Once aboard I was greeted by the purser and another flight attendant, who promptly directed me to my seat. They were all smiles. The Another Sky signature ANA boarding music was playing, which is soothing. On one hand I never like the no cell phone on the ground rule, but on the other hand I…
Continue reading: Around the World in a Week, Part Three: IAD-NRT on ANA in First Class
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Excellent report. From your picture, it seems United should have gone with NH's C class seat for the new lie flat seats on the 777, as they come in a 2-3-2 configuration. UA's seat plan of having 2-4-2 C class seats on the 777 means there will be two middle C seats in the center row which is not appealing on a long haul flight. I am really looking forward to the OZ portion of your trip report.
Great report! I wish that you had tired the Japanese kaiseki offerings, particularly since a lot of the fresh (and rare) fish probably went to waste! A previous comment on the JAL review page noted that Japan has some of the highest culinary standards in the world. As a French, Italian and Japanese-speaking American who has lived in Tokyo for a few years, I would go so far as to say that they are indeed the very highest as a result of the extraordinary discipline of the Japanese -- the same quality which seems to underlie what you liked about the flight! (Also, I'm not yet convinced that it's possible to have a genuinely poor meal in Tokyo.) Anyway, will hope I can find ANA availability the next time I raid Isetan!
Hi lucky,
Did you happen to collect a wine menu on this flight? I am curious what ANA is serving upfront.
re: size of braised beef dish... With so many options of items, it sounds like it was more of a tasting menu than a full on main course. Serving small plates (aka tapas) is the only way you could try everything without exploding.
This is a great section of the trip report. I'm glad to see a write up on ANA from someone that's tries most of their competitors. After reading this section, I think I'll skip flying JL for a long haul when NH is an option. I've flown them in F and C before, but after your comparison it sounds like NH is the best Japanese carrier out there.
I'm surprised that their AVOD content is not up to par. AVOD has to have some 22 minute programs such as the Simpsons or Family Guy to provide something to watch in a crunch. I think UA is just as bad on the AVOD content with up to 2 Simpsons episodes, while DLs consistently is loaded with plenty.
Coins,
Some of your readers are interested in reading the wine list. It's another hobby, besides miles and points.
Shame on me for forgetting to post the wine list. I've added it into the text above. Promise it won't happen again!
Hey lucky,
thanks for the trip report! I enjoyed every moment of it. I have never had the pleasure of experiencing ANA yet, but makes me want to try it.
regarding your comment re the LH Upper deck. Some people enjoy the warmth and heat that LH has in F or their plane. It's for me one of the reason why I keep flying them instead of UA or TG, where litteraly my whole body turns into a block of ice!
Nice report. I flew NH F a few times last year IAD-NRT and return -- only once did I share it with only a single other pax. Great , great service! And a really nice bed for sleeping.
@chitownflyer: Be thankful that UA did NOT use the horrible, hard, slanted, NH "flat-ish" C seats! Though there are fewer of them, the new style truly-flat UA seats are far and above the NH ones which are almost worse than the old recliner UA seats.
Quote: "She made my bed with great care, and asked me if the cabin temperature was alright, which it was. Did you hear that, European airlines? Other airlines ask passengers about the cabin temperature, unlike the typical Lufthansa upper deck sauna."
Same goes for BA (and often to AA as well). They keep the plane quite warm for those who don't like to bundle up, or who have a slow metabolism. The rest of us have to strip to our underwear and sweat.