Which is better: Full service or Low Cost carriers?

 Every time I fly international, I always look for the best prices that airline company can offer. Anticipating seat sales and promotions of every each airlines. But which airline suits your budget? A full service airline or a budget / low cost carrier. In the Philippines, there are a lot of Full service and Low cost airlines that serves the country. Our country have two full service airlines, while 3 carriers are low cost that serves international routes. 

All Nippon Airways Check-in counter in MNL

Full service airlines are airlines that offers complimentary inflight food, selection of onboard entertainment, baggage allowances, and amenities (for Business / First Class or for long haul). If you have extra money your class can be upgraded from economy way up to First class. Low Cost Carriers (LCC) are no frills airline, you are only charged the basics, beyond that you have to pay extra. Seats in LCC are cramped, short legroom, and one class in one aircraft. Filipinos are price sensitive when it comes to air travel. They intend to booked their dream destination during seat sales and travel dates are months prior without too much pain in their wallets (In which I am guilty of). In rare occasions, there are some routes that LCC serves that are more pricey than the Full service.

Air bridge view of parked aircrafts in MNL (2018).

During my international trips, I never tried Low Cost because I just wanted to enjoy my travels without too much hassle and I don't want to worry in regards to my baggage limits (because a buy a lot of things). A friend of mine told me that they had a problem to this Low Cost airline pertaining to bulky baggages. They bought a quite number of Gunplas in Narita Airport, upon check-in, the agent said that they have to flatten the Gunpla boxes. That friend had no choice but to follow instructions however, the Gunpla kits will be vulnerable in breakage, as these parts are brittle and small. As for full service carriers, they have no problems with the luggage as long as the passenger abides with linear dimensions and pieces of luggages with assigned weight per class. 

ANA's Inflight entertainment screen. PAL uses a mobile app to avail its inflight entertainment.

Full service airlines offers frequent fliers mileage to passengers, once hit a certain mileage they can redeem it for free flights or class upgrades. Full service airlines has codeshare partners in which you can earn and redeem miles as well. Normally, LCC doesn't offer such mileage. Nowadays, passengers can accumulate points even you are flying LCC (i.e. Cebu Pacific and AirAsia).

An ANA fragile tag.

It doesn't matter what kind of airline you choose, as long as it fits to your budget and needs.

We are all hoping that this pandemic ends, as of now, all airlines around the globe are suffering from this pandemic and hoping global tourism returns to normalcy.

Where to arrive and depart? Haneda or Narita Airport

When I was buying airline tickets, I usually always check the cheapest fares around. But going to Tokyo, has some things to consider. Greater Tokyo has two airports that serve the metropolis; Haneda airport (HND) situated in Ota, Tokyo, while, Narita Airport (NRT) located in Narita City in Chiba Prefecture. This entry will be helpful for first time visitors who wants to visit Tokyo.

credits: Google Maps

Philippine Airlines' flight PR428 bound for Tokyo-Narita

Distance to city?

In terms of distance, Haneda airport is inside Tokyo area, while Narita is about 70kms from the city. Transport options going to or leaving from Tokyo in both airports, for trains; Tokyo Monorail and Keio Line for Haneda, Skyliner, Keisei Line, and Narita Express for Narita Airport. Buses are relatively cheap but it depends on the destination. Buses going to Narita Airport from Tokyo Station will only you cost 1000 JPY or approximately 446PHP. If you want comfort and ready spend a hefty cash, Taxis is for you. Take note that Taxis has surcharges especially late nights. 

A Philippine Airline Check-In Counter at Haneda Airport

How about Airlines going to Tokyo? 

Many Philippine and Japanese based airlines had routes in both airports to / from Manila. Legacy airlines such as All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and Philippine Airlines serve both airports but Low Cost Carriers (LCC) such as Cebu Pacific and JetStar Japan only serves Narita. Cebu Pacific has more destinations going to Narita Airport such as from Clark (CRK), Cebu (CEB), and Manila (MNL). Philippine Airlines serves the same destinations as Cebu Pacific except for Clark, while ANA and JAL only serves Manila airport. 

Narita International Airport Terminal 1 for all All Nippon Airways flights

How about timetable of flights going to Tokyo and returning to Philippines? 

Time schedules and frequencies of airlines going to Manila / Tokyo per day varies, but if you are taking a Philippine based airline, flights are usually in the morning and its return flight commence in early afternoon. If you opted to leave Tokyo / Manila late night, Philippine Airlines (HND - MNL) and Japan Airlines (MNL - HND) offers a redeye flight.

Airside at Haneda International Terminal (will renamed as Haneda International Airport Terminal 3 starting March 2020)

What would be the best option in my opinion

The best option would be taking a multi-airport itinerary if you want maximize your stay up to the last minute in Japan. Like arriving in Narita and departing in Haneda or vice versa. I had been to Tokyo twice and I have doing this kind of multi-airport itinerary so that I can enjoy both airports whether I am arriving or departing.