Best Airlines For Japan Trips: Comfort And Luxury

Japan is a destination like no other, with its vibrant cities, tropical coasts, snow-capped mountains, and unique culture. If you're planning a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, you'll want to choose the best airline to get you there. Here are some of the top contenders for the best airline to fly to Japan:

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

ANA is Japan's largest airline and a popular choice for travellers heading to Japan. It offers a best-in-class experience across all cabin classes and is ranked within the top four of the world's best airlines. ANA provides comfortable seating, delicious meals, seatback entertainment, and ample legroom, especially in its highly acclaimed business and first-class cabins. It also serves Tokyo's two main international airports, Narita and Haneda, with direct flights from eight cities in the US. Additionally, as a member of Star Alliance, you can use your ANA miles to travel to various destinations worldwide.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

Japan Airlines is another excellent option and is often considered one of the best airlines for flying to Japan. It consistently ranks among the top 10 airlines globally and offers premium services and experiences that rival those of ANA. JAL's economy class seats stand out, with more width and legroom on international flights. The airline also has comfortable business and first-class cabins, providing a top-tier luxury experience. JAL partners with American Airlines to share routes and offer direct flights to Japan from multiple US cities.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines may not be the first airline that comes to mind for flights to Japan, but it is a strong contender. It is consistently ranked as one of the best airlines in the world and offers a high level of service, including premium entertainment, specialized service, and exceptional food. Singapore Airlines operates flights to Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports from Los Angeles, New York (JFK and EWR), and San Francisco.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines is a good choice among US-based carriers, known for its top-quality service across all cabin classes and its highly-regarded loyalty program, Delta SkyMiles. Delta offers convenient points of departure to Haneda International Airport from multiple US cities, including Seattle, Detroit, and Minneapolis-St. Paul. It also has its first and only international lounge at Haneda, providing a convenient perk for Delta passengers.

United Airlines

United Airlines is another US-based carrier that offers convenient flight options to Japan. United schedules its flights to arrive in the afternoon and evening, helping passengers adjust to the time difference. Additionally, United offers flights to smaller Japanese airports, such as Sapporo, Sendai, and Fukuoka, in addition to the main hubs of Haneda and Narita.

When choosing the best airline for your trip to Japan, consider factors such as cabin class options, departure cities, arrival airports, loyalty programs, and any special perks or amenities that are important to you. Each of these airlines offers a unique experience and can provide a comfortable journey to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

Japan Airlines, commonly known as JAL, is one of the top choices for flying to Japan. As the national carrier, JAL offers excellent service and a genuine taste of Japanese hospitality. Passengers often praise JAL for its comfortable seats, delicious in-flight meals, and attentive staff. The airline also has a reputation for punctuality, ensuring you arrive in Japan on time.

JAL operates direct flights from various major cities around the world, making it a convenient option. Additionally, JAL has unveiled its new international A350-1000 fleet, which offers more space and updated seating for a superior travel experience. JAL is also unique in that it installed just eight seats per row in economy on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, providing more legroom and comfort for passengers.

JAL offers one of the top premium economy products in the world, and its business and first-class seats are highly regarded. If you can afford to book it, the premium experience is definitely worth considering. JAL also has a partnership with American Airlines, providing even more travel options for passengers.

Overall, JAL is an excellent choice for travellers looking for a comfortable, convenient, and punctual flight to Japan. The airline's commitment to passenger comfort and satisfaction, combined with its direct routes and modern fleet, make it a top choice for those seeking a memorable travel experience to the Land of the Rising Sun.

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

ANA has been recognised as a 5-star airline by Skytrax and has received numerous accolades and awards over the years. It was the recipient of the APEX World Class award, their highest rating, and was named the Most On-Time Airline in the Asia Pacific for five consecutive years. ANA has also consistently won the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award from 2017 to 2020.

ANA offers some of the highest-acclaimed business and first-class experiences in the world. The airline provides excellent service, with flight attendants known for their kindness and hospitality. They also cater to specific dietary needs, with options to pre-order vegetarian meals. ANA's business class features a new product called "The Room," which offers enhanced privacy and comfort for passengers.

In terms of pricing, ANA provides competitive rates, especially for business and first-class cabins. They also offer various redemption options and rewards through their ANA Mileage Club. During off-peak dates, you can book round-trip award flights between the U.S. and Japan for as low as 40,000 miles in economy, 62,000 miles in premium economy, and 75,000 miles in business class.

Additionally, ANA provides convenient connections to and from Japan. For example, they offer two daily non-stop flights from Los Angeles to Tokyo (Haneda) and three daily non-stop flights to Tokyo (Haneda/Narita). They also have stopover options that allow passengers to explore over 40 destinations within Japan, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to discover different parts of the country.

Overall, All Nippon Airways (ANA) is an excellent choice for travellers looking for a comfortable, rewarding, and convenient way to fly to Japan. With their renowned service, competitive pricing, and convenient connections, ANA ensures a pleasant journey to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Singapore Airlines

The airline operates flights to Japan from several international destinations, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York (both JFK and Newark), Seattle, Sydney, and more.

One source mentions that Singapore Airlines offers "easy point redemptions and (relatively) decent cash fares" for flights from Los Angeles to Tokyo, with the option to make a multi-day stopover in Singapore at no extra cost.

Another source mentions that Singapore Airlines flights to Japan can be booked for as little as $562 one-way and $839 round-trip.

With its range of destinations, comfortable in-flight experience, and exclusive deals, Singapore Airlines is a great choice for travellers looking for a seamless and enjoyable journey to Japan.

Delta Air Lines

If you're flying from the US, Delta is a good choice. It's one of the few major US-based airlines flying to Japan, and it provides a particularly noteworthy service. In economy, Delta has enhanced its service to include perks like hot towel service and free Bellinis. Delta also offers its relatively new Premium Select premium economy product on many routes. Up front, you can enjoy Delta One Suites on many flights to Japan.

If you're flying from LAX, Delta has been described as excellent by a user on Reddit. They write that Delta's prices and system are "pretty self-explanatory", and that they would recommend downloading the Delta app.

Tokyo Haneda Airport is the primary base for domestic airlines, but it also serves some international airlines, including Delta Air Lines. It is located in Ota, about eight miles from central Tokyo. The airport has three terminals, one international and two domestic. A monorail provides transportation between terminals. There are plenty of dining options, including Port-Side Kitchen, Nanrinka, Mos Café, Kabob Stand, Tsurutontan udon noodles, and Takafuku sukiyaki.

If you're flying into Osaka, you can enjoy the National Museum of Art, which houses masterpieces by some of Japan's greatest artists, including Tsuguharu Foujita, Yasuo Kuniyoshi and Leiko Ikemura, as well as works by European masters like Cézanne and Picasso.

American Airlines

Using the American Airlines AAdvantage program, you can book MileSAAver award flights from the U.S. mainland to Japan for:

• 32,500 miles each way in economy on off-peak dates.
• 35,000 miles each way in economy on standard dates.
• 50,000 miles each way in premium economy.
• 60,000 miles each way in Flagship Business class.

However, you can book these award flights for fewer miles by taking advantage of American's partnership with Etihad Guest. Off-peak economy awards cost 25,000 Etihad Guest miles each way, and business class awards cost 50,000 miles one way.

In addition to the above, American Airlines offers flights to various destinations in Japan from multiple U.S. cities, including:

• Los Angeles (LAX)
• New York (JFK and NYC)
• Dallas (DFW)
• Chicago (ORD)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Boston (BOS)
• Seattle (SEA)
• Miami (MIA)

The cheapest American Airlines flights to Japan found within the past week were $443 one way and $830 round trip.

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