Japan Transit/Connection/Layover Master Thread
#886
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,657
I think it is now called the "Narita Travel Lounge" -- not associated with any airline. As I mentioned in another thread Narita Airside seems as busy as ever -- landside it's still virtually empty -- and most all of the stores airside are still closed.... We got to watch Abe's funeral procession as we waited for our flight to NYC - regardless of your politics it was a sad and moving event....
#887
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,161
When I arrived a few weeks ago I was taken off the plane first (before any announcements were made) as there was someone waiting for me to escort me to processing (I am GS with United). They told me that the airport chooses who gets off first based on the backup (if any) in processing (there are typically still far more transit passengers than those arriving to stay). If the processing area is clear then arrivals get off first -- if it is backed up then transit passengers go first... This was Narita terminal 1...
#888
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 1
Question. Sorry if it has already been said, but I haven't seen it.
I have a 20 hour layover in Haneda next week. I know I can stay over in the terminal, but when talking to United, they said that because the layover was so long, it wasn't a 'connection', but a 'layover'. So, I would still have to get a PCR test for Japan requirements, even though I wasn't entering Japan through customs. Seems wrong, as it says on every site if you not entering Japan and going to another country you don't need any tests (and I didn't in June when I transited through Narita to Canada. But that was just 10 hours same day.)
Any thoughts?
I have a 20 hour layover in Haneda next week. I know I can stay over in the terminal, but when talking to United, they said that because the layover was so long, it wasn't a 'connection', but a 'layover'. So, I would still have to get a PCR test for Japan requirements, even though I wasn't entering Japan through customs. Seems wrong, as it says on every site if you not entering Japan and going to another country you don't need any tests (and I didn't in June when I transited through Narita to Canada. But that was just 10 hours same day.)
Any thoughts?
#889
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,170
Question. Sorry if it has already been said, but I haven't seen it.
I have a 20 hour layover in Haneda next week. I know I can stay over in the terminal, but when talking to United, they said that because the layover was so long, it wasn't a 'connection', but a 'layover'. So, I would still have to get a PCR test for Japan requirements, even though I wasn't entering Japan through customs. Seems wrong, as it says on every site if you not entering Japan and going to another country you don't need any tests (and I didn't in June when I transited through Narita to Canada. But that was just 10 hours same day.)
Any thoughts?
I have a 20 hour layover in Haneda next week. I know I can stay over in the terminal, but when talking to United, they said that because the layover was so long, it wasn't a 'connection', but a 'layover'. So, I would still have to get a PCR test for Japan requirements, even though I wasn't entering Japan through customs. Seems wrong, as it says on every site if you not entering Japan and going to another country you don't need any tests (and I didn't in June when I transited through Narita to Canada. But that was just 10 hours same day.)
Any thoughts?
#890
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,441
Expect accurate information regarding international travel requirements from airport agents who are actually working the flight to Japan. Don't expect accurate information regarding international travel requirements from airline phone reservation agents - generally speaking, phone reservation agents do not understand the nuances related to international travel regulations nor do they understand how to properly use TIMATIC to determine the exact requirements applicable to a specific individual traveler.
#891
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,969
It's JAL-JAL.. The flight is consistently early/on time and gates are pretty close to each other, so i'm not worried about delays, but JAL's website only shows MCT info for Domestic-Domestic, International-Domestic, and Domestic-International, so I'm not sure what the MCT is for internatonal to international is. That's my concern is if 50 minutes is enough for bags to change planes and recent experiences from someone transitting to know how long transit security coming from BKK has been taking.
When I got to the gate they had a document check line that was a bit long before going down the escalator to the actual gate, but I was able to squeeze through as a boarding group 1/F ticket and get in to my seat with enough time to spare for my pre-departure champaign. Also my bags showed up with me at LAX.
Why though do JAL/ANA cabins have to be so damn hot when the lights go out? I swear it had to be 80+ degrees while everyone slept. I woke up sweating.
#892
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,317
As a long standing couple our biggest disagreement -- by far --is living temperature....
#893
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: DEL
Programs: SA, JAL, EK
Posts: 80
#894
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 just booked a separate ticket NRT connection - JL First (ORD-NRT) to TG First (NRT-BKK) and want to make sure I'm not going to have a problem with JL at ORD. The NRT connection is 1h50m with JL arriving 3:35pm (T2) and TG departing 5:25pm (T1). EF shows minimum International JL to International TG connect time is 1h30m but hoping that JL doesn't have its own more stringent MCT Covid-era rules.
#895
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,969
I just booked a separate ticket NRT connection - JL First (ORD-NRT) to TG First (NRT-BKK) and want to make sure I'm not going to have a problem with JL at ORD. The NRT connection is 1h50m with JL arriving 3:35pm (T2) and TG departing 5:25pm (T1). EF shows minimum International JL to International TG connect time is 1h30m but hoping that JL doesn't have its own more stringent MCT Covid-era rules.
The place where you will have an issue is with checked bags. I don't think JL will check through on TG (different alliances), so hopefully this plan is carryon only.
#896
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,969
Ask my wife -- the Japanese have different body temperatures and physiology than westerners -(actually it's true) - whenever I am home in Japan I am dying at 30 -- while she was fine.... On our flight home (on United) the cabin was the north pole to her - I was in heaven..... When we've flown NH/JL I swear I lost five pounds in sweat during the flight.... Humidity + lack of body fat = MC^2.
As a long standing couple our biggest disagreement -- by far --is living temperature....
As a long standing couple our biggest disagreement -- by far --is living temperature....
#897
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 39
As far as I understand, yes she will need to self-quarantine with no public transport for 14days, domestic transit is considered public transport (that’s what ANA website says), rules are the same at NRT and KIX, she still has to quarantine even after negative result.
Reguilar taxis are considered public transport, but I wasn’t aware of “Covid friendly taxis.” Best option for Jpn nationals returning from USA and Europe is to get picked up by family even if it involves a long drive, although I know that’s not feasible for some. Good luck!
Eta:
official info in Japanese
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/10900000/000618977.pdf
Reguilar taxis are considered public transport, but I wasn’t aware of “Covid friendly taxis.” Best option for Jpn nationals returning from USA and Europe is to get picked up by family even if it involves a long drive, although I know that’s not feasible for some. Good luck!
Eta:
official info in Japanese
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/10900000/000618977.pdf
#899
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: TPE, SFO, PAE
Posts: 862
#900
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YVR
Posts: 24
Here's hoping someone had am answer to this!
If I book a ICN-NRT flight on a JAL codeshared KE flight (from JAL website), then use AS miles to book a sameday NRT-LAX flight on JAL (thus both flights being JAL)... Would staff at ICN be able to tag my luggage straight to LAX?
There would be a T1 to T2 5 hour layover involved but seems like a viable option!
If I book a ICN-NRT flight on a JAL codeshared KE flight (from JAL website), then use AS miles to book a sameday NRT-LAX flight on JAL (thus both flights being JAL)... Would staff at ICN be able to tag my luggage straight to LAX?
There would be a T1 to T2 5 hour layover involved but seems like a viable option!