Assuming you aren't running on a tight schedule, the JQ flights are generally significantly cheaper and far better value. They also fly nonstop to Tokyo from Melbourne if that's where you're based.
I would agree. The JQ Business flight is excellant value. The food and beverage service is good and the service cheerful and friendly. The only advice I would give its to be careful about your seat selection. The front row is great, however the middle row can feel a bit cramped if the person in front reclines (no worse than PE on QF).
Schedule is not really important. Although would possibly be connecting to a GK flight - Jetstar japan - in Narita to fly to Sapporo. More about comfort/service/food etc in QF PE vs JQ Business. But yes am I better to fly on QF or JQ if I intend to fly NRT to CTS on arrival with GK or JL etc? Thanks.
I should point out the last NRT-CTS flights leave at six-something, around the time the OOL-NRT and CNS-NRT flights arrive, so your only options are MEL-NRT (JQ) or SYD-NRT (JL, QF).
It depends on when you're travelling. If you're thinking peak ski season I'd take a punt on QF PE. Everytime I've flown the SYD-NRT flight in January I've been upgraded for free because Economy was chockers and Business was empty.
Yes I was thinking the overnight flight from Syd which arrives into NRT around 7.30am and then change to GK around 9.00am or so. Yes will be late Jan. peak ski season but at end of Oz school holidays. Was thinking QF PE for extra baggage allowance and slightly more leg room than economy. I know the OOL -NRT flight arrives too late to fly into CTS that night so have to overnight near Narita. Not keen on that idea. Brisbane based but happy to fly via Syd on QF21.
Have you had a look at booking the entire way to CTS with QF?
My bookings for this season included the tag up to CTS on JL for no extra cost than just flying to NRT, which means through-checked bags and generally a more streamlined experience compared to flying GK.
Thanks. Booked via QF website or travel agent? Can't seem to get the JL flights to show up on QF website - seems to want to direct me to GK I think. Cheers.
When I booked GK only had their skeleton schedule published so there were no decent connections and I was offered JL through the QF website.
I see now that the full GK winter schedule is published those connections are on offer. I guess the plus is that GK flies in and out of NRT, whereas JL requires a cross-town transfer to/from HND. As long as your flights are all ticketed together on the one booking, theoretically your bags will be through-checked on GK. Not sure how this works in practice, though.
There aren't any SIN-CTS nonstops, so the OP cannot transit in SIN. ICN is possible on KE, however a straight-through connection is only possible two days a week, Sunday and Tuesday, and the layover is a mere 55m (which may or may not be valid).
The only non-NRT one-stop I can confidently come up with is BNE-HKG-CTS, which can be done on the overnight BNE-HKG, connecting to the late-morning HKG-CTS flight (Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday).
HKG sounds like a goer then. Much as I love Tokyo (lived in greater Tokyo for nine+ years) the NRT connections sound iffy, and staying in a Narita hotel is a depressing thought... I'd personally do the NRT to HND change with a day in between (time to hit my favourite downmarket izakaya and a recovery brekkie at Tsukiji...), but it sounds like the OP just wants a smooth trip, I reckon he would be better off transiting in HKG :)
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What is better option to Japan/Narita.
Opto80
Opto80
VA
Member since 25 Aug 2014
Total posts 28
What is better option to Japan/Narita. QF PE on 747 from SYDNEY or JQ 'business class' on 787 from Gold Coast/Cairns? Thanks.
am
am
Member since 15 Apr 2011
Total posts 216
Assuming you aren't running on a tight schedule, the JQ flights are generally significantly cheaper and far better value. They also fly nonstop to Tokyo from Melbourne if that's where you're based.
LJS
LJS
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 Apr 2013
Total posts 5
I would agree. The JQ Business flight is excellant value. The food and beverage service is good and the service cheerful and friendly. The only advice I would give its to be careful about your seat selection. The front row is great, however the middle row can feel a bit cramped if the person in front reclines (no worse than PE on QF).
Opto80
Opto80
VA
Member since 25 Aug 2014
Total posts 28
Schedule is not really important. Although would possibly be connecting to a GK flight - Jetstar japan - in Narita to fly to Sapporo. More about comfort/service/food etc in QF PE vs JQ Business. But yes am I better to fly on QF or JQ if I intend to fly NRT to CTS on arrival with GK or JL etc? Thanks.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
I should point out the last NRT-CTS flights leave at six-something, around the time the OOL-NRT and CNS-NRT flights arrive, so your only options are MEL-NRT (JQ) or SYD-NRT (JL, QF).
V1213
V1213
Member since 19 Jun 2012
Total posts 13
It depends on when you're travelling. If you're thinking peak ski season I'd take a punt on QF PE. Everytime I've flown the SYD-NRT flight in January I've been upgraded for free because Economy was chockers and Business was empty.
Opto80
Opto80
VA
Member since 25 Aug 2014
Total posts 28
Yes I was thinking the overnight flight from Syd which arrives into NRT around 7.30am and then change to GK around 9.00am or so. Yes will be late Jan. peak ski season but at end of Oz school holidays. Was thinking QF PE for extra baggage allowance and slightly more leg room than economy. I know the OOL -NRT flight arrives too late to fly into CTS that night so have to overnight near Narita. Not keen on that idea. Brisbane based but happy to fly via Syd on QF21.
V1213
V1213
Member since 19 Jun 2012
Total posts 13
Have you had a look at booking the entire way to CTS with QF?
My bookings for this season included the tag up to CTS on JL for no extra cost than just flying to NRT, which means through-checked bags and generally a more streamlined experience compared to flying GK.
Opto80
Opto80
VA
Member since 25 Aug 2014
Total posts 28
Thanks. Booked via QF website or travel agent? Can't seem to get the JL flights to show up on QF website - seems to want to direct me to GK I think. Cheers.
V1213
V1213
Member since 19 Jun 2012
Total posts 13
When I booked GK only had their skeleton schedule published so there were no decent connections and I was offered JL through the QF website.
I see now that the full GK winter schedule is published those connections are on offer. I guess the plus is that GK flies in and out of NRT, whereas JL requires a cross-town transfer to/from HND. As long as your flights are all ticketed together on the one booking, theoretically your bags will be through-checked on GK. Not sure how this works in practice, though.
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 835
Mind you on JL you can often pay a little extra (1000/8000 yen) for J Class or First...
Serg
Serg
QFF
Member since 12 Apr 2013
Total posts 943
IMHO JQ biz offer better seats than QF PE for less money. Food could be dreadful, though.
GM
GM
Air NZ Airpoints
Member since 12 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
If getting to CTS quickly is the priority, have you looked at changing in SIN/HKK/ICN? Each seem to have flights from BNE.
Haven't looked at the schedules so no iea how good the connections are, but there might be an option there...
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
There aren't any SIN-CTS nonstops, so the OP cannot transit in SIN. ICN is possible on KE, however a straight-through connection is only possible two days a week, Sunday and Tuesday, and the layover is a mere 55m (which may or may not be valid).
The only non-NRT one-stop I can confidently come up with is BNE-HKG-CTS, which can be done on the overnight BNE-HKG, connecting to the late-morning HKG-CTS flight (Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday).
GM
GM
Air NZ Airpoints
Member since 12 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
Thanks for doing the legwork watson! :)
HKG sounds like a goer then. Much as I love Tokyo (lived in greater Tokyo for nine+ years) the NRT connections sound iffy, and staying in a Narita hotel is a depressing thought... I'd personally do the NRT to HND change with a day in between (time to hit my favourite downmarket izakaya and a recovery brekkie at Tsukiji...), but it sounds like the OP just wants a smooth trip, I reckon he would be better off transiting in HKG :)