Best Airlines To Fly To Japan

Above, the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 I flew to Japan on in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the past 23 years, I have traveled to Japan eight times. 

I have flown there via several airlines. They include, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Korean Airlines. Of these, Korean Airlines is my personal favorite. Their food was great. I had a reasonable amount of legroom in Economy. They also had Astro Boy cartoons to be entertained by.

My last trip to Japan was on a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380. I was disappointed with it. Although the world's biggest passenger plane, the plane's Economy legroom left much to be desired. I felt cramped and had to take walks every half hour.

Travel Noire has an article with their choices of the "best airlines" to travel to Japan with. The article doesn't list prices, though.(

Those planning on joining Daikaiju Enterprises' (G-FAN magazine) G-TOUR 4 this coming October may want to review the article before selecting an airline.

They begin with:

Summer has arrived, and traveling season is in full swing. Are you planning on adding Japan to the bucket list?

Japan is a brilliant and fascinating country, home to over 20 world heritage sites. Through tourism alone, Japan has attracted over 2.5 million international tourists since February of 2024. In recent times, out of 141 countries, they have rank high in cultural resources and business travel.

When traveling to a foreign country, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is choosing the airline for your journey. With numerous options, it’s essential to pick an airline that offers comfort, reliability, and unforgettable service.

So what is the best airline to fly to Japan? Let’s weigh our options. 

To read more, go here. 

ANA To Introduce Travel Insurance For Passengers

Above, ANA jets at Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my travels to Japan (8 of them), I have only purchased travel insurance once. That was for the 2004 G-TOUR sponsored by G-FAN magazine through Sita World Travel. It came in handy for one of out group who got seriously sick and had to be hospitalized.

The pandemic has sparked more interest in travel insurance. However, right now, Japan's borders are closed to tourists. They have yet to reopen the country to foreign visitors.

When that happens, eventually it will, All Nippon Airways (ANA) will be providing access to travel insurance to make things easier for tourists.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO - All Nippon Airways (ANA) will provide access to a travel insurance referral website in cooperation with Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co Ltd for customers visiting Japan from abroad.

The website provides access to travel insurance provided by members of the Tokio Marine Group and its affiliated companies (1) to customers residing overseas who have already booked and purchased ANA international flight tickets on both ANA operated flights and codeshare flights to Japan. The introduction of this service is designed to simplify the travel preparation process, improve the customer experience, and offer added reassurance during the trip. ANA and Tokio Marine & Nichido will continue to work together as international travel resumes to ensure that travel is as comfortable and convenient as possible.

To read more, go here. 

ANA Chief Urges Japan To Boost Travel

Above, an All Nippon Airways jet at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Business and student travel to Japan has been allowed again, but tourism travel is still in a freeze.

The CEO of All Nippon Airways (ANA) is urging the Japanese government to boost travel.

According to the Asahi Shimbun:

Japan’s biggest airline, ANA Holdings, has asked the government to ease curbs on overseas visitors, and seeks a revival of domestic tourism subsidies to spur travel as pandemic infections fall, its chief executive said on Thursday.

Coronavirus immigration curbs in Japan have led to a drop of about 95 percent in the number of passengers on international flights, but daily infections have dropped to fewer than 200 this month, from an August peak of more than 20,000.

“When we are able to make money we should be allowed to,” Shinya Katanozaka, chief executive of the carrier that has had seven consecutive quarters of losses, told Reuters in an interview.

“It will give us the strength to weather things in the future.”

To read more, go here. 

T + L: Is Flying First Class Worth It?

Above, yours truly tying out an All Nippon Airways Business Class seat at a travel show.

After the long-haul flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo in 2015 aboard a cramped (with poor legroom) Economy seat, I have been considering getting either a Business Class or First Class ticket for the next time I fly to Japan (whenever that will be). I have never flown First or Business Class.

Concerning First Class seating, Travel + Leisure asks, Is Flying First Class Worth It? Good question. They delve into First Class seating of various airlines along with photographs of different airline configurations.

They begin with:

Every time you board a plane, there they are: the flight's first-class passengers. While you were at the gate waiting for your group number to be called (and likely stressing about nabbing space in the overhead compartment), they were getting settled into their extra-large seats with dedicated carry-on space. And as you sulk past them toward your narrow seat in the back of the plane, they snuggle in under a complimentary blanket and sip Champagne.

That, you tell yourself, is what flying should be like.

But is the extra space and next-level service worth the pricey ticket? To explore that very question, we've pulled together what it looks like to fly first class on various U.S. airlines, how flying first class is different from business class and economy, and how the benefits change (in some cases, dramatically) when you book first class on a long-haul international flight.

To read more, go here. 

All Nippon Airways: ¥2,020 Flights To Tohoku

Above, Sendai Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

People heading to Japan this summer can get a real bargain while there.

Flights to and from Tohoku for only ¥2,020 ($18.49)!

Time Out Tokyo reported:

This summer, the world will be travelling to Japan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. Most travellers will hit up the traditional tourist route – Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka – but those looking to get off the beaten path should head up north to the Tohoku region.  

Good thing All Nippon Airways (ANA) will be offering cheap tickets at the symbolic price of just ¥2,020 for 18 domestic flights flying to and from Aomori, Odate Noshiro (in northern Akita), Akita, Shonai (in Yamagata), Sendai and Fukushima from July to September 2020. These flights are centred around Tohoku because ANA is hoping the campaign will raise awareness and improve reconstruction efforts in the areas affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. 

Flight reservations start in spring.

To read more, go here. 

Cheap Flights To Seoul From Tokyo

Above, ANA offers air service between Tokyo and Seoul, but is
more expensive than low cost carriers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my trips to Japan over the years, I've often toyed with the idea of taking a little side trip to Seoul, South Korea but have never done so.

I had no idea about how cheap it is to fly from Tokyo to Seoul until I saw an article posted by Tokyo Cheapo. I may just take the plunge and go.

They begin with:

Whether you are staying in Tokyo for a while and want to take a side trip, or you plan to continue your travels onward to/from South Korea—Tokyo and Seoul are separated by about 2.5 hours on a plane, and flights are often dirt cheap. Here’s how to find the best air deals between the two cities. 

A number of (mainly Korean) low-cost carriers (LCCs) operate between Tokyo and Seoul, and prices are super reasonable in both directions. Osaka, Japan’s second-largest city, also has a large international airport, and LCC flights to Seoul leave daily—however, not quite as frequently as between Tokyo and Seoul.

To read more, go here.

ANA's Economy Class Seats Gets "Good Design" Award

Above, ANA's Premium Economy seating display at the L.A. Travel and Adventure Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I saw this story on the All Nippon Airways (ANA) Economy Class seating getting a "Good Design Award" it reminded me of seeing their display at the Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show in 2013.

At the show, ANA had on display their new seating for overseas travelers.

According to the article in Japan Today:

Tokyo - All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Toyota Boshoku Corp have received the prestigious Good Design Award from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion for its new Economy Class seats. Intended for ANA's domestic aircraft, the seats were created in collaboration with Japan's top automotive seat designer Toyota Boshoku to increase comfort and convenience for passengers. 

The cutting edge seats, which are being introduced on ANA's Boeing 777-200 and 787-8 aircraft, employ the latest ergonomic insights to make the seats as comfortable as possible. The revamped Economy Class seats for domestic flights are the latest in ANA's extensive efforts to improve seating across its entire fleet.

Of all the flights to (and from) Japan, I would have to put the Economy Class seating of Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 at the top of the list for being the most uncomfortable. The seats were small and there was little legroom. I had to get up several times an hour to stretch my legs.

As mentioned, these are on ANA's domestic flights. Some tourists in Japan do fly within the country. They may want to make note of these seats when choosing an airline.

To read more, go here.

ANA Adds PayPal As Payment Method

Above, an ANA jet at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those traveling to and from Japan, All Nippon Airways (ANA) has PayPal as a method of buying tickets.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - All Nippon Airways (ANA) is expanding options for online booking by adding PayPal as a new payment method. The move comes as ANA aims to even further enhance its service which will allow the company to capture new customers. 

Customers can select PayPal as their preferred payment method on ANA's website and app for international flights (and Japan domestic trips when booked at the same time as international flights.) This payment method is available in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Philippines, Cambodia, Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Switzerland.

To read more, go here. 

Airline CEOs Try Out Their Economy Seats

Above, ANA Premium Economy seating on display at a travel show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are planning to take an airline for a trip anytime soon, you may want to read an article on airline economy seating in the Wall Street Journal.

Three airline CEOs were asked to try out their economy seats.

According to the Wall Street Journal article:

Have you ever been vacuum-packed into a shrunken coach seat wishing the airline CEO had to endure the same discomfort? 

We did that for you, sort of. The Middle Seat asked the chief executives of the big three U.S. airlines to plop down in the back of one of their airplanes and explain why they think the skimpy confines of coach today are acceptable. 

Two agreed. Delta CEO Ed Bastian, 6-foot-3, arranged for an interview on his company’s most recently reconfigured Boeing 777-200 in Atlanta. American CEO Doug Parker, also 6-foot-3, snuggled into a coach seat on a reconfigured 777-200 in a Dallas-Fort Worth airport hangar.

One refused: United’s Oscar Munoz declined to be interviewed in a coach seat. Asked why, United declined to comment. 

Messrs. Bastian and Parker fit, although knees were kissing distance from the seat in front. Neither had to contend with a middle-seat neighbor to rub shoulders and sides or a passenger reclining in front of them.

There is also a chart of inches or legroom with the article that is also worth a long look.

To read more, go here.

ANA Introduces "Japan Travel Planner" Website

Above, the pagoda at Sensoji in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A new website has been introduced by All Nippon Airways (ANA) that will be a great tool to plan a vacation trip to Japan.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - All Nippon Airways (ANA) has announced the introduction of a new website "Japan Travel Planner" aimed to help travelers visiting Japan discover the beauty of the country by obtaining valuable travel information. 

The two informative current websites "ANA Experience Japan" and "Taste of Japan" were integrated into the new " Japan Travel Planner" website which offers enhanced research and travel plan creation functions making it easy to find the best ways to get to sightseeing spots. By selecting a location and the desired traveling time, a recommended itinerary of the trip will be created and an option to make a reservation for an air ticket will be given. 

Through this new "Japan Travel Planner" site, ANA will introduce not only the most popular sightseeing spots, but also many hidden attractive locations throughout Japan, strongly contributing to the accomplishment of the Japanese government tourism target of reaching 40 million overseas visitors to Japan in 2020. 

Available languages: English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese)

To read more, go here. 

ANA Named "Airline of the Year 2018"

Above, an ANA jet at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is wondering whether to take a U.S. airline to Japan or fly instead aboard a Japanese airline, maybe this will be the clincher.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - All Nippon Airways (ANA) has been presented with the prestigious "Airline of the Year 2018" award by Air Transport World (ATW) during its 44th Annual Airline Industry Achievement Awards in Dublin, Ireland. 

"We are deeply honored by this recognition," said Yuji Hirako, president and CEO of ANA, accepting the award on behalf of ANA and its approximately 14,000 employees worldwide. "This is a reflection of the dedicated work and responsibilities on which we are judged by our customers every day. We look forward to building upon those results and unrivaled services." 

Hundreds of aviation executives, industry officials and other dignitaries from around the world attended the ceremony on March 27. ATW is the leading monthly magazine covering the global airline industry and its honors are highly sought after.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Air Carriers Ranked Most Punctual

Above, an All Nippon Airways jet at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one wants to go to Japan and feels they need some assurance that they will likely get to their destination on time, flying aboard a Japanese carrier is probably what they should do.

News18.com reported:

When it comes to arriving to your destination on time, Japanese carriers have emerged the most reliable, taking up the top two spots on a ranking of the most punctual airlines in the world.  

With an on-time performance (OTP) of 85 percent, Japan Airlines was the most punctual airline of 2017 in the category of world's mega airlines, followed closely by rival All Nippon Airways, which likewise delivered their passengers to their destinations 84 percent of the time.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have never flown to Japan aboard a Japanese airline. I've flown on United (2), Singapore Air (2) and Korean Airlines (4).

To read more, go here.

ANA Adding Another Daily Flight From Los Angeles To Tokyo (Narita)

Above, an ANA jet at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those of you who plan to visit Japan and fly there aboard All Nippon Airways (ANA), here's some good news.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - ANA has decided to increase the number of flights on the route between Tokyo (Narita) and Los Angeles, from Sunday, Oct 29. 

Currently, ANA operates one flight per day between Tokyo (Haneda) and Los Angeles, and one flight per day between Tokyo (Narita) and Los Angeles. This flight schedule enables ANA to take advantage of the respective characteristics of each airport in accordance with the dual hub model for the Tokyo metropolitan area, expanding the respective networks served by Haneda Airport, which principally functions as a transit hub linking international and domestic flights, and Narita Airport, which functions as an international transit hub, linking passengers on flights between the Asian countries and North America via Japan. 

From Oct 29, the number of daily flights between Tokyo (Narita) and Los Angeles will increase to two, responding to the strong demand for travel between the U.S. and Japan as well as between the U.S. and Asian countries.

To read more, go here. 

JAL, ANA Barring Nationals of 7 Muslim States From U.S.-bound Flights

Above, an ANA jet at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have taken steps to screen travelers who are from countries subject to the temporary ban on immigration.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's two major air carriers decided Monday to bar in principle people from seven Muslim-majority countries from taking flights from Japan to the United States following President Donald Trump's entry ban, officials of the companies said. 

The decisions by Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways Co. came after Trump on Friday signed an executive order barring nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the United States for 90 days.

To read more, go here.

Air Fares From L.A. To Tokyo On Sale

Above, Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thinking about taking a trip to Japan? Well, here's something that ought to spur you into action!

Condé Nast Traveler reported:

Thanks to sales on four airlines—ANA, United, Singapore Airlines, and Air China—flights from Los Angeles to Tokyo are available for round-trip prices from $489 (including taxes and fees). Feel free to daydream about the spring cherry blossoms, the summer festival season (like the Sumida-gawa Fireworks Festival in Tokyo in late July), and the 15-day Sumo Autumn Basho sumo wrestling tournament in mid-September. While there isn't really a bad time to visit Japan, try to avoid traveling in mid-August; this is the time when Japan observes Obon, the festival honoring ancestral spirits. It's a popular time for locals to travel themselves, so you may face closed stores, pricey hotel rates, and crowded airports and train stations.

To find out more, go here. 

Japan Asks EASA To Ensure Safety of Rolls-Royce Boeing 787 Engines

Above, a United Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Los Angeles International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan has asked the European aviation authority to ensure the safety of the Rolls-Royce engines of Boeing 787s.

According to Channel NewsAsia:

TOKYO: Japan has asked the European Aviation Safety Agency to ensure a problem with Rolls-Royce engines powering Boeing 787 Dreamliners does not repeat to cause flight disruptions or affect safety. 

Japan's Ministry of Land Infrastructure Transport and Tourism said on Friday it issued the request after ANA Holdings , Japan's biggest carrier, canceled 18 flights last month to repair corroded turbine blades in the Rolls-Royce engines on some its Dreamliner fleet. 

Officials at the EASA were not immediately available for comment.

According to the article, airlines can choose either Rolls-Royce or General Electric engines for their Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

To read more, go here.

ANA Grounds Dreamliners For Engine Problems

Above, a United Airlines Boeing 787. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been a plane plagued with problems ever since it began service a few years ago.

I flew to Japan aboard one in 2014 and found it to be a comfortable ride.

The latest problem for the Dreamliner is that its engine blades have broken during mid-flight three times between July and August with All Nippon Airways, forcing emergency landings.

News On Japan reported:

Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways says it will cancel more than 300 flights of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet over the coming weeks due to a problem with the plane's engine parts. 

ANA says turbine blades of the 787's engines manufactured by UK-based Rolls-Royce could corrode and break after a certain number of hours of use.

To read more, go here.

Major Luggage Failure At Haneda Airport

Above, an ANA jet at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last year, I arrived in Japan at Narita International Airport just fine. I flew to Japan aboard Singapore Airlines.

However, my luggage didn't make it there safely. I was told that the problem originated from the TSA at Los Angeles International Airport. My luggage arrived a day later.

That little matter is dwarfed by a big luggage disaster that occurred at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on August 11. It was confined to All Nippon Airways (ANA) flights.

Here's what RocketNews 24 wrote about it:

Thousands of passengers arrived at their destinations all over Japan last night, only to find that everyone’s bags were left behind.

On the evening of 11 August, now known as Mountain Day and the beginning of the Obon holiday season, a staggeringly large number of passengers on ANA flights from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to various locations across Japan received a shock when their luggage failed to appear on the carousel. 

However, rather than the crushing depression and sighs of “Why me?” that usually accompany an instance of lost baggage, these passengers were more perplexed by the fact that everyone else’s luggage appeared to have gone missing too.

The problem was caused by a conveyor belt failure.

To read more, go here.

ANA Awarded 5 Stars By SKYTRAX

Above, an ANA jet at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's largest airline, All Nippon Airways (ANA) was awarded five stars for the fourth consecutive year.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO —ANA, Japan’s largest airline, has been awarded the highest rating of 5 stars for the fourth consecutive year by SKYTRAX, the world’s leading airline and airport review specialists (http://www.airlinequality.com/). SKYTRAX has bestowed this top rating to only six other airlines across the globe, and ANA is the only Japanese airline to earn this award. 

The award recognizes ANA for the consistently high levels of service it provides to customers from check-in to arrival. It also recognizes that ANA has gone above and beyond to continuously improve its service quality to meet the needs of its increasingly international customer base.

To read more, go here. 

ANA and JAL Dropping Fuel Surcharges In April

Above, an All Nippon Airways jet at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's some good news for international travelers who fly on All Nippon Airways or Japan Airlines.

According to the Asahi Shimbun:

All Nippon Airways Co. and Japan Airlines Co. will scrap fuel surcharges for their international flights from April to reflect the plummeting cost of jet fuel. 

The last time the two airlines removed surcharges was in September 2009. 

Travel agencies welcome the move as the number of Japanese traveling overseas has been shrinking.

To read more, go here.