My son has orders to the Reagan in Yokosuka Japan. We are looking at flying out to visit in the May-June timeframe of 2023.

Curiosity has me looking at logistics and I am finding many options for flights. Being on the east coast I can fly direct to Tokyo from Atlanta, Chicago, or New York, or I can fly to the west coast and fly direct from there. But I’m thinking the bigger question may come down to which airlines I want to fly or to stay away from.

Any opinions on this? Do I want to fly a U.S. carrier through Atlanta or Chicago, or do I want to switch over to a foreign carrier in New York or the west coast? My only real international flight experience has been on U.S. carriers to Europe but I am pretty sure we have members here with experience on this exact route (cause this is the forum and that’s how it rolls ).

I have found the Asian air lines have better flight attendants and service. United has a bunch of old hag union lifers on the long haul flights who are burnt out.

If you arent overly particular about what you eat on the flight you will be fine.

Singapore Air is the best airline I have flown on. Their flight attendants are young and helpful. The food is great, free ice cream, new planes.

HK Ag

My wife is flying from SEA to Manila later this month. In the past, we've flown Delta but flights by Delta, through Tokyo are limited for the onward trip to Manila.

Shes flying Japan Airlines with a two hour layover in Tokyo similar to what Delta used to offer. I have no problem with her flying JAL. The booking process has been easy.

If you're flying into Tokyo for a visit, be sure to check out the restrictions for entering the country before buying a ticket.

ANA Business, Dulles direct to Narita.

Great accommodations, food, and service.

Japan Airlines (JAL) is consistently one of the top international carriers in the world, All Nippon Air (ANA) is always top-tier as well, both are 5-star carriers
If you can book a flight with either of them, do it. JAL is apart of OneWorld, and codeshare with American Air. ANA is apart of Star Alliance and codeshares with United. For US carriers, United dominates the Pacific/Asian routes.

Highly recommend you find a way to secure a business-class seat, as you're in for a very long transit, rest assured, the level of service you will experience will be unlike anything a US and most European carriers provide.

I generally prefer direct whenever I fly, just get the flight over with, less issues with luggage mishandling/missing; however, I can see a bit of relief flying westward and take a breather (or layover) at one of the US West Coast hubs, and continuing onward on a separate flight. Getting your internal clock adjusted and overcoming jet-lag can be an issue for East Coasters going to/from Asia so, plan accordingly.

When I flew to Tokyo years ago, I went with China Airlines out of SFO (San Francisco).

Great flight attendants, good food and good movies.

Long flight, though.

If it were me, I'd be flying out of DFW on a JAL 787. I'd be saving my pennies or burning AAL points to upgrade to business class.

Any which way you shake it, it's a long haul, so even if you don't upgrade to business, look at the equivalent of main cabin extra/exit row/bulkhead seat. If I were in the main cabin, I'd try to find a plane configuration that has two outside seats to cut down on an asshole sitting next to you.

Friends who lived in Japan until rexcently flew Japan Airlines. Loved their 787 service service even in coach.

I would check, but my co workers family (wife and 1 yo)is trying to get out of Japan and rejoin him in Virginia.

For him to fly to Japan, he has a 2 week isolation in a hotel there at airport before he can see his family.

They have been extremely strict in Japan.

I don't know if he is just blowing smoke, but I have no reason to not believe him.

SpinZone,

This sounds like an incredible trip.

I know it's 1+ year out but I'm looking forward to the pictures already!

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
For him to fly to Japan, he has a 2 week isolation in a hotel there at airport before he can see his family.

They have been extremely strict in Japan.

I don't know if he is just blowing smoke, but I have no reason to not believe him.

My uncle recently went to Hong Kong and said he had to isolate in a hotel, on his own dime, of course.

Japan is very restrictive on entry now with mandatory quarantines for at least two weeks. I have not seen any indication they will loosen up in the near term. I need to go there for business this year so I am watching it closely.

I fly United to Asia (China, Japan, South Korea) in business class because my company allows it for 10+ hour long haul flights. I live in Indy so flying through O'Hare makes sense. But Newark and Dulles are usually options (not sure about right now) and the flight times to Asia doesn't vary much because you fly over the north pole. San Francisco is another option but for me it adds a 4-5 hour connecting flight versus 1/2 to 2 hours for the other connections. Polaris business class is good, and there are exclusive lounges in the airports.

I would not touch AA if you paid me - too many horror stories and shitty planes/seats. Delta I don't fly so I can't say, but usually United has better itineraries and flight times.

As for the foreign carriers, ANA (Japan) and Asiana (South Korean) are fine. Yes, long haul flights on U.S. carriers have high seniority older women for the cabin crew, but they are professional, courteous, and know their jobs well in the front cabin. Never had any issue in many many flights over the last decade.

Yes, cabin crew on Asian airlines are young, thin, and attractive women. Nicer to look at sure.

The most important thing for frequent travelers is qualifying miles/points for status, upgrades, and award flights. Pick an airline and stay within their alliance as much as possible. Round trip to Japan in business class will get you a lot of points so be smart about it.

Definitely go with an Asian airline, you won't regret it. SIA (Singapore Airlines), I would put at the top of the list. ANA or JAL are winners, followed by Cathay Pacific.

Flying those airlines, is actually fun and enjoyable. Crew is great and service is as well.

When I fly an American carrier, I want to throw myself out of the plane at altitude. The crew is just pissed off (it seems) all the time, and act like things are such a chore. I just go into auto mode and take care of what I can for myself and go to sleep to avoid the bullshit. Amazing how they actually start acting nice to you when you don't ask them for anything. This is for business class mostly, and maybe if I can get the upgrade to first if available.

Edit to add: Yes, find out about covid restrictions before you book any trips to Asia. Hong Kong is about to lock down again. My employee in HK is getting nervous more than usual. She has not been able to travel to mainland China since this all started. Once you go in would have to quarantine 10-14 days every time you flew or took train to new city. I am sure Japan is along the same lines, but not up to date on restrictions lately.

It's been a while since I've been to Japan (so this might be old info), but one thing to keep in mind is that Tokyo is served by two international airports. Many flights actually go into Narita (NRT), which is 40 miles from Tokyo, meaning you need to shuttle there somehow.

Haneda (Tokyo International Airport HND) is right near downtown Tokyo. ANA (All Nippon Airways), United, Japan Airlines, American Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines and Thai Airways all fly non-stop to Tokyo Haneda.

Narita used to handle the bulk of international travel, but fortunately Haneda now has more expanded service.

I'm in Tokyo at the moment. Yes, Japan is very strict on entry, travel, testing, and quarantine at the moment. What that will become in the future is uncertain.

As with any travel, how cute the flight attendant might be isn't something I'd consider at all. I would eliminate as many connections as possible, and transfers between carriers, and nationalities. All are excellent opportunities to lose a bag.

I would far rather fly on a US carrier than any foreign carrier. I frequently do fly on foreign carriers, not by choice.

Hae at least 6 months remaining on your passport, secure your visa early, and ensure you stay current on travel restrictions up to and including the day of travel; that includes any restrictions going both ways. A current problem is requirement for a covid test, often within the preceding 24 hours; any delays require a new test, and travel limitations such as inability to leave an airport mean that the testing takes place at the airport, for a premium. I recently ran into a man traveling with his family; they'd been delayed several times, requiring a new round of tests each time; he was over five thousand dollars into just tests, and was facing another delay. My son just returned from a foreign location, and was delayed due to weather, mechanical breakdown, diversion, and so forth, and had to get re-tested three times to get back to the US.

Travel to Japan from the mainland US is frequently along or through Russian airspace. At the moment that is not advised and is creating longer flights, delays, and re-routes. It added 2.5 hours to my trip yesterday.

Manage connections with adequate time. On multiple les internationally lately, I've had delays due to crew shortages, weather, etc, and it's caused a missed connection. The missed connections snowballed; one trip took three days to get home on a paid ticket, and four new tickets had to be purchased along the way; my bag was destroyed, and was lost for six days. If you hae 1.5 hours for a connection, any delays at the along the way may. mean you miss that connection. The tempo of international flights is still lower than it was pre-covid, as are the number of possibilities for changes in itinerary; delays waiting for a new flight may be longer tha you anticipate, or involve additional re-routing. Plan on additional costs for lodging, buying new supplies, etc. It happens, and it seems to be happening more frequently.

Purchase your tickets directly from a carrier that will allow changes or refunds. Purchased through third carriers adds complexity, especially discount online brokers that aren't contactable and don't back the travel they sold. Purchasing through orbitz or other brokers can leave you without recourse with the airline, who will tell you to take it up with the broker.

Delta. Non-stop from Atlanta to Tokyo.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
It's been a while since I've been to Japan (so this might be old info), but one thing to keep in mind is that Tokyo is served by two international airports. Many flights actually go into Narita (NRT), which is 40 miles from Tokyo, meaning you need to shuttle there somehow.

Haneda (Tokyo International Airport HND) is right near downtown Tokyo. ANA (All Nippon Airways), United, Japan Airlines, American Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines and Thai Airways all fly non-stop to Tokyo Haneda.

Narita used to handle the bulk of international travel, but fortunately Haneda now has more expanded service.

Prior to my time,now, in Europe I had a couple of tours in Yokosuka. Narita is significant travel time from Yokosuka whereas Haneda is actually quite proximate. Although you will likely have more arrival options at Narita — after 9+ hours in the air, you might see a significant difference between 3 hours or 1 hour in the final leg of transit on the ground. I know my preference would be Haneda. Regardless, tell your son thanks for his Service from a former SEVENTH Fleet…now SIXTH Fleet Sailor! Guns Up — Good Hunting!

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
Travel to Japan from the mainland US is frequently along or through Russian airspace.

I'd be glad to have a delay to avoid even getting near anything Russian. Remember KAL 007 that got shot down after accidentally flying over Kamchatka peninsula and the southern tip of Sakhalin Island in Sept 1983?

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
It's been a while since I've been to Japan (so this might be old info), but one thing to keep in mind is that Tokyo is served by two international airports. Many flights actually go into Narita (NRT), which is 40 miles from Tokyo, meaning you need to shuttle there somehow.

Haneda (Tokyo International Airport HND) is right near downtown Tokyo. ANA (All Nippon Airways), United, Japan Airlines, American Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines and Thai Airways all fly non-stop to Tokyo Haneda.

Narita used to handle the bulk of international travel, but fortunately Haneda now has more expanded service.

That's why I flew into Haneda when I went to Tokyo years ago.

If you're into Electronics in any form, be sure to go to Akihabara when you're in Tokyo.

When we visited Japan we flew JAL Business Class. These business class seats recline into their own, fixed shell, so you don't end up with somebody's head in your lap, the way you do on lesser airlines' business class. (I'm looking at you, Lufthansa.) The JAL food and service was also
first rate. It's worth it.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
… the level of service you will experience will be unlike anything a US and most European carriers provide.

In my experience, Singapore Airlines was on a level all its own.

Next were a couple of European carriers: Air France and Lufthansa, but not Alitalia (good riddance).

At the bottom were the U.S. carriers, with United and Delta competing for the most decrepit planes and worst service.