When we pulled up to the remote stand we proceeded up the stairs to the forward left door of the aircraft. ANA’s 737-800s have an odd configuration. There are a total of eight business class seats, spread across four rows in a 2-2 configuration. While that might sound fairly standard, the seats are unlike anything…
Continue reading: Review: ANA Premium Class 737 Tokyo To Nagoya
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I did premium class on the ITM-HND route and had a wonderful meal. I was blown away by the efficiency and quality for such a short flight
I've always thought of intra-Japan flights as a great use of miles/points, between Avios offerings and United redemptions as well. Any color as to why you spent cash?
@Lucky, I'm not sure why you were expecting Nicolas Feuillatte or Veuve Olivier, when the menu states that the former is only available on Haneda-Itami, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa routes, while the latter would be replaced by the Cava starting in March. You flew in May.
I travel around Japan for leisure, usually by air, a few times a year. The configurations vary greatly, as many 787s are still tested for a while on domestic flights. If you think your meal was good, you must have been lucky, Lucky! Domestic as well as International Premium Cabin food has seriously been deteriorating for quite some time. Nevertheless, Star Alliance works best for me, and RTW tickets are the only way I can afford these trips. On another note, try sitting on the HK side when flying west from Tokyo. This way Fuji can be seen when she is not being shy. Conversely, choose the AC side when flying east to Tokyo.
Starting from right to left on the menu you ate
Rolled omlette
Canola/Rape flowers you probably know as cima di rape
Duck in miso
Some kind of stewed beef
Something that features chestnut in a Dutch style but there’s a kanji I can’t read so no sure on that one
Pumpkin
Red pepper
Snow peas
Prawn
Tofu skin
Sea urchin with what I think is a fish
Eel sushi
In the other box
Stewed daikon with tofu skin
Pickled plum rice
Inari sushi
Delicious
Whilst Japanese premium cabin airline food might not be much above your average train station bento* it is so far ahead of Mordy other carrier’s option. Not least because Japan leads the world in boxed lunches that don’t need heating an stewed dishes that work well in your typical aircraft oven.
JAL international definitely beats ANA but I can’t comment on domestic as I haven’t done ANA domestic.
*train station bento are pretty damned good if not a patch on a bento prepared by a restaurant. Top tip if there is a really fancy Japanese restaurant you want to try but can’t afford it - see if they do a bento.
Not sure flying to Nagoya is quicker even from Narita.
Figure one hour to JR Tokyo on the Narita Express and then 2 hours on the bullet train to Nagoya. So that is 3 hours to downtown Nagoya.
Whereas after your transfer/wait time for the domestic flight and your travel into Nagoya from the airport, I bet that was 3 hours as well.
Now, if you were going to Fukuoka or Nagasaki, you'd have a point.
Nagoya is a nice city though, relaxed and under-rated.
@stvr JAL/ANA would never allow partner redemption on their donestic F.
I think only international paid F will put you on domestic F.
That being said, upgrade by cash for domestic F has fair value.
I fly HND - ITM and back every week and always get the nicolas feuillatte each way.
@Tom chances are flying would be cheaper than the shinkansen, especially on the nozomi trains they are ridiculously expensive for a means of public transport.
I like that Ben's forced to have Japanese meal since there was only 1 option hehe. Can't believe he went for the western option on his first class flight to Narita, what a waste.
@Eddie: I try to respect people's choices, they have that right... but I totally agree with you. I always go for the national cuisine of whichever airline I'm flying!
JetBlue offers to-go cup drinks before landing. I routinely get a to-go cup of coffee on transcon red eyes just before landing, even in Y.
I saw Kai and Lani being ferried last week from the ANA first class lounge. On my flight to ORD, the FAs gifted me with Lani gifts, which included a die-cast model, a cardigan type top, Lani Sakura key rings and a Lani pen! I was like a child sitting in my cubicle!
That was a fun review of a short flight; the coffee + earl-gray cookie upon desecent was a nice touch. That Soloseed livery is handsome
JW,
Yeah, maybe, although every time I have been to Japan I have had a JR rail pass so the rides are effectively free (not on Nozomi though).
Interesting review.
Normally I fly JAL domestically (At least twice a month). Lately however, as I have United Club, i've been taking ANA (lounge access). Domestic flying, especially in premium cabin, will of course utilize the domestic configuration (except out of NRT.... Usually); and it will be perfect for the typical Japanese business person (Which makes up a fair amount of their top tier passengers). I strongly recommend JALs widebody domestic service out of NRT as you will have lie-flat seats and the mid-range international widebody configuration (JL3007 (777/767) & 3009 (787)).
ANA however, tries to gear itself on a western/foreigner-oriented service (which is interesting) whereas JAL focuses or at least up until this point has been focusing on the Japanese top tier clientele. There is no comparing Japanese domestic flying with any other type of short-haul domestic flying Stateside; this mainly due to the fact that most flights under an hour would be operated on a CRJ where youre only offered water with no premium cabin lol
Now, about the to-go cups & pillows.... (If youre from the States) Did you know that FARs (CFRs) prohibit passengers from holding any type of service item during landing? So that is something you will never see Stateside unless the FAA changes those regulations (CFR 14 - 135.122)
Next time, ask for the pillows. ANA & JAL normally stow them in the bins above the bulkhead or somewhere in the forward part of Economy.
They serve a meal on a 52 minute flight? In China, you will be of great luck to be able to grab a bottle of water on boarding... CAAC regulations dictate 50 minutes' no-service period, so rip.
Hi Ben. Always a pleasure to read your reviews. LifeMiles will not accept my LHR-HND/NRT-HNL booking on ANA's first class even though it comes up as a possible itinerary on their site. Any thoughts about this?