Tokyo Haneda Airport

Since the second terminal opened a year or so ago virtually all the complaints against Haneda have vanished. It sorely needed a lot of new space and it got it! Also the design of the new terminal makes it very comfortable. There is also wonderful non-stop service to Seoul Gimpo Airport and if you happen to be flying between the two this routing is absolutely a must. You could save 5 hours this way. Sadly that is the only international flight from this by far the more convenient of the airports in Tokyo. With the natural forces favouring Haneda though I wonder if it isn't just a matter of a couple of years before it needs more space again and I don't know if there will be any more available.

Being one of the biggest airports in the world HND impressed me with its amazing efficiency arriving there within 10 minutes from downtown Tokyo (well ok downtown would be relative there ;) Shinagawa in fact) by subway and being able to go through security after having checked in after only another 15 minutes from having left the train! Could not be better. Everything so spacious! although being a wide- body hub. Role model for all airports I know so far. Indeed sad that not open for intl. flights!

A new terminal (T2) opened in this February dedicated to ANA and ADO a budget airline but code- share with ANA. It has a quite impressive shopping area before the security check as well as the existing T1 (currently used for JAL group) does. You can spend a half day there. You can see huge check-in hall with plenty of ticket vending and self-check-in machines and efficient staff around to assist you but few "manned" counters and be aware that you may need wait in lines if you have to check-in or purchase your tickets over counter. For Star Alliance Gold members priority check-in "manned" counter as well as priority self-check-in machine and fast-track security check are available. It is quite pity that walking between two terminals is quite long since parking structures and highways are in between. You can catch shuttle busses between the terminals but you have to be careful when you need to change airlines. After you proceed to boarding area you must not expect variety of shops cafes and restaurants as HND T1 or other Japanese airports yet it has been improved a bit.

I flew earlier this year from Itami to Haneda and was quite impressed. Collecting my baggage was very quick and soon I was outside. The shopping area just next to the terminals was what really shocked me as that feels like a real shopping centre in an airport. Only problem was of course trying to communicate in English with airport staff but that is a Japanese thing and not a HND airport problem. Comparing NRT to HND makes me think I would prefer HND was the airport where all intl arrivals come.

Most impressive. As a Brit using this airport on my annual visit to Japan I perhaps see Haneda from a non-Japanese perspective and I'm impressed. Huge high-ceiling check-in hall divided between JAL & ANA which plenty of helpful staff on hand. Arrived on a Monday morning at 0630 with standby tickets and luggage hoping to still make a 0720 flight. Would you like the 0655 instead sir ? No problem ! Try that at for example LHR T1 ! Handling the boarding of 500 + passengers onto a domestic configured 747 or 777-300 is a model of efficiency and easily done. Speedy luggage retrieval on arrival here with my bag marked fragile given personally to me. Loads of shops and eateries on levels 4 & 5 love the roof-top " Birds eye " aircraft (and Tokyo harbour) viewing weather permitting. So many other nice service touches as well like the flight display boards showing if a flight is full and the expected weather at arrival airport. Good ground links as well express coaches operating frequently to important areas in and around Tokyo. All in all - a very nice airport.