Manila to US Flight 2022: Japan Airlines Experience and Updated CDC Travel Requirements
Our Manila to US flight on Japan Airlines last June 2022 was our first long-haul flight since the pandemic started. We took Japan Airlines for our Manila to US flight and had one layover at Tokyo Narita Airport.
Watch to find out the 2022 US travel requirements we prepared, see what NAIA Terminal 1 looks like now, and learn about the Japan airport transit experience, and Japan Airlines Manila to US flight experience.
Plus, get tips on how to travel with kids like me!
Manila to US Flight: Updated CDC Travel Requirements for Travel to the US
The travel requirements we prepared given the updated CDC travel requirements to the US, from the Philippines, are:
- Valid Passport and US Visa
- Proof of Vaccination from VaxCertPH
- CDC Attestation Form
- Bureau of Immigration Travel Declaration Form
- Travel Tax Payment Receipt
⭐ As of June 12, 2022, CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. You can read about this on CDC’s website here.
⭐ Pay travel tax online to skip the lines at the airport.
⭐ Check with your airline if they will require travel insurance as airline policies may differ.
Before the Flight
Japan Airlines Online Check-In, Meal, and Seat Selector
After booking our tickets, Japan Airlines allowed us to choose or change our seats for free. We also requested kids’ meals for my little brother and me and seafood meals for my parents.
We checked in online on Japan Airlines’ website 24 hours before our flight and got our boarding passes immediately.
⭐ Tip! Your meal will be served first if you request kids’ meals or special meals online on JAL’s website.
Tieza Online Travel Tax Payment
We also paid our travel tax online at Tieza’s website to skip the lines at the airport. We printed out the receipt they sent through email.
Japan Airlines Bag Drop
Japan Airlines Manila to Chicago flight leaves from NAIA Terminal 1. We still went there early, 3 hours before our flight, to ensure we had enough time for security checks and immigration.
⭐ Tip! Enter through the left door of the NAIA Terminal 1 Departure area as the line is shorter here.
We lined up for bag drop and presented our passports, boarding passes, vaccination certification, and travel tax payment receipts. Japan Airlines allows two pieces of checked-in baggage and 1 piece of carry-on luggage per passenger.
Immigration and Security Check
We presented our passports, boarding passes, and travel declaration forms at the immigration counter. After this, we lined up for the security check.
⭐ Tip! Make sure you go to the restroom before you head to the immigration and security check area as the lines are long. It took us around 30 minutes to finish.
Boarding
Before we headed to our boarding gate, we filled our water tumblers using the free water stations around NAIA Terminal 1. There is one right after immigration and we saw another one beside our boarding gate.
We made sure to arrive early at the boarding gate to get seats. They checked our passports and boarding passes again before entering the boarding gate area.
Families with small kids were allowed to board the aircraft first, which was very convenient for us.
Japan Airlines Inflight Experience: Manila to Narita
Seats, Legroom, and Inflight Entertainment
Japan Airlines has very comfortable seats in their Economy Class. It has spacious legroom and comfortable seats, and we were given a pillow and a blanket each. The seat next to me was empty so I was able to stretch out and sleep after eating.
They also have fun movies and TV shows for kids on their TVs!
They also gave me and my brother toys! I chose a soft airplane toy and my brother got a JAL diecast plane.
Inflight Meals
We were able to get our meals first because we ordered kiddie meals online. They gave us cute and yummy kiddie bento meals. I was really full after the meal!
Layover at Tokyo Narita
Security Check
After landing at Tokyo Narita airport, we followed the airport signage for Transit passengers and ended up in the Security Check area for transit passengers.
⭐ Tips! Make sure you go to the restroom before you head to the security check area as the lines are long too. It took us around 30 minutes to finish.
Dining and Shopping Options
After the security check, we were free to go around the airport (post-security check area only) to eat and shop. Since our flight arrived early in the morning, some of the shops were still closed.
We shopped at the Akihabara store and bought some classic Tokyo snacks like Tokyo Banana, Milk Cheese Factory biscuits, Pocky matcha, and Royce chocolates.
My parents got coffee and water from Cafe Avion.
⭐ Tip! They have really nice nurseries with diaper changing stations, nursing areas, and hot water for formula milk. They also have strollers at the information counter that can be used by passengers with babies.
⭐ Tip! Make sure you have Japanese Yen if you plan to use vending machines. Some of them only accept Japanese Yen like the water vending machine.
Boarding
Before boarding, the ground crew checked our passports and boarding passes and got our CDC Attestation forms.
Unfortunately, they did not offer priority boarding for families with small kids so we had to squeeze through a lot of adults fixing their bags when we finally boarded.
Japan Airlines Inflight Experience: Tokyo Narita to Chicago
Seats, Legroom, and Inflight Entertainment
The seats on the Tokyo to Chicago flight were also comfy and spacious. The seat pockets gave me enough space for my tumbler and wipes.
Plus, they have more fun movies and TV shows for kids during this flight. I was able to watch Trolls and Turning Red.
We got toys again from their friendly flight attendants, which made it more fun!
The plane was pretty full this time so I just reclined my seat and used a comfy neck pillow to sleep.
Inflight Meals
We had two meals and one snack during this flight. The first bento meal was served a few hours after take-off and the second one was served a few hours before landing. They gave us a snack in between the two meals.
We were able to receive our meals first again because we chose the kiddie meal online and the bento boxes are super cute and yummy!
Chicago Airport
We landed at Chicago airport on time. We found our bags fast at the baggage carousel and headed out to Chicago to explore.
We landed at Chicago airport on time. We found our bags fast at the baggage carousel and headed out to Chicago to explore.
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