What Airlines Recommended for US-> Japan Flight? Which to Avoid?
Jan 11, 2006, 2:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 240
What Airlines Recommended for US-> Japan Flight? Which to Avoid?
The wife and I are going to Okinawa, Japan in May and we have flown Northwest Airlines previously and it was HORRIBLE in Economy/Coach.
I am wondering what airlines you guys would recommend for travel to Japan? We will be landing in Osaka on the way there and go through Tokyo on the way back.
Thanks!
I am wondering what airlines you guys would recommend for travel to Japan? We will be landing in Osaka on the way there and go through Tokyo on the way back.
Thanks!
Jan 11, 2006, 3:51 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
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Originally Posted by SirDomino
The wife and I are going to Okinawa, Japan in May and we have flown Northwest Airlines previously and it was HORRIBLE in Economy/Coach.
I cannot agree with the recommendation for CO. For coach, you might want to consider UA and buying up to Economy Plus for the extra legroom. If you have Star Alliance status, E+ is free.
Jan 11, 2006, 9:30 pm
#4
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 240
Originally Posted by abmj-jr
Where are you travelling from? That will have a lot to do with your options.
I cannot agree with the recommendation for CO. For coach, you might want to consider UA and buying up to Economy Plus for the extra legroom. If you have Star Alliance status, E+ is free.
I cannot agree with the recommendation for CO. For coach, you might want to consider UA and buying up to Economy Plus for the extra legroom. If you have Star Alliance status, E+ is free.
I just got some ticket quotes this morning by they are with American Airlines, any ideas on that?
Jan 11, 2006, 10:03 pm
#6
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Originally Posted by SirDomino
How can I get "star Alliance Status" ? Also, how does E+ compare to BC? Also is E+ something that is specific to United Airlines?
Economy plus is just economy but with a few extra inches legroom - invaluable for the long transpac flights. It is available free, subject to space, for star alliance *S (silver) and *G (gold) status members.
Singapore may be another option. Great IFE and real service. They fly between LAX and NRT nonstop.
Jan 11, 2006, 10:38 pm
#7
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Originally Posted by SirDomino
How can I get "star Alliance Status" ? Also, how does E+ compare to BC? Also is E+ something that is specific to United Airlines?
I just got some ticket quotes this morning by they are with American Airlines, any ideas on that?
I just got some ticket quotes this morning by they are with American Airlines, any ideas on that?
American flies to KIX from Dallas/Ft Worth. They also go from LAX and Honolulu, but those are code-shares on JAL. JAL is fine if you are in C or F, but their economy seating is tiny.
ANA and United both fly to KIX from SFO and ORD (via SFO.)
NW flies from Detroit.
Pretty much anything else from the US is going to connect through NRT or NGO or via a codeshare with one of the above.
Here is a list of all arrivals at KIX. You can backtrack from that to figure what might work for you.
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/scri....asp?KUBUN=EIA
JR
Jan 11, 2006, 11:21 pm
#9
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 240
I would will be leaving from VPS which is a regional airport and flying most likely either to DALLAS or Atlanta. From there I'll probaby be going into Osaka as to avoid the bus ride from Narita/Haneda. And from Osaka to Okinawa, Naha.
Depart: Fort Walton Beach/Valpraiso, Florida
Date: May 22, 2006
Arrive: Okinawa, Japan
Notes: Would like to go through Osaka/Avoid the Haneda/Narita Bus Ride.
Depart: Okinawa, Japan
Date: July 20, 2006
Arrive: Tokyo, Japan
Notes: Leaving Okinawa for Tokyo for a 7 day Layover.
Depart: Tokyo, Japan
Date: July 27, 2006
Arrive: Fort Walton Beach/Vapraiso, Florida
Notes: Leaving Tokyo to come home.
Depart: Fort Walton Beach/Valpraiso, Florida
Date: May 22, 2006
Arrive: Okinawa, Japan
Notes: Would like to go through Osaka/Avoid the Haneda/Narita Bus Ride.
Depart: Okinawa, Japan
Date: July 20, 2006
Arrive: Tokyo, Japan
Notes: Leaving Okinawa for Tokyo for a 7 day Layover.
Depart: Tokyo, Japan
Date: July 27, 2006
Arrive: Fort Walton Beach/Vapraiso, Florida
Notes: Leaving Tokyo to come home.
Last edited by SirDomino; Jan 11, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Jan 12, 2006, 3:33 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SFO, UA 2P
Posts: 187
Well, note that most Japanese airlines do have 1-2 flights to/from Narita to major domestic destinations. I'm sure Okinawa would be serviced too, considering the major US presence (and connection potential) from the island.
So if the bus ride is your only concern, you still might be able to go through Narita. Of course, there a ton of variables like the airlines you will fly by, flight timings etc. I've always found the price of tickets to NRT is cheaper than KIX (and more availability of course), though I'm sure others have had different experiences.
So if the bus ride is your only concern, you still might be able to go through Narita. Of course, there a ton of variables like the airlines you will fly by, flight timings etc. I've always found the price of tickets to NRT is cheaper than KIX (and more availability of course), though I'm sure others have had different experiences.
Jan 12, 2006, 4:18 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,541
How about connecting in Seoul with OZ?
You might like to consider Asiana (connecting through Seoul instead of Tokyo).
Asiana is a Korean airline, and my flights with them have always been extremely pleasant. They often have very good deals from the US.
(Korean Air is a very different story, not recommended)
PS - Asiana is also part of Star Alliance.
Asiana is a Korean airline, and my flights with them have always been extremely pleasant. They often have very good deals from the US.
(Korean Air is a very different story, not recommended)
PS - Asiana is also part of Star Alliance.
Jan 12, 2006, 4:29 am
#12
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Originally Posted by LapLap
You might like to consider Asiana (connecting through Seoul instead of Tokyo).
Asiana is a Korean airline, and my flights with them have always been extremely pleasant. They often have very good deals from the US.
(Korean Air is a very different story, not recommended)
PS - Asiana is also part of Star Alliance.
Asiana is a Korean airline, and my flights with them have always been extremely pleasant. They often have very good deals from the US.
(Korean Air is a very different story, not recommended)
PS - Asiana is also part of Star Alliance.
As for AA, I flew SJC-NRT in Nov in Y on a 777.. pleasant flight, friendly FAs, nothing to complain about. Given a choice based on pure product, I'd fly OZ. But the miles + elite perks I get with AA make it worth it to stay loyal.
Jan 12, 2006, 8:13 am
#13
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Posts: 3,079
Originally Posted by LapLap
Asiana is a Korean airline, and my flights with them have always been extremely pleasant. They often have very good deals from the US. (Korean Air is a very different story, not recommended)
Jan 12, 2006, 8:59 am
#15
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Originally Posted by tvl4free
What is your objection to KE? And is it KE Y in general, or C as well.
Perhaps it wasn't such a bad flight, but the difference between Korean Air and Asiana seemed enormous and Im happy that I never needed to use them again (Asiana were the airline that spurred me into joining *A)
My experience with Korean Air made me rank it with Iberia, Air France & Alitalia for FA customer service
. Perhaps I was just unlucky. However, their safety record is also quite notorious.