NYPDRET

All of these airlines fly to Tokyo from JFK and are within 20 dollars of each other, which one would you fly?

Northwest 747
All Nippon 747
Japan Airlines 747
United 777
American 747
US Air 777

Thanks for you input

Bob

Kathie

It would depend on what frequent flier program you belong to. I've been a very frequent flier with United for many years, so I always fly the 777 Seattle to Tokyo. I use my frequent flier miles to upgrade, so I'm always in business class. I find United has very good service in Business Class. My favorite airplane for transoceanic flights is the 777. By the way, I don't think there is a separate US Air flight; I think it's a code share with United.

espn123

Here is my preference
1)JAL or ANA (with PTV)
2)UAL (PTV only on 777)
3)NWA (nothing special)
4)AA (PTV, MRTC)
(US codeshare with UA to NRT only)

I'll definitely take Asian carrier over American carrier anyday. Their service are much more superior.

I rank UA and NW ahead of AA only because I'm a FF with both UA and NW.
Some People may rank AA higher because of FF and MRTC.

anna_k

On three flight to Tokyo I've flown Northwest and JAL. I'd pick JAL.

rkkwan

If you're talking about economy, and you don't have any status with any airlines, and don't care about FF miles, I'd rate -

AA - more legroom and personal video
ANA - Video on demand
JAL - Personal video
UA - Personal video on 777
NW - nothing!

If you have status with UA, and can get Economy + seats with extra legroom, then I'll pick that first.

NYPDRET

I'm sorry I guess I should have added, I'm a FF with Delta only and their fares were way overpriced. So FF mileage is not a concern. I wish I could afford FC or BC but that is out of the question, so it's economy.

Thanks again
Bob

rkkwan

You can earn DL miles on most CO and NW fares. CO's 777 service from Newark is also good, with personal video screen.

DL doesn't fly to NRT from the New York area. It has seriously cut back on its Asia/Japan service, and is down to just a daily flight to NRT from ATL.

aprillilacs

I recently flew on NW from Newark to Osaka. I've flown a lot, and the NW flight was blah -- nothing went wrong (except the hour delay when they couldn't account for one piece of luggage) but it was pretty much a cattle car experience. (Needless to say I was in economy.) In my experience, Asian airlines are delightful, though I've never flow JAL or All Nippon.
\

rkkwan

Just want to add that roundtrip NYC-Tokyo is over 13,000 miles. So, that's more than half a domestic roundtrip. And if you're collecting Delta's MQM for elite status, even the lower CO/NW fares will give you 50% MQM, for over 6,600 for a roundtrip.

That may be enough a reason to take NW, even though it has nothing to offer in terms of service.

rhkkmk

someone mentioned continental...i flew them from newark to HK and it was a fabulous trip..my best ever to asia...call them and see if they could hook you up with tokyo...

i always fly N/W because i use their points up...they generally have the quickest trips from the east coast...i fly from boston..

deptrai

I have flown all of your proposed airlines with the exception of US Air.
If the fare is comparable, I would take CO from Newark to Narita. Their 777 are reasonably comfortable even in economy class. You will be able to earn NW mileage, although only 1/2 actual flight miles if you book the lowest fare class.

Otherwise, United 777 has an audio channel called "flight deck." You can listen in on your flight crew, nearby aircraft flight crews, and air traffic control towers communicating with each other. It is really interesting listening in on their conversations and makes the time pass quicker.

Dave