Yes, JAL checks luggage through to Oneworld partners.

Visa Requirement
 

Question for the group. I am flying MEL-NRT-BOS on JL because it was a smoking deal in J. I arrive NRT at 8:50 and then depart to BOS at 18:30. Can I leave the airport to go either into the city or to a hotel to relax without having to apply for a VISA?

Not at the moment. You'll have to stay in the airport airside.

And even if you wanted to apply for the visa, japan isnt granting them for 'tourists'

It may change, there are some grumblings. When is the trip?

I have a trip on a sponsored visa from a client in Japan for a visit on October 26. I will then go to Australia and then fly back to states on this part of the journey on November 6th.

Last year, we booked a JFK-HND (3 day layover) HND-SYD trip in JAL J in September 2022. We were hoping Japan would have opened up fully long before now, but it is not looking good. Unfortunately I booked this award through CX so changing flights is likely not going to be easy especially given how scarce J transpacific awards are.

So what we did was book a separate roundtrip HND-GMP-HND during the 3 day layover, such that we are never in HND for longer than 24 hours. This will involve an overnight layover which sounds terrible but we will endure.

My question is: our JFK-HND flight is on JAL, and HND-GMP flight is on ANA. Would it be possible to pick up our luggage when we land at HND and bring it onto the ANA flight to GMP, or would that require passing through passport control which is not possible because we won't have a business/tour group visa? We are going to Australia for a month and it will be hard to manage without a checked bag. If we cannot pick up our luggage we will need to look into creative solutions such as mailing our luggage to Australia but that sounds like a nightmare!

Unfortunately this would require you to enter Japan since ANA/JAL won't check bags through on each others airlines and entry isn't allowed for tourists. Your only option is to do HND-GMP-HND on JAL instead so you can book luggage all the way through.

That is really absurd. Thank you.

If I booked HND-GMP-HND on JAL, they would be able to book my luggage all the way through even though there is a 16 hour layover in HND?

Yes JAL would be able to do that

What date is the JAL J HND to SYD if you don't mind me asking? Currently in Y and hoping J availability opens up.

Man, we have JAL award flights from Tokyo to NYC (coming home from trip to Saipan) but it’s still a bit complicated. We’ll fly from Saipan to Seoul. Then we need to transit Tokyo for either:

· JL 8 NRT (6:30PM)

· JL 6 HND (11:05AM) – Me in First, wife and kid in business

I would love to take JL 6 (would be my very first 1st class experience) but it may require a long overnight layover in HND. I don’t think my wife will be happy with that. I didn’t realize there is not much option flying into HND early morning from East Asia.

JL 90 GMP-HND (7:55AM – 9:55AM) – This would be ideal but it seems a bit tight and not sure if it will be reinstated by December. Any thoughts?

Peach Air ICN-HND (10:40PM – 12:55AM) could work but we should probably stick to major carriers?

We will probably have carry-ons only. So unless JL 90 works, it looks like NRT is better option?

That's pretty creative. If you don't feel like a long overnight layover and like to fly, HND-BKK (JL33) might be an option. Easy to book with AA/Avios/Alaska miles.

I’ve been reading on the thread to see. Just want some input if this is possible.

would be flying

BKK - HND on ANA
HND - ORD on JAL

4 hour layover between flights.

I won’t have any checked bags. Will do a carry on.

i can connect on separate tickets according to the thread, but how does the terminal change situation work. It’s been several years since I was in HND airport but I don’t recall JAL/ANA being in the same terminal.

do I need to leave airside at all to transit ?

Unfortunately no J available on my very specific dates and it is a 7 hour flight. I guess we will camp in the JAL lounge until it closes and then sit in the terminal for a few hours until our 8AM HND-GMP flight.

This is a good read:
How I Spent My 20-Hour Layover In Tokyo Haneda Airport (I Was Denied Lounge Access) - Live and Let's Fly (liveandletsfly.com)