Japan Transit/Connection/Layover Master Thread
#616
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond (SK); Hilton Diamond + few others
Posts: 172
I'm visiting Asia mid July and considering a one-way (I have an onward ticket from Asia to Europe in August) to Bangkok or Singapore. I like both JAL and ANA and they also happen to offer reasonable one-stop fares through TYO.
Is transit even possible through Japan with the current covid-restrictions and would I have to stay airside?
Is transit even possible through Japan with the current covid-restrictions and would I have to stay airside?
#617
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'm visiting Asia mid July and considering a one-way (I have an onward ticket from Asia to Europe in August) to Bangkok or Singapore. I like both JAL and ANA and they also happen to offer reasonable one-stop fares through TYO.
Is transit even possible through Japan with the current covid-restrictions and would I have to stay airside?
Is transit even possible through Japan with the current covid-restrictions and would I have to stay airside?
#618
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,970
Has NRT always closed the international terminal at night, and the only choice was to enter Japan or stay in the airside hotel, or is that something new from COVID? Japan's always been my final destination and not a place where I've needed to do layovers. If it didn't close previously, I don't see why they keep it to no overnights and no open airside hotel at this point. A lot of options open to travelers, especially on Oneworld airlines, if they would allow overnight stays at NRT.
#619
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,439
Has NRT always closed the international terminal at night, and the only choice was to enter Japan or stay in the airside hotel, or is that something new from COVID? Japan's always been my final destination and not a place where I've needed to do layovers. If it didn't close previously, I don't see why they keep it to no overnights and no open airside hotel at this point. A lot of options open to travelers, especially on Oneworld airlines, if they would allow overnight stays at NRT.
The reason for NRT never been 24 hrs. airport has part in the history of NRT, NRT Airport, how it started. Operation of NRT has always been negotiations and talks with local residents. It is very unlikely NRT will be 24 hrs. airport. As for opening secure side terminal area 24 hrs., when there is no flights overnight it may not make a lot sense financially to keep open secure side of the terminal for passengers. Also, overnight when there is no passengers in the terminal is the time when maintenance and repair of building takes place. I think from building maintenance prospective, it is more convenient to close the terminal building overnight.
Should add that NRT itself is not closed overnight. Commercial flight take offs and landings are not allowed overnight, but NRT is open for flight with emergency or facing other unforeseen situations. Control tower of NRT is staffed 24 hrs. and able to take flights anytime. Also, I heard that there is actually a lot of aircraft movement at apron and taxiway overnight such that control tower staff working graveyard shift can keep themself busy.
#620
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,970
good info, thanks AlwaysAisle
#621
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
Also found this on JAL website: JAL network changes for East Asia (as of May 11)
I've got a GMP-HND-LAX flight lined up in July so hopefully this will be confirmed soon!
I've got a GMP-HND-LAX flight lined up in July so hopefully this will be confirmed soon!
The eased testing requirements from June 1st was just published (not the specific countries in each group) but the requirements for flight from Korea to only go to Narita and Kansai still survived. They kind of need that fixed as well. Though JAL actually has flights HND<>GMP open for booking already in June so they seems to expect an easing of these rules.....
#622
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 38
Different intineraries
So, I've tried to scan through the posts in here...I think this is okay, right? i am not checking bags, all same-day transits.
LAX-NRT (UA)
NRT-SIN (ANA)
then doing the same on the way back
SIN-NRT (ANA)
NRT-SFO (UA)
Also, anyone have problems with gate agents at your first leg not knowing the rules and giving you grief? (e.g. saying you can't fly into japan w/o a visa, etc.)
LAX-NRT (UA)
NRT-SIN (ANA)
then doing the same on the way back
SIN-NRT (ANA)
NRT-SFO (UA)
Also, anyone have problems with gate agents at your first leg not knowing the rules and giving you grief? (e.g. saying you can't fly into japan w/o a visa, etc.)
#623
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,970
So, I've tried to scan through the posts in here...I think this is okay, right? i am not checking bags, all same-day transits.
LAX-NRT (UA)
NRT-SIN (ANA)
then doing the same on the way back
SIN-NRT (ANA)
NRT-SFO (UA)
Also, anyone have problems with gate agents at your first leg not knowing the rules and giving you grief? (e.g. saying you can't fly into japan w/o a visa, etc.)
LAX-NRT (UA)
NRT-SIN (ANA)
then doing the same on the way back
SIN-NRT (ANA)
NRT-SFO (UA)
Also, anyone have problems with gate agents at your first leg not knowing the rules and giving you grief? (e.g. saying you can't fly into japan w/o a visa, etc.)
#624
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: DL FO
Posts: 668
#625
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 38
I see no problem. UA does check luggage through on ANA and visa-versa, so you can if you need to. You won't have any issues with ANA or UA. Boarding rules when transiting Japan are based on destination (SIN and USA), there are no restrictions for the actual transit port as long as you don't have to enter Japan (which you don't based on your itinerary), so as long as you are good to go with those requirements, then you will be fine.
i'm supposed to arrive 230PM in NRT at T1 and fly out in T1 as well at 615PM, so that should be easy..
#626
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,970
thank you. i was concerned the gate agent at LAX can only see my NRT destination and assume i'm trying to enter japan, so i was just planning to show both my UA and ANA itineraries when checking in?
i'm supposed to arrive 230PM in NRT at T1 and fly out in T1 as well at 615PM, so that should be easy..
i'm supposed to arrive 230PM in NRT at T1 and fly out in T1 as well at 615PM, so that should be easy..
#627
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
thank you. i was concerned the gate agent at LAX can only see my NRT destination and assume i'm trying to enter japan, so i was just planning to show both my UA and ANA itineraries when checking in?
i'm supposed to arrive 230PM in NRT at T1 and fly out in T1 as well at 615PM, so that should be easy..
i'm supposed to arrive 230PM in NRT at T1 and fly out in T1 as well at 615PM, so that should be easy..
Yeah, they will just validate you have an onward ticket from Japan, doesn't matter if it's on the same itinerary or not. If it's on the same ticket, then they will already have all that info. As long as you have a ticket leaving NRT on the same day that you arrive, you're solid from that perspective.
#628
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 38
lax-nrt (UA)
nrt-sin (ANA)
#629
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,970
just thought of this but...would i even be able to complete the check-in process for my second leg (NRT-SIN) ahead of time, since once i land, i would be airside the entire time (i think T1 for both legs) and wouldn't go check in at the counter like i normally would? so i would i just go straight to the gate w/ my e-ticket then?
lax-nrt (UA)
nrt-sin (ANA)
lax-nrt (UA)
nrt-sin (ANA)
Last edited by seigex; May 24, 2022 at 11:48 am
#630
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 123
Hi--I have a JFK to HND (2 day stopover), HND to SYD on JAL in late September 2022. Booked thinking that Japan might be open to tourists by then (still might happen) and we could do a weekend in Tokyo.
This is looking less and less likely, so we are thinking of booking a separate HND to ICN on JAL on a separate ticket. Can anyone confirm this is OK and that they will let me board the plane to HND at JFK? Alternatively, any way to call JAL and link the itineraries? I booked the Oneworld multi-carrier award via Asia Miles so very hard to change the original booking.
The connection time is about 3 hours in HND for HND to ICN, and even more time in HND for HND to SYD. All JAL so all in terminal 3. Is it as simple as deplaning and walking over to the HND-ICN gate and checking in?
Any help is appreciated. Freaking out about this because our return is through Hong Kong and we originally wanted to do a stopover in Hong Kong. Turns out transit in Hong Kong must be on the same reservation so we cannot even book a separate roundtrip out of HKG...fingers crossed CX can change my ticket.
This is looking less and less likely, so we are thinking of booking a separate HND to ICN on JAL on a separate ticket. Can anyone confirm this is OK and that they will let me board the plane to HND at JFK? Alternatively, any way to call JAL and link the itineraries? I booked the Oneworld multi-carrier award via Asia Miles so very hard to change the original booking.
The connection time is about 3 hours in HND for HND to ICN, and even more time in HND for HND to SYD. All JAL so all in terminal 3. Is it as simple as deplaning and walking over to the HND-ICN gate and checking in?
Any help is appreciated. Freaking out about this because our return is through Hong Kong and we originally wanted to do a stopover in Hong Kong. Turns out transit in Hong Kong must be on the same reservation so we cannot even book a separate roundtrip out of HKG...fingers crossed CX can change my ticket.