CO has moved to the South Wing, Terminal 1@NRT

Continental Airlines and Continental Micronesia Airlines have been in the South Wing, Terminal 1 ＠NARITA airport scince 1 November 2009!
Continental Airlines has joined "Star Alliance" member, so it's much easier to connect with ANA flight for Japan domestic in the South Wing.
Please make sure you go to the correct wing in Terminal 1.

Good News for Flying to Osaka

United Airlines (UA) decided to fly between San Francisco (SFO) and Osaka /kansai International Airport (KIX) everyday after 28Mar'10.
From this winter, UA flights have been decreased to 5 flights/a week, but it will be daily flight.
Now this route with UA is the only direct flight from U.S. to KIX.
However, Delta Airlines (DL) is planning to make new route that is from Seattle to KIX and flying daily from JUN'10.
It's a great news for people who fly to Osaka.

Guaranteed on Board with your pet

Sherpa Pet Group have partnered with American Airlines to bring this exciting program, "Guaranteed on Board".

The Guaranteed on Board program outlines all of the steps you will need to take before traveling with your pet on American Airlines, so you can be sure that your pet and its carrier are compliant with American’s rules and regulations.

You need to purchase the carry bag. ($60USD~)

Fill out the form on Sherpa Pet Website, http://www.sherpapetgroup.com/gob_american with your flight information and details to ensure that you are compliant with American Airlines flight requirements before your travel day. And print your Guaranteed on Board Certificate and bring with you to the airport and present to the boarding agent.

"Guaranteed on Board" program is designed to ensure that you and your pet travel comfortably and hassle free. If you follow the guidelines and are denied boarding the aircraft with your pet, Sherpa Pet Group will refund the cost of your individual flight and your airline pet travel fee.

*This is for traveling within U.S.

*Special pet guidelines apply for travel to international destinations and Hawaii.

Japanese sweets "wagashi" from Japan

On 11SEP'09, "kitcho-an" that is famous japanese sweets shop opened @ terminal 2 of Narita Airport.

It's easy to access when you come back to the U.S. with taking American Airlines or Japan Airlines. So go to get some beautiful Japanese sweets.

Terminal 2 Main building 3F

JAL Mileage Upgrade Promotion

JAL has launched the Super Discounted Upgrade Award Promotion.

Starting from July 1, JAL Mileage Bank members can upgrade their class of travel from Economy class to Executive class for as low as 10,000 miles one-way!

• Promotion period: valid for travel between 01JUL09-30SEP09
• Eligible members: Mileage Bank members registered in the American Region
  *Members must hold Economy class tickets purchased with eligible fares on eligible routes.
• Eligible fares/booking class: Economy class fares booked in Y/W/B/H/K

You can purchase JAL ticket @TKTJAPAN (*make sure the fare class is Y/W/B/H or K. The fare class 's showing right after the flight number like "JL0011(K)" ) and call the JAL Mileage Bank Center (1-800-525-6453) or JAL’s website, www.ar.jal.com to upgrade your ticket.

You might be able to call JAL and check if there is available to upgrade for the flight on the date you want to go before purchasing the ticket on TKTJAPAN website.

Air Fare change to JAPAN

Air fares that have come out to Japan will be expired within tomorrow, and from the day after tomorrow (July 9th), new fares will be come out.

If there is the fare you are interested in, we recommend to purchase it within today, or it might be gone by tomorrow.

There is a possibility with the replacement of fare, so you can search new fares after the day after tomorrow.

www.tktjapan.com/

Quarantine procedures at the Airport

The Japanese government has been announced a new policy on battling of influenza A(H1N1).

The onboard quarantine procedures that have been conducted for flights originating from Mexico, USA (excluding Hawaii/Guam), Canada and Brazil is now suspended from May 22 , 2009.

With the exception when advance information is provided about passengers suffering fevers and other flu-like symptoms are observed prior to arrival.

The submission of Questionnaire on Health Conditions is also suspended from June 19, 2009.

Strike on June 17, 18, 19

JAL anounced that four unions representing cockpit crew, cabin crew and ground staff working for JAL International (JALI) may hold a strike on Wednesday June 17, 2009.

While all domestic and international, passenger and cargo flights are expected to operate as normal on June 17 and 18, 2009, strikes by JAL Pilots Union into the third day on Friday June 19, 2009, may affect some JAL domestic services in the form of flight delays or cancellations.

Also, four unions of ANA group may hold a strike on Wednesday June 17, too.

Both airlines will operate international flights normaly.

Please contact to airlines if you are traveling at that day within Japan and make sure your flight schedule.

EVA AIR Flight Suspension

EVA AIR decided to suspend the flights between LAX-KIX(Osaka, JAPAN) from June15th, 2009.

The flight, BR167/BR168, will be opperated by June 14th and this will be the last flight as LAX-KIX direct flight with EVA AIR.

If you already have a ticket include the flight BR167 or BR168, please contact EVA AIR to arrange the flight schedule or arrange the refund without penalty and service charge.

EVA AIR reservation 1-800-695-1188

JAL : New Special Meal

　JAL (Japan Airlines) introduces the new allergy corresponding meal with the international flights from 31MAY.

It cooperates with the Tsuji safe food which nearly 30 years advances the development of the allergy corresponding food in Japan.

The menu which does not use the allergen of 18 lists of items which recommend the allergen and indication of 7 lists of items where the public welfare Ministry of Labor has obliged indication was developed.

Reservation acceptance target date from at 27MAY, to 96 hours ago of starting accepts in the JL reservation window. Object seat class in executive class and economy class of international line, the inquiry is necessary concerning the first-class.　

The allergen 25 list of items

wheat, soba, dairy product, egg, peanut, walnut, soybean, shrimp, crab, abalone, squid, salmon and egg, mackerel, beef, chicken, pork, mashroom, yam, banana, orange, kiwi, peach, apple and gelatin

Drop the Postponement of Passage and Evacuation to Mexico

On 22MAY, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have put out lowered the infection symptom dangerous information in Mexico.

"Postponement of passage of unnecessary nonurgent to the same country" and "evacuation for Japanese who stays in the same country" was called from 28April, but in recent Mexico similar to those for other infection country on the basis of infection circumstance and the medical system, it lowered in "sufficient note".

In addition, visa exemption measure had been stopped at one time from 28April for going to Mexico, but it's been canceled.

Furthermore, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been put out these countries which infection symptom dangerous information of "sufficient note" below.


*Countries of "sufficient note" (22MAY)

Ireland, the United States, Argentina, Israel, Italy, India, Ecuador, El Salvador, Australia, Austria, Holland, Canada, Cuba, Greece, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Thai, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Turkey, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Hawaii, Finland, Brazil, France, Peru, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Malaysia, Mexico, England, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and China

Swine Flu Update

As of 06:00 GMT, 20 May 2009, 41 countries have officially reported 10 243 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 80 deaths

Mexico 　3648(Cases) 72 (Deaths)
USA 　　5469 　　　　6
Canada　 496 　　　 1
Japan　　210 　　　　0
Spain 　　107 　　　　0
UK 　　　102 　　　　0

For traveling from Mexico, USA, and Canada to Japan, quarantine officer boards the flight and passengers will be checked body temperature by thermography in a way.

Still it is expected to take more time for entry procedure.

Special Ticket Policies pursuant to Swine Flu

In view of swine flu, ANA(All Nippon Airways) and JAL (Japan Airlines) have put in place special cancellation and date change policies for customers holding their international tickets.

ANA（All Nippon Airways）

Purchase by 28APR'09
Departing by 31MAY'09
from / to Mexico, United States (except Hawaii), and Canada

For this above tickets

• Cancellation charges or refund charges will be waived irrespective of the fare rules.
  
• Change fees will be waived irrespective of the fare rules for a one time date change to flights on/before May31th, 2009
  

For more information and details

1-800-235-9262（ANA Reservations）

JAL（Japan Airlines）

Purchase by 30 APR'09
Departing by 31MAY'09
to/from/via Mexico, United States (excluding Hawaii/Guam), Canada and Brazil

For this above tickets

• Cancellation charges or refund charges will be waived irrespective of the fare rules.
  
• Change fees will be waived irrespective of the fare rules for a one time date change to flights on/before May31th, 2009. (*need service charge)
  

For more information and details

1-800-525-3663（JAL Reservations）

Swine Flu Alert

On the 27APR even in the United States, emergency declaration is put out for swine flu.
According to the NARITA airport (Japan) quarantine place Administration Division, thermography which is usually in the quarantine place was installed even in the arrival gate on the 25APR, the entry person from Mexico was checked preponderantly.
Furthermore, from 29APR quarantine officer boards the flight from Mexico and passengers will be checked body temperature by thermography in a way.
Also the flights from America and Canada will be checked from concerning that person from Mexico might be on board via America and Canada to Japan.
Attendant upon strengthening the quarantine, it is expected to take more time for entry procedure.

ANA Group Pilot Unions Threaten Strike

The unions of four ANA subsidiary airlines have threatened to take 24 hour strike action commencing 00:00 hours (Japan Standard Time) on April 15 (Wed), to express dissatisfaction with the management stance in their spring round of talks.
Air Nippon, Air Nippon Network, Air Next and Air Central will continue urgent negotiations with the unions to avoid a strike. However, should it go ahead 163 ANA* domestic flights will regrettably be subject to cancellation and/ or delay.
(No international flights are affected)
Passengers intending to take ANA domestic flights on April 15 are kindly requested check the status of their flights with ANA SKY WEB (http://www.ana.co.jp/topics/notice090415/index_e.html)
or by contacting their nearest ANA branch.

Runway closure at Narita Airport

23MAR'09, the FedEx cargo plane from China crashed early Morning amid heavy winds at Tokyo's international airport (Narita Airport A runway) and burst into flames on the runway. Many flights were canceled for departing on that day from Narita Airport and many people were stuck in the airplanes that arrived and airport.

Airlines expect the runway to re-open soon and anticipate normal operation for March 24, with the exception of some flights. Please, however, note that there may be further delays depending on the runway situation.

Due to the runway closure (Runway-A) at Tokyo/Narita Airport, the following JAL and ANA flights from the U.S. to Narita have been cancelled

23Mar'09（Mon）Departure
JL005　New York
JL009　Chicago
JL001　San Francisco
JL061　Los Angeles
J0071　Honolulu

NH11　Chicago
NH 9　New York
NH 1　Washington D.C.
NH 5　Los Angeles
NH 7　San Francisco

24Mar'09（Tue）Departure
JL007　New York

Continental Airlines Joins Star Alliance

Continental have been a part of the "Sky Team" which includes Northwest and Delta.

However, Continental will become part of the Star Alliance, which includes US Airways, United and Lufthansa after 25OCT'09.
Because Continental wants broad code-sharing and other commercial cooperation with United Airlines.

Once the changeover takes place, customers will be able to earn and spend miles in both United’s Mileage Plus and Continental’s OnePass programs.
Travel on either airline will count toward elite status in the flyer’s preferred program, and members of one airline’s airport lounge plan will have access to the lounges of the other.

Caution of Nyepi day in Bali, Indonesia

27MAR'09, the people of Bali, Indonesia celebrate their traditional new year, know as Nyepi.

Big monster figures, called ogoh-ogohs, is made by each village are paraded through the village, accompanied by a cacophony of gongs and cymbals, on the eve of Nyepi.

However, Nyepi itself is a day of total silence.

No work is done, no fires may be lit, and no one should be seen outside on the day, 27MAR'09.

On the day of Nyepi, the airport is closed, no taxis are allowed on the street and room blinds should be closed. Most hotels will allow you to freely use the hotel facilities, but you are asked not to leave the hotel grounds.

Most of these rules even apply to tourists, so you need to be aware of this when planning your trip.