Flights to Tokyo from the US: Nonstop Routes, Haneda vs Narita and When to Fly

Quick answer: Tokyo has two airports with nonstops from more than fifteen US cities. Haneda (HND) is closer to the city; Narita (NRT) is farther out. West Coast flights take about 10.5 to 12.5 hours, the East Coast about 14. US citizens need no visa for short tourist stays.

Tokyo flights at a glance

Nonstop flights to Tokyo from US cities

Airlines and frequencies are as of recent schedules (November 2026) and change by season, so check with the airline. Times are westbound; flights back to the US are usually 1 to 2 hours shorter. Delta plans to return to Narita from Seattle in late March 2027, and American plans to fly Chicago to Narita from March 2027. Austin, Charlotte, Miami, Phoenix, Raleigh-Durham, St. Louis and Tampa have no scheduled Tokyo nonstop, so plan on one connection, usually on the West Coast, in Chicago, Dallas or New York. From Atlanta and Detroit the nonstop goes to Haneda, not Narita.

Haneda or Narita: which Tokyo airport should you fly into?

Haneda (HND) sits on Tokyo Bay, inside the city, and is the closer airport for most hotels. The Keikyu Line reaches Shinagawa in about 15 to 20 minutes and the Tokyo Monorail reaches Hamamatsucho in about 15 to 25, both with connections to the JR Yamanote Line. Most international flights use Terminal 3, while ANA runs some international flights from Terminal 2, so check your ticket.

Narita (NRT) is in Chiba, about an hour east of central Tokyo. The Keisei Skyliner reaches Nippori in about 36 minutes and Ueno in about 41, and the JR Narita Express reaches Tokyo Station in about 53 minutes and continues to Shinagawa, Shibuya and Shinjuku. Japan Airlines, American and other oneworld airlines use Terminal 2; ANA, United and other Star Alliance airlines use Terminal 1.

For most trips, Haneda saves an hour or more on the ground. Narita is worth it when the schedule or the fare is better, when you are connecting to another Asian city on a Narita flight, or when you are staying on the east side of Tokyo near Ueno or Asakusa. Airport Limousine Buses run from both airports to major hotels and stations, which helps with heavy luggage.

Best time to fly to Tokyo and when demand is lower

Cherry blossom season, usually late March to early April, and autumn foliage in November are the busiest times for visitors, and seats on nonstops fill early for those weeks. Japan's own holidays also push demand up: Golden Week from late April to early May, Obon in mid-August and the New Year period.

January and February, outside the New Year week, are cold and dry and usually quieter, which is when fares to Tokyo are typically lower. June is the rainy season, July and August are hot and humid, and typhoons can disrupt flights in late summer and early autumn. October and early November often give the best mix of weather and availability.

To find a better fare, compare Haneda and Narita for the same dates, check midweek departures, and look at a nonstop from a nearby larger airport. Way4Fly's search shows live airline fares for your exact dates.

Airlines flying to Tokyo from the US

Japan Airlines and American run a joint business across the Pacific as oneworld partners, and ANA and United do the same within Star Alliance, so many flights carry both airlines' flight numbers. Delta flies to Haneda from Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles and Honolulu.

Narita adds Alaska Airlines from Seattle, Singapore Airlines from Los Angeles and ZIPAIR, a low-cost Japan Airlines subsidiary, from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Honolulu and, on selected dates, San Jose. ZIPAIR sells seats, bags and meals separately, so compare the total.

If you connect inside the US, keep the whole trip on one ticket. Your bags are checked through, and the airline must rebook you if the first flight is late.

Entry rules for US citizens and Visit Japan Web

US citizens can visit Japan for tourism or short business trips of up to 90 days without a visa, according to the US State Department. Your passport must be valid for the whole stay, and you may be asked for an onward or return ticket. Fingerprints and a photo are taken on arrival, and you cannot work on a visa-free entry.

Visit Japan Web is the government's free online service for your immigration and customs details. Register before you fly and you get QR codes to show at the arrival kiosks and the customs gates, which usually speeds up the line. Use only the official site, not paid look-alike services.

Japan plans an electronic travel authorization, called JESTA, for visa-free visitors, currently scheduled for fiscal year 2028. As of November 2026 it has no start date and is not required; check the rules before you travel.

Time difference and jet lag

Japan does not change its clocks. Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of US Eastern time while the US is on standard time, from early November to mid-March, and 13 hours ahead during US daylight saving time. From the West Coast the gap is 17 hours in winter and 16 in summer.

Westbound flights cross the International Date Line, so you land a calendar day later than you left; most flights from the US arrive in the afternoon or evening. Staying awake until a normal Tokyo bedtime and getting daylight the next morning helps most travellers adjust within a few days. Flying home, you often land on the same date you left, or even earlier in the day.

Frequently asked questions

Travel guide

Late March to early April (cherry blossoms) and October to November are the most popular months. January and February, outside the New Year holiday, are usually quieter, and June brings the rainy season.

Lounge access

• JAL Sakura Lounge, Haneda Terminal 3
• ANA Suite Lounge and ANA Lounge, Haneda Terminal 3
• Delta Sky Club, Haneda Terminal 3
• United Club, Narita Terminal 1

Airport transfers

From Haneda, the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa or the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho takes about 15 to 25 minutes; from Narita, the Keisei Skyliner reaches Nippori in about 36 minutes and the Narita Express reaches Tokyo Station in about 53.

Flight route guides to Tokyo

Each guide covers the airlines on that route, typical connections, the best months to fly and baggage rules, with live fares fetched when the page loads.

• Austin to Tokyo flights
• Boston to Tokyo flights
• Charlotte to Tokyo flights
• Newark to Tokyo flights
• Miami to Tokyo flights
• Chicago to Tokyo flights
• Phoenix to Tokyo flights
• Raleigh to Tokyo flights
• San Diego to Tokyo flights
• Seattle to Tokyo flights
• St. Louis to Tokyo flights

All route guides to Tokyo