Australia to Japan: Airlines Recommendations Wanted

lunartemis on 13/02/2023 - 13:30
Last edited 13/02/2023 - 21:08

Hi all,
Hoping to book a family holiday to Japan in December and would like some recommendations on which airlines to go with as well as which ones to avoid. The cheapest is coming up at around $1500 but involves Jetstar, which we hope to avoid. Singapore, Cathay, ANA, Virgin are all around $2000-2200 return.

TIA

EDIT: thank you for all your advice.
We are flying from Melbourne in December (family of 3 adults) and going there for 2-3 weeks). Our priorities are reliability, some level of comfort, how they handle delays, and lost luggage, convenience of flight time).

If stopping for over 8 hours, how easy is it to get out of the airport to explore cities?

Travel Airfare Asia Japan

Comments

  • singlemalt72 on 13/02/2023 - 13:42
    +3

    I have flown both Singapore and JAL to Tokyo, can absolutely recommend both (though they were business class). When are your travel dates?

    • lunartemis on 13/02/2023 - 21:00

      Middle of December to the end of december (roughly 2 weeks)

    • loki niflheim on 20/02/2023 - 23:01

      +1 for JAL, Singapore second. I prefer JAL since I fly from Melbourne and they do direct flight. Singapore will have transfer in Singapore. Virgin currently have transfer in Cairns. Generally direct flight to Japan = less tired. Not as much of an issue when I was in my 20s but now getting off a flight, transfer terminals, wait, getting on flights again is becoming a bit of a drag.

      ANA also does direct flights, but they're more expensive than JAL by at least 10% more on average.

      Block-quote If stopping for over 8 hours, how easy is it to get out of the airport to explore cities?

      If you're talking about Singapore, 8 hours stopover is really only 5 hours of exploration time since you need to be back to go through security screening again preferably 2 hours before takeoff. It's pretty easy for Singapore, just find out the best transport option for where you want to go (taxi is better if you're going to city centre, MRT is cheaper if you just want to go to Merlion Park in Marina Bay).

  • GG57 on 13/02/2023 - 13:43

    Depends what you are looking for; it obviously isn't price-based preferences.
    Singapore, Cathay and ANA are all good. Some of those may include a stop somewhere.

    • lunartemis on 13/02/2023 - 21:01

      I guess the reliability would be the priority but also comfort and service since it is around 9 hours.

  • capslock on 13/02/2023 - 13:52
    +1

    Depends on your preferences - length of flight, length of transit, frequent flyer points earn, departure & arrival times. Singapore, Cathay and ANA will pretty much be the same product. Virgin won't have TVs and will be on small planes.

    • dazweeja on 13/02/2023 - 14:56

      Virgin are flying that route on their new 737 MAX 8s which will probably have screens (or at least the new ones used by airlines like United do). Stopover in Cairns though!

      • ryefig on 14/02/2023 - 09:07

        If you value comfort, be aware that the 737 MAXs that Virgin will use should really be for domestic flights only.
        You would assume a large plane for such a long flight, but these are a single aisle plane in a 3-3 seat configuration with 2 (maybe 3) bathrooms on board - with the front bathroom probably blocked off for business class (if they have a business cabin).
        Their flight range can't even reach Japan from Melbourne, hence the stopover in Cairns.

  • Archi on 13/02/2023 - 14:09

    depends on what you are after, full carrier direct flights, full carrier with stop overs, or low cost carriers

    virgin is operating a low carrier cost model to Japan, minimal luggage allowance, no meals and minimum 1x stop over.

    personally i have flown ANA many times to japan, qantas once and never again. this year we are flying JAL in September

    • lunartemis on 14/02/2023 - 13:38

      Never flown ANA internationally (used to fly with them all the time domestically). What do they offer that is appealing?

      • Archi on 14/02/2023 - 13:43
        • they had better flight times. it was an overnight flight arriving first thing in the morning. both there and return
        • IMO better service, staff are more polite, friendlier, and more customer focused.
        • at the time of flying they had a new fleet of 787-8's and qantas was still flying old airbus and 747's
        • IMO better food, on the return flight as it was catered from japan.
  • sumyungguy on 13/02/2023 - 14:12

    Jetstar is a risk you have clearly evaluated. If heading to Tokyo, QF and VA are now flying into HND which is way preferable to NRT. ANA is a great airline with limited connections down here

    • dazweeja on 13/02/2023 - 14:47

      I don't mind NRT. Jump on the Skyliner and you're at Nippori in 36 mintues or Ueno in 41. Can be a bit of a hike to the Skyliner terminal though, depending on your arrival gate.

      • sumyungguy on 13/02/2023 - 21:25

        Why is Skyliner better than N’EX - which is included in the JR Pass?

        • dazweeja on 13/02/2023 - 22:44

          It depends on where you like to stay. I usually stay around Ueno/Akihabara so it works for me.
          Also, if you just want to connect with the Yamanote loop, it's only 36 minutes to Nippori from NRT.
          If you're going to Tokyo station, then NEX is the easier option. After a flight, I prefer 41 minutes on the Skyliner and stay at Ueno then 1 hour on the NEX and stay near Tokyo station but that's just my preference.

          • sumyungguy on 13/02/2023 - 23:06

            @dazweeja: For a party of four leisure travellers, the advantage of HND is being able to purchase subway tickets to and from your Tokyo base. Flying in and out of NRT either consumes two days of your JR Pass or costs at least A$180 for four - via N’EX, more for Skyliner.

            • dazweeja on 14/02/2023 - 11:14

              @sumyungguy: I agree that if the fare is the same and you have a choice between NRT and HND, you'd choose HND.
              But if the fare to NRT is much cheaper, the choice of airport is just not a big factor for me. I've been 4 times on Jetstar and never paid more than $500 return. The Skyliner is reasonably-priced and comfortable ($48 return and 41 minutes to Ueno) so for me, that really doesn't impact the value proposition of Jetstar one way or the other. If it was a nightmare and took hours to get to the city from NRT, that would need to be factored into whether Jetstar was really good value. There's all the other things - food, baggage, etc - that need to be considered too but the airport for me is not much of a consideration given the convenience of the Skyliner.
              By the way, the VA flights to HND fly a narrow-body 737 MAX 8 with no food or baggage included in the base fare, and a stopover in Cairns. That's probably a sub-Jetstar offering (assuming Jetstar get their Dreamliner off the ground that day) so I wouldn't be paying more than Jetstar prices for that.

  • ftweet on 13/02/2023 - 15:06
    +1

    Qantas is probably an easier way to get there, especially if from Melbourne (direct flights soon to HND) and Sydney flying direct to HND. Found them to be pretty good in past experiences to Japan. Personally couldn't think of anything worse flying Virgin for nearly 8hrs on a single aisle plane.

    • jcm2k on 07/03/2023 - 14:28

      Quick question - are you certain on MEL>HND opening soon? Is there any info about this? Also looking for flights around January 2024 and watching things climb currently but on the fence whether to wait and see or pull the trigger… Cheers!

      • ftweet on 07/03/2023 - 14:38

        This article states that they're resuming flights this month: https://simpleflying.com/qantas-adding-japan-from-brisbane-s…

        I also had a quick check on Qantas website and direct flights to HND are resuming end of the month so looks like you're in luck!

        • jcm2k on 07/03/2023 - 19:10

          Awesome and thanks heaps. Hoping prices drop a little (may be dreaming, but currently looking closer to $2k each way PP for the dates we want). Set the alert and see how we go!

  • Tendercrisp on 13/02/2023 - 15:39

    Just booked Singapore Airlines Melb to Osaka then Haneda to Melbourne for 1250 return in November. Good price imo for full service airline.
    Would probably avoid Jetstar and Virgin for this route.
    Qantas is convenient if youre going to Tokyo as they can fly direct to Haneda.

    There are also chinese carriers coming back online, air china has some cheap fares atm. Personally I dont mind a 1-2 hour stop over to save a few hundred, always like to experience air travel departing from different airports.

  • seanfoite on 13/02/2023 - 15:44
    +1

    We flew JAL last year and was amazing. Definitely worth spending the extra on a full service airline and flying direct.

  • PVA on 13/02/2023 - 15:46

    JAL was good, but that was 20 years ago..

  • jm7 on 13/02/2023 - 15:57

    Flew JAL in 2018. The plane was new, spotless & the service was good. Wouldn't hesitate to fly with them again.

  • SydStrand on 13/02/2023 - 16:08
    +1

    I do like JAL. Always ask for the kiwi juice, and their service is usually amazing. But it's not a particularly long flight. Budget airlines are fine for me since I usually sleep or read a book, so don't care for in flight entertainment. If it's more than $500 difference, suck it up and enjoy the extra spending money at your destination.

  • cashless on 13/02/2023 - 16:13
    +1

    Flew JAL there and back 2 weeks ago. Can highly recommend.
    The only issues with flying JAL or ANA is the entertainment system is not dedicated for western tastes, so take your own tablet or entertainment. Or preferably a decent book

    • lunartemis on 14/02/2023 - 13:36
      +1

      I am Japanese and my family enjoys Japanese entertainment, so that wont be an issue

  • Ryk on 13/02/2023 - 16:15

    jetstar if you hate yourself.

  • MELso on 13/02/2023 - 16:29

    You're flying from where? This will influence which airline is 'best' (e.g. ANA only flies out of Sydney and Perth)

    FWIW, I've flown JAL several times via Japan to Europe and highly recommend their very civilised 787 seating and decent food (although not the cabins, which can be warm).

    • lunartemis on 14/02/2023 - 13:35

      Flying from Melbourne

      • MELso on 15/02/2023 - 10:18

        In that case, JAL all the way…

  • brad1-8tsi on 13/02/2023 - 17:12
    +2

    Singapore, JAL, Cathay in that order. I've not flown ANA.

    I wouldn't fly Jetstar unless there was a gun to my head

    • donbot on 13/02/2023 - 17:32

      I'd go JAL over Singapore anyday. Direct flight and JAL is a great product!

      Singapore is too - but why extend your flight time if you dont need to with a connecting flight?

      • knasty on 13/02/2023 - 18:21

        JAL and ANA would be my top ranked choices, Qantas next (if direct), SQ and CX are fine.

  • Sweet3st on 14/02/2023 - 09:17

    Have flown Jetstar many many times including to Japan and never had a problem. A Sydney to Darwin flight left 1 hour late due to tech glitch, otherwise all great. Found the Dreamliner flights to Japan very comfortable. Cairns is a nice stopover with day trips to the Reef, Daintree and Mossman.

    • lunartemis on 14/02/2023 - 13:34

      As much as i would enjoy the beach, Cairns in humid Summer is not really appealing for me..

      • doobey1231 on 13/03/2023 - 08:56

        Would you even get time outside of the airport? I am flying jetstar in a month and as far as I can tell if I want any of my QLDr friends to visit me they have to come to the airport direct.

  • immrnonamehello on 21/02/2023 - 13:22

    There's also the choice of Taiwanese airlines (EVA and China Airlines) which have reasonable service if you don't mind a stopover in TPE.

  • djlee on 26/02/2023 - 14:03

    I've only flown to Japan on JAL and Qantas. They both fly direct from Melbourne. For me JAL wins hands down.

    JAL fly the 787 with 2-4-2 configuration in economy with 33 inch seat pitch.

    QAN fly the a330 with 2-4-2 configuration in economy but with 31 inch seat pitch.

    Makes a big difference. You legs will thank you.

    Only thing is JAL flies out of Narita, and Qantas Haneda.

    • Archi on 27/02/2023 - 08:36

      Only thing is JAL flies out of Narita, and Qantas Haneda

      not sure if that's a Melbourne thing, i have flights booked JAL and they are Syd to Haneda return

  • lenny on 07/03/2023 - 23:08
    +1

    I've got a very similar question. Similar time but flying out of BNE with family of 5. How does Phillipine Air rate?

    • nxllson on 09/03/2023 - 14:41

      Phillipine Airlines is excellent for how cheap they are, often cheaper than Jetstar during off-peak periods. However, you should be wary of the long transit times and poor transit experience In Manila.

      The onboard service is nothing to complain about though!

      • lenny on 09/03/2023 - 18:09

        Thanks for the reply!

  • doobey1231 on 13/03/2023 - 09:00
    +1

    Flying Jetstar in a months time, will report back on how it goes. Every other provider was significantly more expensive at the time of purchase, hopefully we didn't make the wrong choice..

    • Archi on 21/03/2023 - 08:45

      significantly more expensive

      if you don't mind me asking how much did you pay?

      • doobey1231 on 21/03/2023 - 08:54

        For my partner and I we paid 3100 return, next best was qantas at around $5000 - I forget exactly how much because that increase made me almost jump on the jet star tickets.

        • Archi on 21/03/2023 - 09:04

          wow,

          that's pretty high, didn't consider the ANA or japan airlines at the time? or were they just as expensive as Qantas?

          • doobey1231 on 21/03/2023 - 09:55

            @Archi: Just as expensive as Qantas, it was mind boggling. I figured regardless of which one I choose, none of them are going to offer an extra ~2000 of value on the flight, we have stop overs in Queensland but thats not a huge deal really, especially not 2k worth.

            • Archi on 21/03/2023 - 09:57

              @doobey1231: we bought return tickets in january for the family to go in september, and flying with JAL we paid $1300 per ticket, Qantas was 3 x the price

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