How long is a flight to Japan from the USA? Flight times by city [2024]

It's no secret: Getting to Japan from the US takes a while. No matter where you start, you're journeying across the globe.

But if you've ever considered coming to Japan, you've probably wondered just how long is a flight to Japan from the United States?

And on average? The answer is simple — 13 hours or so. But your flight duration can change a lot depending on your point of departure. How far is it? Are there direct flights? There are lots of factors that can change how long you're traveling to get to Japan.

In this article, I’ll cover the direct and indirect flight durations to Japan from the top 11 major cities in the United States. I’ll also explain how flight times vary depending on which airport you take off from land in, and what the average flight speeds are, so buckle up and let’s start.

How Long Is A Flight To Japan From United States

The United States is a large country, so where you depart from significantly influences how long your journey takes. 

That said, generally speaking, a direct flight from the West Coast should take somewhere between 10 and 12 hours, depending on your exact departure point.

If you’re traveling from the East Coast of the US, however, you’re generally looking at longer flight times. A flight to Tokyo from here can very well take between 13 hours and 15 hours, and this is with a direct journey.

When it comes to flights with one or more stops, on the other hand, it’s hard to tell what the true average is in general terms. However, I did try to provide approximate times for flights with reasonable layovers for the specific departure points I covered below so that you can at least have an idea.

By reasonable, I mean non-direct flight with only one stop, preferably in the U.S. through one of the major hubs of the country.

Now, let’s get a bit more specific.

How Long Is A Flight To Japan From New York: JFK To Tokyo Flight Time

Let’s kick things off with New York and see how long the flight is to Tokyo’s two international airports, Narita and Haneda. 

First off, Narita Airport is currently the one with the most international flights and is the larger one of the two, so finding a direct flight isn’t a problem here. A direct flight from JFK, New York, to Narita Airport takes 14 hours and 15 minutes on average speed. 

Haneda, on the other hand, currently has fewer direct flights with the United States, so while it takes about the same time as Narita Airport for a direct flight, your only option may very well be a connection flight. In this case, it can take at least 16 hours on average, considering the time it takes to change flights.

This is soon to change, however, as it was recently announced that even more direct flights will be added between the U.S. and the Haneda Airport throughout 2024.

How Long Is A Flight to Japan From California: LAX To Tokyo Flight Time

LAX, or Los Angeles Airport, is another common location from which Japan receives a considerable amount of traffic.

This is another airport with direct flights to Japan, and it’s possible to fly directly to both Narita and Haneda airports.

On average, a flight from LAX to Narita takes about 11 hours and 45 minutes, considering the plane flies at an average speed of 500 mph. 

Similarly, a direct flight to the smaller Haneda Airport takes about the same time, but seeing that your direct flight options are still slightly limited here, the next best option is a connecting flight, which takes around 15 hours or more.

How Long Is A Flight To Hawaii From Japan: Hawaii To Japan Flight Time

Hawaii is another one of the few states that has direct flights to both Narita and Haneda airports of Tokyo and is a popular route among U.S. visitors going in and out of Japan.

A direct flight from Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Tokyo’s Narita Airport takes about 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Flying to Haneda Airport takes about the same time, but because of the fewer direct flight options, you might have to take an indirect flight that can take over 12 hours and 30 minutes.

Chicago To Tokyo Flight Time: From CHI To NRT/HND

The Windy City is another popular departure point for flights between Japan and the United States, so naturally, you have direct flight options to both Narita and Haneda airports.

Starting off with Narita, landing in Japan at this airport takes about 13 hours and 10 minutes from the Chicago Airport (CHI) in Illinois on average commercial flight speed. 

Since the distance between Haneda and Narita airports is negligible by air travel standards, it also takes about the same time to get to Haneda Airport from Chicago. 

That said, average flight durations include the takeoff and landing times as well, and air traffic may be more of an issue at a smaller airport such as Haneda. So, the average flight durations might vary a bit more here.

As for indirect flights, which are more common at Haneda Airport due to capacity, you’re looking at a flight duration of over 15 hours. 

Seattle To Japan Flight Time: From SEA to HND/NRT

Seattle is Washington State’s largest city, and there are flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Tokyo’s two major airports all year round.

Those considering a trip from the Emerald City to Tokyo’s Narita Airport can expect an average flight duration of 10 hours and 20 minutes with a direct flight.

If you’re landing at Haneda Airport, the direct flight will take just as long, considering you’re landing in the same city. 

That said, keep in mind that there are fewer direct flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Haneda Airport than there are for the larger Narita Airport. So, you may end up having to take a connected flight, which can take upwards of 13 hours and 50 minutes.

Flight Time From San Francisco To Japan: SFO To HND/NRT

The large state of California houses not just one but two large cities that have direct flights to Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda International Airports.

Departing from San Franciso International Airport, getting to Tokyo’s Narita Airport takes about 11 hours with a direct flight. Similarly, landing in Haneda should take more or less the same time.

If you don’t mind a detour, you have even more flight options to Haneda airport, which, of course, will take longer. Indirect journeys with a pit stop in cities like Los Angeles can easily stretch your airtime to somewhere between 14 to 18 hours. 

Dallas To Tokyo Flight Time: Flight Durations From DFW to HND/NRT

If you’re traveling from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), you’re looking at a direct flight of 13 hours and 30 minutes to Narita International Airport. 

Direct fliers can also reach the more conveniently located Haneda International Airport at about the same time, if not a little sooner.

Not in a rush and don’t mind a more scenic route? Indirect flight options are also available to both airports through hubs like San Francisco, for instance. That said, these flights can easily take upwards of 15 hours, which is something to consider.

Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) To Tokyo Flight Time

For those gearing up for a trip from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Georgia to Tokyo, a direct flight takes a bit longer than from the cities I covered so far, averaging 14 hours for Narita International Airport.

Of course, direct flights to Haneda take about the same, if not less, but are fewer and farther in between compared to the number of direct flights to Narita.

If your travel plans aren’t flexible or your only option is an indirect flight, however, you can expect a journey of 16 to 22 hours pit-stopping in a hub city like Minneapolis. 

Portland, Oregon (PDX) to Tokyo Flight Time

Portland is the first city on our list that only offers direct flights to the larger one of Tokyo’s airports, Narita. 

Travelers departing from the Portland International Airport can expect a journey of about 11 hours if flying directly to Narita International Airport.

However, those wanting to land at Haneda Airport or don’t have any other choice can also take indirect flights, adding a layover in San Francisco, for instance. In this case, an indirect flight to Haneda International Airport can take somewhere between 13 to 17 hours. 

Miami To Tokyo Flight Time: MIA To HND/NRT

Traveling from the Magic City? Then you should keep in mind that there are, unfortunately, no direct flights to either Narita or Haneda International Airports in Tokyo. Moreover, compared to other cities on our list, there are fewer connecting flights, so plan accordingly.

Travelers departing from Miami International Airport are looking at a journey of about 15 hours. While this is the average time, since it’s a connecting flight, the exact duration of each flight can vary drastically.

Return Flight Times From Japan Back To The US

So far, I’ve only talked about the flight durations from the United States, but I haven’t mentioned a single thing about the return journey. 

You might assume that your trip will be the same duration for both ways, but the return journeys are approximately one hour shorter thanks to something called the Westerlies Wind System, or Westerlies for short.

This wind that blows from the West to the East between 30 and 60 degrees latitude causes flights in the opposite direction to take longer, while the way back is easier as you’re simply going with the wind. 

Which Airlines Currently Travel Between The United States and Japan?

Now that you understand how long a journey takes from some of the most prominent departure points in the United States, let’s talk briefly about your options regarding airlines.

Currently, the airline companies that offer direct flights to Japan from the United States are:

• Japan Airlines

• Delta Airlines

• All Nippon Airlines

• United Airlines

• American Airlines

In addition to these, you can also find tickets from several other airlines operated by one of these five companies. Among these, the most common ones you’ll come across are Hawaiian Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Philippine Airlines.

Conclusion: Ready For Your Journey?

As we covered in this article, flying to Tokyo with a direct flight is possible not just from the biggest travel hubs like New York or Los Angeles but from several other locations throughout the country. 

To give you an overview, here are all the US cities that currently offer direct flights to either Narita International Airport or Haneda International Airport in Tokyo:

• New York

• Chicago 

• Hawaii

• Seattle

• Los Angeles

• Atlanta

• San Francisco

Depending on whether you’re departing from the East or the West Coast, you’re looking at either 13 to 15 hours or 10 to 12 hours, which is quite the difference. 

You should also keep in mind that the return journey to the US takes an hour less due to the wind currents affecting the speed and resistance with which the plane operates. 

While this is all for travel times, if you’re considering traveling to Japan, you may want to refer to my article on the best times to visit Japan before creating your travel itinerary. Also, if you have reservations about safety or don’t have experience traveling abroad, my article “Is Japan safe?” can help ease your mind.