When planning a trip to Japan, choosing the right airlines to travel to Japan can shape your entire journey. Japan is served by a mix of world-class carriers, regional airlines, and global flight networks. Some airlines shine for comfort, others for service, and a few are excellent for global connections.
In this guide, we compare top options. We focus on key factors like international service, safety ratings, comfort, and overall travel experience. This is a travel-focused, informative article rather than a promotional piece.
What to Expect from Airlines to Travel to Japan
Japan is one of the most visited destinations in Asia. Major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka attract millions of visitors yearly with culture, food, and tech attractions. Flying to Japan typically means landing at one of the major international airports, such as Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Tokyo Haneda (HND), both of which are served by a wide range of carriers worldwide.
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When choosing airlines to travel to Japan, consider:
- Route availability — direct or with connections
- Cabin comfort — economy, premium economy, or business
- Service reputation — passenger reviews and awards
- Frequent flyer networks — alliances for connections and points
Below, we outline some of the most reputable carriers flying to Japan.
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is one of the top airlines to travel to Japan and Japan’s largest carrier. It serves numerous international and domestic routes, making it ideal for travellers from North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Why Choose ANA
- Flag carrier status and extensive network: ANA operates routes to major hubs like Tokyo Haneda and Narita.
- Star Alliance member: This provides strong global connectivity through partner airlines.
- Service quality: ANA also appears in global airline rankings and has Star Alliance recognition for service quality.
Flight Experience
ANA’s cabins are known for thoughtful Japanese hospitality, and international flights include options from cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, New York or European hubs with efficient connections. Traveling with ANA gives you access to one of the most established global airline networks directly into Japan.
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Japan Airlines (JAL)
Japan Airlines (JAL) is another leading airline to travel to Japan and a key choice for many international travellers. Known for excellent service and hospitality, JAL joins ANA as one of Japan’s flag carriers with a global presence.
Strengths of JAL
- Premium service: JAL consistently wins awards for cabin service and in-flight features like good Wi-Fi.
- Route network: It serves major cities in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Oceania with both non-stop and connecting flights.
- Awards and reputation: JAL has been recognised as one of the best airlines to Japan and also receives accolades for economy seats, inflight experience and overall quality.
Many travellers prefer JAL for long-haul international flights to Japan because of its comfortable seating configuration and service focus.
Singapore Airlines
Among the top airlines to travel to Japan from Asia and beyond, Singapore Airlines stands out for luxurious service and connectivity. It may not be based in Japan, but it operates frequent flights to Tokyo and offers seamless connections through Singapore’s Changi Airport.
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Key Highlights
- Reputation for comfort: Singapore Airlines is frequently ranked among the best airlines globally.
- Route options: Singapore is a major hub linking Europe, Africa, India and Australia to Japan.
- Services: The airline provides excellent in-flight entertainment, meals, and comfortable cabins.
This airline is a strong choice when flying from regions without direct flights to Japan or if you prefer a transit option with top service from the ground up.
Cathay Pacific
For travelers from Europe, Asia or the Middle East, Cathay Pacific is a reputable carrier among airlines to travel to Japan. This Hong Kong-based airline offers flights to major Japanese cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
What to Expect
- Strong regional presence: Cathay Pacific operates frequent flights across Asia and beyond.
- Service quality: Known for high-quality cabin service and comfortable seats.
- Network reach: It serves as a strong transfer hub when coming from Europe or Africa en route to Japan.
Although not a Japanese carrier, Cathay’s flight quality often rivals full Japanese services for comfort and reliability.
Gulf Carriers: Qatar Airways, Emirates
Many travellers include Qatar Airways and Emirates when considering airlines to travel to Japan due to their strong connectivity and premium service. These carriers are particularly useful for long haul flights from Europe, Africa, or the Middle East.
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Qatar Airways
- Luxury and service: Frequently ranked among the world’s best, Qatar Airways offers flights to Tokyo and connections to Japanese cities.
- Connectivity: Doha provides a central transit point connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to Japan.
Emirates
- Wide network: Emirates serves many regions globally and offers flights to Tokyo and Osaka through its Dubai hub.
- Partner connections: Through partnerships, including with Japan Airlines, you can combine flights on a single ticket for seamless travel.
If you’re departing from regions without direct service to Japan, these carriers offer competitive alternatives with high service standards.
Delta Air Lines & Other International Carriers
North American travellers often consider carriers like Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines when choosing airlines to travel to Japan. These airlines offer direct flights from major U.S. cities like Los Angeles and Chicago to Tokyo.
Delta Air Lines
Delta offers multiple daily flights from key U.S. hubs to Tokyo, often with premium upgrades available.
American & United
These carriers also provide direct flights on long-haul routes, making them logical options for travellers who prefer staying with familiar brands or accumulating frequent flyer miles.
While these airlines might not match the full-service heritage of ANA or JAL, they remain popular for round-trip flights to Japan due to schedule availability and alliance benefits.
Budget & Regional Airlines Serving Japan
Not all airlines to travel to Japan are long-haul carriers. Some travellers use budget or regional services to complete domestic segments or cheaper routes:
- Zipair: A low-cost carrier affiliated with Japan Airlines.
- Peach & Jetstar Japan: Offer budget flights connecting within Asia and to Japan.
- Regional carriers: Such as Fuji Dream Airlines, Solaseed Air, StarFlyer, and Japan Transocean Air serve domestic routes or act as feeder services for international arrivals.
These options make it easy for travelers to continue to smaller cities or mix different flights after arriving on an international flight.
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Choosing the Right Airline to Travel to Japan
Selecting from the many airlines to travel to Japan depends on several personal travel needs:
- Departure region: If you’re flying from Africa or Europe, carriers like Qatar Airways, Emirates or Singapore Airlines offer excellent connections.
- Service expectations: ANA and JAL are known for superior in-flight service and reliability.
- Budget: Legacy carriers may offer better schedules, while hybrid or budget airlines can reduce cost with a connection.
- Frequent flyer programs: Aligning with alliance partners (Star Alliance or Oneworld) can benefit travellers through mileage programs.
Conclusions: Airlines to Travel to Japan
Japan is well served by both domestic champions and global carriers. Whether you pick Japan Airlines (JAL) or All Nippon Airways (ANA) for direct service and strong local hospitality, or choose Singapore Airlines or Qatar Airways for luxury and transit connectivity, your options are broad.
The best airline for your trip hinges on your departure point, your comfort expectations, and how you want to balance price and convenience. Carefully compare routes, cabin features, and alliance benefits before booking.
Choosing the right airlines to travel to Japan helps ensure a smooth start to your adventure from take-off to landing and beyond.
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