All Nippon Airways is the Airbus A380 operator with the smallest fleet of these aircraft. The airline actually never really wanted these jets, but acquired them when Skymark Airlines went bankrupt, in hopes of securing the carrier’s Haneda slots.
Up until now, the airline has only ever had two A380s in service, though the company has just started flying its third (and final) A380. I can’t help but take a moment to reflect on how strange the carrier’s approach is with this plane…
In this post:
ANA A380s fly exclusively between Tokyo and Honolulu
Japanese Star Alliance member All Nippon Airways (ANA) flies its Airbus A380s exclusively on one route, between Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Honolulu (HNL). The double decker jets are even Hawaii themed, as the airline has branded these planes as the “FLYING HONU,” and they’re inspired by Hawaiian sea turtles. The three planes all have different colors, so each is unique.
ANA has three A380s, with the registration codes JA381A, JA382A, and JA383A. The first two jets were delivered in 2019, while the third jet was only delivered in 2021, during the height of the pandemic. As a result, that plane was grounded for a long time due to lack of demand. That finally changed in the past few days, as the final A380 has finally entered service.
With the airline finally having all three A380s operational, what’s the schedule for these super heavy jets? Well, All Nippon Airways is operating a total of 10 weekly flights between Tokyo and Honolulu — one frequency operates daily, while the other frequency operates three times weekly.
At ~3,800 miles, the journey between Tokyo and Honolulu isn’t particularly long, and only takes around eight hours in each direction. As you can see, a single A380 can do a daily rotation, even with a significant buffer at both airports.
So I can’t help but find ANA’s A380 strategy to be very strange. For one, ANA is the only airline in the world that ordered an A380 specifically for a single leisure market, as no other airline has ever even considered doing something like that before.
But even with increasing service, the airline is only operating 10x weekly A380 flights between the airports, while the A380s would be capable of operating up to 21x weekly A380 flights in that market.
Now, maybe you want a spare (in theory, though with such a small fleet, that’s ridiculously costly), but even so, these three planes are being utilized less than half of the time.
I’m sure ANA would consider increasing service with A380s in the market, though tourism levels in the market haven’t picked up to pre-pandemic levels. The Japanese Yen is very weak compared to the US Dollar, making a holiday in Hawaii much more expensive than in the past for Japanese visitors (which is the target market for these planes).
What I find most surprising is that ANA hasn’t decided to operate the A380 in another market that has sufficient demand. Are there really no other markets where ANA can profitably operate an A380, especially given the tourism boom to Japan right now? Part of the issue is that Tokyo Haneda can’t accommodate A380s, so these could only fly from Tokyo Narita, which is generally lower yield.
One other random note — in late 2021 ANA introduced mixed fleet flying, whereby pilots could be rated on both the A320 and A380. That’s a first among A380 operators, as far as I know. At least that means that ANA’s incremental crewing costs for maintaining such a small fleet probably aren’t very high.
The basics of All Nippon Airways’ A380s
All Nippon Airways’ Airbus A380s feature a total of 520 seats, including:
- Eight first class suites, in a 1-2-1 configuration on the upper deck
- 56 business class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration on the upper deck
- 73 premium economy seats, in a 2-3-2 configuraAt tion on the upper deck
- 383 economy seats, in a 3-4-3 configuration on the lower deck
First class looks fairly similar to ANA’s “The Suite” first class on the 777, while business class doesn’t look as good as ANA’s “The Room” business class on the 777.
Bottom line
For the first time ever, All Nippon Airways has put all three of its Airbus A380s into service. The airline is still sticking to its plan to operate the planes exclusively between Tokyo and Honolulu, yet oddly the airline is only scheduling these planes for 10 weekly flights.
With the upcoming schedule, these A380s are being utilized less than half of the time, so you’d think the airline would see potential in flying these planes somewhere else. That’s especially true when you consider that Japan is currently seeing a lot more inbound tourism than outbound tourism, given the currency conversion situation.
Many airlines evolve their business strategy due to evolving market conditions, but not ANA, I guess…
What do you make of ANA’s weird A380 fleet?
Always fun to watch the blue hono land around 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings at HNL
When I was in Tokyo the past couple of times. I always see two of the A380 (Blue and orange one?) parked side by side far from the terminal...while I loved seeing them, can't help to wonder why they are not flying somewhere in a busy afternoon....maybe they will add some China routes once it's more open!
Dubai strikes me as a great option for the ANA 380.
Good competition for Emirates.
A great destination for Japanese leisure travellers.
I know Japanese appreciate natural form, and Dubai does not offer much of that, but its one of the few countries that can match Japan for cleanliness, modernity, and facilities, all that with beaches and 'gold' too, and it does quite suit them.
Barclays and HSBC opperate in the UAE, so perhaps a...
Dubai strikes me as a great option for the ANA 380.
Good competition for Emirates.
A great destination for Japanese leisure travellers.
I know Japanese appreciate natural form, and Dubai does not offer much of that, but its one of the few countries that can match Japan for cleanliness, modernity, and facilities, all that with beaches and 'gold' too, and it does quite suit them.
Barclays and HSBC opperate in the UAE, so perhaps a good opportunity for SMBC, MUFG and Mizuho to open shop and could also make it a lucrative business route.
They could be on Syd return route or enter into Brisbane route with them as need more out of Australia
"Many airlines evolve their business strategy due to evolving market conditions, but not ANA, I guess…"
Perhaps there isn't a need for ANA to "evolve." Is their A380 service to Hawaii making money for the airline? Obviously, or they wouldn't be flying it, so why change? I'm sure that ANA, being a professional and well-run business has plans in place for these A380s should the Hawaii run become unprofitable, or if the margins fall too...
"Many airlines evolve their business strategy due to evolving market conditions, but not ANA, I guess…"
Perhaps there isn't a need for ANA to "evolve." Is their A380 service to Hawaii making money for the airline? Obviously, or they wouldn't be flying it, so why change? I'm sure that ANA, being a professional and well-run business has plans in place for these A380s should the Hawaii run become unprofitable, or if the margins fall too far. If there's someplace more profitable to redeploy these planes, they will. However, until then they're making good money and more than amortizing their costs, so why "evolve?"
I would have thought London Heathrow deployment would be an easy one as it is slot restricted and usually fairly high-demand.
The plan was to go double daily. Also they wanted to give better award availability for their mileage member
they need the worlds leading A380 expert James Asquith to opine - he can help them become profitable....
I live in Hawaii. This was really the only way I'd realistically ever fly an A380, so I am grateful to have that experience. Also, I think it forced ANA to create a new lounge, since the gates at HNL needed to be retrofitted to fix the A380. The gate for First, Business, and Premium economy is the lounge. Nicest lounge at HNL by far. All the other lounges suck.
However, flying to HND...
I live in Hawaii. This was really the only way I'd realistically ever fly an A380, so I am grateful to have that experience. Also, I think it forced ANA to create a new lounge, since the gates at HNL needed to be retrofitted to fix the A380. The gate for First, Business, and Premium economy is the lounge. Nicest lounge at HNL by far. All the other lounges suck.
However, flying to HND is obviously so much more convenient, but for an AV geek in Hawaii this was something special.
I saw the turquoise turtle A380 from a beach in Waikiki after it took off from Honolulu last Tuesday. It was an awesome sight and surprise addition to my first trip there!!!
This article seems like it's missing other bits of info on the A380 decision.
Others have pointed out that it was part of a Skymark deal that dumped the A380 on ANA, and they had to make a decision on how to best utilize them. The Execs at ANA met with then Governor Ige of Hawaii to discuss a plan to boost tourism since Hawaii relies heavily on Japanese visitors. Hawaii is considered #1...
This article seems like it's missing other bits of info on the A380 decision.
Others have pointed out that it was part of a Skymark deal that dumped the A380 on ANA, and they had to make a decision on how to best utilize them. The Execs at ANA met with then Governor Ige of Hawaii to discuss a plan to boost tourism since Hawaii relies heavily on Japanese visitors. Hawaii is considered #1 destination outside of Japan for Japanese tourism (until pandemic threw curve balls). Honolulu airport is a relic of the old past when Senator Inouye was still alive and the one that got the Fed funding for the airport and it's also named after him post life. Governor Ige agreed to fund the renovation of Honolulu airport C-Wing to accommodate the A380 as it needed a new jet bridge since it's a double decker and also to give ANA 2 lounge sections. One of the lounge is directly connected to the 2nd floor for the business and first class flyers and high status fliers. The idea to have A380 named and painted by a choice winner contest also helped with PR/Marketing. ANA was originally intending to do 2 daily flights rotating the 3 planes with a possible 3rd daily on high peak days but the pandemic screwed that plan. Don't forget United stopped all it's Japan flights from HNL too and ANA is a star alliance partner. ANA is also still operating 787's out of HNL to HND almost daily.
ANA also used their A380's for domestic flights between Tokyo and Osaka. They could easily look into one of their high domestic flight routes if they need to if it's even worth it. Even Emirates I believe had the shortest A380 route which was less than 1 hour I think.
Delta and American don't have much out of HNL to Japan. Air Asia hasn't resumed their HNL to KIX schedule yet, but I heard they looking at later this year or maybe next year. They still have their signs up at HNL and counter signs so I don't think they fully bailed yet. Zip Air is doing 3x flights per week out of HNL to NRT. JAL is the same I think and they are JV with Hawaiian unless it was blocked and Hawaiian is the only other carrier doing Japan flights from HNL.
ANA also built an offsite lounge in Waikiki for their fliers too.
There might be an inside detail that ANA has to fly the A380 for so many years to Hawaii to offset the economical cost of renovating C-Wing at HNL for ANA. Because they are the only ones flying A380 into HNL and the double decker jet bridge connects to the ANA Lounge upstairs.
I'm pretty sure I've seen these planes in different locations than HNL and NRT (except red one) and have photos of them.
Toulouse?
One wonders what the reason is for the A380 ban at HND. It is neither a runway problem nor a noise thing. Probably a pushback by JAL which does not have them, but I am sure that at least Singapore and maybe even Korean in spite of the small distance would consider it. After all, Japan was the home of the 450-pax 747s over 200 miles... My 777 from Tokyo to Osaka was once upgraded to a 747 (long ago...)
There is no ban. Just heavy restrictions.
Wake turbulence of the A380 requiring more spacing between flights, the overwater runway (05) not being able to carry the weight of a fully loaded A380.
Night operations are an option, and T3 in Haneda does actually have a boarding gate with 3 boarding arms.
Actually there is a ban for daytime flights of a380 at Haneda - according to Aeronautical Information Publication for Haneda published by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation,
A380-800 is prohibited from operating between 2100UTC and 1400UTC.
Also, as you mentioned, strict weight limit is imposed when using a380 for late night flight.
When operating A380-800 between 1400UTC and 2100UTC, the aircraft weight restriction is imposed (up to 400t - about 30% reduction from...
Actually there is a ban for daytime flights of a380 at Haneda - according to Aeronautical Information Publication for Haneda published by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation,
A380-800 is prohibited from operating between 2100UTC and 1400UTC.
Also, as you mentioned, strict weight limit is imposed when using a380 for late night flight.
When operating A380-800 between 1400UTC and 2100UTC, the aircraft weight restriction is imposed (up to 400t - about 30% reduction from MTOW)
Also, Japanese government heavily restricted use of Haneda taxiways for a380-800 due to its wingspan so it is impractical to use a380 at Haneda.
You can see full AIP here.
https://nagodede.github.io/aip/japan/documents/RJTT_full.pdf
As I said, there is not a ban. Just heavy restrictions. I am fully aware of the day time restrictions, if not the exact times.
But if there was a blanket ban, why would there be an A380 3 boarding arm gate?
So let's agree, no ban, but heavy restrictions. Which yes, makes it effectively too difficult to do. Hence even Emirates keeping their A380s in Narita.
I'm sort of surprised this post wasn't better researched.
First, as you yourself have reported previously (and many others in these comments), ANA was forced to take these by the Skymark deal, so they're making the best of a bad situation. The A380s have probably done wonders for their marketing teams but I'm not sure how much they do operationally.
Second, as you note, they can't operate the A380s out of HND -...
I'm sort of surprised this post wasn't better researched.
First, as you yourself have reported previously (and many others in these comments), ANA was forced to take these by the Skymark deal, so they're making the best of a bad situation. The A380s have probably done wonders for their marketing teams but I'm not sure how much they do operationally.
Second, as you note, they can't operate the A380s out of HND - and if you look at almost all of their major routes internationally (LHR, LAX, FRA, SFO, NYC, ORD, etc.), they operate from HND (with the odd frequency exception), because this is where the money/yield is.
So, if they threw an A380 on the route they'd not only be dumping capacity onto it, which might threaten yields, but they'd be doing so from an airport that yields less to begin with. The best they can hope for is another leisure destination where the seat count will help - but few markets have the demand that HNL does for the average Japanese traveller, and NRT doesn't function as much like a hub because so many flights go out of HND.
Here's hoping they find more places to put them, because I agree, it is a bit of a waste.
Demand wise, maybe NRT-BKK/SIN could work but as you said it would be low yield and would cannibalise existing demand. ANA can push Japanese government to lift a380 ban at HND - who else could benefit from the lift of ban? EK, maybe SQ and QF?
NH is burning cash no matter how you shape it. The cost of the Skymark acquisition will grow every year until NH figures out how to get rid of the A380s.
It still doesn't change that HNL-NRT sure seems like one of the worst routes to use it. Maybe NH just wants to trash a market and doing it to LAX or BKK or SYD or something else that could be part of a...
NH is burning cash no matter how you shape it. The cost of the Skymark acquisition will grow every year until NH figures out how to get rid of the A380s.
It still doesn't change that HNL-NRT sure seems like one of the worst routes to use it. Maybe NH just wants to trash a market and doing it to LAX or BKK or SYD or something else that could be part of a connecting itinerary. HNL-NRT will simply be local passengers and they will trash the market.
There is no amount of marketing that can overcome the huge operational losses the A380s will incur
Part of the reason that ANA had to take the A380s was to win Airbus as a major part of the bankruptcy for the ANA proposal. ANA wanted to the Haneda slots, but they also wanted to keep Delta away from investing in Skymark, and getting a domestic partner in Japan. The competing restructuring proposal was a consortium including Delta. ANA's willingness to the A380 price may have had other long term benefits....
@EC you say the post wasn't well researched, but then proceed to repeat the points in the post, while saying you agree with them.
Your comment is a real head-scratcher.
Well, this is probably a bit different mindset, I would say. They probably in a much better situation than we could think. I flew and will fly one more time to HNL specifically to take these 3 flights! And there are no any other flights (except the Residence) would drive me to do so! You can see they are unusually attractive in certain market! I think other folks here also mentioned, they actually drive huge...
Well, this is probably a bit different mindset, I would say. They probably in a much better situation than we could think. I flew and will fly one more time to HNL specifically to take these 3 flights! And there are no any other flights (except the Residence) would drive me to do so! You can see they are unusually attractive in certain market! I think other folks here also mentioned, they actually drive huge amounts of sales of their inflight products, I normally would not buy anything on a flight, but this is an exception LoL. There are definitely a lot of add-ons you can produce more profits rather than sell DL that type of barebone tickets, especially when your goal is to get a product more comfortable and enjoyable.
As others have hinted at, these jets are a great marketing tool for NH. In the terminal in NRT< they even sell plush toys and other collectibles themed around the "Flying Honu." Thins work a bit differently in Japan...
ANd yes, Lucky, you need to review their F or J class on the A380!
ANA did not order or want these planes. They were forced to take them as part of the Skymark acquisition. Gov made it part of the deal, since Skymark had ordered them.
just like the story said....
Japan only opened its borders this year. ANA and JAL are still slowly restoring their flight operations so i wouldn't speculate too much on the A380 operations.
From the 6th of December ANA will be plying the route double daily. This was announced in August. I assume the 3rd plane is more of a spare for operational purposes.
And no, they can't deploy the A380 at HND as the plane simply ain't allowed at HND....
Japan only opened its borders this year. ANA and JAL are still slowly restoring their flight operations so i wouldn't speculate too much on the A380 operations.
From the 6th of December ANA will be plying the route double daily. This was announced in August. I assume the 3rd plane is more of a spare for operational purposes.
And no, they can't deploy the A380 at HND as the plane simply ain't allowed at HND. The largest plane allowed at HND is the 747-8 that LH flies and if i remember correctly that was some sort of exemption. ANA will continue to serve HNL from HND but with the B787-9.
That is not true, A380s are allowed at Haneda, and terminal 3 has at least 1 gate with 3 boarding arms.
However, there are a number of restrictions for A380 operations.
1. Due the size of the wake turbulence of the A380 and the extra spacing needed, A380 operations are only allowed in the night hours. After 10pm before 7am or so.
2. Runway 05 can't support a fully loaded A380 for take...
That is not true, A380s are allowed at Haneda, and terminal 3 has at least 1 gate with 3 boarding arms.
However, there are a number of restrictions for A380 operations.
1. Due the size of the wake turbulence of the A380 and the extra spacing needed, A380 operations are only allowed in the night hours. After 10pm before 7am or so.
2. Runway 05 can't support a fully loaded A380 for take off. Only 16L can be used, so if the winds are unfavorable for 16L, the plane is either stuck, or need to off load passengers and cargo. Hawaii might be short enough for this to not be a problem, as the fuel loads are not significant.
3. The number of take offs from 16L at night time is also restricted for noise reasons.
They could fly them between Tokyo and Kyoto for all I care. I’m just happy to have one more A380 in the air.
I’ve still only ever flown one once, on Thai from BKK-LHR and it was easily the most comfortable flight I’ve ever taken, especially as I managed to get one of the economy seats on the top deck. I’d love to have the chance to fly one again soon.
Kyoto doesn’t have an airport, boo.
I used to love flying Thai on them. Top deck was great with the 2 4 2 seating but often got a row to myself downstairs. Not sure they made Thai any money though
Was the cost of the plane revealed? If the cost was not too high and the penalty for not taking them was high, there is a case for the ANA A380.
The A380 is highly efficient, especially in capacity restricted airports, just so long as all the seats are filled. Flying a 4 engine plane at other than full capacity is inefficient. But it's the mission, and not the plane, that's at issue.
“Due to lack of demand” - Japan had closed borders for almost three years, it had nothing to do with “demand.”
And hence the lack of demand... you seem really bright
The demand existed, but it was artificially suppressed by government restrictions. You’re the one who’s hooked on phonics, not me.
The biggest problem is the a380 won't work at HND, their largest hub and where they have the most premium demand. ANA could always aim for a leisure push into Japan with the a380, with maybe a HKG or a SYD to NRT or CTS. Peak runs from NRT to CTS during ski season could be useful. Or maybe even a Las charter during CES.
My first question would be why haven't you done a trip report?! Why not do a trip report on ZipAir or Air Premia aside from the A380?!
My guess is ANA leadership believes the Flying Honu's identity to be too closely linked to Hawaii to allow it to operate anywhere else.
If I worked there I'd recommend they sub their Haneda flight with an A380 as well and fly exclusively A380s to Honolulu.
I took the route twice earlier this year, and there are certainly passengers who book with ANA and trek out to Narita just to fly Flying Honu, so the plane itself generates some incremental market demand as well
KLM has aircraft flagged KLM Asia which operate globally. There’s enough capacity for NH to operate them to LAX at least a few times a week.
I'm surprised you didn't fly them yet Lucky! Any plans on doing so?
I'm pretty sure the reason for their small subfleet is that these planes were ordered by Skymark and when they went bankrupt ANA picked them up. And in terms of utilization, they evidently view them as more of a marketing opportunity (The Flying Honu! Hawaii!) than a plane to be maximized
It is more significant that the planes operate from Narita instead of Haneda, guaranteeing that the yields will be forever low. No wonder United bailed on NRT-HNL.
You should look at the pricing for Japan to Honolulu. It is not low yield traffic. Hawaii is a significant leisure market, and it is not cheap.
large parts of the market are contracted and not indicative of published fares
It is still not bargain fares as the rest of the world would see it. But indeed the lower yield part of the Hawaii traffic is managed through package tours, and the higher yield part through direct airline bookings.
But that has nothing to do with the "Narita guaranteeing that the yields will be low forever". The package tour business as the lower yield traffic is there, and would remain the same even if the...
It is still not bargain fares as the rest of the world would see it. But indeed the lower yield part of the Hawaii traffic is managed through package tours, and the higher yield part through direct airline bookings.
But that has nothing to do with the "Narita guaranteeing that the yields will be low forever". The package tour business as the lower yield traffic is there, and would remain the same even if the flights moved to Haneda. And it is indeed needed to fill the number of planes going.
ANA was required to take A380s as part of Skymark’s dissolution.
https://onemileatatime.com/ana-a380-order/
They didn't buy these planes with any intent of Hawaii only service. In fact, these planes were ordered by someone they acquired and part of the deal was that they would take possession of them. They chose to put them only on Hawaii. I can't remember the name of the airline they bought in bankruptcy but I think has Sky in the name....