Question on Tight International Transit Time (Travel to Sorong through CGK/NRT. United Just Cancelled Flight EWR-HND )

[DivingChipmunk]

Hello,

We have an LOB at Raja Ampat in Dec. After learning a lot from the board on the travel logistics, we booked our flights a couple of months ago: EWR (Newark) - HND (Haneda, Tokyo) -CGK through United and CGK- Sorong with Garuda. We thought we are all set, till we got an email from United two days ago asking us to call them. They cancelled the flights between Newark to Haneda.

The new flights offered includes Newark to NRT (Narida, Tokyo) to CGK , BUT with VERY short transit in Narita: 2 hour 45 min in Narita on the way out to CGK, and 1 hour 55 min on the way back. The connection would be between a United flight (EWR to NRT) and an ANA (All Nippon Air). The orginal flights we booked included 8+ hours of transit at Haneda.

We are very uncomfortable with such short transit times between international flights. We bring our own dive gear and may have check in luggage but will try to fit everything in carry on. For those of you with experience connecting in Narita or a similiar airport in that part of the world, does 2 hour 45 min sound too risky for a transit?

United's cancelling part of our flight really came as a surprise and disappointment. We are in a panic mood to find an alternative, but do not want to switch to a new flight with too tight of a connection. We are also looking at options from other airlines, but looks like prices have gone significantly up since we booked our tickets in early summer.

Appreciate your wisdom and input. Thanks in advance for your help !

 

[tridacna]

I’ve done the United - Tokyo then switch to ANA a few times. 2 hours is plenty assuming your flights are on time. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to the ANA gates. No buses, trains or complications.

 

[DivingChipmunk]

I’ve done the United - Tokyo then switch to ANA a few times. 2 hours is plenty assuming your flights are on time. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to the ANA gates. No buses, trains or complications.

Thanks @tridacna ! Was there security check point to go through? Did you have checked in luggage or just carry on?

 

[tridacna]

Thanks @tridacna ! Was there security check point to go through? Did you have checked in luggage or just carry on?

I had checked luggage every time. It went straight from UAL to ANA. Japanese efficiency was remarkable. My last trip was in 2019. No issues at all. No additional security.

 

[GF99/99]

I have had many 2hr connections in NRT and in tons of other international airports around the world. You should have no issues. Even with 2hr connection I usually always have enough time for a quick pop into the ANA/United lounge for all you can eat sushi and Haagen-Dazs .

United and ANA are both Star Alliance partners they are connected very well with each other and the staff in NRT and on ANA (mixed opinions about United staff or really just all American air carriers in general) are very helpful. If your flight is delayed or it looks like your connection will be really really tight like under an hour to make your connection show the flight attended before you land and ask if someone can assist you when you land. Generally they are very good about this and and ANA person will meet you at the gate as you get off and escort you to your next flight.

And actually a 2hr connection is about the perfect connection time. It is enough time to make your next flight plus a little contingency but is the most efficient layover wasting the least amount of time. I average 60-80 international flights a year and wish all my layovers were only 2hr.

 

[Centrals]

Was there security check point to go through? Did you have checked in luggage or just carry on?

If it is a through ticket then there should not be any more check on the checked bag. However, if your flight is delayed then your luggage might not be able to be transferred to the new plane in time.
I have experienced it once but it was on the home bound leg so....just a bit inconvenience to retrieve the bag later. Thai International actually has a staff waiting for me at the step but my luggage never made it until following day.
Make sure you have all the important bit of pieces with you as hand carry. Flight from North America tend to be a lot more generous with the weight allowed.

 

[living4experiences]

I haven't been lucky enough yet to dive in that part of the world, so I'll just make a couple of suggestions as to your rights as United's passenger. Since they cancelled the flight, you have some leverage to reschedule to the flight that suits you best. If you're not comfortable with the itinerary they suggested, you have a lot of freedom to choose the itinerary you want, which means you could potentially fly out the day before and overnight somewhere on the way in order to get to the liveaboard on time.

You are also entitled to stay in the cabin class you purchased (economy, business, etc.) and you will not pay any more for the new itinerary of your choosing. International travel is still a mess right now with flight delays and cancellations all the time, along with a fair amount of delayed or misdirected luggage.

If you follow your airline on Twitter, you will get a sense of customer satisfaction in real time. It's sad to read about all the horror stories from travelers, but it's a way to gauge what their performance is currently. I found this a great tool as I recently traveled through Europe. Also, if there is a problem with your flights or luggage, oftentimes, the customer service desks are not answering the phones, and people are going to Twitter to get in contact with an agent.

 

[matts1w]

I would not hesitate those times. Heck, I have done 50 minutes from ANA to United in Narita...a long story but it happened, and so did the luggage. 1:55 is of no concern.

 

[Marie13]

If you’re worried about your luggage being lost, highly recommend putting an AirTag (if you have an iPhone) or Tile tracker in your checked bag. Many stories online of people using those to find their bags.

 

[tridacna]

If you’re worried about your luggage being lost, highly recommend putting an AirTag (if you l have an iPhone) or Tile tracker in your checked bag. Many stories online of people using those to find their bags.

(Airtag only if you have an iPhone 11/12/13/14). My X is not supported…