All Nippon Airways (ANA) has long been a top-tier airline and continues to maintain that standard. It’s one of just ten airlines to have gained a 5-star rating from Skytrax, and unlike with some of those ratings, ANA really deserves it. The Japanese carrier delivers on all fronts: reliable, safe, with excellent service, comfortable seats and good food.
But what really stands out about ANA is its utter consistency. Every time I’ve got an ANA flight coming up, I feel great about it because I know exactly what I’m going to get. The service standards never slip or fall short, regardless of what cabin I’m traveling in. I know it’s going to be a quality experience.
Route network
ANA is Japan’s largest airline, serving 8 US cities and Vancouver with flights to Tokyo. As a Star Alliance member with comprehensive connections via United Airlines, it’s an obvious choice from the Americas to Japan or further afield.
And while they’re tight partners in the Star Alliance (no, United doesn’t own them, but they’re close travel partners), the ANA service is distinctly its own. The airline also serves Mexico City, most major cities in Asia, two cities in both Australia and India, quite a few in Europe, and of course, just about everywhere in Japan.
Narita versus Haneda
The ANA long-haul operation is split between Tokyo Narita and Tokyo Haneda. In general, Haneda is preferable. It’s closer to Tokyo for those whose final destination is the Japanese capital, and if you’re headed elsewhere in Japan, this is where most domestic flights depart from too. The international terminal is also beautiful and efficient, so if you have the choice, definitely opt for Haneda.
Narita is further from Tokyo and has very few domestic connections. If you end up landing in Narita and need to get elsewhere in Japan, the train is often a great option (Japanese trains are fast, frequent, and lovely to ride, too). However, for connections via Tokyo to other spots in Asia, Narita is a perfectly good airport to transit in.
Aircraft types
The ANA long-haul fleet can be broadly grouped into three aircraft types, and as a big fan of premium cabins, I love that ANA tends to have very premium-heavy configurations with big business class cabins. That means it can be easier to get upgrades and seats using miles. More premium seats also mean fewer people on board overall, which speeds up boarding and creates a calmer atmosphere.
The 777-300ER is a long-haul workhorse and has a large number of business class seats. These aircraft also offer true first class and premium economy in addition to rather small economy cabins.
The 787 tends to serve routes with less demand and has just three classes of service, as these do away with first class.
The A380 operates exclusively on Honolulu flights. It’s known as the “Flying Honu” and it’s painted like a giant sea turtle in different colors. You can’t miss it.
Onboard experience
ANA has a number of different onboard products that vary by aircraft type, and it can be difficult to keep track of what’s what. But honestly, I’d be happy ending up on any one of them, and in pretty much any cabin.
Long-haul economy class
In economy class on ANA, you can expect to be treated well. You’ll get a pillow and blanket, well-padded seats and adjustable headrests. It’s solid for economy, if you ask me.
The ANA 787 aircraft offer generous legroom in economy, with the newer variants providing particularly spacious seating.
ANA carries postcards (adorned with ANA planes), writing pads, and pens to give out, just ask for some.
Long-haul premium economy class
Premium economy can offer good value on ANA. You’ll find it on most of its long-haul aircraft, but not all.
The seats vary depending on how new they are, but in general, you can expect around 38 inches of legroom, good padding, and plenty of recline. So much so that the seat in front of you may feel very close if they recline and you don’t. I’ll happily take a good recline for a night flight, even if the tradeoff is having someone’s seatback a little bit in my space.
The top premium economy seats on ANA are on the recently reconfigured 777-300ERs, the ones that feature the latest business and first products. They are extra cushy and feature huge 15.6-inch personal screens. The new 787-10 and A380 also have these seats, but you won’t go wrong with the previous generation either.
The food may be the only letdown in this cabin. While some airlines offer more premium meals here, ANA’s is very similar to economy class. That said, you can request additional snacks and drinks that economy passengers cannot access.
Amenities like eye shades are on offer, but you may have to request them from the crew. This being a Japanese airline, you’ll also get slippers even in premium economy, a useful perk for getting up without having to put your shoes back on.
Finally, premium economy passengers on ANA also get lounge access included if departing from Tokyo airports, Osaka, or Honolulu.
On “Flying Honu” A380 flights, you’ll also get a nice branded bag that can be used later for shopping or going to the beach.
Long-haul business class
ANA has two basic versions of business class. The first is a fairly standard staggered configuration that’s very private with direct aisle access for everyone. It’s a previous generation seat and isn’t incredibly wide, but it lies flat, there’s lots of storage, and it’s a very comfortable way to fly. This is the most common offering.
The second business seat is a new showstopper dubbed “The Room”. With sliding doors and a 24-inch monitor, it really is like flying in your own little suite.
However, there are tradeoffs. Though it’s a wide seat, there’s less room in front of you, and you’ll need to lie down on a diagonal to sleep. It’s also a bit less padded than I would like, personally. Still, I’d happily fly long-haul in either seat.
Lounge access comes with this as standard, of course, as does a nice amenity kit that will make for a good souvenir if you’re into that sort of thing (or have a friend who is).
Long-haul first class
ANA still offers First on quite a few long-haul flights, including to Honolulu. Here again, there are two versions of the seat.
The previous generation is called “The Square” and it’s only found on the 777. While the service will be at a very high level, the seat itself is not my favorite. A shell surrounds you on both sides, making it more difficult to see out the window and creating a hemmed-in feeling that I don’t love (though you also won’t see any other passengers).
Then you have the pinnacle of the ANA onboard offering, dubbed “The Suite.” This is available on some 777s, and it features unmatched privacy and comfort. The A380 first class seat, while not branded the same way, is very similar. If you’re springing for first class, it pays to try and book one of these.
Service-wise, you can expect caviar, extensive Japanese tasting menus, restaurant-quality food and top-shelf alcoholic beverages. Special first-class check-in and first-class lounge access are also included.
Tip: If departing from Narita in First Class, don’t forget to check in at the dedicated Suite Lounge check-in for a calm and speedy trip through the airport.
Medium-haul business class
There’s one more major seat type to be aware of on ANA: business class on the 767s that primarily serve medium-haul destinations, including some Southeast Asian cities. These are an older seat that reclines within a shell but is not fully flat. So if you’d like a fully flat seat, try to catch a 787 on these routes instead.
Domestic flights
If you do find yourself on a domestic flight in Japan, you’ll encounter a much more pared-down but still very efficient and polite service. This being Japan, things tend to run on time. While domestic flights tend to be short in this relatively small country, you can usually get very cheap upgrades to a nicer seat, which is good to be aware of.
Same-day upgrades to what ANA calls “premium class,” which will generally be a recliner-type seat similar to domestic first class in the US, are commonly offered and are priced very well. I will always take the upgrade when it’s available. You can check online for the option or even at the airport kiosk or counter.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
