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| Left-Handed, NOT Left-Winged! |
But what if you want someone's head in your lap? It's a long flight you know... Seriously all airlines I've flown are like this now on the long haul planes (777/747 mostly, some 787). United Business class used to be 2-4-2 so you had a neighbor next to you (or a middle seat which sucks when the other two are laid flat and you're landlocked), but the seats reclined flat with a divider shell between rows. Back then there was also Global First which was a roomy individual pod. United Polaris has combined business and first into one cabin with a 1-2-1 layout and everyone has a pod. Delta is 1-2-1 as well. sns3guppy makes good points connections, transfers, and non U.S. carriers. You want the carrier that is going to be most helpful when things go wrong, easiest to communicate with, ticket directly with them, and have their phone app to track flight status. People like to complain about U.S. carriers when things go wrong. But in general they are helpful and honest. I cannot say the same about Air China, which I have flown many times within China, once between India and China, and I think between Japan and China and South Korea and China. When things go wrong, they lie about the reasons, delays are not announced until after flight time passes. THEN they tell you the plane didn't leave the other city yet and will be 3 hours late. And THEN they can't get you on another flight for 2-3 days. THEN you go to a hotel, get a workaround to get to where you need to be the next day on a two leg flight, go back to the airport, and when they see you are going to cost them more they give you a direct ticket that somehow wasn't available yesterday. And good luck getting them to pay for the hotel/meals caused by their delay. Or their delay makes you miss your connection on another airline, and you can get on a different flight that is still available but they don't want to have to incur the cost of putting you on it on short notice. And of course, you have to talk on the phone at the ticket counter to someone who speaks English and they tell you that you have to pay for the alternate flight, and after you finally agree, they can only take a Chinese credit card. I could go on but you get the point. | |||
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Member |
Qatar Air Lines is hands down the best I’ve flown and the stewardess are WOW! Give Akbar Al Baker the CEO. credit, as he said if you fly US Airlines you’re being waited on by Grandmothers. Service and cabin was outstanding, planes were immaculate. | |||
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| Little ray of sunshine  |
I have never flown to Asia, but everyone says that Singapore Air is where its at. I haven't heard complaints about JAL either. The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything. | |||
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| Save today, so you can buy tomorrow |
We used Japan Airline from Los Angeles to Tokyo (non-stop) few years ago. Service was good. _______________________ P228 - West German | |||
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Coin Sniper |
I work for a Japanese company and have been there a few times. For me it's a non-stop from Detroit Metro. One time on the way back I had to catch a connection through LAX and that was not fun. Airline is your choice, as long as you stick with a major carrier you're likely fine. I do have some additional tips for you... Make sure you get proper power adaptors Unless you have a great international plan, your phone will be a very expensive camera/clock until you can connect to wifi. You'll be surprised how many apps require a data connection. Take a travel alarm clock on the plane, set for Tokyo time. Set the alarm for 0800 (8am)Tokyo time. Sleep all you want on the flight, but once that alarm goes off, stay up. That will align you with the time zone. Japan is a largely cash based society. Credit cards are typically used for hotels, major purchases, train tickets, etc. Everything else is cash. Don't exchange your money at either airport. I found that the best exchange rates are at ATM machines in the Shinkansen (bullet train) stations. I use a small credit union and had no problem using the card. I was there a week and $300 US did me fine for all meals and normal expenses, gifts, etc. Many Japanese speak English, especially younger people. Older people often understand it but are very embarrassed about making a mistake speaking so often will not, they'll simply smile. It's amazing how well you can communicate with a return smile and obvious gestures. The more polite you are to Japanese people, the more helpful they will be to you. Oddly enough.... Japan is very clean, however you'll find it difficult to find a trash can on the street. You're expected to take your garbage home with you and dispose of it properly. Tipping is not done in Japan, in fact they consider it an insult. It is seen as you saying "you aren't doing good enough, maybe you'll do better for more money" You must stop in a small Udon or Ramen shop for a meal. Trust me on this one.... You won't have an issue with knowing what the menu looks like as most restaurants have plastic versions of the food on display. Pick what looks good. Don't drink cheap sake.... you learn that lesson once. There are 7 Eleven's everywhere. Often within sight of each other, no one knows why. You'll find vending machines all over the streets as well. Don't be afraid to try Japanese street food, especially rice balls. Very good. There are some great YouTube channels on what TO do, and what NOT to do in Japan, watch a few of those, they are quite good. Don't be surprised if you're walking down a very busy main street surrounded by modern villages, and find a Shinto shrine that is perhaps 800+ years old, Don't be afraid to explore, they aren't offended. It is polite to be reverent and offer a prayer. Again, Youtube can show you how. It's a neat experience. If you have time, see Sky Tree Cabs in major cities are plentiful and will get you there quick. You can take the subway cheaper but will likely get lost once, and it will take you twice as long to get from A to B. Pronoun: His Royal Highness and benevolent Majesty of all he surveys 343 - Never Forget Its better to be Pavlov's dog than Schrodinger's cat There are three types of mistakes; Those you learn from, those you suffer from, and those you don't survive. | |||
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Member |
We’re partial to ANA or JAL and prefer to fly into Haneda. My sister in law was a long time ANA flight attendant and was the face of some of the domestic media ads years ago, so for a long time we flew ANA whenever possible. More recently, it’s mostly JAL. We haven’t been since Jan-Feb of 2020, before the strict COVID restrictions. 十人十色 | |||
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| Member |
Flights across the pacific routinely transit Russian airspace and the Kamchatka, enroute to Japan and Korea. Flights frequently overfly Russia through Magadan and Khaborovosk airspace, and have, for many years. You won't know or have the opportunity to choose the routing that your flight takes. I do remember KAL007, very well. I frequently fly through that same Russian airspace, over Siberia, and down or over either side of the Kamchatka, including right over the top of Petropvolosk. Frankly, the volcanos are the hazard. It's the current political climate, wrought on by the Russians, which makes travel in that airspace inadvisable for the moment. Keep in mind that KAL007 flew a heading and was off course from Anchorage onward, for 5.5 hours, and was in Soviet prohibited airspace. Ironically, Lt. Gen Valeri Kamensky, one of the soviet military leaders responsible for the KAL shootdown, transferred to the Ukraine, where he was also responsible for another civil airliner shootdown, Siber Air 1812. On another note, don't fly on Chinese carriers. No more need be said about that. | |||
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Member |
ANA from Dulles to Narita. Flights are 002 and 001. Non stop. 13 hours. The only way. Don’t do connections. Just don’t. Always fly national carriers to Japan. Amazing service. I miss flying there. ------- Trying to simplify my life... | |||
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Member |
Without question, JAL.. ______________________________________________ Life is short. It’s shorter with the wrong gun… | |||
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| half-genius, half-wit |
Re cabs - do NOT try and open the rear doors - they are automatic. I used to work in Tokyo for almost eight years, and flew from London Heathrow to Narita non-stop - 13.5 hours. you arrive the next day, no matter what you do. Coming back, you arrive only a couple of hours after you 'left'. spooky stuff. The Japanese gubmint paid my fare on ANA. Service was excellent, if basic, and the cabin crew were VERY pretty ladies. but not teenagers any more. | |||
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| The success of a solution usually depends upon your point of view |
Thanks everyone for the inputs and advice. When we decide to go we will have much better ideas about booking the flights. I'm not concerned about entry requirements yet. When we are ready to book the trip I will figure out tha latest and greatest updates, not just for entering Japan but also access to the base in Yokosuka which is it's own challenge. “We truly live in a wondrous age of stupid.” - 83v45magna "I think it's important that people understand free speech doesn't mean free from consequences societally or politically or culturally." -Pranjit Kalita, founder and CIO of Birkoa Capital Management | |||
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Member |
I'm UA Lifetime GS, 4 million miler...and strongly suggest staying away from both UA and AA - no experience with DL. I'd take JAL, ANA or Sing, and see who flies a 787, making as few stops as possible. I'm assuming the crews of ANA, JAL and Sing are equally trained and competent as the US carriers, and their mx is equivalent...guppy would know for sure. | |||
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| Member |
Having worked for AA, their 787's are designed for maximum occupancy less about comfort. My coworkers used JAL, I've used DL (MSP-HND) but it was standby(non-rev). ___________ ___________ ___________ | |||
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Member |
I had a good experience with Air Canada when I went to Japan a few years ago. Try to fly into Haneda as it is considerably closer to Yokosuka. JP | |||
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| Member |
Yup, Singapore is the gold standard for service, competence and aptitude. While the big-3 Gulf State airlines get all sorts of attention for their ostentatious and ridiculous amenities, Singapore Air has been doing it longer, more consistently and with a classy reserve. Not to mention they don't become 'cattle-car air' during the haj  My Lufthansa experience is simply, they're what US carriers wish they could be. Given the volume of routes, the frequency of flights they fly, and the age of their planes, compared to a US airline, they just do a better job with details. I've not flown them in 1st but, biz class, it was as expected, nothing stood-out other than a pleasant flight. Air France, KLM, British Air, Swiss, Iberia, etc they all were the same at the front-half of the plane, as national carriers they're expected to maintain a modern, high-standard for the premium classes and 'sometimes' those details trickle to the back of the plane. | |||
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| Member |
Recommend non-stop if possible. Pay the small premium for "premium" economy - it's worth the money for a 14h+ flight. Also recommend flying direct to Haneda, not Narita. The latter will require an additional 1-2 hour commute to Tokyo, plus the time to travel to Yokosuka which is closer to Yokohama than Tokyo. We had a good experience with Air Canada in 2017, but that required a layover in Canada. I think JAL/ANA flies out of ORD, which is what I've flown primarily in the past, but they will likely be the more expensive options. Honestly, we've been overall pretty happy with Delta when flying international as well. Just to reiterate, I would pay the extra money for the upgraded economy class. Service/standards on international flights tend to be a step up from your run of the mill domestic service. | |||
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). | Member |
Stay hydrated and don’t take your shoes off (and wear comfy shoes). __________ "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal labotomy." | |||
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| Member |
Why wouldn't you take your shoes off? The old chesnut about keeping your feet from swelling, something like that? If it's more comfortable, and it usually is, take your shoes off. Just wear them for takeoff and landing and keep them handy enroute. Exiting through melted or burning floor will be a whole lot easier with shoes on. I usually take my shoes off on long legs. Even in the cockpit. | |||
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I Deal In Lead |
You can but only personal hygiene determines whether or not you should take them off. | |||
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