How about arriving on JAL at HND at 5:55AM from SIN and transfering to domestic on JAL at 7:30, all one PNR.

I heard I have to pick up bags in HND and schlep them to another terminal?

Since HND is your port of entry in Japan, you will have to pick up your luggage and take it through customs.
After customs, there should be a counter in the arrivals hall where you can check bags for your domestic flight. However, JAL's website says that it opens at 6:30 AM and it only accepts luggage up to one hour before departure, so you might do better to take your bags to the terminal for your domestic flight (Terminal 1 if it's JAL) and check them there.
https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/inter/airport/hnd/transit/

A little tight but you would probably make it. Immigration/customs in usually not too busy that early in the morning. Agree with jib that you might want to schlep your bags over to the domestic terminal, but I would look for a JAL agent first. There might even be one waiting as you come off your flight. The Japanese airlines are pretty good at insuring that you make your connections.

Hoping to gather some insights from this group:

Looking at a flight from HKG to HNL, transiting in NRT. Flight arriving into NRT T1 on HK Airlines, then flying out of NRT T2 on Hawaiian Airlines the same day, with a 5hr 25min layover. We will have checked baggage.

I assume HK Airlines won’t check through the baggage onto Hawaiian Airlines, so we will need to exit NRT T1 and claim checked baggage (ie. enter Japan?), then trek across to NRT T2 to check in on Hawaiian.

Is this doable? If so any things to watch out for?

the other option is to arrive into NRT T2 on CX, and fly out of NRT T2 on Hawaiian Airlines the same day, with a 4 hr 20th layover. Apart from being at the same terminal, I assume CX won’t check through baggage to HNL so the same question above probably apply.

thanks for any insights or suggestions!

You do not have to schlep your bags from Terminal 3 (international arrival) to Terminal 1 (JAL domestic). HND Terminal 3, this is the arrival floor for Terminal 3 as you arrived at HND on international flights. Locate the Baggage Claim and the Customs Inspection. Right below on the floor map there is "Arrival Exit." This is where you come out after you are done with international arrival formalities. Then you make a right turn, on the floor map it will be left, and walk all the way to the end with your bags. On the floor map you see "Domestic Flights Transfer Check-in Counter." ANA and JAL have a check-in counter for passengers commencing domestic flights. This is where you will drop off your bags for domestic flights regardless of through checked or not. If not through checked or not on the same PNR, ANA and JAL can issue a boarding pass and baggage tag for domestic flights here. You do not have to schlep your bag to the domestic terminal. This "Domestic Flights Transfer Check-in Counter" is open from 6:30 a.m.

Across from the "Domestic Flights Transfer Check-in Counter" there is the "Domestic Flights Transfer Security Check Point" where you can clear security for the domestic terminal at this place and the transfer bus will take you to the secure gate side of Terminal 1. However, the "Domestic Flights Transfer Security Check Point" has been closed during the pandemic and I have not seen a posting that this security point has been reponed or not. If this security point is not open, then you need to transfer to Terminal 1 using Keikyu Line, monorail, or free terminal transfer bus from the 1st floor of the Terminal 3.

Either of these options is doable, provided the flights are not delayed by hours - I expect you can find data to compare the punctuality of the airlines. The advantage of the second option is that you needn't take an inter-terminal bus.
Things to be aware of - To enter Japan, you will need to meet the requirements that are outlined in the Visit Japan Web instructions. You'll need to provide evidence of vaccination status (three doses of approved vaccine) OR negative test (be careful to comply with the exact requirements for test protocol and documentation). You should upload the documentation online and complete all forms through Visit Japan Web to avoid a time-consuming process to enter Japan:
https://www.digital.go.jp/en/service..._japan_web-en/

thank you, that’s very clear! Upon further searches, ANA has a codeshare with Hawaiian through HND that allows baggage to be checked through and without going landside. This, while cost a bit more, might be the best option. But nevertheless the above is very useful.

The issue is that the poster gets in at 5:55 and will probably have their bags before the transfer counter opens (particularly likely if their flights get in early as often happens with flights arriving early in the morning.) Last time I had checked bags on JAL, I was through customs 10 minutes after my flight arrived.

So depending, on how many bags and what time they actually get through customs, it may be quick easier to schlep the bags over to the domestic terminal. As I said, I suspect their will be a JAL agent loitering around the gate or at baggage claim that can help.

I thought Hawaiian had gone all aboard on codesharing with JAL? And in the same motion dropping ANA.

The taxi would probably be the same price as the flights though... ;)

Not if you multiply it by the likelihood (0.01) of it actually happening.

I called JAL and they told me I would need to pick up the bags and recheck them the next day. Not a huge hassle, but would have been nice to avoid it. I will ask at ITM on the day and see what they say then.

hello, i will be arriving a Haneda terminal 3 at 620am. i am looking at 815am domestic flight(AIRDO) at Terminal 2 to Chitose.

may i know current situation, is this layover time too short to rush for next flight?

there are a total of 2 adults and 1 toddler. appreciate for any advise.

Domestic flights allow check-in up to 30 minutes before departure, so this connection would give you up to 1hr 25min from touchdown to domestic check in. If you were travelling with hand luggage only and willing to hustle, I would consider it safe enough. With luggage and a small child, however, I think you might have a better day if you give yourselves a more relaxed plan.
There are several flights per hour from HND to CTS. I would suggest a flight sometime around 9:00am.

JAL and ANA offer some promotional fares for visitors:
https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/plan-boo...special-fares/
https://www.jal.co.jp/yokosojapan/japanfare.html

Thanks all for the advice!

Any recommendations on the best transfer option with a large bag at 6am?

If I check in the bags at T3?at 6:30 am I cutting it too close?

there’s another flight a few hours later, is the sun arrival lounge I can use (traveling J from SIN, all on JAl).