Thread: Smoothest int'l - domestic connection in western US - where?

JAL to DFW is probably your best option. Faster customs, 787 nonstop, gate access (D Gates), great food and you cut off 2 hrs in US to get to MIA.

Welcome aboard Pochikun. There' a seat for you down front and the snacks are straight back.
LAX or SFO? A little more info would help us to factor in the variables.
Airlines - time of arrival/departure - checked luggage

Generally 2 hours is the minimum transfer time at LAX depending on, if our flight is using TBIT, the flight's arrival time and how long it takes you to exit the plane. *wink* Add clearing immigration/customs , checked luggage, the queues at your domestic T and how fast you can navigate a series of tunnels, corridors/catch a (slow moving) shuttle or run between terminals and it could easily be 3.
And yes things have certainly changed on the west coast in 20 years - traffic, it's gotten a lot worse. *wink*

I'll second D2's suggestion of a DFW connection. In addition to the JL flight, AA has 2 daily flights from NRT-DFW which could be your back up. From DFW, there are many flights between DFW-MIA as well as DFW-FLL.

Thank you everyone for the welcome and sharing your views. NRT-DFW looks like it is getting full, with JAL sold out and AA almost too. Then, I realized there is an UA connection from Narita via Denver. As far as I can see there also appears to be room for us non-revs. It arrives a bit late at Miami, but for what looks like a stress-free flight and ample time to make the connection it is small price to pay I think.

Good Luck..

Thanks for updating. The non-rev travel gods & weather gremlins, they can make you miss a flight, and/or help you to make one.