May 21, 2020, 5:59 pm
Japan Transit/Connection/Layover Master Thread
Nov 20, 2022 | 11:59 pm
#1261
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
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Posts: 26,591
Imagine adding time for full manual document checks on top of that without the app. Though if the queue is now growing behind you, it would all be same same.
Nov 21, 2022 | 12:22 am
#1262
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
Programs: UA GS 1.8MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriott LT, Accor P
Posts: 8,114
Honestly -- it's great to see Narita so busy again -- I hope they figure out this new QR code system soon.... TBH I don't think that it really saved any time once you arrive -- I mean scanning the QR code at immigration instead of having them look at your form -- maybe 30 seconds? Totally get using the app to pre-verify Passport / COVID documents -- but that can easily be checked by the airline (mine was by UA) and does nothing to speed up the process once you hit immigration...
Last edited by bmwe92fan; Nov 21, 2022 at 2:24 am
Nov 21, 2022 | 2:52 am
#1263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NRT
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 10,048
It needs some refinement, and it sounds like good advice to have a paper form as well as a QR code at the ready. On my Air France flight earlier this year, the flight attendants ignored my request for a paper form. Turns out they had run out of translated forms. I eventually persuaded them to give me a Japanese language form.
Nov 21, 2022 | 3:45 am
#1264
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Location: Tokyo
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The line to exit customs with QR code wrapped all the way around baggage claim - never seen anything like it so I filled out the form and walked out in less than a minute - and barely made my bus!
Honestly -- it's great to see Narita so busy again -- I hope they figure out this new QR code system soon.... TBH I don't think that it really saved any time once you arrive -- I mean scanning the QR code at immigration instead of having them look at your form -- maybe 30 seconds? Totally get using the app to pre-verify Passport / COVID documents -- but that can easily be checked by the airline (mine was by UA) and does nothing to speed up the process once you hit immigration...
Honestly -- it's great to see Narita so busy again -- I hope they figure out this new QR code system soon.... TBH I don't think that it really saved any time once you arrive -- I mean scanning the QR code at immigration instead of having them look at your form -- maybe 30 seconds? Totally get using the app to pre-verify Passport / COVID documents -- but that can easily be checked by the airline (mine was by UA) and does nothing to speed up the process once you hit immigration...
Nov 21, 2022 | 5:32 am
#1265
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
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Posts: 8,114
It is not supposed to speed up immigration, it is supposed to speed up the check of your vaccine certificate and the group you belong to depending on your recent recorded travel history. I guess you are forgetting the show we went through with the doc checks before mysos.
Nov 21, 2022 | 5:47 am
#1266
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Oh believe me I remember lol -- it's just now that things are reopened I would expect technology to improve the process ... I agree it is useful to pre-screen for vaccination / negative tests so you can't get on the plane to Japan -- but everything else seems way less efficient now -- I mean why have a 30 minute wait to check out of baggage claim with a QR code when you can do it with a form in less than a minute?
A more expensive fix is to get more kiosks.
Nov 21, 2022 | 5:56 am
#1267
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
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Posts: 8,114
The fix is surprisingly easy, as we upload our passport page in the visit Japan website, there should be no reason to visit the kiosk before walking out, the facial recognition should be able to work via the passport page. It works for other countries.
A more expensive fix is to get more kiosks.
A more expensive fix is to get more kiosks.
Nov 21, 2022 | 2:55 pm
#1268
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Completely agree -- since they use facial recognition to leave -- why can't they use for arrival? I mean even the US does it now (I have Global Entry) and never even have to use my passport any more - it scans my face -- and I walk out.... It was fascinating to watch customs today -- they had about 7 kiosks serving hundreds of pax -- and 7 lanes of normal customs serving no one.... This isn't typical Japanese efficiency lol
I have spent 45 minutes exiting customs in Miami, just walking pas a counter where a piece of paper was collected and maybe a couple of questions asked.
Nov 22, 2022 | 2:43 pm
#1269
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 361
Arriving at NRT in early December on NH5 (16:30) and self-connecting international > interntional on JL745 (18:05). Probably pretty risky but I think it's manageable:
- carry-on luggage only
- no need for passport control as not entering japan
- terminal 1 to terminal 2 transfer seems pretty straight forward
- obtain boarding pass when arriving at terminal 2
- both flights frequently delayed in the recent past
Nov 22, 2022 | 4:18 pm
#1270
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Arriving at NRT in early December on NH5 (16:30) and self-connecting international > interntional on JL745 (18:05). Probably pretty risky but I think it's manageable:
- carry-on luggage only
- no need for passport control as not entering japan
- terminal 1 to terminal 2 transfer seems pretty straight forward
- obtain boarding pass when arriving at terminal 2
- both flights frequently delayed in the recent past
If NH is on time or early, it is likely fine. But there is no time to dawdle. Any delay in arrival will very quickly mean time's up and you'll miss your JAL flight. What's the flexibility on the JAL ticket, as you'd need to buy a new one if you miss the flight.
Nov 22, 2022 | 5:01 pm
#1271
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 361
Nov 22, 2022 | 8:52 pm
#1272
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Nov 29, 2022 | 12:19 am
#1273
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA. WR-G, HH-S, IHG, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 3,116
3h45m enough for Intl-NRT/HND-dom?
I'm seeing NH selling and UA not-listing-unless-multi-city a 3h45m (1630-2015) US-NRT/HND-OKA connection (both NH metal). Is the current immigration processing time making this too risky?
Nov 29, 2022 | 1:30 am
#1274
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
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My main concern for you is the reduction in frequency of the airport to airport buses - they just haven’t restored service to pre Covid levels since demand just isn’t there…
Here’s a shot from immigration last week - lines back into the terminal at 3pm…. It’s doable - but risky….
Nov 29, 2022 | 9:06 am
#1275
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA. WR-G, HH-S, IHG, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 3,116
I wouldn’t risk it - I arrived last week and it took well over an hour to get to the bus desk - which also had a line about 20 minutes long - immigration is a mess and customs is worse during peak times - almost like pre Covid…. My main concern for you is the reduction in frequency of the airport to airport buses - they just haven’t restored service to pre Covid levels since demand just isn’t there… Here’s a shot from immigration last week - lines back into the terminal at 3pm…. It’s doable - but risky….