Domestic Flight Booking and Policies

Japan travel planning: Purchase Shinkansen and bus tickets (e.g., to Kawaguchiko) in advance, especially during peak season. While some tickets can be bought on the spot, booking ahead is recommended. Japan Rail Pass can be cost-effective for extensive travel. For transit in Shanghai, confirm terminal information and complete arrival cards in advance.

For domestic flights in Japan, consider budget airlines like Jetstar for more affordable options compared to full-service carriers like ANA. Prices can range significantly (e.g., 25,000 JPY for a round trip for two on Jetstar versus 63,000 JPY on ANA, depending on dates and promotions). Use flight aggregators like Trip.com and Google Flights to compare prices. Be aware of luggage allowances and additional fees with low-cost carriers.

Flight schedules between Osaka and Tokyo are frequent. Consider booking in advance for better prices, although last-minute options might be available at higher costs. Flight times and availability can vary significantly.

Domestic flights are available within Japan for travel to islands like Okinawa, as there is no Shinkansen connection. Booking platforms such as Trip.com can be used to find and purchase tickets for these internal flights. It's important to understand the booking process for domestic air travel in Japan.

When flying with certain airlines like Air China, be aware that their criteria for assigning flights can be arbitrary. One traveler experienced a layover where evening activities were limited to the hotel or simple walks due to a lack of shops and a less-than-ideal environment.

To determine if a transfer hotel is provided during a long layover in China when flying with airlines like China Eastern, check the booking details in the airline's loyalty program app. The availability of a hotel may depend on the specific ticket and layover duration. Some users suggest that if a layover is significant (e.g., 24 hours with Hainan Airlines), a hotel might be included. It's advisable to check the itinerary and airline policies for specifics.

For international transit via China, luggage typically checks through to the final destination if booked on a single itinerary/alliance. However, if flights are separate or not under the same alliance, passengers must retrieve and re-check bags. Transit times of less than 2-3 hours in busy hubs like Pudong (PVG) are risky if manual re-checking is required.

Exploring flight options to Japan via Kazakhstan. Direct flights are uncommon, and connecting flights can increase the overall cost significantly, especially when including domestic Russian flights. It may be more cost-effective to book separate tickets for different legs of the journey, such as Moscow-Beijing and Beijing-Tokyo, even with different airlines.

Domestic flights are a viable option for travel between Japanese cities, including journeys to Okinawa. Platforms like Trip.com can be used for booking tickets. Unlike mainland travel, Shinkansen services do not extend to Okinawa, making flights the primary mode of transport to the island.

For travel within Japan, booking separate flights (e.g., International to Tokyo/Osaka + Domestic to regional airports) is often significantly cheaper than booking a single ticket to smaller regional airports like Ishigaki.

When choosing airlines for travel to/from Japan, consider the following: Air China often offers generous baggage allowances (2x23 kg). China Eastern and Hainan typically allow only one checked bag. Southern, Sichuan, and Capital are also popular choices, often providing good value. Eastern has multiple lounges in Shanghai. Always verify current baggage policies and prices directly with the airline or booking platform as they are subject to change.

Modern international transit flights often transfer baggage automatically. Passengers should check the baggage claim tag (connecting flight destination must be on it) and request baggage check-through at the initial check-in counter. Even if the policy is automated, confirming with the ground staff is standard procedure for peace of mind.

When booking flights to Japan from Russia, especially from cities like Khabarovsk, consider multiple platforms. Trip.com is an option, but alternative sites like Aviasales are also recommended. Purchasing tickets in advance, for instance, booking November flights in January, can lead to better prices. For those in the Russian Far East, departing from Vladivostok might offer more options and potentially lower fares compared to direct flights from Khabarovsk, especially for routes involving China.

When flying Peach Airlines from Tokyo (Haneda) to Shanghai (Pudong), strict baggage allowances are enforced: 20 kg for checked luggage and 7 kg for carry-on baggage. The carry-on weight limit includes all personal items. Payments for excess baggage must be made by card only; cash and Suica are not accepted. Be prepared for document checks, as processing can be time-consuming.

Air China seat mapping often starts economy class from row 30 or 40 due to fleet variations. Free seat selection is available on the website/app post-booking. If website check-in fails (error 'flight not open'), retry via mobile app or call customer support. Surname/Given name field order can cause booking lookup failures.