Flying to Hokkaido???

I'm planning a trip to Hokkaido this coming January -- a friend of mine is flying out of Vancouver on ANA -- which is an airline they have used multiple times with good results.

I'll be flying from New York -- some other other airlines "China East", "Air China" "EVA air" list fares that are roughly half to 2/3 that of ANA

So I'm wondering if anybody has any real world experience with these carriers -- online reviews for these airlines run hot and cold -- and some the zero/one star reviews complain about rude service or problems with four point connecting flights on a mix of airlines -- which aren't important to me for this this trip.

Sadly I don't speak Chinese -- which would make a big difference in the event of troubles.

I have limited experience with them but would rate them in order as follows:

ANA - have only flown them domestically but good experience
EVA - have flown them Seattle to Taipei (I think) and they were average. Nothing special but nothing really bad stands out either

I have not personally flown China East or China Air, but have heard some not so good reports

sorry can't give you much more than that. Hope you have a good trip

TW

We flew this past February on EVA from Seattle thru TPE to Sapporo and had no complaints. Bags were free (even ski gear), and meals were served in a timely fashion. One small complaint is the lack of free drinks... a small glass of wine is offered during meals, but the free-flowing beverage cart is nowhere to be found. Maybe it's a cultural difference?

Kanpai!

Thanks for the info!

Hey Randy-

I'm thinking of joining a trip there in January. Did you spring for some extra fat skis?

Hey Randy-

I'm thinking of joining a trip there in January.  Did you spring for some extra fat skis?

I already own a pair of 192cm Voile Drifters

I was planning on bringing them -- debating whether to bring some 100mm waisted skis as well.

We don't have a fixed itinerary, but Asahidake is the top of the list and then Niseko and Furano.

I'll be travelling with someone that grew up in Sapporo and meeting up with her friends / skiing /drinking buddies. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to keep up with the sake.

Ha! Sounds like fun. If I join the trip I'll check back with you on dates. Cheers.

Sounds great! 深い雪

I flew China Air and you can not bring a ski bag. Not to mention on my layover in Bejing they took my lithium batteries and were a generalized pain. I wont be flying through them again, especially on a ski trip.

Have fun on Hokkadio you will love it......SUSHI TRAIN!!!!!!