Shortly after arriving in Japan, Mika and I took a 7-day camping trip to Hokkaido. Since we are staying in Wakayama Prefecture, and specifically in Shirahama right now, we flew to Hokkaido and back.
One comparison we decided to make was flying with Japan Airlines vs. Peach Airlines. Peach is a no-frills economy airline that has come on the scene in recent years, while JAL has always been known to represent the high standard of Japanese service. So we booked a one-way flight to Hokkaido with JAL and a one-way flight back with Peach. Would you like to hear the conclusions we made from the comparison?
The flight on Japan Airlines
On the morning of our flight to Hokkaido, we caught a taxi to the Nanki Shirahama Airport (the name was just changed to Kumano – Shirahama Resort Airport at the beginning of July 2024), less than 10 minutes from where we are staying. It is a very small airport, perhaps a little smaller than the Eugene Airport in Oregon.
Without long lines, we were able to check in, get through the security check, and board the plane smoothly and quickly. After a 55-minute flight, we arrived at Haneda Airport, located in the south part of Tokyo, for a 50-minute layover before our next 1 hour and 35 minute flight to Shin Chitose Airport in Hokkaido.
Upon arrival, we picked up our luggage and took a quick 20-minute train to Sapporo where we picked up our rental RV. Altogether, it was just under 4 hours from home to RV pickup.
There were no issues with our layover, free drink service was provided on the flights, and the inflight wi-fi worked smoothly, even handling the viewing of pics and videos online.
The flight on Peach Airlines
Our return flight with Peach Airlines was direct from Shin Chitose Airport in Hokkaido to Kansai Airport in Osaka. We had to fly back to Osaka because Peach doesn’t fly into Shirahama. The airport check-in was a little slower because the weight restrictions are checked very carefully by the Peach staff. Check-in luggage is limited to 20 kg each and carry-on bags are limited to 7 kg per person. Both of our suitcases were packed with camping goods and we were each over the limit by 1 kg.
Whenever I’ve been over the limit with check-in luggage, I’ve always taken something out and put it in my carry-on bags, but this time, it pushed our carry-on bags over the limit by a couple kg and it cost us an extra 1850 yen.
Although the Peach Airlines staff are more polite than the airlines I’ve flown with in the States, their strictness and service orientation were not at the same high level as Japan Airlines.
Once on board and in the air, drinks were available for purchase. Free wi-fi was also available, but performed slowly and didn’t load any photos.
After 2 hours and 30 minutes, we landed in Osaka. Maybe it’s because Peach is an economy airline, but our gate was at the furthest gate of the furthest terminal at Kansai Airport, so we had to ride a shuttle to get to the main terminal where we could catch an express train back to Shirahama.
Perhaps, we are just slower than others picking up our luggage and getting to the train platform, but we didn’t make it to the next departing express train. As a result, we had to wait a couple hours before the next express train to Shirahama left. I snooped around the airport main terminal while Mika decided to rest on a bench. We then caught the 3:30 express train to Shirahama and arrived at 5:50. Upon arrival, we jumped in a taxi and arrived back home a few minutes past 6:00.
Comparison Results
The start day on Japan Airlines turned out to be 4 hours of travel time. The air tickets were 27,220 yen each, but there were no other costs other than the taxi fare of 1700 yen to the airport. The total cost for both of us to travel that day was 56,140 yen.
The day of the return flight on Peach Airlines started for us with a 9:00 arrival at the Shin Chitose Airport and ended with getting home just after 6:00, so just over 9 hours altogether. The flight on Peach Airlines cost 11,070 yen each, but we also had to pay 5,050 yen each for the train fare. The total cost of our return trip, including flights and train fare for the two of us, the additional baggage fee, and the taxi back home, came to 36,440 yen.
Which would you choose?
It was clearly cheaper to fly with Peach Airlines, but the additional costs we incurred that day surprised me. However, for an economy traveler who packs minimally, Peach Airlines may be your best choice. Also, better planning on my part could have helped us save about 2 hours by catching the earlier train. Even so, it still would have been about a 7-hour day of travel.
The efficiency and service orientation of Japan Airlines can’t be overlooked though. For a little more money, we cut our travel time in half despite having to stop in Tokyo. It is also worth noting that a layover in Tokyo gives you options to fly out to nearly any place in Japan or the world.
Ultimately, I believe flights are merely for the purpose of getting from point A to point B, so I don’t think Peach Airlines is a bad choice. However, I have to admit that the weighing and re-weighing of my check-in and carry-on bags was a little frustrating.
My next flight
In August, I plan to visit Tokyo to see some old friends. I’ll be flying alone this time and need to choose either JAL or Peach.
I wonder how you decide on your travel choices. Do you prioritize cost over time or time over cost? Are the amenities important to you? Is there anything else that influences your decisions?
Hi Jerry! Thanks for the comparison. Very interesting! I have usually gone with the budget route in the past, but so often there are unexpected costs that add so much to the confusion and frustration of the experience. This winter I will be flying to Hawaii with two friends and we paid for business class this time. It will be my first time in the lap of luxury on an airplane. Two major things contributed to this decision. First, we are setting aside money and planning carefully enough that we felt we could afford the extra money. Secondly, my two friends are larger and will benefit from the roomy seating significantly on a longer flight. When comparing the two, it is a little bit more expensive, but the experience wins out in these circumstances.
Yes, flights to Hawaii are pretty long and can be uncomfortable. I hope you all have a wonderful time. It’s also strategic to plan to leave Oregon in winter for more sunshine. 😎