Skymark Airlines

Fukuoka-Haneda-Fukuoka Fukuoka-Naha-Fukuoka. Good budget airline for domestic flights in Japan. Great value if you get your tickets in advance and easy payment options through the convenience store make it very convenient. The only downside is getting a refund if you choose to cancel your flight is notoriously difficult. Also no discount for flying round trip. Airplanes are no frills no food or entertainment but staff are professional and accommodating and flights are on time.

Sapporo to Nagoya. Check-in and boarding very efficient. New airplane B737-800. Service onboard was ok although you have to buy your food/drinks. On arrival at Central Japan Airport luggage was already waiting for us on the belt when we came in the arrival hall. Will certainly fly them again when in Japan.

HND-CTS return. Check-in were helpful - didn't depart on time. Didn't expect much but to our luck on a new 737. Interior/lighting was very good a/c was clean and a good crew. They don't really speak English so that could be a potential error. Catering was pay per piece. Would fly them again.

Kobe to Nagasaki and Kumamoto to Haneda. Both flights on time. Used their website for booking - all you need to get your boarding pass is the credit card you used for the booking. They do have an English website but don't expect much or any actual service in English at check in time. On both flights I appeared to be the only westerner on board. Prices from their website can be very very cost effective - Y5100 to fly from Kyushu to Tokyo.

I was able to book online smoothly and easily. Service is no frills but competent. I did not find any particular language barriers during my travel and the rates are definitely way more reasonable than other bigger airlines for domestic Japanese travel. Checking-in and boarding were simple and efficient.

Skymark Airlines has some serious issues with the call centre. It is impossible to reach an agent and any attempts to do so are met with having to allow the phone to ring more than 30 times to then listen to a recording to tell you to call back or be prepared to be put on hold to then be put on hold for up to 20 minutes to then be automatically disconnected if an agent does not take your call before the time limit is up. Very frustrating and the money saved is little compensation for the time spent in trying to reach an agent. Once an agent actually does answer the phone they are little more help than an automated computer that only would follow simple requests. This airline company would do much better to hire some staff to be able to think outside of the box.

Skymark is a low-fare airline in Japan. I flow from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka. The crew are very friendly and polite but cannot speak fluent English. The B767-300 is clean but I am very disappointed with their seats. The seats are very cramped and it is nearly impossible to move out from the seat with the configuration of 2-4-2. Although seats are narrow the price is extremely competitive.