May 21, 2020, 5:59 pm
Japan Transit/Connection/Layover Master Thread
Aug 16, 2022, 7:07 pm
#991
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 28
I've heard conflicting versions about transiting on Tokyo Airports.
I'm flying from Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX), but my flights options are: (1) HKG-NRT-LAX; or (2) HKG-HND-LAX.
Do I need a Visa to connect on Japan Airports? Otherwise I will have to look for other options, since I won't be part of this "Tour Group Tourism" nonsense.
I'm flying from Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX), but my flights options are: (1) HKG-NRT-LAX; or (2) HKG-HND-LAX.
Do I need a Visa to connect on Japan Airports? Otherwise I will have to look for other options, since I won't be part of this "Tour Group Tourism" nonsense.
Aug 16, 2022, 7:17 pm
#992
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,171
I've heard conflicting versions about transiting on Tokyo Airports.
I'm flying from Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX), but my flights options are: (1) HKG-NRT-LAX; or (2) HKG-HND-LAX.
Do I need a Visa to connect on Japan Airports? Otherwise I will have to look for other options, since I won't be part of this "Tour Group Tourism" nonsense.
I'm flying from Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX), but my flights options are: (1) HKG-NRT-LAX; or (2) HKG-HND-LAX.
Do I need a Visa to connect on Japan Airports? Otherwise I will have to look for other options, since I won't be part of this "Tour Group Tourism" nonsense.
Aug 16, 2022, 11:40 pm
#993
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: DC
Programs: AA PPRO, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 603
Just wanted to make sure I understand this comment. If I’m coming from LAX-NRT-CGK I don’t have to clear any extra security/customs line? I have a 90min connection.
Aug 17, 2022, 2:20 am
#994
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
Yes, there is no security line to go through when arriving from the US. It is just like doing a domestic connection in the US airport. You arrive and come out of the departure level (instead going through the arrival level to go through security check).
Aug 17, 2022, 2:25 am
#995
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
I've heard conflicting versions about transiting on Tokyo Airports.
I'm flying from Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX), but my flights options are: (1) HKG-NRT-LAX; or (2) HKG-HND-LAX.
Do I need a Visa to connect on Japan Airports? Otherwise I will have to look for other options, since I won't be part of this "Tour Group Tourism" nonsense.
I'm flying from Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX), but my flights options are: (1) HKG-NRT-LAX; or (2) HKG-HND-LAX.
Do I need a Visa to connect on Japan Airports? Otherwise I will have to look for other options, since I won't be part of this "Tour Group Tourism" nonsense.
I am interesting to learn where did you find flights operating from HKG-HND at the moment? I have been traveling to US via NRT from HKG in the past a few months and have more coming up the rest of year, and I have not seen any flights operting HKG-HND route. Perhaps I have been looking at the wrong places, for example, Google Flights are not showing any airlines offering direct services between HKG and HND..
Last edited by UA_Flyer; Aug 17, 2022 at 9:54 am
Aug 17, 2022, 2:59 am
#996
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,171
Correct, arriving from the US in Narita. you exit the plane directly to the departure area without at security check. But even with a security check, 90 minutes is quite easy to manage.
Aug 17, 2022, 12:38 pm
#997
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: DC
Programs: AA PPRO, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 603
Aug 17, 2022, 12:58 pm
#998
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
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Posts: 21,171
Thanks for the info. Been about 10 years since I flew through NRT and I thought I had remember a security/customs check point before carrying on but glad I'm wrong. Not worried about the short connections now except for not being able to hit up the JAL First Class lounge.
Aug 17, 2022, 5:21 pm
#999
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,969
Yeah, Mayish 2019. I was there right before and right after it happened. Here's the FT thread on it: No more transfer security at NRT for pax ex-US connecting to international flights - FlyerTalk Forums
Aug 17, 2022, 9:18 pm
#1000
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 50
Any experience with checking in at ORD on separate tickets for ANA? Would I be able to access the first class lounge in NRT on separate tickets? Trips a few weeks away and hoping not to encounter any issues at check in. Not planning to check any bags. Thanks!
NH First Class ORD-NRT (VS Miles)
5 Hour Transit
NH Business NRT-HAN (Lifemiles)
NH First Class ORD-NRT (VS Miles)
5 Hour Transit
NH Business NRT-HAN (Lifemiles)
Aug 17, 2022, 9:59 pm
#1001
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,171
Any experience with checking in at ORD on separate tickets for ANA? Would I be able to access the first class lounge in NRT on separate tickets? Trips a few weeks away and hoping not to encounter any issues at check in. Not planning to check any bags. Thanks!
NH First Class ORD-NRT (VS Miles)
5 Hour Transit
NH Business NRT-HAN (Lifemiles)
NH First Class ORD-NRT (VS Miles)
5 Hour Transit
NH Business NRT-HAN (Lifemiles)
I am not sure how NH treats lounge access these days, whether it is pure departure driven, or they would allow F lounge access based on the arriving class when going NH to NH. If the latter, it would just be a matter of showing your inbound boarding pass.
Aug 17, 2022, 10:11 pm
#1002
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: 6,318
No problem for check-in and transit.
I am not sure how NH treats lounge access these days, whether it is pure departure driven, or they would allow F lounge access based on the arriving class when going NH to NH. If the latter, it would just be a matter of showing your inbound boarding pass.
I am not sure how NH treats lounge access these days, whether it is pure departure driven, or they would allow F lounge access based on the arriving class when going NH to NH. If the latter, it would just be a matter of showing your inbound boarding pass.
Aug 18, 2022, 9:03 am
#1003
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Toronto
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite; Aeroplan 35K; United Premier Silver, AAdvantage Platinum Pro
Posts: 69
We're planning on flying ORD-NRT on JL, arrives in NRT at 14:55. There's a NRT-ICN on OZ at 16:20, so it would be a 1:25 connection time. From what I've read, 1:25 should be sufficient. However I'm assumming that we won't be able to check-in online for the NRT-ICN. Is 1:25 still enough time to find an OZ connection / transfer desk and check-in?
JL do have an interline aggrement with OZ, but it's probably too risky to try and check a bag at ORD?
I believe we will arrive in T2 International and we will need to take a shuttle bas to T1 Internation (South) which takes about 10 minutes.
JL do have an interline aggrement with OZ, but it's probably too risky to try and check a bag at ORD?
I believe we will arrive in T2 International and we will need to take a shuttle bas to T1 Internation (South) which takes about 10 minutes.
Last edited by fudgelie; Aug 18, 2022 at 9:10 am
Aug 18, 2022, 9:35 am
#1004
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
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Posts: 21,171
We're planning on flying ORD-NRT on JL, arrives in NRT at 14:55. There's a NRT-ICN on OZ at 16:20, so it would be a 1:25 connection time. From what I've read, 1:25 should be sufficient. However I'm assumming that we won't be able to check-in online for the NRT-ICN. Is 1:25 still enough time to find an OZ connection / transfer desk and check-in?
JL do have an interline aggrement with OZ, but it's probably too risky to try and check a bag at ORD?
I believe we will arrive in T2 International and we will need to take a shuttle bas to T1 Internation (South) which takes about 10 minutes.
JL do have an interline aggrement with OZ, but it's probably too risky to try and check a bag at ORD?
I believe we will arrive in T2 International and we will need to take a shuttle bas to T1 Internation (South) which takes about 10 minutes.
The bus takes 10-15 minutes, the first one you can catch is probably 15:30, unless your flight is early.
Aug 18, 2022, 10:11 am
#1005
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Toronto
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite; Aeroplan 35K; United Premier Silver, AAdvantage Platinum Pro
Posts: 69
1h 25m is possible on a single ticket connection. On a separate ticket connection you would really want to leave more space than that. OZ will see you as a Tokyo originating passenger until you show up at the gate. Any minimal delay, you will miss the connection and you are stuck trying to pay your way out of finding a new ticket last minute, or being returned to origin.
The bus takes 10-15 minutes, the first one you can catch is probably 15:30, unless your flight is early.
The bus takes 10-15 minutes, the first one you can catch is probably 15:30, unless your flight is early.