Visitors to Japan are rightly impressed by its excellent trains. But I always thought domestic flying in that country is an interesting experience and often overlooked.
Having travelled there many times for 15+ years, I provide my observations based ONLY on personal experience - I don't intend for it be a comprehensive guide.
First the negatives - uninspiring on-time performance & in-flight service:
Japan is known for it's punctuality and the trains leave on-time to the second. The planes on the other hand are like any other country. Not that Japan has a particular problem with delays. I guess it's just like flying in any other first world country. Unfortunately, even the most punctual people in the world can't control the weather and other unforeseen events.
The lack of in-flight service on the major carriers is odd. It consists of 1 non-alcoholic beverage. That's it. No buy-on-board either. You do get the full-service benefits of FF programmes and baggage.
Ironically, substantial in-flight food & bev is only provided by the LCC's (for a fee of course).
Also, regarding domestic lounges, I have never used any of them. But if the various lounge review websites are to be believed, they are sad.
Flight times and as-the-crow-flies distances can be impressive compared to the trains:
On a recent trip from Tokyo to Nagasaki, I realised that even the best rail itinerary would take 6 hours. So the 2 hour flight was a no-brainer. There are many, many "city pairs" where flying is easily the best option. In fact, some of the city pairs where flying is faster have become some of the busiest air routes in the world (such as Tokyo-Sapporo and Tokyo-Fukuoka).
Big planes, small distances:
This is well-known so I won't go into it much. Also, I beleive all the domestic 747's have been retired.
But the experience I recently had of a 1 hour flight on a near-empty 777 was still unique. They also have many short 767 routes so fans of that plane will not be disappointed.
Incredible observation decks:
The domestic airports for Tokyo and Osaka (Haneda & Itami) have amazing observation decks (I expect other airports throughout the country do also, although I've never had enough time to find out). If you go through Haneda or Itami, allow plenty of time - you will not regret it.
$20 business class:
On a recent domestic flight on JAL I paid just $20 more each way for J class.
There is no food or lounge access. But you do get a bigger seat, as well as the usual boarding/disembarking efficiency. Also the J class status/mileage benefits of your FF programme.
Airlines are trying to attract tourists:
JAL has VERY discounted fares for tourists. You need to enter your international ticket number and it magically knows that you are a visitor (presumably based on the fact you have a return ticket OUT of the country within 90 days). Good value but note that this fare class offers NO points on the major FF programmes e.g. Qantas.
In summary, if you go to Japan for the first time, just enjoy the trains. But if you want to go further afield, flying domestically there is a fun (usually) experience and so different to many other countries.
Having travelled there many times for 15+ years, I provide my observations based ONLY on personal experience - I don't intend for it be a comprehensive guide.
First the negatives - uninspiring on-time performance & in-flight service:
Japan is known for it's punctuality and the trains leave on-time to the second. The planes on the other hand are like any other country. Not that Japan has a particular problem with delays. I guess it's just like flying in any other first world country. Unfortunately, even the most punctual people in the world can't control the weather and other unforeseen events.
The lack of in-flight service on the major carriers is odd. It consists of 1 non-alcoholic beverage. That's it. No buy-on-board either. You do get the full-service benefits of FF programmes and baggage.
Ironically, substantial in-flight food & bev is only provided by the LCC's (for a fee of course).
Also, regarding domestic lounges, I have never used any of them. But if the various lounge review websites are to be believed, they are sad.
Flight times and as-the-crow-flies distances can be impressive compared to the trains:
On a recent trip from Tokyo to Nagasaki, I realised that even the best rail itinerary would take 6 hours. So the 2 hour flight was a no-brainer. There are many, many "city pairs" where flying is easily the best option. In fact, some of the city pairs where flying is faster have become some of the busiest air routes in the world (such as Tokyo-Sapporo and Tokyo-Fukuoka).
Big planes, small distances:
This is well-known so I won't go into it much. Also, I beleive all the domestic 747's have been retired.
But the experience I recently had of a 1 hour flight on a near-empty 777 was still unique. They also have many short 767 routes so fans of that plane will not be disappointed.
Incredible observation decks:
The domestic airports for Tokyo and Osaka (Haneda & Itami) have amazing observation decks (I expect other airports throughout the country do also, although I've never had enough time to find out). If you go through Haneda or Itami, allow plenty of time - you will not regret it.
$20 business class:
On a recent domestic flight on JAL I paid just $20 more each way for J class.
There is no food or lounge access. But you do get a bigger seat, as well as the usual boarding/disembarking efficiency. Also the J class status/mileage benefits of your FF programme.
Airlines are trying to attract tourists:
JAL has VERY discounted fares for tourists. You need to enter your international ticket number and it magically knows that you are a visitor (presumably based on the fact you have a return ticket OUT of the country within 90 days). Good value but note that this fare class offers NO points on the major FF programmes e.g. Qantas.
In summary, if you go to Japan for the first time, just enjoy the trains. But if you want to go further afield, flying domestically there is a fun (usually) experience and so different to many other countries.
