DEN-NRT versus SFO-NRT
Jan 31, 2015, 9:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 304
DEN-NRT versus SFO-NRT
Is one route preferred over the other?
I'll be departing from the Midwest so either is a connection for me but 90 minutes to Denver on a regional jet compared to 4 hours to San Francisco seems like the better option in light of the next ~12 hour leg to Tokyo.
I will be be making frequent trips (booked in BusinessFirst) over the next couple years so I'm hoping those of you that have made this trip before can point out advantages to each departure city.
As an aside, DFW is an hour flight away so AA's service to NRT is a possibility if that makes any difference in your recommendations. Thanks.
I'll be departing from the Midwest so either is a connection for me but 90 minutes to Denver on a regional jet compared to 4 hours to San Francisco seems like the better option in light of the next ~12 hour leg to Tokyo.
I will be be making frequent trips (booked in BusinessFirst) over the next couple years so I'm hoping those of you that have made this trip before can point out advantages to each departure city.
As an aside, DFW is an hour flight away so AA's service to NRT is a possibility if that makes any difference in your recommendations. Thanks.
Jan 31, 2015, 9:40 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
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Posts: 2,272
Is one route preferred over the other?
I'll be departing from the Midwest so either is a connection for me but 90 minutes to Denver on a regional jet compared to 4 hours to San Francisco seems like the better option in light of the next ~12 hour leg to Tokyo.
I will be be making frequent trips (booked in BusinessFirst) over the next couple years so I'm hoping those of you that have made this trip before can point out advantages to each departure city.
As an aside, DFW is an hour flight away so AA's service to NRT is a possibility if that makes any difference in your recommendations. Thanks.
I'll be departing from the Midwest so either is a connection for me but 90 minutes to Denver on a regional jet compared to 4 hours to San Francisco seems like the better option in light of the next ~12 hour leg to Tokyo.
I will be be making frequent trips (booked in BusinessFirst) over the next couple years so I'm hoping those of you that have made this trip before can point out advantages to each departure city.
As an aside, DFW is an hour flight away so AA's service to NRT is a possibility if that makes any difference in your recommendations. Thanks.
AA is early along in executing a refresh of its 777 aircraft. The DFW-NRT aircraft is currently an old-style 777 with angled seats in business.
Jan 31, 2015, 9:43 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
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Posts: 7,058
Do you have to book on an American carrier?
If you are buying BF trips for the same price you can pretty much get the ANA Staggered J as well because of the joint venture with UA on the routes.
Going into SFO you could also fly to HND instead of NRT.
If you are buying BF trips for the same price you can pretty much get the ANA Staggered J as well because of the joint venture with UA on the routes.
Going into SFO you could also fly to HND instead of NRT.
Jan 31, 2015, 9:44 pm
#5
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DEN-NRT is Dreamliner. Took it once. Great experience.
LAX-NRT also has a Dreamliner in service. Don't know from where you fly, but you may want to also look at LAX-NRT.
LAX-NRT also has a Dreamliner in service. Don't know from where you fly, but you may want to also look at LAX-NRT.
Jan 31, 2015, 9:44 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Is there a restriction on booking foreign flagged carriers? If paying for J and having to make a connection with any choice, JAL would be my preference based on Y experiences.
Jan 31, 2015, 9:56 pm
#7
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Jan 31, 2015, 9:58 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 304
Yes, I am required to book with a US-flagged carrier so that limits my options.
I didn't even think about LAX but flying into Haneda is intriguing since my final destination is southwest of Tokyo.
Obviously, comfort is a concern on such a long flight but since I have a fairly rigid schedule to adhere to, SFO (or LAX) offering more options in case of weather or maintenance delays compared to Denver may be my best bet.
I didn't even think about LAX but flying into Haneda is intriguing since my final destination is southwest of Tokyo.
Obviously, comfort is a concern on such a long flight but since I have a fairly rigid schedule to adhere to, SFO (or LAX) offering more options in case of weather or maintenance delays compared to Denver may be my best bet.
Jan 31, 2015, 10:41 pm
#9
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I would fly ex-SFO for a window seat upper deck on the 744. The personal space is as good as BF gets on UA.
I also prefer the sUA seat cushioning, it's considerably softer than the sCO seat and I find it much easier to sleep on.
I also prefer the sUA seat cushioning, it's considerably softer than the sCO seat and I find it much easier to sleep on.
Jan 31, 2015, 11:29 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: CLT, NC
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I fly both routes every few months or so, whichever is a cheaper, and I must say that the dreamliner is awesome to fly on.
Not sure if you get business class or not, but if you do, the Dreamliner as a more preferable seating as it's 2-2-2, the upper deck on the 747 is 2-3 and the rest is 2-4-2.
Either way it's not horrible, but I'd say go with the 787!
Not sure if you get business class or not, but if you do, the Dreamliner as a more preferable seating as it's 2-2-2, the upper deck on the 747 is 2-3 and the rest is 2-4-2.
Either way it's not horrible, but I'd say go with the 787!
Jan 31, 2015, 11:32 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2013
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Another vote for exactly this. The upper deck is the best, window seat the best of the upper deck, and easy to sleep. Great pax:FA and pax:lav ratio. I really like the Dreamliner, but I do prefer the sUA J seat on the 747 to the sCO Dreamliner J seat.
Feb 1, 2015, 12:06 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Sunny California
Posts: 160
Feb 1, 2015, 12:20 am
#13
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Feb 1, 2015, 12:37 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
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There are pros and cons with all the airports and aircraft mentioned above and what is important to me might not be for you (nobody climbing over me and enough room for a 6'2" guy to stretch out without his feet getting cramped). But that is for other 747 and 787 threads.
But remember what was pointed out, code shares can be a good thing sometimes but they can have a few negatives too.
Hope you get to experiment a little and check out all the different ways to get to Japan (leaving there myself in just a couple hours).
Cheers
Feb 1, 2015, 1:42 am
#15
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If you have to fly a U.S. carrier, that leaves you UA, AA, and DL.
If you can get the new AA J seat, that's the best option.
DL is a bit of a mixed bag with several types of seats, but I it's still a better product that UA's BF.
Have you looked at DL via MSP or SEA?
If you can get the new AA J seat, that's the best option.
DL is a bit of a mixed bag with several types of seats, but I it's still a better product that UA's BF.
Have you looked at DL via MSP or SEA?