75 Minutes Enough Time To Change Planes In Narita?

[orchidlady]

My brother just sent me an email telling me about his great flight deal from Los Angeles to come visit me...(On American and United Airlines(!!) - He's 6"3" and I think he's going to regret his choices but that's his decision) I am concerned never having transferred planes in Narita ( I always go through Hong Kong and take Asian carriers, intentionally take a longer layover so I can go into the city for 8 - 10 hours on same ticket free and break up the long flight)

He only has 75 minutes to change planes. Is this enough time?

[theoldgit]

I suppose it depends on if the entire trip is on one carrier and he can check his luggage through and get a boarding card for the second leg, I would have thought it's doable, subject to the first aircraft arriving on time.

[keeniau96]

He is lucky to have only 75 minutes in Narita, one of my least favorite airports. I have made United Air and Northwest connections there many times and they usually wind up with 4 hour or so layover. Connection should take less than 1/2 hour, including the very thorough carry-on baggage exam and electronic check between the arrival and departure areas. Very efficient every time I have been there.

[toptuan]

In my opinion, Narita is one of the world's most efficient airports when it comes to timeliness and movement of people and baggage. I think he should have no trouble at all.

[RKASA]

More then enough time. No customs immg or bag checks for the transfer, just gate to gate via the mall. Could be done in less then 30 minutes if the other plane was even there yet. Only problem I ever have if they have no coffee that is worth drinking.

[rfukata]

Once deplaned in Narita you have to clear a internal security within the transfer terminal. This check should take

about 30 minutes depending on the speed of the lines. ( note security has been upgraded in Narita due to the NW/Delta

incident so it may take a little longer)

if your brothers plane is late landing in Narita, it may be a tight situation.

[1weatherman]

I came thru Narita, coming and going from Bangkok, back in early December. Flew Continental from Houston and Thai Air. Had 1 1/2 hours layover coming over and had no problems connecting. Coming back had only 70 minutes, which turned out to be only 60 as plane was a little slow getting to the gate. I figured would be cutting it close. But the airline had a rep waiting at the boarding pass area for Continental with a placard with my name and said since had not much time I would go to front of the line.

So she got me thru quickly which helped out because the line was long to get a boarding pass. Even though Narita is pretty easy to navigates still by the time I reached the gate it was loading time. As for American and United and the connections, think it be ok as long as no delays. Otherwise all bets are off.

[orchidlady]

Thanks for the quick replies. Hopefully he won't be held up in Los Angeles...planes there sit on the tarmac trying to get clearance to fly for twenty minutes or so which could easily screw up his switching in narita.

[luangtom]

More then enough time. No customs immg or bag checks for the transfer, just gate to gate via the mall. Could be done in less then 30 minutes if the other plane was even there yet. Only problem I ever have if they have no coffee that is worth drinking.

I beg to differ with you. Certainly is security to go through to transfer planes, no matter which airline you are on. We just had the headache of moving through Narita at the beginning of December and it was not fun at all. Six flights were all on the ground at the same time and the herd of passengers were meant to go through the double-doors leading to security for re-boarding. Talk about a mess. Then, only two of the four scanning-stations were open. It took us 35-minutes to get through with an escort walking us past the majority of the crowd, as my wife was in a wheel-chair. I saw most get on the flights they were supposed to, but some ran for the gate and were allowed to board as our flight was late in leaving. Otherwise, they would have missed the flight. An hour-plus SHOULD be sufficient, but I would not like to attempt it without having the wheel-chair escort. This is just my opinion and experience the first week of December. Edited January 1, 2010 by luangtom

[gotlost]

I've done it with only 55 minutes. Ruin.

[geriatrickid]

I have had a few problems connecting at NRT.Go to flightstats and check out the usual on time performance. I find it to be one of the most useful of websites.

The connecting walks at the terminals are long and there is often a line up at the transit desk to get your boarding pass. I need a minimum 60 minutes to make the walk, confirm my boarding pass and pass through security. Factor in flight delays and you have a good idea.

[ericthai]

It can be done, however each airline has their own rules. Delta used to not allow anything less than 90 minutes for connections on international flights. I have had flight delays and only ended up with 30 minutes in between connections, sometime the luggage makes it sometimes it does not.

[pmarlin]

If the plane arrives on time I see no problem. Most of the time wehn going to Bangkok I make my connedction from the USA to Bangkok at NRT, If he has his bording pass for his next flight he should make is next gate in less than 30 min. NRT is one of the easist airports to make connectiosn and security is fast with numerous security check stations for intransit connections. If he doesn't have his boarding pass security will let he through with a copy of his ticket/or e ticket and just go to the gate and check in there for the orading pass. It saves time.

[thrilled]

After that problem Christmas day,I would give your self plenty of time.I mean at least 3 hours maybe more.

[clip]

norita airport is very good for helping with tight connections the staff will meet all connecting passengers(under 1 hour) at the gate as you disembark and guide you to your next flight , very helpful in norita... never had a problem. however hong kong ??forget it your on your own pretty much there lol.

[NanLaew]

The OP mentions the carriers as American and United. If they have an interline baggage handling agreement, then all her brother needs to do is WALK VERY BRISKLY and get the shuttle bus between terminals as AA use Terminal 2 and UA use Terminal 1 at Narita.

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/conn...nter/index.html

If the bags need to be collected and rechecked, then he's buggered.

PS: Regarding being 6'3", tell him to pay the extra at check-in on the UA sectors and get Economy-Plus seating. He will thank you for it.

Edited January 2, 2010 by NanLaew

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Any bets on the guy making it ?

[Pib]

75 minutes is enough time; I've done it several times over the past few years.