8 Best Airlines to Fly to Japan – Which is The Best Choice?

Global travel is once again feasible now that the Covid-19 outbreak is largely under control and immunizations are easier to obtain. By increasing their flights to Japan, airlines from all over the world are seizing the chance. From the United States to Japan, an economy class seat typically costs between $1500 and $2000 USD, though this obviously varies based on a variety of circumstances.

Flying into Tokyo is the most affordable (and frequently most convenient) option to get to Japan. Major airports are also located in Osaka and Nagoya. Which, however, offer the finest flights into Japan? I’ll outline the best airlines to fly to Japan in this article.

Let’s get started!

Best AirLines to Fly to Japan – Top 8 Famous Airlines Based on Customer Survey

1. ANA (All Nippon Airlines)

Our family prefers ANA while traveling from the US to Japan because it is one of the country’s major carriers. ANA offers (relatively) comfortable seats, first-rate in-flight service, tasty food, and departures that are often timely. It features direct flights to both Haneda and Narita airports in Tokyo, which is perhaps most significant for families.

Many cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco,etc have direct flights. Parents of young children truly feel the strain of even a 2-3 hour layover, therefore this airline is a go-to for dependability and effectiveness. One thing to keep in mind is to make sure the trip is genuinely run by ANA and not United Airlines, another Star Alliance member. I’ve discovered that ANA offers the best price/experience ratio.

Price

• Average price: $3179 for a round-trip flight

Pros

• Comfortable seats
• Tasty food
• Departures that are often timely

Cons

• Expensive
• If you are not really used to it, you may buy the wrong airline ticket for another airline such as United Airlines.

2. Delta Airlines

Another well-liked option for American passengers is Delta Airlines. It has numerous direct flight routes from American cities to Tokyo as a significant American airline. Tokyo’s Haneda Airport serves Delta. Haneda is much closer to the Tokyo city center than Narita, only a half-hour cab ride away.

So, one of the best things about flying with Delta is that you don’t have to travel as far to get to the city or to change flight. Delta is a wonderful option for your journey to Japan because it is well-known among American-based carriers for its excellent service and quality.

Price

• Average price: $2500 for a round-trip ticket

Pros

• Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, which serves Delta, is much closer to the Tokyo city center
• Excellent service and quality

Cons

• Delta charges a fee for each checked baggage starting at USD 30 for the first baggage, USD 40 for any additional baggage.
• High fee and complicated refund policy

3. JAL (Japan Airlines)

JAL is Japan’s second largest airline after ANA. Within the Oneworld Alliance, JAL and American Airlines are joint venture partners. Verify which airline is actually operating your chosen flight because the two airlines share some flight itineraries. On the flight, you will undoubtedly experience excellent service and Japanese-style hospitality, including some surprisingly tasty in-flight food.

From a number of American cities, including Seattle, L.A., etc, JAL provides direct flights to Tokyo.

Interesting fact: The endangered red-crowned crane, or tanchozuru (丹頂) in Japanese, serves as JAL’s logo.

Price

• Average price: $2247 for a round-trip ticket

Pros

• Excellent service
• Some surprisingly tasty in-flight food

Cons

• Waiting time to upgrade seats is quite long.

4. Air France

After the restoration of Japan’s borders, Air France has started operating flights between Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. It now offers five weekly flights to both Haneda and Narita airports. Despite the fact that Air France offers flights to other Japanese cities including Nagoya and Osaka, these routes need a stopover in Tokyo.

Comparable to US fares are those from France. A roundtrip economy class ticket costs between $1600 and $2000 USD. One of the greatest airlines for travel from continental Europe to Japan is Air France.

Price

• Average between $1600 and $2000 USD for a round-trip ticket

Pros

• Good price
• Good service staff

Cons

• Sometimes, time is changeable.

5. British Airways

On November 13, British Airlines will resume direct flights from London to Tokyo after a one-year break. Daily flights from London’s Heathrow Airport to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport will be offered. These journeys last slightly over 13 hours. Considering the current exchange rate, flight costs can be as cheap as 1,200 pounds, or less than $1400 USD (where the pound is historically low).

Moreover, Finnair operates flights from London to Tokyo with a layover in Helsinki. Although the costs are higher than those of direct flights, these flights land at both Haneda and Narita airports. For passengers coming from the UK, this is a significant improvement from earlier flights that required Doha layovers and door-to-door travel lengths of more than 24 hours.

Price

• Less than $1400 USD for a round-trip ticket

Pros

• Have spectacular service
• Good at taking care of those passengers
• Their lounges are good

Cons

• You may experience some problems when upgrading your seat.

6. United Airlines

Another significant American carrier, United Airlines, offers numerous direct flights from American locations to Japan. Flying to both Narita and Haneda airports is convenient. Moreover, it travels to other smaller Japanese cities, including Sapporo, Sendai, and Fukuoka.

UA flights often land in Japan in the afternoon or early evening, similar to other American-based carriers, which is ideal for both jet lag and hotel check-in (which is typically at 3pm). Only a few more hours of holding out will allow you to rest.

Price

• Average price is $2100 for a round-trip ticket

Pros

• Very little delay and high reliability
• Have good customer service
• High safety rating
• Delicious and various food
• Premium seats

Cons

• Quite expensive if you want to upgrade seats
• High cancellation fee

7. American Airlines

American Airlines has occasionally offered inexpensive flights to Japan in the past. Also, this airline provides nonstop service from a number of American locations, including Dallas and Boston. The overall experience with American Airlines has, in my opinion, been less pleasant than that of its American rivals.

This is accurate in terms of the reliability, comfort, and quality of the service. Yet, as airlines frequently change their names, it could be worthwhile to give American Airlines’ cheap travel from your city to Japan a shot.

Price

• Average price is $3000 for a round-trip ticket

Pros

• Have good customer service
• High safety rating
• Large number of destinations
• Applications connected to personal phones
• Have facilities for entertainment

Cons

• Small legroom
• The price is quite expensive.

8. Hawaiian Airlines

One of the quickest routes from the United States to Japan is the trip from Honolulu to Tokyo, which takes just over 8 hours. Not just Americans who live abroad but also Japanese expatriates favor this route. In August, Hawaiian restarted daily service between Honolulu and Osaka as well as between Honolulu and Narita in Tokyo.

Hawaiian offers one of the few direct services from the United States to the Kansai area. Consumers have also praised Hawaiian for its cozy seating, welcoming personnel, and excellent service. Hawaiian Airlines does not participate in broad alliances; instead, it has individual cooperation arrangements. In particular, it collaborates with Japan Airlines on a large number of its flights to Japan.

Price

• Average price is $2000 for a round-trip ticket

Pros

The food and the staff are very good.

Cons

• The footrest is not comfortable.

Comparison between 8 Best Airlines to Fly to Japan

 

Airlines Brand	Food	Staff	Price	Service
ANA (All Nippon Airlines)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Average price: $3179 for a round-trip flight	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Delta Airlines	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Average price: $2500 for a round-trip ticket	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
JAL (Japan Airlines)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Average price: $2247 for a round-trip ticket	⭐⭐⭐
Air France	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Average between $1600 and $2000 USD for a round-trip ticket	⭐⭐⭐
British Airways	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Less than $1400 USD for a round-trip ticket	⭐⭐⭐⭐
United Airlines	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Average price is $2100 for a round-trip ticket	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
American Airlines	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Average price is $3000 for a round-trip ticket	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hawaiian Airlines	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Average price is $2000 for a round-trip ticket	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

How to Find Best Japan Flights Deals?

With all of that in mind, if you’re taking a quick flight to Japan from anywhere in the world, you should be aware of three major cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Particularly in Tokyo and Osaka, there are big international airports where you might be able to find the best airfare deals. Osaka has the closest airport to Kyoto.

On occasion, airlines will post flight specials on their websites. You can check into using one of these airlines to travel to Japan:

• ANA (Japan-based airline)
• JAL (Japan-based airline)
• Delta Airlines

How expensive are airline tickets to Japan?

An economy class seat on a journey to Japan typically costs between $800 and $1,700 per person. Depending on the airline, the cost of first- or business-class seats can range from $3,000 to $5,500. Yet, if you plan ahead, you may find inexpensive direct flights from the United States to Japan for around $800. If you are a member of the loyalty club of the airline you are traveling to, you may still save anywhere from $100 to $300 and get the greatest deal on your flight.

What month is the least expensive to visit in Japan?

November, early February, and early March are the most affordable times to travel to Japan. This is due to the fact that winter is unquestionably the least popular time of year for tourists to travel.

Nonetheless, Japan is stunning year-round, so we hope you get the chance to go soon!

What is the flying time to Japan?

The typical nonstop flight takes 12 hours and 22 minutes to complete from the US to Japan. The flight time between Europe and Japan is practically identical at 12 hours and 7 minutes.

You can see this table to have more information:

 

Distance To Japan	Total Distance	Flight Time	Average Cost
Hawaii	4108 miles	8 – 9  Hours	$700 – $1500
California	5355 miles	11 Hours	$900 – $2200
New York	6739 miles	14 Hours	$1500 – $3500
Chicago	6309 miles	13 Hours	$1100 – $2900
Seattle	4812 miles	11 Hours	$700 – $1000
Los Angeles	5475 miles	12 Hours	$1100 – $3500
Florida	7317 miles	14 Hours	$700 – $1200
Washington DC	6776 miles	13 Hours	$1500 – $2800
Texas	6406 miles	13 Hours	$1600 – $2600
LAX	5517 miles	11 Hours	$1075 – $2100

 

What Should You Check While Making a Japan Air Reservation?

Let’s take a moment to consider the crucial elements that go into choosing a flight. To make sure you have the most comfortable flight experience possible, keep all of these factors in mind when you begin searching. Nobody wants to have a horrible vacation start!

1. Reviews

Examining the reviews comes first for me when looking for a flight. With their flashy images and clever copy, websites can be deceitful in today’s society. You may find out what kind of experience you are truly getting by using websites like TripAdvisor, Google, or even Reddit.

One of my favorite things about reviews is that they frequently provide insider knowledge regarding additional expenses, add-ons, and service fees that may become apparent later in the ordering process. Long-term, this will help you save time and money.

2. Entertainment

The entertainment on the flight is what matters most to me. As the flights to Japan are rather long, my main goal is to keep my mind active the entire time.

Some aircraft have in-seat TVs, while others offer options via their website and in-flight wifi. Some aircraft lack either! I also want to know if the entertainment options on the flight are part of the ticket price or additional. Bring your headphones, please!

One piece of advice is to check the movie selection before boarding the aircraft. However, if the selection is small and you’re not interested in anything, you can always download your own movies or TV episodes on your own device before boarding! The airline’s website typically has this data available.

3. Service

You might want a lower or higher level of service on your flight, depending on your needs. Even with the most inexpensive options, you’ll almost certainly get snacks and a drink because the trip to Japan is lengthy. But, you should consider an airline’s service offerings if you want alcoholic beverages or better food.

4. High-End Seats

Let’s discuss for a moment about first-class seats on Japanese airline flights. There may be a broad variety of alternatives accessible in the front or back of the aircraft, depending on the airline you fly on. If you travel first class, you’ll have privacy, plenty of room for your legs, and perhaps even a chair that can be reclined into a bed if you want to take a nap during the flight.

Your best bet for an opulent experience when shopping for premium seats is to check out airlines that focus on overseas travel.

5. Baggage

Before boarding, I would always advise looking into the baggage policy of a specific airline. The pricing might vary significantly, so much so that it might make you alter your mind! The size of the free personal item can range from a little handbag to a hefty rucksack, but it is almost always allowed. Typically, it’s supposed to go under the seat in front of you. Depending on how much luggage you plan to bring to Japan, you will then need to determine whether to check your bags or bring them on board.

I typically choose a personal item along with a checked bag. I typically keep my pricey electronics and vital documents in the personal item. Because you never know what you’ll need, I like to pack a bit more liberally in the checked luggage.

Having a checked luggage also prevents any potential problems at the airport in the event that your carry-on is too tiny.

Remember to leave space in your backpack for mementos!

6. Aviation Model

Even if we all don’t place a lot of importance on airplanes, some people do! Certain airplane models can be much smaller or even larger than you would anticipate. The size of the aircraft may have an impact on how much turbulence you experience, or it may even have additional safety mechanisms in case something goes wrong. Instead of being startled, I prefer to know what I’m getting myself into. Who knows, you might even gain some knowledge about airplanes as a result.

7. Sustainability

The year is 2022, and sustainability is a topic that everyone is talking about more and more. Check out the environmental objectives of the specific airline if this is something that matters to you. Typically, there will be a section on their website specifically for this purpose.

I enjoy researching the sorts of fuel they use and the environmental friendliness of various jets.

8. Insurance Policy/Cancelation

You might not think to inquire about a particular airline’s cancellation policy. This is for the case if an unforeseen circumstance prevents you from going. I often don’t worry about this for local trips, but since international tickets are more expensive, I think it is more important.

Each airline firm has its own unique procedures for this. While some just offer airline credits, others permit a full return as long as you get travel insurance. Typically, it’s not too expensive, but before you buy, check the business’s policy.

SEE MORE:

• New Haneda Airport Garden, Shopping Mall – Everything about It
• Living In Japan As A Foreigner – The Goods And Not-So-Goods

FAQs

1. Which city has the greatest flights to Japan?

If you’re flying into Japan from outside of the country, you’ll probably start in Tokyo. Haneda and Narita, the two main airports, both serve long-haul flights, but Narita receives the majority of international travelers.

2. Why is flying to Japan so expensive?

due to Japan’s reputation as a destination for business travel, where tickets are among the most costly in the world.

3. Which month offers the best travel deals to Japan?

Winter, from December to February, is the greatest time to visit Japan if you want to do so on a budget. Although winter in Japan is no less beautiful than spring or fall, you can avoid the crowds of tourists by going there.

4. Which airport—Haneda or Narita—is preferable for flights?

Geographically, it is much closer to Tokyo than Narita (23 km vs. 76 km from Shinjuku Station), therefore flying into Haneda should theoretically result in a quicker arrival at your hotel. Haneda is also substantially less expensive than Narita for flights into Tokyo.

5. What should my flight to Japan cost?

One-way tickets to Tokyo start at $287, and roundtrip costs range from $704 to $829.

6. Should I visit Japan for two or three weeks?

In the beautiful nation of Japan, traditional practices from the past coexist with contemporary practices. Think again if you believe that three weeks is too lengthy for Japan. In Japan, it’s simple to travel for three weeks without feeling bored. To see the highlights of Japan, you’ll need three weeks.

7. How much cash will I need for my two-week trip to Japan?

For two people, the approximate total cost for two weeks in Japan is 790,000 yen ∼ $5450. This equates to 28,300 yen ∼ $195 per person each day and includes travel, lodging, meals, entertainment, shopping, and other other costs.

8. Is a visa required to enter Japan?

Presently, short-term trips by tourists with U.S. passports are not subject to visa requirements (up to three months). A pre-travel COVID-19 test will not be necessary for travelers who have received all recommended vaccinations and booster shots from the Japanese government and are coming to Japan after October 11, 2022.

9. What is the visa charge for Japan?

The following fees apply to visas for Japan: 3,000 yen ∼ $22.63 for a single-entry visa. A visa with two or more entries costs 6,000 yen ∼ $45.27. 700 yen ∼ $5.28 for a transit visa.

10. How long does it take to get a Japanese visa?

The majority of the time, it takes 5 working days after a visa application has been determined to be valid.

Conclusion

After reading this essay, I hope you can choose the best airlines to fly to Japan for yourself. Although rates change and airlines frequently try to update and improve their services, I have made an effort to give a general idea of what each airline has to offer. I hope reading about these was enjoyable. Check out the following articles for more information if you want to visit Japan!