Booking Air from Austin to Tokyo. Booking through American but can be placed on JAL?

Check the price when booking direct with JAL on JAL metal. The prices can vary from code-share prices. You can still have miles posted to an AA member account if booking with JAL (may not be full value…)

I don’t know JAL or AA carriers to Tokyo . You can check something like Flightaware to see what type of plane is typically flown if the info isn’t available on the booking page.

After many trips to various Asian countries including Japan and S Korea, my general take-away is that the Asian carriers beat domestic carriers on the same route for comfort and service. Personal experience out of ORD and confirmed by several colleagues. Others are welcome to counter with different experiences.

I have flown both AA and JAL to and from Japan.

I would look at the type of plane being flown on the route and choose the one with the wider seats and more legroom if there is a difference. Other than that, you'll probably have a better choice of food on JAL.

Japan airlines has about twice the number of flight attendants and about twice the level of service. However, If I was thinking about a $200-300 price difference, I would take that money and buy myself an extra legroom seat on American. Extra legroom beats extra service in my mind.

Thanks for the feedback.

I am getting more serious about the air but am still not at the place where I must make my choice. So this is probably the right time to ask some questions.

Frank II, I love and prefer the 2-4-2 seating that are on some JAL planes compared to the 3-3-3 on the American Planes but I now realize that not all JAL planes offer the 2-4-2.

Carol, so the extra legroom makes a difference. Never considered it but will have look into it.

Whatever my choice, I will still have to pay taxes and fees and buy insurance.

ORDtraveler.

I mentioned Dallas but there is also the possibility that I could fly to Chicago or Los Angeles and then to Tokyo, all with American.

If I go to Chicago, wouldn't that add on time.

It seems like the easiest way to travel would be to go to Dallas and then to Tokyo.

I do not think I have to make the choice until Tuesday and then maybe I will try on the middle of the night.

But I plan on researching further tonight.

Added: I just went to the JAL website and they do not offer any service from Austin.

No idea when you are flying but a glance at skyscanner, shows options ( random June date) , from Austin to one of the Tokyo airports in addition to the JAL & AA choices, of Delta via LAX or DTW or MSP or SEA; Hawaiian Air via Seattle; UAL via DEN or LAX or SFO or ORD.

Looks like lots of options, so you need to plug in your dates and see who has what planes and seat configurations they have in the cabin cla$$ you prefer.

Happy hunting!

Hello joe32f

I am flying in October and for now I have many options. I am wanting Haneda Airport.

I have never used skyscanner but have heard of it and am going to check it out.

Since I posted yesterday, the fare with AA / JAL has gone up $100.00. I am going to keep watching.

And I do niot know if I want to pay an extra $200 or so for extra legroom

Just use Skyscanner to search for flights. Don't actually purchase from them. You should book with the airline directly (most of the time, anyway).

International carriers tend to have a better reputation and service than American carriers including econmomy, but is it $300 better experience? I've not flown JAL, but I doubt it. As someone else mentioned, I'd probably spend that money on upgrading my seat on American.

In the end, my decision is usually based heavily on cost, but I feel you also need to factor in total travel duration, length of layovers, departure and arrival times, etc. and find what works best for you.

I've flown both to/from Japan. Although I prefer JAL, I wouldn't pay $200-$300 more for it. I agree with Carol that I'd use the extra money and buy more legroom on American if that's what it came down to. Overall, I choose Asian airlines over US carriers when the price is right. Service and food are usually better.

And while I tend to like Haneda as well, I would not limit myself. If there is a significant price difference or time difference, Narita is just fine. I just flew into Narita and out of Haneda.

I booked Austin to Los Angeles and then non stop to Haneda, all on American . It was $1,200 plus. I think that even includes my insurance and taxes. It was a good deal.