I’ve traveled between the US and Japan just about every way one can, from Japanese airlines like ANA and JAL, to US carriers, to Singapore Airlines, whose LAX-NRT service is admittedly a relic of a bygone era.
However, until a few weeks ago, I had not flown Delta to Tokyo. Well, at least not in business class, which in my opinion is the best barometer by which to compare one airline to another. I took several flights in economy and premium economy; they were nice, but nothing to write home about.
Whether you’re seriously contemplating taking Delta One to Japan or just weighing your many options, I do think you’ll want to continue reading.
Why Delta One Evaded Me for So Long
I thought my Delta One Tokyo would never happen. I’m first and foremost someone who flies in business class with the assistance of frequent flyer miles. I’ll explain more about this as it relates to Delta in a few paragraphs, but suffice it to say, it’s not practical to book Delta One using miles. At the same time, cash fares (especially to Tokyo) tend to be so exorbitantly priced that I simply assumed I’d never be able to fly Delta One, at least not to Japan.
Then, a funny thing happened. I was browsing around on Google Flights one day in June 2024, and realized that I could fly Delta business class to Asia (into Tokyo, out of Taipei) for less than $4,000 round-trip—which, for Delta One to Asia, is pretty affordable. I discovered I could get it $500 cheaper via Amex Travel by using my Platinum card and…well, the rest is history.
5 Things to Know About the Delta One Experience
It’s competitive
I can’t lie: I was sad that my flight from Detroit was ending as the plane descended over central Tokyo, even though the views on that clear, August day were nothing short of outstanding. From the excellent suite-with-a-door, to the very good (if not perfect) service, to the fact that I managed to get several hours of sleep in aggregate, the best aspects of Delta One are in least in striking distance of flights on ANA or JAL.
(But not cutting-edge)
On the other hand, the door on Delta’s business class suite is just not as exciting as it must’ve seemed back in the late 2010s, to say nothing of how mediocre its food was. This is especially acute taking Delta One from Japan (or, in my case, to Japan), considering how excellent the washoku options on both of Delta’s local competitors are. Overall, Delta One doesn’t feel like it’s pushing any kind of envelope.
It’s exclusive
With the exception of American’s 787-8 and Delta’s own A330-900 (which flies to and from Seattle), the A350-900 that flies on the DTW-HND route offers the most intimate business class cabin, with just 30 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, spread over a single cabin. This results in the overall experience feeling extremely exclusive, even if every individual aspect of it doesn’t.
(And expensive)
Flying Delta One to Haneda can regularly cost you $5,000 round-trip, and that’s if you’re relatively lucky. I’ve seen flights priced at $8,000 or even $10,000, which is crazy given that Delta One is a business class experience not a first one. Options for booking with miles are sadly not any more affordable, as I’ll explain in greater detail in just a couple of paragraphs.
Other options are (probably) better
As I found to be the case comparing my return flight from Taipei with local airlines in Taiwan, I feel like Delta One is probably inferior to ANA and JAL if all other factors are identical. This is certainly the case with JAL, whose “old” Apex Suites product is basically just an early version of the Delta One Suites. With ANA it’s murkier, however; it’s 2010s business class seat is really showing its age, even if the food and service will certainly best Delta’s.
How Many Delta Miles Do I Need to Fly to Japan?
A few years ago, while planning a trip for a client, I was shocked to learn not so much that she and her husband would be flying Delta One, but that they would be paying with miles. “We’ve been saving for years,” she told me excitedly, “almost a decade actually.” And they needed to have done so. By my calculation at the time, it would cost them close to two million (yes that’s 2,000,000) SkyMiles to fly round-trip to Tokyo.
The bad news? Apart from extremely rare flash sales and even rarer ability on partners like Air France/KLM and Virgin Atlantic, flying Delta One to Tokyo will still cost you around 1,000,000 SkyMiles per person for a round-trip. The worse news? Delta, like all airlines, decreases the value proposition of its frequent flyer program over time. So one day, this might actually seem like a good deal, relatively speaking.
Other FAQ About Flying Delta One to Japan
Does Delta fly to Narita or Haneda?
Although Delta inherited a connecting hub at Narita Airport when it merged with Northwest Airlines in 2008, it has since moved its entire Japan operation to Haneda Airport. Notably, Japan is the only US airline that doesn’t split its flights between Tokyo’s two airports; the Haneda Delta SkyClub is probably my favorite one in the world.
What cities in Japan does Delta fly to?
As of September 2024, Delta’s only Japan destination is Tokyo-Haneda, or HND. In the past, however, Delta has flown to Osaka (KIX) and Nagoya (NGO); in the latter instance, it was the only airline to fly nonstop between the mainland US (namely, DTW) and Nagoya.
Is there a Delta lounge in Tokyo?
Yes! In fact, the Delta SkyClub at Haneda Airport’s Terminal 3 is probably my favorite lounge in the entire Delta system, and also the best non-first class lounge at HND. To access the lounge, you need to be flying business class on Delta or another SkyTeam airline, to have elite status on Delta or another SkyTeam airline or hold the American Express Platinum card while flying Delta.
The Bottom Line
Delta One to Japan is great, but in a market served by some of the world’s best airlines, I’m not sure that “great” is good enough. The Delta One product, to be sure, is not nearly as cutting-edge now as it probably seemed in 2019. Then there’s the huge premium one needs to pay to fly Delta business class in the first place—whether you buy the ticket outright or book with points, it’s significant more than most other airlines charge. Thankfully, no matter how you choose to reach Japan, I can make sure your trip is unforgettable once you land. Hire me to plan a custom Japan itinerary today!
