Unless something's changed in the last couple months, you still have to go through security/baggage screening coming in from non-US destinations.

They have ways to deal with this. If the flight can't wait, they'll put you on another flight or store you overnight until you can fly the next day. It would suck, but that would suck, but not a deal ender.

I'm not familiar with the *G lounge, is that another name for the Sakura lounge?

Hi, looking for some opinions on this from people who hopefully have more experience.

I am booked on an ANA flight that arrives at NRT 15:00 October 30. I want to now book a separate ticket onwards to Seoul since I am not sure if Japan will be open for me.

Looks like I have 2 options: Asiana 105 at 18:50 or Ethiopian 673 at 20:40. I am booking with UA miles so its the same cost... I just want opinions on if I should go with the longer layover to be safe, or is ~4 hours enough to not be worried about it at NRT?

Also should I be expecting grief about it from the ANA check in desk agents? I am not checking any bags but obviously don't want to be denied my flight since I don't have any Japan visa due to the covid rules

Either should be fine as they're all star alliance airlines, so checking in and checking luggage through to korea should be no problem. You'll have no problem with layovers at NRT as long as it's not an overnight layover. 4 hours is more than enough time to deal with any delay issues. For the ANA checkin agents, make sure you have any korean entry requirements (q-code, covid test, K-ETA, and onward itinerary between NRT and ICN) with you for checkin.

*G lounge => Star Gold lounge, so the ANA lounge.

ahh thanks. That must be in T1, with Sakura being the open lounge in T2

Thanks for that.

I decided to go with the 2 separate tickets, but with LHR-HND using BA avios, and HND-SYD using Qantas points (it worked out more cost effective that way).

Hopefully that won't cause a problem.

I'm hoping there's more than ippudo, since I've lived in NYC and had it before. Not my favorite ramen spot. I did read that sushi kyotatsu is open in the north wing and have heard great things.

does JAL have a transit desk at T1?

T2

Traveling from JFK to HND to SYD on two PRNs today, only have boarding pass for one so far
Was able to check in last night to my JFK to HND flight (Booked with VS) on ANA no problem. However, this morning at 24 hr online check in, I could not complete check in for my HND to SYD (Booked on LM) flight. I will land in HND at 6pm and fly out to SYD at 10 pm so transit route is under 24 hours in HND. I have boarding pass for JFK to HND printed but do not have HND to SYD printed, only a print out of the online check in page which says "Already Checked in" but boarding pass "not issued". When trying to print, it says "Online Check-in service is not available. Please check in at the airport on the day of your departure." Will there be any problems?

No there will not be problems, they can likely fix it at the counter in JFK. Otherwise airside in HND for sure. If you plan to check luggage, online check-in for HND SYD can make it a bit more complex for the agent...

Indeed. And for OP, just remember that HND wants to get rid of you just as much as, if not more than you want to leave. :D

Amazing thank you so much for the reassurance. Was getting very anxious. I will be checking luggage through but am arriving very early so hopefully that will give them enough time to sort it out.

True and slightly reassuring. My biggest worry is they won't even let me board at JFK. Flying F for the first time so been looking forward to this for the past few weeks.

ExpertFlyer says the MCT for Narita is 90 minutes. But, there was also someone upthread who had a 60 minute connection.

Does anyone know what the real MCT is for Narita for Int’l to Int’l?

How much time do I need if I have to transit from T1 to T2?