Delta's eastbound nonstop from Haneda chases the sun in about 12.5 hours; Korean Air via.
Eastbound from Haneda to Atlanta takes about 12 h 30 min chasing the sun -- roughly 90 minutes shorter than the westbound leg. Delta's seasonal nonstop departs HND evening, arriving ATL the same calendar afternoon. Korean Air via ICN is the year-round alternative, adding a 2-hour Seoul layover. Tokyo to Atlanta fares move quickly, so flexible date checks usually save money.
Plan ATL arrival timing around border-control waves: evening banks can slow first-time non-US entries, so a 2 to 2.5 hour domestic connection buffer is safer than a tight 90-minute transfer. Japan is in the US Visa Waiver Program, so most travelers use ESTA rather than a consular visa, but it is worth submitting authorization early in case passport-data mismatches trigger manual review. For Tokyo - Atlanta, review carrier mix (Delta, Korean Air, United, ANA (codeshare)) before choosing a fare bundle.
Obon holiday (mid-August) and year-end travel (late December) drive HND-ATL fares up 30-50 percent. January-February and September-October are the value sweet spots. ANA codeshares on Delta's nonstop, so ANA mileage holders can book award seats on this itinerary. Tokyo - Atlanta planning works best when transfer times and baggage rules are checked together.
Pacific winds blow west to east, helping eastbound flights from Tokyo to Atlanta. The crossing takes about 12 h 30 min versus 14 hours westbound.
Yes. ANA codeshares on Delta's ATL-HND route, so ANA Mileage Club members can search for and book award seats on this itinerary through ANA's booking system.
No. Japan is part of the US Visa Waiver Program. Apply for an ESTA online ($21, valid 2 years) at least 72 hours before travel.
