Originally Posted By schnebs Hi, folks - I have a vacation planning question for y'all! I'm working on my plans to be in Tokyo for the 25th (and my first visit to TDR). I'm pretty happy with my hotel arrangements, but I'm about ready to faint dead away when I look at some of the airfares from the West Coast to Japan. I realize that there's not going to be any such thing as a cheap airfare from the US to Japan, but could I get some suggestions as to saving money on airfares? Also, are there any airlines you folks would recommend or avoid, and why? Thanks in advance.
Originally Posted By Mr X Hmm...someone might know better but at least from my end L.A. is usually the CHEAPEST option. I would recommend avoiding Korean Airlines personally, I've heard bad things. However, that might be your cheapest option though. ;p
Originally Posted By Roger55 Least expensive are typically United, Korean and American. Northwest sometimes has good prices too, but I have not been thrilled with their inflight service. UAL's and AA's service has been OK. Korean has a reputation of not being as safe as some of the others, but I have no first hand experience with them. The Japanese airlines ANA and JAL typically are higher priced when traveling USA -> Japan -> USA. You do however get excellent service.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I'm about ready to faint dead away when I look at some of the airfares from the West Coast to Japan. >>> What city are you leaving from, and what do you consider to be an expensive fare? I see that the cheapest published fare for April at the moment from LAX to Tokyo is on United, at $963.10 roundtrip including tax. To get any cheaper than that, you'll need to go with an unpublished fare purchased from a consolidator (aka "bucket shop"). To find these, get the Sunday paper and look in the travel section for the small display ads - you'll probably see Tokyo listed for less. But realize it's a totally different kind of ticket (often cash payment only, no changes, no mileage earning, etc) but is the way to go if you want absolutely the cheapest ticket. Another thing to consider is that the American and Japanese carriers will offer non-stop service from the west coast cities to Tokyo. If you find a cheaper deal on other carriers, you may need to change planes somewhere else like South Korea, possibly with an overnight connection, which at the very least will add several hours to your journey. If you post more details as far as what city you need to leave from and what your price range is, perhaps someone can help more.
Originally Posted By schnebs I'm leaving from LAX. As far as price range, I'm looking for anything under $1000, although cheaper is always better. Best I've found so far is $913 nonstop or with a stop in SFO on United, $960 on Air Canada with a stopover in Vancouver.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara United is having a sale RIGHT NOW. If you pay anywhere between $800 and $1000 you're doing great. I usually fly United from the east coast to Tokyo and I have never been disappointed. Don't fly Northwest: it's a pigsty with wings. In fact, I'm taking United at the beginning of Februrary for the Disneyana Fan Festival at Tokyo Disneyland. Used 60,000 miles. No problem.
Originally Posted By Mr X **I usually fly United from the east coast to Tokyo and I have never been disappointed. Don't fly Northwest: it's a pigsty with wings.** It's interesting how peoples' milage can vary. I have flown to Japan from the American mainland on Northwest (1 RT) and ANA (2RT) business class, and United (1 one way) and Continental (4 RT) coach, and out of all of those the United flight was the single worst. I was served some sort of cheeseburger thing which, and I'm not picky, was absolutely inedible. Not only that, but I found the service to be surly, and out of all those flights the United one was the only one to be significantly late in departing (I realize this is a luck of the draw thing though).
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I've flown to Narita on Northwest twice (absolutely the worst), ANA three times (very nice), and United over 25 times. Never had a problem with United. Planes are clean, food is decent, always departed on time and usually arrived early. Perhaps it's just good luck.
Originally Posted By Mr X Yeah, that's pretty much why I said the "milage may vary" part...in fact, I've sort of gone out of my way to avoid United because I didn't enjoy the experience, but I'll certainly take your comments into consideration in future. As for NW, my business class experience was just fine, though it was 10 years ago now and I can't comment on coach for that airline. They sure do run some old jets though..just the lack of an entertainment option in coach is pretty bad imo. What sort of planes does United fly to Japan these days? I really like Continental thanks to their very new fleet of 777's, not to mention fairly decent food and plenty of it which, I believe, is not the case with some other carriers.
Originally Posted By SuperDry I think your options on US carriers from LAX are United, American, and Northwest. American will be on a 777 which has individual multi-channel video monitors at each seat, whereas NW and AA will be on 747's. <<< Best I've found so far is $913 nonstop or with a stop in SFO on United, $960 on Air Canada with a stopover in Vancouver. >>> Are those published fares, or through a consolidator? Since I found a $963 published fare on United, I would have expected consolidator fares to have more of a savings. But it's been 12 years since I've dealt with consolidator fares, so it may be that they really don't save that much money these days if you can catch the carrier itself with a good sale.
Originally Posted By SuperDry To clarify: <<< whereas NW and AA will be on 747's. >>> ... which only have the common screen at the front of the cabin.
Originally Posted By Roger55 <<< whereas NW and AA will be on 747's. >>> I think youmeant to say... "whereas NW and UAL will be on 747's.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I think you meant to say... "whereas NW and UAL will be on 747's." >>> D'oh! Of course that's what I meant. Thanks for pointing this out.
Originally Posted By A380kevin Try this Travel Agency - <a href="http://www.nikonikotravel.com/whatsnew_e.php" target="_blank">http://www.nikonikotravel.com/ whatsnew_e.php</a> I used them at least nine or so times already and the fares are very good better than the airlines' websites. However there is a chance you may not earn airline miles The text is in Japanese and there is an English section.. If you cannot find the advertise fare, give them a call. They will be happy to look and give you options. They also sell Japan Rail Passes too. For those folks living in in the San Francisco area, visit them in Japantown - located below the (Kinokuniya?) Book Store. Service is very good.
Originally Posted By A380kevin They may even search fares from LAX. Though, I like SFO International Airport as the view after take off (sit on the right side window seat) is my favorite -weather permitting.
Originally Posted By Mr X LAX just flies right out into the ocean, right? At least I thought so the times I've flown out of there (not all that many really).
Originally Posted By A380kevin Flying out from LAX, you usually fly straight -a bit northerly - over the Pacific. Depending on the winds, I have seen flights from LAX fly over San Francisco before heading out to Asia. On one occasion about two years ago, my friend told me his flight from LAX flew over San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver before heading out to Narita. I think that was due to a Pacific storm heading to California/West Coast.
Originally Posted By Mr X Interesting, thanks. I know what you mean about enjoying a nice view from the plane, by the way. Whenever I fly in and out of my hometown of Boston I try to sit on the "city side" of the plane (didn't work out this time though...the pilots got a nice view of the city while I looked out at water followed by runway before we landed ).
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara Avoid the airport in San Francisco at all costs (unless it's your home base): it is one of the worst in the country behind those in New York and O'Hare in Chicago. Constant delays due to volume and weather. United flies 747s to Asia. Big planes. I always bring a portable DVD player; lots of snacks; drugs for sleeping; earplugs; noise cancelling headphones; laptop for working, etc. The trip goes very quickly.
