This series will cover a quick weekend trip on NH using UA miles. The goal of this series was to try several new products in the NH family while also going someplace new to me. This trip cost 10,000 UA miles and I built a very non-direct routing to zig-zag my way to my final destination. I’ll reveal the segments as we go to add some suspense. So far we have…
This report will cover the trip from HND to CTS. This will be my first ever time flying to CTS and my first flight aboard a NH B787.
Pre-flight:
After taking the stairs up to the main terminal, I quickly consult the terminal map and make a beeline for the ANA Lounge (South) since that was closer to my departure gate. There are 2 ANA Lounges in HND’s domestic terminal, each with >400 seat capacity. The lounge actually has its own security line so you can directly access the lounge from landside if you are checking in at HND.
Entering the lounge, the agents greet me and check my EY credentials before granting me access. (HND is technically not on the list of allowed ANA Lounges on the EY website, so I’m testing the boundaries). No problems and I’m quickly released to head upstairs to the lounge.
FIDS in the lounge, my flight isn’t up yet. I have 35 minutes until boarding starts for my flight so a little bit of time to enjoy the liquid offerings.
The lounge expands in both directions and looks symmetric.
The liquid offerings. Like all domestic lounges, no food, only drinks and otsumami packets.
Strafing the seating areas as I head to find a seat.
I find this area in the corner that is very quiet, only one other person in this section.
My first offering.
The seats have Japanese hotel light controls^^
I enjoy a second Asahi as I exchange some e-mails with Numero_2 about his secret love of UA.
The bathroom in the lounge is large and clean.
A little bit more time before my flight, so a third beer and some more coffee.
Boarding pass for this segment.
At the indicated boarding time, I pack up and head to the gate. Boarding is underway as I reach the gate.
——————————-
All Nippon Airways, NH 59 Equipment: Boeing B787-800 [JA825A, delivered February 2014] Departure: 10:00 (ATD: 10:10) Arrival: 11:35 (ATA: 11:17) Flight time: 1:07
My steed today: a 2-year old B788. HND is not very spotter friendly since the windows are far away.
Scan my boarding pass.
Both jet bridges are being used and they split passengers based on seat letter. I’m in “A” so it will be right for me.
Down the jet bridge we go.
Fuselage shot.
Smiling FAs welcome me aboard in English. View of the cabin on boarding. NH has opted for the high-density configuration (335 seats, same as TZ, JQ, etc.) for its domestic B788s. There are two rows of Premium class (12 seats in a 2-2-2) and the rest is Y.
What I thought was my seat. As soon as I settle in, a Japanese guy asks me what seat I’m supposed to be in, I respond “14A” and he says I’m in 15A. I quickly apologize and move up a row. I blame the narrow seat pitch for over shooting my row… Also, notice that the armrest for the window seats is right up against the fuselage so there is very little elbowroom in this 3-3-3 configuration.
Now that I’m in the correct seat, the seat pitch is pretty tight. I’m as far back as possible for this photo. Since they have a LCC type seat-configuration, the pitch is also LCC quality.
And to make things worse, there is no divider between the A and B seats. Both seats have an entertainment box making the under seat storage very small and compressing your legroom.
The FAs offer blankets during boarding.
There is a foreign couple from BOS next to me heading to CTS for skiing. You can see how tight the seat pitch is, the poor guy was 186cm and was smashed against the seat in front of him.
Seatback contents are all there.
Safety card for this B788.
We have the RR engine option on the domestic NH B787s.
Audio and seat controls are in the armrest and the instructions are on the back of the tray table.
Ceiling in this B788.
As we push back on time, the safety video plays.
The ground crew waves us goodbye.
We taxi out past a NH B763.
As we taxi to the runway, my plane from Part 1 of this series (JA74AN) is seen lifting off for the return sector: HND-NGO.
We pull up short of the runway to let this NH B773 land.
Turning onto the runway.
As we head down the runway and lift up, we get a glimpse of the NH domestic terminal.
And there she is, Fuji-san.
We make a sharp right turn before reaching Tokyo, so it’s hard to get the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree shots.
After we clear downtown, we make another turn to the left giving us the fantastic aerial shots of Tokyo.
What more can you ask for on this flight? Tokyo and Yokohama sitting at the foot of Fuji-san.
Winglet and Fuji-san.
Fuji-san.
We turn to the north and begin our journey up Tohoku. ANA Sky Vision plays a special on Gifu (??), which is really close to home for me.
It’s a cloudy trip up Tohoku so not much to see outside.
The drink service starts up. I ask for a water and coffee, which are both delivered with a smile.
After the drink service, I make a dash for the lavatory. They are clean, but no bidet toilet.
Cabin shot of the forward Y-cabin. You can see that only the middle section has monitors, there are no overhead monitors for the side sections.
I chat with the FA from my aisle. Before heading back to my seat, I ask her if she has any of the children’s gift sets left. She happily hands me one as a souvenir. She then asks me if I also want postcards. Sure, why not! She said she’ll bring them to me in a minute. Back at my seat, my newly acquired children’s gift set. The cards are really awesome; I already have 5 decks stashed away at home.
She returns with B787 postcards and a NH bag to put all of my souvenirs in.
I spend the rest of the flight talking to the couple from BOS that is sitting next to me. We begin our descent near the northern tip of Honshu.
Leaving Honshu.
Arriving at Hokkaido.
Flying over Tomakomai (???).
Snow covered golf courses.
Snow covered Chitose.
And we touchdown well ahead of schedule as a NH B738 is ready to takeoff on the parallel runway.
We taxi by the JL operations at CTS.
We reach our gate.
Deplaning, the FA from my aisle thanks me for flying and tells me to enjoy the souvenirs. Last look at our plane from the jet bridge.
There is no domestic connections at CTS, you have to exit through the baggage claim and then reenter the terminal through the normal security line. So down the escalator I go.
Through the baggage claim.
And I head out into the arrivals level of CTS. I’ll leave off this series here as I begin my layover in CTS. Tune into the next segment for the continuation of this journey as we head deeper into the frozen tundra of Hokkaido and to an airport not previously reported on the site. I’ll also show the ANA Lounge at CTS.
See more
Verdict
ANA
6.5/10
Cabin6.0
Cabin crew10.0
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Meal/catering4.0
ANA Domestic Lounge
4.8/10
Comfort4.0
Meal/catering4.0
Entertainment/wifi7.0
Services4.0
Tokyo - HND
9.2/10
Efficiency10.0
Access9.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness10.0
Chitose - CTS
7.8/10
Efficiency7.0
Access7.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness10.0
Conclusion
A pretty good domestic flight on NH. I got to try their B788 for the first time, which was definitely LCC feeling in terms of comfort, but was helped by a very friendly crew.
Cabin comfort: The NH B788s feel very LCC. Tight seat pitch and a lack of underseat storage are big observations. The seats are okay for a short 1-hour flight and the cabin is clean and bright.
Crew: Really friendly FA working my aisle. From what I could tell from the other FAs walking around, they seemed to be in high spirits.
Meal and catering: Full drink cart offering on this longer domestic flight. Only one cart run was made, but you could always request a second drink if you wanted.
Entertainment: No newspapers offered. Standard seatback literature. Audio channels and ANA Sky Vision played on the overhead monitors.
On-time performance: We left on time and arrived early.
0 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Was there more than Asahi ? - Asahi and Kirin Ichiban. The two taps on the left were both Kirin Ichiban and the two on the right were both Asahi Super Dry.
Wait, it's just one flight in a 9 legs routing. ;) - Your e-ticket starts with 016, you love UA^^
No Pokemon show during the flight ? - Nope, it's not like China where they show cartoons. NH always shows travel programs (of Japanese cities of course... lol^^)
3-3-3 configuration in the B788s or 3-4-3 in their domestic B772, which is the best ? - Or the 3-4-3 in their long-haul B77Ws? The 3-4-3 in the 777s feels tighter. If you get an aisle seat, the seat width never really feels bad since you can lean towards the aisle.
I’ll reveal the segments as we go to add some suspense. - I'm convinced that you have sadistic inclinations. :P ;)
(HND is technically not on the list of allowed ANA Lounges on the EY website, so I’m testing the boundaries) - Not to mention a crafty mind. Michael the Machiavellian - that rhymes, don't you think? ;)
I enjoy a second Asahi as I exchange some e-mails with Numero_2 about his secret love of UA. - No wonder you need a second beer, it's a full blown confession. You might as well wear a priest's outfit. I'm utterly shocked by this revelation. Wow!!! Come to think of it, I've been struggling with this fixation with LH. :P
....so a third beer and some more coffee. - Out of curiosity, were you alternating sips? I find the mix of these two drinks perplexing to say the least. ;) But to each his own. After all, I've been known to eat steaks with ketchup.
Both seats have an entertainment box making the under seat storage very small and compressing your legroom. - Oh joy! It's time to play footsie.
You can see how tight the seat pitch is, the poor guy was 186cm and was smashed against the seat in front of him. - This further confirms how uncomfortable the rear section of the 787's are from what I've read.
After the drink service, I make a dash for the lavatory. - No surprise after all the drinks that you drank.
Back at my seat, my newly acquired children’s gift set. The cards are really awesome; I already have 5 decks stashed away at home. - BUSTED! I knew it! You are a closet collector. ;) Very nice souvenirs though.
Gorgeous aerials and take off shots from HND. Thanks for sharing Michael.
Not to mention a crafty mind. - I didn't check the listing until after I had gone into the lounge. Technically, EY only lists NGO, CTS, FUK, NRT, and ITM. I have had mixed experiences with lounges outside of that list with only one decline so far.
I'm utterly shocked by this revelation. Wow!!! - You didn't know Numero_2 is trading in his LX status for UA status? He also has secret urges to fly CA again.
I find the mix of these two drinks perplexing to say the least. ;) But to each his own. - I drank the beer first and then the coffee. I was going to mix them together but thought better of it...
It's time to play footsie. - Seriously... It's like getting the honeymoon seats on some long-haul cabins.
This further confirms how uncomfortable the rear section of the 787's are from what I've read. - This is my first time not on an aisle so I didn't really notice seat width issues before.
?????????????? ????????????? I wish i could have the same wonderful pictures of Mt Fuji... Rather short flight but coach class seems really HIGH density, little pitch due to japanese comparatively shorter size? I don't believe it when JR have such a wide pitch on their trains... I flew their 737 , am 1.80 and I can't remember having felt crammed or squeezed. Thanks for the report
little pitch due to japanese comparatively shorter size? - I find most Japanese men to be in the 170cm range which would still make this pitch tight. You are right, compared to what JR offers on the Shinkansen, there is no comparison in seat comfort^^
I flew their 737 , am 1.80 and I can't remember having felt crammed or squeezed. - The seat pitch on the B738s is better than the B788s. The older B735s are almost the same seat pitch.
Thanks for this report. I love your Tokyo and Mt Fuji photos, they are amazing! Is this 788 used only for domestic flights as there is no IFE and the legroom is so small?
Is this 788 used only for domestic flights as there is no IFE and the legroom is so small? - Yes, the domestic configuration B788s are different seat pitch than the long-haul B788s. These planes are only used on domestic flights. They are replacing the older B763s.
Thanks for sharing this report with excellent spotting of Fujisan & Tokyo! The lounge looks decent, but I would prefer they fully use wooden floor instead of reflective floor. Oh jeez the entertainment boxes and seat pitch on 788 are even worse than your previous flight :( Luckily again it is a short flight and FA services are good. BTW this flight seems to be not 100% load, right? Look forward to your next report!
BTW this flight seems to be not 100% load, right? - They always pre-assign seats from forward to rear, so the front Y cabin was very full, but the rear Y cabin near the rear lavatories was empty. I could have moved to the back and gotten 3 seats to myself.
The lounge looks decent, but I would prefer they fully use wooden floor instead of reflective floor. - For a domestic lounge, it is okay. They probably pick the flooring for easier cleaning?
Oh jeez the entertainment boxes and seat pitch on 788 are even worse than your previous flight :( - Yes, why you need so many entertainment boxes with no PTV, I have no idea. I can't image the audio needs that much wiring.
Thanks for reading and I'm glad you liked the report!
Great to get on a 787 as well too. - I knew they were uncomfortable, but I just wanted to try one before I leave here. These B788s mean the end of the B763s in the fleet.
The crisp pictures are great, and the aerial views of Tokyo and Mt Fuji are just awesome. I wouldn't say the same of the legroom in the plane. Thanks for sharing !
This high-density configuration made it feel like an LCC. The seat pitch reminds me of my AK flight between DMK and KUL, thankfully this flight was just over an hour.
The weather seemed to be good in Tokyo that day! You got some absolutely stunning shots of Tokyo after departure, that 787 wing looks good as well.
The great crew was certainly a big plus, those postcards look good!
This high-density configuration made it feel like an LCC. - It's probably the same as what DY has on their B788s. I could have the direct NGO-CTS flight on a B738, but it was worth going through HND to get try the domestic B788.
The weather seemed to be good in Tokyo that day! - Very lucky, although in winter it usually clearer skies. Getting views of Fuji is not always guaranteed since it can be very cloudy in the afternoons.
The great crew was certainly a big plus, those postcards look good! - They are in my collection :) I'll get a better postcard in Part 6 of this series.
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20 Comments
Beer is always the best option to kill time at Japanese domestic lounges. ^^
Was there more than Asahi ?
I enjoy a second Asahi as I exchange some e-mails with Numero_2 about his secret love of UA. -> Wait, it's just one flight in a 9 legs routing. ;)
Even a LX A319 has more overhead monitors than this 788... No Pokemon show during the flight ?
3-3-3 configuration in the B788s or 3-4-3 in their domestic B772, which is the best ?
Was there more than Asahi ?
- Asahi and Kirin Ichiban. The two taps on the left were both Kirin Ichiban and the two on the right were both Asahi Super Dry.
Wait, it's just one flight in a 9 legs routing. ;)
- Your e-ticket starts with 016, you love UA^^
No Pokemon show during the flight ?
- Nope, it's not like China where they show cartoons. NH always shows travel programs (of Japanese cities of course... lol^^)
3-3-3 configuration in the B788s or 3-4-3 in their domestic B772, which is the best ?
- Or the 3-4-3 in their long-haul B77Ws? The 3-4-3 in the 777s feels tighter. If you get an aisle seat, the seat width never really feels bad since you can lean towards the aisle.
- I'm convinced that you have sadistic inclinations. :P ;)
(HND is technically not on the list of allowed ANA Lounges on the EY website, so I’m testing the boundaries)
- Not to mention a crafty mind. Michael the Machiavellian - that rhymes, don't you think? ;)
I enjoy a second Asahi as I exchange some e-mails with Numero_2 about his secret love of UA.
- No wonder you need a second beer, it's a full blown confession. You might as well wear a priest's outfit. I'm utterly shocked by this revelation. Wow!!! Come to think of it, I've been struggling with this fixation with LH. :P
....so a third beer and some more coffee.
- Out of curiosity, were you alternating sips? I find the mix of these two drinks perplexing to say the least. ;) But to each his own. After all, I've been known to eat steaks with ketchup.
Both seats have an entertainment box making the under seat storage very small and compressing your legroom.
- Oh joy! It's time to play footsie.
You can see how tight the seat pitch is, the poor guy was 186cm and was smashed against the seat in front of him.
- This further confirms how uncomfortable the rear section of the 787's are from what I've read.
After the drink service, I make a dash for the lavatory.
- No surprise after all the drinks that you drank.
Back at my seat, my newly acquired children’s gift set. The cards are really awesome; I already have 5 decks stashed away at home.
- BUSTED! I knew it! You are a closet collector. ;) Very nice souvenirs though.
Gorgeous aerials and take off shots from HND. Thanks for sharing Michael.
- I didn't check the listing until after I had gone into the lounge. Technically, EY only lists NGO, CTS, FUK, NRT, and ITM. I have had mixed experiences with lounges outside of that list with only one decline so far.
I'm utterly shocked by this revelation. Wow!!!
- You didn't know Numero_2 is trading in his LX status for UA status? He also has secret urges to fly CA again.
I find the mix of these two drinks perplexing to say the least. ;) But to each his own.
- I drank the beer first and then the coffee. I was going to mix them together but thought better of it...
It's time to play footsie.
- Seriously... It's like getting the honeymoon seats on some long-haul cabins.
This further confirms how uncomfortable the rear section of the 787's are from what I've read.
- This is my first time not on an aisle so I didn't really notice seat width issues before.
BUSTED! I knew it!
- I have nothing to hide.
Thanks for your comments Adan!
I wish i could have the same wonderful pictures of Mt Fuji...
Rather short flight but coach class seems really HIGH density, little pitch due to japanese comparatively shorter size? I don't believe it when JR have such a wide pitch on their trains...
I flew their 737 , am 1.80 and I can't remember having felt crammed or squeezed.
Thanks for the report
little pitch due to japanese comparatively shorter size?
- I find most Japanese men to be in the 170cm range which would still make this pitch tight. You are right, compared to what JR offers on the Shinkansen, there is no comparison in seat comfort^^
I flew their 737 , am 1.80 and I can't remember having felt crammed or squeezed.
- The seat pitch on the B738s is better than the B788s. The older B735s are almost the same seat pitch.
Is this 788 used only for domestic flights as there is no IFE and the legroom is so small?
- Yes, the domestic configuration B788s are different seat pitch than the long-haul B788s. These planes are only used on domestic flights. They are replacing the older B763s.
The lounge looks decent, but I would prefer they fully use wooden floor instead of reflective floor.
Oh jeez the entertainment boxes and seat pitch on 788 are even worse than your previous flight :( Luckily again it is a short flight and FA services are good. BTW this flight seems to be not 100% load, right?
Look forward to your next report!
- They always pre-assign seats from forward to rear, so the front Y cabin was very full, but the rear Y cabin near the rear lavatories was empty. I could have moved to the back and gotten 3 seats to myself.
The lounge looks decent, but I would prefer they fully use wooden floor instead of reflective floor.
- For a domestic lounge, it is okay. They probably pick the flooring for easier cleaning?
Oh jeez the entertainment boxes and seat pitch on 788 are even worse than your previous flight :(
- Yes, why you need so many entertainment boxes with no PTV, I have no idea. I can't image the audio needs that much wiring.
Thank you for all your comments!
Thanks again and happy flying
Great to get on a 787 as well too. Looking forward to your next part of your trip.
Great to get on a 787 as well too.
- I knew they were uncomfortable, but I just wanted to try one before I leave here. These B788s mean the end of the B763s in the fleet.
I wouldn't say the same of the legroom in the plane.
Thanks for sharing !
- From a FRist like you, thank you for your compliments Marathon!
I wouldn't say the same of the legroom in the plane.
- I should have had your tape measure with me ;)
This high-density configuration made it feel like an LCC. The seat pitch reminds me of my AK flight between DMK and KUL, thankfully this flight was just over an hour.
The weather seemed to be good in Tokyo that day! You got some absolutely stunning shots of Tokyo after departure, that 787 wing looks good as well.
The great crew was certainly a big plus, those postcards look good!
Have a good one, see you!
This high-density configuration made it feel like an LCC.
- It's probably the same as what DY has on their B788s. I could have the direct NGO-CTS flight on a B738, but it was worth going through HND to get try the domestic B788.
The weather seemed to be good in Tokyo that day!
- Very lucky, although in winter it usually clearer skies. Getting views of Fuji is not always guaranteed since it can be very cloudy in the afternoons.
The great crew was certainly a big plus, those postcards look good!
- They are in my collection :) I'll get a better postcard in Part 6 of this series.
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