Flying to Tokyo
Discussion
Looks like i'll be doing a couple of trips to Tokyo this year.
Anyone recommend a good airline for the flights, any hidden gems amongst the usual big players?
I'm afraid that it'll be cattle class seating or premium economy (or equiv) at best.
ETA - London based direct flights probably but Birmingham/Manchester do-able.
cheers
Anyone recommend a good airline for the flights, any hidden gems amongst the usual big players?
I'm afraid that it'll be cattle class seating or premium economy (or equiv) at best.
ETA - London based direct flights probably but Birmingham/Manchester do-able.
cheers
Edited by arfur sleep on Thursday 27th January 08:54
BA are out unless absolutely have to, for two reasons;
mainly
1) threat of strikes, can't afford to lose a big client for my company because some waiting staff, who think they are better than they are, can't be bothered to turn up to work
but also
2) although I'm sure it's the same on all airlines, i know some BA long haul cabin crew that work out of LHR and have heard many lurid tales of their on the job "professionalism"
mainly
1) threat of strikes, can't afford to lose a big client for my company because some waiting staff, who think they are better than they are, can't be bothered to turn up to work
but also
2) although I'm sure it's the same on all airlines, i know some BA long haul cabin crew that work out of LHR and have heard many lurid tales of their on the job "professionalism"
flew ba wtp twice to Tokyo in the last 9 months. Overall it was ok, WTP cabin is ok, seats comfy, entertainment system worked and the content was good. Meals & service was ok.
Pre booking seats costs an extra £25/50 unless you wait till 24 hours before departure.
I have another trip in March and still undecided if to use BA again, BA do offer me the best connections etc. but the threat of further industrial action is a put off.
Pre booking seats costs an extra £25/50 unless you wait till 24 hours before departure.
I have another trip in March and still undecided if to use BA again, BA do offer me the best connections etc. but the threat of further industrial action is a put off.
Edited by NorthEast on Thursday 27th January 12:36
I flew ANA cattle via a Virgin codeshare and they had biggest screens I've seen, USB plug for media (didn't ascertain whether this does video but definitely does music). The movie selection was skewed to Japanese mainstream cinema with usual Hollywood fluff. Little European content.
Food was par for airline food, staff friendly and all Japanese.
But otherwise I was quite happy and would fly again.
Food was par for airline food, staff friendly and all Japanese.
But otherwise I was quite happy and would fly again.
Edited by zac510 on Thursday 27th January 12:24
Hardly hidden, but we flew with Emirates to Japan back in 2009...and they were as good as they've always been. Big bonus for us was regular flights out of B'ham, but we went in-and-out of Kansai - although I think they do Tokyo too.
That said, we did get complimentary upgrades from them from a prior problem at Dubai airport (ground staff problems, not cabin crew), so business class made the distance easier to bear.
That said, we did get complimentary upgrades from them from a prior problem at Dubai airport (ground staff problems, not cabin crew), so business class made the distance easier to bear.
Handy topic - I've been looking at flights to Tokyo in the summer. I thought JAL flew London to Tokyo? I can't find any availability though - fully booked up or have they scrapped the route? I know they've had some financial trouble lately!
The only direct options are BA (er...no), Virgin (pricey) or All Nippon (unknown). Aeroflot are the cheapest indirect but I just don't fancy it for some reason! I much prefer direct too. It must just be the state of Long Haul travel these days with tax and fuel supplements, but £850-900 for economy seems steep.
The only direct options are BA (er...no), Virgin (pricey) or All Nippon (unknown). Aeroflot are the cheapest indirect but I just don't fancy it for some reason! I much prefer direct too. It must just be the state of Long Haul travel these days with tax and fuel supplements, but £850-900 for economy seems steep.
I was out in Tokyo in late September/early October last year (2010).
Iirc I paid circa £700 return with Virgin. The outbound haul was with ANA, I had never used them before, but I was majorly impressed.
Unlike Virgin they dont charge for emergency exit seats which is nice, food fairly good, and a good choice of onboard entertainment.
The return haul was with Virgin, nothing to complain about.
Iirc I paid circa £700 return with Virgin. The outbound haul was with ANA, I had never used them before, but I was majorly impressed.
Unlike Virgin they dont charge for emergency exit seats which is nice, food fairly good, and a good choice of onboard entertainment.
The return haul was with Virgin, nothing to complain about.
Hub said:
Handy topic - I've been looking at flights to Tokyo in the summer. I thought JAL flew London to Tokyo? I can't find any availability though - fully booked up or have they scrapped the route? I know they've had some financial trouble lately!
The only direct options are BA (er...no), Virgin (pricey) or All Nippon (unknown). Aeroflot are the cheapest indirect but I just don't fancy it for some reason! I much prefer direct too. It must just be the state of Long Haul travel these days with tax and fuel supplements, but £850-900 for economy seems steep.
When are you going? As I just did a quick search and Virgin seats are coming out at about £650....The only direct options are BA (er...no), Virgin (pricey) or All Nippon (unknown). Aeroflot are the cheapest indirect but I just don't fancy it for some reason! I much prefer direct too. It must just be the state of Long Haul travel these days with tax and fuel supplements, but £850-900 for economy seems steep.
I flew out to Tokyo the other year with SAS, although I went Aberdeen - Copenhagen - Tokyo. Massive 777 but was only half-full at best (was mid-week) so plenty of space and relatively quiet. Have heard good things about Virgin as well; they were fantastic when we flew to St Lucia and can imagine the same can be said for the Tokyo route.
BTW majorly jealous; absolutely love Tokyo but can't afford to go back there for the foreseeable future
BTW majorly jealous; absolutely love Tokyo but can't afford to go back there for the foreseeable future
ANA are in the process of upgrading their fleet, and should have recently upgraded the planes on the London-Tokyo route. If so they should have nice modern equipment and they've always had pretty decent food (although in fairness I've only tried business class).
Otherwise Virgin PE would be a good bet.
Otherwise Virgin PE would be a good bet.
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