Review of ANA flight Washington Tokyo in First

Airline ANA
Flight NH1
Class First
Seat 1A
Aircraft Boeing 777-300ER
Flight time 13:31
Take-off 28 Mar 16, 12:30
Arrival at 28 Mar 16, 15:01
NH   #15 out of 96 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 227 reviews
hometoyyz
By 8752
Published on 30th March 2016
Welcome, dear reader, to yet another Aeroplan adventure — the second stage in a five-flight RTW ticket in First Class that I’m calling “The 1A RTW.”

Here’s the story so far….

UA6127 YYZ-IAD 3/28/2016 - http://flight-report.com/en/report-13714.html
NH1 IAD-NRT 3/28/2016 - You are here
???? - Coming soon

photo map

Congratulations to 1999 for guessing the flight right in the comments for the previous leg!

I’m very excited for this flight. I’ve only flown ANA in First Class once, ORD-NRT a few years ago, and that flight was remarkable in just about any measure. This will by my first “Flight 1” — if they were going to give the Japanese capital to U.S capital route NH1/2, I’m surprised the flight ex-NRT isn’t NH1, but that’s neither here nor there — and it will be my first time trying ANA’s newer “First Square” first class seat. My previous flight was on their previous-generation F product, which was still pretty good, but for which I recall the flight attendants apologizing profusely, as if it was some sort of a personal affront against me that NH had chosen that bird for that flight.

When last we saw each other, I had just arrived into Dulles from Toronto, and was setting out searching for a lounge at which to hang out.

I had read that the United Global First lounge at Dulles was nothing special, but decided that since I had quite a bit of time to kill between flights, I’d check it out. We arrived at the far end of the D-gates at Dulles, and the Global First lounge is at the end of the C-gates — the same building, but quite a trip to get there.

Finally I made it.

photo IMG_7509

I stepped inside, my boarding pass was taken, but I was denied access. “Oh, because you’re on NH, this isn’t the lounge for you,” it was explained to me. The agents then provided directions to the nearest United Club, but suggested I make my way over to the B-gates, to the Lufthansa Senator Lounge, which are closer to my departure gate and have showers. Having been underwhelmed by reviews of the Global First Lounge, I decide not to fight them, but in the spirit of passive-aggressiveness, here’s a little tidbit from UA’s own Web site….

photo Global First Lounge

It seems like quite an effort get from the C/D gates to the A/B gates. First, one has to head downstairs, to proceed under the tarmac towards the inter-terminal train.

photo IMG_7510

It’s a long walk.

photo IMG_7511

Finally, one arrives at the train station, with the train just about to arrive.

photo IMG_7512

A nice look down the tunnel. Unfortunately, the C gates are “the end of the line,” and we’d be heading the other way for our onwards journey.

photo IMG_7513

How does it make sense that the A gates are between the B and C gates?

photo IMG_7515

Oh, okay. I guess that makes a bit more sense, then.

photo IMG_7517

Finally, we arrived at the B gates, and head up the escalator to the concourse.

photo IMG_7518

Conveniently, one arrives on the concourse very close to the Lufthansa Lounge, in LH’s signature yellow. It’s usually hard to miss LH lounges.

photo IMG_7519

A sign by the door says opening time is 8:20, which is… right… about…. now. On cue, I see an arm unlock the door through the frosted windows, and I’m welcomed inside. The first agent I see is actually wearing NH colours. She takes my UA-issued boarding passes and replaces it with a pass on proper NH stock, tells me boarding will be about noon and that she’ll make an announcement at that time, and welcomes me inside.

Inside, I check on the progress of my ride over to Narita, which is currently inbound over the midwest, and appears to be right on time. Looks promising.

photo NH2 progress

The Senator side of the LH lounge is small-ish, but has comfortable leather seating and plenty of plugs. There are also nice airside views.

photo IMG_7520photo IMG_7522

I didn’t venture into the Business Lounge side of things — this side is for LH’s own elites, Star Alliance Golds, and (presumably) First Class passengers regardless of status. There’s a silly little “roped off” First section, but only for LH F passengers. That makes it almost as exclusive as the First Class Terminal in FRA!

photo IMG_7523

The buffet is in breakfast mode. There’s a bar section that appears to be staffed at other times. But not now.

photo IMG_7524

Some cold ham, fruit, hardboiled eggs, and a little yogurt and granola concoction.

photo IMG_7526

Pastries.

photo IMG_7527

Various snack fare, and drinks, including juice, soft drinks, and a coffee machine.

photo IMG_7528

I grab some orange juice, some ham, pineapple, some cheese with a dill flavour to it, a scone, and a yogurt parfait. Everything is pretty good. The catering certainly doesn’t overwhelm, but the ham is a cut above the average cold cut, and cheese is quite nice.

photo IMG_7529

Outside, the morning continues to improve.

photo IMG_7530

WiFi is lounge-specific, although it’s not password-protected, so I guess it’s theoretically open to anyone walking by. Not a big deal, since the airport-provided free WiFi was equally fast and stable as the lounge network. I’ve never been a “corporate shot” kind of guy… but here’s the corporate shot.

photo IMG_7531

I get some work done, and start writing my YYZ-IAD flight report — trying hard to stay on top of things this time. About 10, it’s time for a little walk around the lounge, and what is, for me, a quintessential part of any LH lounge visit — a handful of gummy bears.

photo IMG_7532

Back at my seat, it’s become quite a nice morning outside, although there continue to be very little interesting traffic outside. About all I saw was an Ethiopian 77L roll by on its way to the runway, and that came by as I was coming back from getting my candy.

I’m expecting the food to shift from breakfast to not-breakfast around 11, as is often the case, but about 10 past 11, it’s still in breakfast-mode with nothing new to show off. But I’m getting quite hungry, and this seems an optimal time to eat since boarding is less than an hour away, and a very large lunch probably about two to 2.5 hours away. So I make myself a little ham and cheese croissant sandwich, and accompany it with an appropriately spiced-up tomato juice. It’s okay, but the croissant isn’t the freshest.

photo IMG_7533

About 11:45, I notice the NH agent arranging transport for an older Japanese gentleman who’s in the lounge, so I figure boarding must be coming soon. I pack up my gear and head out. As I’m heading out the door of the lounge, she makes the announcement that boarding will start soon at Gate B41.

That gate, as it happens, is a short walk away — maybe four gates down the hallway from where we’re located. Unfortunately, the configuration of the building makes it a little hard to get a good picture of the plane as a whole — this is about the best I can do.

photo IMG_7536

Although we’re at Gate 41, most of the queues are set up around B43, including lineups for economy, business, NH elite and Star Gold, and First and NH Diamond. There’s a lovely young woman holding the First Class sign, and I identify myself to her. She motions for me to wait by a security agent at the front of the line. A few elderly passengers are allowed pre-boarding, and then I’m motioned forward.

After my boarding pass is scanned, it off towards the jetway. Just in case there was any doubt, yes, the plane does have a nose too, and it’s visible from this little alcove where the duty free seller was awaiting those who had purchased.

photo IMG_7537

Flight: NH1
From: Washington Dulles (IAD)
To: Tokyo Narita (NRT)
Date: 3/28/2016
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Registration: JA734A
Seat: 1A
ATD (STD): 12:30 (12:20)
ATA (STA): 15:01+1 (15:25+1)

A short walk later, and I’m aboard, the first passenger into the First Class cabin. The in-charge flight attendant is very similar to the one on my only previous NH First flight — a forty- to fifty-year-old Japanese woman with amazing poise and professionalism. She and her younger colleague both welcome me aboard by name, and the younger flight attendant shows me to my seat — which is pretty hard to find. There’s no more esoteric location on a plane than seat 1A.

photo IMG_7539

I have to admit, this flight-report series was almost the “Row 1 RTW.” You see, NH seems to block 1A, presumably for its own top-tier people. So after booking, I got myself seat 1K. However, on a whim, I checked my booking on ANA’s Web site after online check-in had opened, and magically, 1A was now available. I snapped it up, to make this 1A RTW complete.

As expected, this is NH’s new First Square product, which brings many of the good parts of its previous, more-open configuration into a more modern, suite-like feel. Surrounded by a very nice wood-appearance shell, privacy in this cabin is great.

The seat itsself is a big, wide blue chair. Very comfortable. It’s set up with a pillow that’s nothing too special, and a light bagged blanket — more than enough, given that NH keeps the cabin pretty warm, and there’s a proper bed setup should you want it for actual sleeping.

photo IMG_7540

One has to lean forward a fair way to get a clear look across the cabin, which is a 1-2-1 configuration.

photo IMG_7538

Obligatory legroom shot — yeah, it’s plenty.

photo IMG_7541

The IFE screen is large and quite beautiful, and has a shelf in front of it, on which is housed the offered noise-cancelling Sony headphones, and a Samsonite-style hard-side amenity kit. We’ll take a closer look at those later in a bit. But for now, let’s take a look around the suite a little bit, shall we?

photo IMG_7552

Perhaps the most defining difference between the Square and the previous-generation product is the sheer number of cubbies and storage spaces in the walls of the suite. For starters, on the aisle side, there’s this little space that appears designed for storing eyeglasses, but also provides a convient home for cellphones. I wonder how many phones have been left in these seats over the years?

photo IMG_7543

On the other side, there are a pair of storage spaces.

photo IMG_7544

The wider one on the wood panel contains the headphone plug-in, plug a peg on which to store one’s headphones when they’re not in use.

photo IMG_7545

The black cubby contains the IFE remote control, which is about the standard. There are also a pair of reading lights, the AC power plug, a forward wood-paneled cubby the use of which I can’t clearly define, and the touch-screen controls for the seat.

photo IMG_7547photo IMG_7548

Along the window side of the suite, there’s this nice little fold-out cocktail table, which will no doubt come in handy.

photo IMG_7549

The footwell space — under which there’s likely enough room to store a suitcase should one wish to — and ottoman have the same pair of packaged slippers with shoehorn I received on my NH J flights last month, as well as a pair of pajamas and a light cardigan. Upon my initial arrival at the seat, there were marked L for large, however, after sizing me up, the younger flight attendant takes them away and replaces them with LL.

photo IMG_7550

Here’s a look across the cabin from the fully upright “takeoff and departure” sitting position. Privacy is very good in these suites. And it’s made doubly so by the fact that eventually, only three passengers board the eight-seat First class cabin, the other two taking seats 2A and 2K. So I’m alone in row one. That’s almost like having a private cabin, right?

photo IMG_7551

A tap of the remote reveals the main screen of the IFE system, which is the same as I’ve seen on my two NH J flights last month — it’s equally fast and responsive here.

With both boarding gates extended, the view from 1A isn’t terribly exciting — which begs the following critical comment: while the Square concept is fantastic in terms of privacy, it makes looking out the window a little difficult. In fact, a lot difficult. Only one of the three windows attached to this suite isn’t covered up by the suite walls, and one has to lean a fair amount forward to get a good look out it. That’s not so hard when one is free to move about, but as we’ll see, proves a bit of a challenge when one is seatbelted in, say for takeoff or landing.

photo IMG_7554

Service begins with the younger flight attendant bringing around a choice of champagne or water. Champagne, naturally.

photo IMG_7556

She then appears with an amenity basket, including socks, lip balm, and sort of face mask. I take one of each of the first two items, just to be on the safe side.

photo IMG_7557

I stepped onboard the plane about 11:59. At 12:14, I notice that the front jetway has pulled away. I’m constantly amazed by how fast Asian airlines can board a plane. Why is it that boarding the same 77W on AC will take well almost an hour? And that’s before they went to 10-across in Y on AC.

photo IMG_7558

Sure enough, the back jetway is gone too — although that’s hard to get a picture of — and we push back right on time at 12:20.

photo IMG_7560

On pushback, as the safety video rolls, a look at the departure station for Dulles’ ubiquitous “moon buggy” people movers.

photo IMG_7561

Our route on the IFE appears pretty obvious — up and over Alaska, then down into Japan.

photo IMG_7562

It’s a short taxi across the airport, and we find ourselves quickly lining up. No wait for the runway.

photo IMG_7563

Runway 1 for Flight 1, naturally.

photo IMG_7565

The big 77W engines spin up, and we’re quickly up and away into the sky. For all their quiet sophistication the rest of the time, I have to say these First Square suites rattle a lot, and quite noisily, during the takeoff roll.

photo IMG_7566photo IMG_7567

It’s a beautiful early afternoon as we climb out of Virginia, and upwards over New York state and beyond.

photo IMG_7568photo IMG_7569

Let’s take a minute to explore what comes with this seat, shall we?

Here are the Sony noise cancelling headphones. They’re very comfortable, and quite good — although they don’t seem to be working properly when I first plug them in. I turn them off and back on again, and suddenly they’re working perfectly.

photo IMG_7571

The Samsonite-branded amenity kit contains pretty much the same take as it did when I previously few NH F, when they offered a Rimowa kit. Creams and lotions are from Ginza.

photo IMG_7572

Once we level off, service begins with the first of what I’m sure will be many hot towels, carefully provided on a nice little tray.

photo IMG_7573

Slippers are good and comfortable, the same as are provided in business.

photo IMG_7574

A light cardigan for those who might inexplicably find the cabin too cool.

photo IMG_7575

And last, the previously discussed pajamas. More on them later.

photo IMG_7576

We level off over New York, and it’s almost time for lunch. Or dinner. Whatever it is. Food.

photo IMG_7577

Menus are distributed, a drink menu and a food menu together in this attractive folio with NH signature markings.

photo IMG_7578

The drinks menu.



And the food. Embarrassingly, at first, I fail to notice this menu as both ex-NRT and ex-IAD menus for this flight. I go as far as ordering my meal from the ex-NRT menu, but the in-charge comes back a few minutes later and sheepishly apologizes for my lack of basic reading comprehension skills.

photo IMG_7593photo IMG_7594

While I have tended to order the Japanese meal on NH and always enoyed it, for some reason I find myself drawn to the International menu this time. The ex-NRT International menu grabbed me even more, but eventually I do take the risk and settle on the steak, as it sounds pretty tasty. I request the rosé champagne as my aperitif.

Order made, it’s time to check out the lavs and get changed into my pajamas. Because First Class, dammit. I get rid of my socks and shoes here — with perfect timing, I’m in the of doing so and embrassingly bare-footed when the in-charge comes around to take orders — in favour of the NH socks, which are comfortable for socks designes for a single waring, and slippers.

Here’s a look across the cabin as I get up. Note how even standing, I can’t really see the passenger in 2K. While I find the colour schemes of the suites themselves very pleasant, I’m little surprised that NH didn’t opt for some more classy decoration on the walls in the F cabin just to really spruce things up.

photo IMG_7586

The lavatory is nothing too special — this is still a 77W frame they have to work with. But there are some nice touches, like these rolled hand towels instead of paper towels.

photo IMG_7587

And a flower amongst the amenities.

photo IMG_7588

And a nice NH-blue sink.

photo IMG_7589

There’s also a little platform that one can put down while changing.

The pajamas themselves are the same as when I last few NH F a few years ago — simple cotton pants with a drawstring waist in a dilute NH blue/regy, and a zip-up NH grey top with a small collar. These have always been one of my favourite airline pajamas — they’re light and soft and comfortable, and I really like the zip-up approach over the traditional button-up or pullover designs. The cardigan would remain unused. While the cabin wasn’t particularly warm on this day, it wasn’t “I need a sweater” weather, either.

Back at my seat, and the Pam d’Ors is poured for me. This is my first time having a rosé champagne, and I actually quite like it. There will be plenty of time for “the regular” champagne on this trip, I do hope.

photo IMG_7590

Hot on the drink’s heels, the amuse bouche is offered. While the shirmp tart is nothing special, the prosciutto fig and cheese item and the marinated mushrooms with peppers are delicious.

photo IMG_7591

About this time, I decide it’s time to take in a movie during dinner. NH’s selection is good, and the interface is easy to use. Ultimately, I choose The Big Short, a movie “based on a true story” that explains those who profited most from the 2008 financial meltdown with such humourous touches as “here’s Margot Robbie in a bubble bath to explain the sub-prime mortgage market.” No, seriously.

photo IMG_7592

They’re very quick with setting the table, and in no time, I’m prepared with the first dish, and bread from the basket. Interestingly, the olive oil is the same A L’Olivier brand that provides Air Canada’s ubiqutous balsamic and oil dressing. Only this time it’s without the oil.

photo IMG_7595

I give the starter mixed grades — the crepe is nice and fresh, but it’s a big chunk of smoke salmon, and a little dry in places. Interestingly, ANA seems to have done away with the traditional caviar course in first, and opted for an arrangement whereby caviar is part of one of the appetizer options. I know because I ordered it — both here and the first attempt to order from the ex-NRT menu.

photo IMG_7596

The salad doesn’t look like much, but man, the ponzu dressing is fantastic. This was way more enjoyable than it had any business being.

photo IMG_7597

Dishes are cleared very quickly after being finished, and the next dish is brought out hot on its heels. On one hand, this is great, personalized service. On the other hand, I’m missing the “breathing room” one usually gets between courses in business class. Yes, I could ask for a break, and I’m sure it would be cheerfully accommodated.

My main comes around. The steak is a little bit overdone for my tastes, but about what one expects from steaks on a plane. The sauce is fantastic, though, and really makes the dish. I’m also appreciative for the offer of horseradish and stone-ground or dijon mustard, brought around by the in-charge after delivering the plate. I take her up on some horseradish, and it adds to the dish.

photo IMG_7598

I enjoy a couple of glasses of the South African Syrah with dinner. It’s very good to my unsophisticated wine palate.

With dinner done, the younger FA quickly comes around with the menu to offer me my choice of cheese and/or dessert. I take them up on the cheese course, and request the espresso cake for dessert.

The cheese course is out first, and it’s great. I’m actually beginning to really appreciate blue cheeses. I love the accompaniments, a variety of olives, candies walnuts, dried apples, cured meats, celery and carrot. Just a great little treat. Port is not offered, but then I still have an almost-fresh glass of red wine, and that is a problem I must correct.

photo IMG_7599

Dessert is light, simple, and delicious, although not the most memorable dessert you’ll ever have.

photo IMG_7600

I end the meal filling satisfied, but not completely stuffed. Pleasantly full, though. The in-charge asks if I want some more wine, but I decline. She makes a little sad face at me, and I ask if I can have some of the Hibiki whisky.

Because once again… and please feel free to join me on this if you no the word…. “For relaxing times, make it Suntory time.” If the 17-year-old version offered in J is good, this 21-year-old mixed blend is a masterpiece, and I savour it slowly over quite a while, all the while watching my movie and starting to write this flight-report.

photo IMG_7603

Finally, some simple pinafores — the macaroon was by far the best — and another hot and lovely-scented towel to finish out the meal service.

photo IMG_7601photo IMG_7602

After my table is cleared, the in-charge tells me to just let her know if I want my bed made up at any time. I agree that sounds good.

Then, not a minute later, the younger FA suggests she make up 1D as a bed for me, so I can sleep whenever I’d like. That sounds like a good idea to me, and I gratefully agree to her suggestion.

As Wall Street melts down and my movie ends, we’re out over Hudson Bay.

photo IMG_7604

I work on this flight-report for about another half-hour, and then caught up to this point in my adventure, it’s time to test the bed out. To make my journalism more complete, of course, and not because it’s now 3:20 in the afternoon and I’m running on fewer than four hours of sleep and maybe a little tipsy between the wine and the whisky.

I take my headphones a few key sleep-related amenities with my over to my bed, hoping I’ll be able to get in a nap, feel refreshed, and ready to enjoy the rest of this flight and beyond.

The bed is made up with a blue mattress pad with an eggshell foam inside it, a light blanket, and a pair of pillows — one the same as my seat across the aisle, and one heavier, denser memory foam-type pillow. A bottle of water and a glass are also provided, as one would expect.

photo IMG_7605photo IMG_7606

I pop on Rain Man, a movie I’ve seen a few times in the past, and settle in. I manage to nap for most of the film, waking up about ten minutes before it ends. So it’s not exactly the long sleep I’d been hoping for, but it’ll do for now. As the movie ends, we’re up over northern Alaska, at the top of our semi-polar route to Tokyo.

photo IMG_7609

Next up, I select The 33, a film about the Chilean mining disaster turned miraculous rescue in 2010, and spend the length of the film lounging around on the bed. I find it quite comfortable in a variety of setups, including sitting upright on the back of the chair, with my back against the shell of the suite.

photo IMG_7608

With about 45 minutes left in the film, the in-charge walks by, and I request some of the ramen for a snack. To accompany it, a glass of water and some Krug. A few minutes later, the table cloth arrives, and with it, another hot towel with which to refresh.

photo IMG_7611

Drinks arrive next. The water is cold, and the Krug is delicious. So I’m pretty happy.

photo IMG_7612

And then the main event arrives. It’s the same noodles as I enjoyed on my SEA-NRT flight last month, and it’s still just as delightful.

photo IMG_7613

Snack over, the movie comes to an end, and we’re just across the dateline and over eastern Russia.

photo IMG_7615

My table is quickly cleared, and shortly after, the younger FA makes her way through with refreshed bottles of water. We’re a little over five hours out of Tokyo at this point.

A quick trip to the lav, and it’s looking as clean as it was right after takeoff. Of course, hopefully that’s not such a big task with two bathrooms for three passengers.

The latest sage in the Rocky universe, Creed, is up next as I continue to lounge around in 1D. I also decide to check out the offered OnAir Internet service. Unfortunately, it’s not free even in First, but everyone gets 15 free minutes, and that’s good enough to check in with home, catch up on a few e-mails, and — of course — check out a key Web site. A second corporate shot in the same flight-report? I’ve got some catching up to do!

photo IMG_7617

With my 15 minutes up, and this narrative caught up to real time, I sit back and relax and watch the second half of the movie, and promptly drift off to sleep, so add Creed to the extensive list of “multi-flight movies” for me.

I wake up just as the movie ends, but quickly drift back out, and I end up napping until we’re a little less than 90 minutes out of Tokyo, getting close to Japanese airspace.

photo IMG_7618

As soon as the in-charge notices I’m awake, she greets me with a good morning, and asks if I’d like anything to drink. I ask for a coffee, and an orange juice, in the spirit of trying to wake up. The OJ is quickly brought, along with another hot towel.

photo IMG_7619

The coffee follows a couple of minutes later, and it’s very good coffee.

photo IMG_7620

For the pre-arrival meal, I select the Japanese option, and it’s brought in about ten minutes, as I switch back to my original seat in 1A.

photo IMG_7621

Almost as soon as I vacate the middle seat, it’s cleaned up and made up.

The main is a mackerel. It’s very well prepared, and quite tasty with a bit of salty soy taste to it.

photo IMG_7622

To my surprise, one of my favourite things about this meal is the vinegared seaweed. It’s simply delicious.

photo IMG_7623

The meal also includes natto, which I don’t really get into. The taste isn’t quite my thing, and its tendency to leave sticky stringers behind it is a bit off-setting to me.

photo IMG_7624

The Japanese pickles are simply delightful, especially the pickled ginger.

photo IMG_7625

To accompany it, I try a glass of the Ugonotsuki Tokubetsujunmai Jusanya sake. It’s very nice, and matches with the meal very well.

photo IMG_7627

Once I’m done, the younger flight attendant offers dessert, suggesting ice cream. Who am I to turn that down? It’s vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon. The cinnamon is clearly the best. And there’s one last hot towel to round out the service.

photo IMG_7628

With the meal over, I open a window and look outside for the first time in seemingly forever. We’re just starting our descent at this point, and it’s overcast below.

photo IMG_7629

Yep, we’re getting close to Narita, alright.

photo IMG_7630

I head to the washroom to change back into my clothes. As Ieave it, I’m greeted by the in-charge, who motions for me to hand them to her. I do so, and about ten minutes later, the younger FA returns them, folded away and put into a pouch, despite the fact that the pouch they came in is currently stuffed into the overhead bins above my seat. ANA has come a long way from the days when they didn’t let you keep the pajamas.

Soon, we’re over the land and making our final descent.



We arrive over the end of the runway as this Air China 777 awaits its turn for takeoff.

photo IMG_7638

It’s a fairly short taxi, and we pass our twin in Star Alliance colours on our way in.

photo IMG_7641

I know why they’re here, but it still strikes me as odd to see United 737s at a Japanese airport.

photo IMG_7642

And finally, we pull into our parking spot as I try to get a plan selfie, with our arriving 77W showing up reflected in the windows of the terminal.

photo IMG_7643

The two flight attendants working first once again thank me for flying with ANA today. Our gate is right next to a transit security checkpoint, and I have no problem getting through despite not having an onwards boarding pass as yet, just by showing my itinerary on my phone.

Then, it’s downstairs and onto the concourse. Immediately ahead would be a transit desk, but unfortunately, it’s only for ANA flights. I have to head downstairs for the walk under the tarmac for the transit desk from which my onward flight operates.

photo IMG_7644

But as I head downstairs, I catch a good shot of my ride across the Pacific from the departure point for the inter-terminal shuttle.

photo IMG_7645

From there, it’s the walk across the terminal towards the next transit desk. And that’s where it starts to hit the fan.

But that’s another story for another flight-report, and we’ll get to that in due time.

Thanks for reading!
See more

Verdict

ANA

8.8/10
Cabin9.0
Cabin crew9.5
Entertainment/wifi8.5
Meal/catering8.0

Lufthansa Business Lounge

7.8/10
Comfort8.0
Meal/catering7.0
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Services8.0

Washington - IAD

7.5/10
Efficiency7.0
Access7.5
Services7.0
Cleanliness8.5

Tokyo - NRT

8.8/10
Efficiency9.5
Access7.5
Services9.0
Cleanliness9.0

Conclusion

A fantastic TPAC flight in ANA First. The hard product is very comfortable and very private, the service polished and well-presented, and the catering very good. It may not have the bling of Emirates or the over the top goodies of Singapore, but ANA’s First remains an excellent first class product.

Related

7 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 160832 by
    757Fan 632 Comments
    Wow! What a great report of your experience with ANA. I've read a few reports of ANA in F and it looks amazing!

    Thanks for sharing.
  • Comment 160935 by
    socalnow 976 Comments
    Oh man, Hometoyyz, thanks for sharing this lovely flight experience.

    Everything just looks so inviting and well presented. The lightly populated cabin just adds to the special feeling of riding up front.

    It may not have the bling of Emirates or the over the top goodies of Singapore, but ANA’s First remains an excellent first class product.
    -So true. The Japanese way of hospitality is so well personified in the airlines of Japan. It's something other airlines cannot quite emulate if not born and raised in that culture. And it's such a treat to be on the receiving end!

    Thanks again and happy flying.
    • Comment 338247 by
      hometoyyz AUTHOR 539 Comments
      Thanks for the feedback. Attention to detail was so great with NH -- little things that one really wouldn't expect like proactively folding my PJs back up for me. Again, totally not expected, but it left a very lasting impression of the crew's performance. And yeah, while privacy was great by default, the fact that it was so empty really added to that. I love the F experience of having a separate bed and seat, even if my beloved LH 744 F seat/bed combo is, sadly, a thing of the past.
  • Comment 162076 by
    jetsetpanda 2283 Comments
    Thank you for sharing this detailed and well written FR.

    It seems strange that you were denied access into the UA F lounge, even though you were entitled to it according to policy. Perhaps a blessing in disguise.

    Without a doubt NH offers a top notch product. Small details make a difference and can elevate a good experience to a truly memorable one. Like you said, it's great to be on the receiving end of Japanese hospitality and this is wonderfully personified in their carriers. Personally the only experience that I had with a Japanese carrier is JAL and I have been impressed so far, especially when I flew in the back.

Login to post a comment.