Tips on Japan flights from UK or Dublin

[Patrick1964]

We are planning on a fortnight in Japan at the end of 2024. We live in North Wales, and it looks like flights from Dublin may be cheaper than UK equivalents, meaning we could possibly go Business class.
I'm after any tips on preferred airlines or any other info which may make the flight side of the trip less painful or expensive please.

[Freakuk]

I've only ever done Emirates to Japan, couple of hours lay over in Dubai breaks up the travel time nicely. I know someone who is there now who has done the same, something like a 90 min layover currently.

Had a friend travel with BA earlier this year to Japan and even though they had gone business class I don't think they were impressed if that helps.

[djc206]

You’ve already touched on what’s known as ex EU flights. It’s worth using google flights to compare multiple departure points. Have a look at Paris CDG, Amsterdam and if you can be bothered with it Oslo as it’s usually the cheapest (will involve a further stop). If you’re after a direct flight from your EU departure point try Munich.

[djc206]

Freakuk said:

I've only ever done Emirates to Japan, couple of hours lay over in Dubai breaks up the travel time nicely. I know someone who is there now who has done the same, something like a 90 min layover currently.

Had a friend travel with BA earlier this year to Japan and even though they had gone business class I don't think they were impressed if that helps.

BA operate one 777 and one 787-9 to Tokyo. The 787 will be old style business, the new club suites are more private than Emirates offering and for my money better for sleeping but the service won’t be as good as you usually receive on Emirates.

[marine boy]

I've just flown business 2x to and from Japan in the last month, flying with All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and BA

BA food was best, service the worst but in no way a bad experience.

BA seat had the least amount of room as there are 5 seats for each row top and tailed, where ANA and JAL have only 4 seats facing the same direction

ANA and JAL in flight service were both exceptional with JAL being the best but only by a small margin

ANA in flight entertainment had more choice than JAL and about the same as BA

Comfort levels of both ANA and JAL far more sumptious than BA by a long way ie full length folding flat bed, slippers, controls etc

If I had to rank them, best to worst it would be

JAL
ANA
BA

For my future trips I've requested JAL flights

Forgot to add I think I've nailed it on how not to suffer jet lag or get out of whack with time zones

Secret is have no sleep, or maximum 2-3hrs, drink lots and not alcohol, then switch to local time when you land

Each trip is a long day so by bedtime it's no problem with nodding off for a good night's sleep

Edited by marine boy on Tuesday 7th November 19:13

[Somebody]

Agree that JAL & ANA are by far the best airlines to go with.

[smifffymoto]

If you ever fly from Paris CDG avoid going through security at lunch time,unsurprisingly it’s woefully understaffed.

[gregch]

Certainly it seems very expensive to fly direct from London, compared to going via Helsinki or CDG, for example.

Speaking of CDG, we went Paris-Kansai with Air France, and I would very highly recommend AF. Can't say I'd recommend BA, after extensive and not always great experience with them (on other routes). Have never tried JAL but I only ever hear good things about them.

As to mitigating the effects of jet lag as you fly east, I'd agree with everything marine boy's said above, and would add my tip, FWIW. I re-set my watch two or three times during the flight (to the time zone I'm currently over) - my brain then seems better able to adapt, shifting just two or three hours at a time. Your mileage may vary, as they say.

[marine boy]

gregch said:

would add my tip, FWIW. I re-set my watch two or three times during the flight (to the time zone I'm currently over) - my brain then seems better able to adapt, shifting just two or three hours at a time. Your mileage may vary, as they say.

Thanks, I will try that on my next trip

Forgot to add, I take an early evening flight from the UK and a mid-day flight from Japan

Both land early evening but you lose a day on the flight to Japan

By the time I've travelled to my house or hotel it's the right time to go to sleep

So no trying to struggle staying awake through an afternoon when you get to your destination or getting up stupid early to catch a flight

[RC1807]

smifffymoto said:

If you ever fly from Paris CDG avoid going through security at lunch time,unsurprisingly it’s woefully understaffed.

Any luggage you started with won't join you on your same flight.
CDG is the world's worst airport.

[djc206]

marine boy said:

I've just flown business 2x to and from Japan in the last month, flying with All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and BA

BA food was best, service the worst but in no way a bad experience.

BA seat had the least amount of room as there are 5 seats for each row top and tailed, where ANA and JAL have only 4 seats facing the same direction

ANA and JAL in flight service were both exceptional with JAL being the best but only by a small margin

ANA in flight entertainment had more choice than JAL and about the same as BA

Comfort levels of both ANA and JAL far more sumptious than BA by a long way ie full length folding flat bed, slippers, controls etc

If I had to rank them, best to worst it would be

JAL
ANA
BA

For my future trips I've requested JAL flights

Forgot to add I think I've nailed it on how not to suffer jet lag or get out of whack with time zones

Secret is have no sleep, or maximum 2-3hrs, drink lots and not alcohol, then switch to local time when you land

Each trip is a long day so by bedtime it's no problem with nodding off for a good night's sleep

Edited by marine boy on Tuesday 7th November 19:13

That’s the old BA seat I was referring to. Try to get on the 777 not the 787 next time and you’ll almost certainly have the new club suites in a 4 abreast configuration like the other carriers

[gotoPzero]

My advice, Cathay Pacific.

MAN>HKG and then HKG>NRT.

The service from MAN is not daily, but it does go at least 4 days a week - sometimes 5 days a week.
I have flown business quite a bit with Virgin, Delta, Latam, BA, Emirates and IMO Cathay is pretty good. On a level with Virgin.
The (big) lounge at HKG is pretty good too and there are several connections to NRT daily so if you run late out of MAN its not the end of the world.
A350-900 too and its a really nice aircraft, only down side is no bar but the food and drink is spot on.

At the moment its about £5k ppn.

But watch out for deals. We paid just under 3k ppn in April.

The other option as said is Emirates but their pricing is up and down. We fly out to Thailand with them in a few weeks and going economy because business is nearly £6k each. Even economy is touching on £1000 per person.

Finnair is another option but their service in and out of MAN does not align well with transfer so you will likely end up with a full day in the airport either on the way out or on the way back at HEL.

Also watch out for cheap business class deals because a lot of airlines running through aggregators are removing lounge access and the usual business luggage allowances to show cheap prices.

Finnair do this. They advertise sub 4k business class flights but when you dig deeper its actually closer to 5k.

HTH

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

JAL are excellent, but expensive, in my experience.

[Cabsi]

I've recently booked a good value business class fare (£2150) from Dublin ticketed by JAL. We are going in April though.

The legs are DUB-LHR with BA, LHR-HND with JAL, HND-LHR with BA and LHR-DUB with BA. BA and JAL are both Oneworld airlines hence we will be flying both. There is an overnight in LHR after the first leg but that's ok by me bearing in mind the cost of the flight.

Both long haul flights are scheduled to be 787 which is much better than the 777 in my book (higher cabin pressure and humidity). BA should be starting their 787 refit to Club Suites in January, but I'm not expecting to have them on my trip.

Tokyo flights have been very expensive, so I was pleased to find something that offered decent value.

[Patrick1964]

Thanks to all for the helpful advice - if anyone is interested, we booked Dublin - Helsinki (Finnair) and from there to Tokyo JAL business class for £2150pp return through Booking.com. Bargain.

[gotoPzero]

Thats a great price!

[LimaDelta]

RC1807 said:

CDG is the world's worst airport.

You've clearly never been to LAX or MIA.

[RC1807]

LimaDelta said:

RC1807 said:

CDG is the world's worst airport.

You've clearly never been to LAX or MIA.

Oh, I have.

Edited by RC1807 on Thursday 7th December 16:04