no longer required. You do have to have an approved Thailand Pass though, and a COVID test within 72 hours of departure, and 50k in travel insurance (your airline will verify these before you board). Check the Thailand forum for more details on current Thailand requirements.
Just to reiterate since you don't mention an airport in Japan: NRT you can transit, but no overnight layovers, HND, overnight layovers are fine up to 24 hours, and you can't switch NRT to HND or HND to NRT during your layover.
Mar 2, 2022, 10:01 am
#434
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,970
Aside from normal stuff, like passport, it was a very cursory check. Looked at my Thailand Pass QR code (didn't scan it), checked the date on my PCR test (which I got from CVS), and verified I had a return ticket.