A nonstop flight to Tokyo from the United States typically takes between 10 and 15 hours, depending on your departure city and flight route. Cities closer to the Pacific Ocean have noticeably shorter flight times, while departures from the central and eastern US require longer nonstop journeys.
Tokyo is served by Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT). While flight time differences between the two are usually minor, your departure city plays the biggest role in overall time spent in the air.
Below is a comparison of average nonstop flight times from major US cities to Tokyo, followed by detailed explanations for each route.
| Departure City | Average Nonstop Flight Time |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 11–12 hours |
| Chicago (ORD) | ~13 hours |
| Seattle (SEA) | 10–11 hours |
| New York (JFK / EWR) | 14–15 hours |
| San Francisco (SFO) | ~11 hours |
| Dallas (DFW) | 13–14 hours |
| Atlanta (ATL) | ~14 hours |
| Houston (IAH) | 13–14 hours |
| Boston (BOS) | ~14 hours |
| Denver (DEN) | ~12 hours |
| Honolulu (HNL) | 8–9 hours |
Average Nonstop Flight Time to Tokyo From the United States
These times reflect nonstop flights. Flights with connections will take longer depending on routing and layovers.
How Long Is a Flight From Los Angeles to Tokyo?
A nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo takes about 11 to 12 hours. Los Angeles is one of the busiest US gateways to Japan, with frequent nonstop service to both Haneda and Narita.
How Long Is a Flight From Chicago to Tokyo?
Flights from Chicago to Tokyo take around 13 hours nonstop when flying westbound. Chicago offers nonstop service to both Tokyo airports, depending on the airline and season.
How Long Is a Flight From Seattle to Tokyo?
A nonstop flight from Seattle to Tokyo usually takes 10 to 11 hours. Due to its northern location, Seattle often has slightly shorter flight times compared to other major US cities.
How Long Is a Flight From New York to Tokyo?
A nonstop flight from New York to Tokyo typically takes 14 to 15 hours. Most nonstop flights arrive at Haneda, with some departures operating from Newark rather than JFK.
How Long Is a Flight From San Francisco to Tokyo?
A nonstop flight from San Francisco to Tokyo takes around 11 hours. This route offers consistent nonstop service and relatively stable flight times throughout the year.
How Long Is a Flight From Dallas to Tokyo?
Flights from Dallas to Tokyo usually take 13 to 14 hours nonstop. Flight duration can vary slightly depending on routing and wind conditions.
How Long Is a Flight From Atlanta to Tokyo?
A nonstop flight from Atlanta to Tokyo averages around 14 hours. Atlanta primarily offers nonstop service to Haneda Airport.
How Long Is a Flight From Houston to Tokyo?
Flights from Houston to Tokyo typically take 13 to 14 hours nonstop. Houston offers nonstop service to both Haneda and Narita, depending on the airline.
How Long Is a Flight From Boston to Tokyo?
A nonstop flight from Boston to Tokyo usually takes around 14 hours. Most nonstop service from Boston operates to Narita Airport.
How Long Is a Flight From Denver to Tokyo?
Flights from Denver to Tokyo take about 12 hours nonstop. Denver’s central location results in flight times shorter than the East Coast but longer than the West Coast.
How Long Is a Flight From Honolulu to Tokyo?
Flights from Honolulu to Tokyo typically take 8 to 9 hours nonstop, making Hawaii the shortest US gateway to Japan. Some flights to Haneda fall closer to the lower end of this range.
Tokyo Airports and Flight Time Differences
Tokyo is served by two major international airports.
- Haneda Airport (HND) is located closer to central Tokyo and generally offers faster ground transportation into the city.
- Narita International Airport (NRT) is farther outside Tokyo and handles a large share of international arrivals.
The difference in flight time between Haneda and Narita is usually minimal, but total travel time after landing can vary depending on which airport you arrive at.
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Why Return Flights Are Often Faster
Flights from Japan back to North America are usually 30 to 60 minutes shorter thanks to the jet stream, a fast moving band of winds at cruising altitude that generally flows west to east. Pilots plan routes to use these tailwinds eastbound and to avoid headwinds westbound.
Airlines Flying Between the United States and Japan
Major carriers operating direct routes include:
- Japan Airlines (JAL)
- All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- United Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
Additional options and codeshares are available, and ZIPAIR operates several popular low cost nonstop routes to and from Narita. Availability varies by airport and season, so always check current schedules when booking.
If you’re looking to save money, I recommend trying Zipair a low-cost airline operated by Japan Airlines that offers round-trip flights from Tokyo to Los Angeles for around 80,000 yen.
Final Thoughts
Flight times to Tokyo from the United States range from as short as 8 hours from Honolulu to up to 15 hours from New York. Most nonstop flights fall between 10 and 14 hours, depending on where you depart.
Knowing how long your flight will take helps with planning rest, managing jet lag, and setting realistic expectations before arrival. With the right preparation, even the longest nonstop flights to Tokyo can be handled comfortably.
