New York to Sydney on JAL / JQ questions

[Bell21]

Nice to be organising overseas trips again and work that points balance. Hi to all and thanks in advance for any input below!

I'm flying JFK-NRT-Gold Coast-SYD in late August, and have some questions re the itinerary etc. It's not the greatest itinerary (32 hours, due to lay-overs), but at least it's J on JAL from JFK-NRT and J on JQ from NRT-Gold Coast.

1) JKF-NRT is on JAL8005 (QF points), which QF site says is a 777-300, but I presume it's a 777-300ER, as former is used for domestic from what I can gather and isn't lie-flat?

2) Arrival into NRT is Terminal 2 and departing on JQ from Terminal 3 - I presume I don't need to check through customs to get between Terminals 2 and 3? (it looks like a walk inside the terminal). Also, I presume I won't need to get bags at NRT, as it's a connecting flight?

3) NRT Lounges - I note there's no lounges in Terminal 3 (low-cost carriers!), but plenty of lounges in Terminals 1 and 2 - I'm assuming some of the JAL Sakura lounges in Terminal 2 are airside and I can use them on my 5 hour lay-over? (I'm QF Gold and also have AMEX Plat and Diners) If I'm right re lounge access, it would be great to know best lounge choice too!

4) Customs in Oz - I presume customs is in SYD where I'd collect my luggage? (I was curious since there's a lay-over in Gold Coast)

 

[Mwenenzi]

4. Will clear immigration , customs & biosecurity at OOL. OOL SYD a domestic flight

Security & Custom - Gold Coast Airport

www.goldcoastairport.com.au

RE-CHECKING IN FOR ANOTHER FLIGHT ?

After arriving at Gold Coast Airport, please collect your luggage and clear Customs and Border Protection (if arriving internationally) prior to your next flight. Once you have all your items, proceed to the check in area. Once you have checked in, head through security. If you are travelling internationally, please make sure you leave enough time to clear the international security point.

If you have significant time in between flights, why not utilise the lockers near the short term car park at the front of the terminal to store your luggage and enjoy the Gold Coast? Gold Coast Airport is located within walking distance to Kirra Beach and a three minute taxi or Surfside Bus to Coolangatta. Take the time exploring the local alfresco restaurants, boutique shops, cafes and beaches or go for a swim.

Edit
3. Business max fare or down the back? As other post JQ is not OW.
JQ link-->https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/lounge-access-for-business-max-passengers
NRT not listed, so IMHO no lounge access

 

[Batterytraveller]

1 - definitely a 777-300ER with sky suite seats, my favourite j-class so enjoy
2 - I’ve not done this myself but the narita website shows it’s a bus between terminals. You clear security in T2 on arrival, and then I assume can enjoy T2 as you please before going to T3 for your flight.
3 - YMMV here, not sure what the rules would be in your situation. JQ is not technically Oneworld, but you have status, arriving in JL business. Sakura lounge is your only option I think, QF, AA, CX lounges are all gone or still closed and probably wouldn’t apply in your situation anyway. IIRC there was a paid lounge, free to a lot of Japanese credit card holders, but I may be misremembering

Transfers Between International Airlines (Terminal 2) | NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE Transfers Between International Airlines

www.narita-airport.jp

 

[MEL_Traveller]

1 - definitely a 777-300ER with sky suite seats, my favourite j-class so enjoy
2 - I’ve not done this myself but the narita website shows it’s a bus between terminals. You clear security in T2 on arrival, and then I assume can enjoy T2 as you please before going to T3 for your flight.
3 - YMMV here, not sure what the rules would be in your situation. JQ is not technically Oneworld, but you have status, arriving in JL business. Sakura lounge is your only option I think, QF, AA, CX lounges are all gone or still closed and probably wouldn’t apply in your situation anyway. IIRC there was a paid lounge, free to a lot of Japanese credit card holders, but I may be misremembering

Transfers Between International Airlines (Terminal 2) | NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE Transfers Between International Airlines

www.narita-airport.jp

Yeah, lounge access in Tokyo would be on the basis of whatever JQ has organised for QFFF status holders. Incoming business class would not grant access on its own.

 

[drron]

The problem at NRT is that to access the lounges from an incoming flight you would have to go through a transit security check. Now from the Narita guide it appears there is an exit designated to international pax who are transitting to Terminal 3 which looks like there is no way to get to any of the lounges. As the Japanese are sticklers for rules I seriously doubt they would let someone with a JQ BP through the transfer points for a terminal 2 transit.

Map | NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

This page provides a floor map of each terminal building in Narita Airport. It shows current location and the best route to your destination.

www.narita-airport.jp

But the good news for that is the transfer bus is airside and so wouldn't have to pick bags up.

 

[Bell21]

4. Will clear immigration , customs & biosecurity at OOL. OOL SYD a domestic flight

Security & Custom - Gold Coast Airport

www.goldcoastairport.com.au

Edit
3. Business max fare or down the back? As other post JQ is not OW.
JQ link-->https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/lounge-access-for-business-max-passengers
NRT not listed, so IMHO no lounge access

Business fare (QFF points) - thanks for link - will have a read.

 

[Bell21]

1 - definitely a 777-300ER with sky suite seats, my favourite j-class so enjoy
2 - I’ve not done this myself but the narita website shows it’s a bus between terminals. You clear security in T2 on arrival, and then I assume can enjoy T2 as you please before going to T3 for your flight.
3 - YMMV here, not sure what the rules would be in your situation. JQ is not technically Oneworld, but you have status, arriving in JL business. Sakura lounge is your only option I think, QF, AA, CX lounges are all gone or still closed and probably wouldn’t apply in your situation anyway. IIRC there was a paid lounge, free to a lot of Japanese credit card holders, but I may be misremembering

Transfers Between International Airlines (Terminal 2) | NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE Transfers Between International Airlines

www.narita-airport.jp

Thanks - nice to hear it's your favourite J class . I think you're right re QF/AA/CX closures. I presume even if Oneworld doesn't get me acccess, that Priority Pass / Diners will (hopefully)

 

[Bell21]

The problem at NRT is that to access the lounges from an incoming flight you would have to go through a transit security check. Now from the Narita guide it appears there is an exit designated to international pax who are transitting to Terminal 3 which looks like there is no way to get to any of the lounges. As the Japanese are sticklers for rules I seriously doubt they would let someone with a JQ BP through the transfer points for a terminal 2 transit.

Map | NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

This page provides a floor map of each terminal building in Narita Airport. It shows current location and the best route to your destination.

www.narita-airport.jp

But the good news for that is the transfer bus is airside and so wouldn't have to pick bags up.

Thanks - am I right to say that if the lounges are airside in T2, I should be fine to access them, before going through transit security check and onwards to T3? (or I have to go through transit secruity check right away, which means no access if airside lounges?)

 

[drron]

Thanks - am I right to say that if the lounges are airside in T2, I should be fine to access them, before going through transit security check and onwards to T3? (or I have to go through transit secruity check right away, which means no access if airside lounges?)

Sorry we have never used T3. The floor plan doesn't actually say you can use the lounges before going to T3. It seems there is a transit security point separate from those we used transitting in T2. So unsure whether you will be able to use them or not. And as no tourists allowed into Jap[an and the most optimistic reports I have seen that won't occur until early August at the earliest I suspect you may be out of luck.

 

[Bell21]

Sorry we have never used T3. The floor plan doesn't actually say you can use the lounges before going to T3. It seems there is a transit security point separate from those we used transitting in T2. So unsure whether you will be able to use them or not. And as no tourists allowed into Jap[an and the most optimistic reports I have seen that won't occur until early August at the earliest I suspect you may be out of luck.

Sigh - you know when you're in the middle of complicated trip planning (and doing it all yourself rather than via a travel agent) and you think you have a lovely itinerary planned in J, even though it's JQ for half the trip, and then you find out that you overlooked something - oh well, 5 hours in Terminal 3 lay-over with no lounge it is! (anyway, truly a first world problem)

 

[Bell21]

The problem at NRT is that to access the lounges from an incoming flight you would have to go through a transit security check. Now from the Narita guide it appears there is an exit designated to international pax who are transitting to Terminal 3 which looks like there is no way to get to any of the lounges. As the Japanese are sticklers for rules I seriously doubt they would let someone with a JQ BP through the transfer points for a terminal 2 transit.

Map | NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

This page provides a floor map of each terminal building in Narita Airport. It shows current location and the best route to your destination.

www.narita-airport.jp

But the good news for that is the transfer bus is airside and so wouldn't have to pick bags up.

Hi drron - thanks for helpful advice above. I'm now thinking about the trip in terms of covid testing and from what I can gather, Japan has covid testing requirements for landside arrivals, but not transit (trip is mid-Aug) --- from what I can gather liaising with NRT and your info above, it appears that we'll stay transit in going through transit security and transferring from terminal 2 to 3, which means no covid testing requirement (travelling from JFK-NRT-CNS-SYD now)?