Information on ANA Flights

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is Japan's largest airline, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. The airline has hubs at Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Kansai Osaka airports. Its group, ANA Holdings, also operates low-cost airline Peach and AirJapan.

ANA offers flights across Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. The airline is a Star Alliance member and maintains a very high standard of service, offering efficient and comfortable flights.

ANA’s planes

ANA has a fleet of 193 aircraft, some with unique themes, such as Pokémon, Star Wars and Flying Honu. ANA’s cabin configurations vary by aircraft type.

I’ve found ANA’s passenger experience is well above average. You can expect a pleasant flight with exceptional service on the ground and in the air.

Flying first class on ANA

The airline only offers a first class cabin on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and Flying Honu Airbus A380s. There are three types of first class suites on each plane: The Suite, ANA First Square, and A380 First Class. All are on the higher end of airline suite design. The Suite is available on newer 777-300ERs. It features everything you’d expect from a modern upscale airline suite and one of the largest inflight entertainment screens in the market: a 43-inch 4K display. Storage includes a narrow closet to hang your jacket and other storage cubbies to keep personal items secure. The 34”-wide seat converts to an 81”-long bed. A sliding panel separates the center suites in the cabin, and the crew can combine these into a single suite for couples traveling together.

The Square, which flies on older 777-300ERs, does not include a privacy door but does feature a jacket closet and additional storage. This 33”-wide seat converts to a 76"-long bed. The in-flight entertainment screen is a 23" HD display.

You'll find a spacious First Class suite with a private door on the upper deck of ANA A380 Flying Honu planes, which operate flights to and from Honolulu. Center suites have a movable divider so those traveling together can mingle easily. The 31”-wide seat converts to an 81" long bed.

The airline’s first class cabins are exclusive spaces with room for 8 passengers. Other advantages of an ANA first class ticket include dedicated check-in desks, access to the airline’s superb lounges, a chef-curated in-flight dining menu, comfortable in-flight loungewear, an amenity kit, cozy duvet bedding, and noise-canceling headphones.

Flying business class on ANA

The airline offers four business class seat varieties on its planes operating long-haul, mid- and short-haul flights.

The Room is a spacious suite available on newer Boeing 777-300ERs. These suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration alternating forward/aft, which means some of the seats face the back of the plane. Being turned around on the plane has safety advantages, with the seatback offering better force dampening in the event of a crash. I’m not bothered flying this way, but some may be. If you want to face forward, pick even-numbered rows in this cabin. An adjustable partition separates the center D/G and E/F seats, which couples traveling together can lower. The seat is a very roomy 35”-wide, and the in-flight entertainment screen is a 24” 4K UHD touchscreen display.

On most of its older 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner planes, as well as on the Airbus A380 Flying Honu, the airline offers a staggered business class shell seat arranged in an alternating 1-2-1, 1-1-1 configuration so each passenger has aisle access. The 19.5”-wide seats are set 44” apart and convert to a 74.5” lay-flat bed. Besides a good-sized table for dining and work, the seat also features a shoe shelf and a storage cubby for personal items beneath the ottoman. The in-flight entertainment screen is a 17" HD touchscreen display.

On 767-300ER and 787-8 Dreamliner planes, ANA offers business cradle seats, enhanced recliner chairs with shells and a divider screen providing greater privacy. They are arranged in a 2-1-2 pattern, meaning those by the windows have a traveling companion. The airline offers a generous 59” separation between seats to make getting around less awkward. Each 22”-wide seat has a four-way adjustable footrest and goose-neck reading light. The center D single seats also have a storage cubby beneath the side console. The in-flight entertainment screen has a 12.1” touchscreen display, except in the front row seats, where the screen is 10.6”.

On its narrowbody Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family planes, the airline offers business class with comfortable reclining chairs set in a 2-2 configuration.

Other benefits of a business class ticket include dedicated check-in, lounge access, a chef-curated menu, and an assortment of comfort amenities. While the airline offers loungewear, it is on a free-rental basis in business class. In other words, they’re not gifts to keep as they are in first class.

Flying premium economy on ANA

The airline offers an attractive premium economy cabin on its widebody planes. I find it’s an excellent option, except for the longest flights, where I may get a few good hours of uninterrupted lay-flat sleep in business. It’s more affordable and comfortable enough to sleep reclined in flight. The airline has two seat models operating on different aircraft. One is 19.3”-wide, and the other is slightly narrower, 18.7”, which is still roomier than economy class. Each seat offers a leg and footrest, an adjustable headrest and a reading light. The wider model features a 10.6" touchscreen display for in-flight entertainment, whereas the other has a 15.6” touchscreen (with 11.6” screens in first-row seats.)

The premium economy class also has dedicated check-in and lounge access. The airline offers a premium for-purchase in-flight menu to reserve before the flight, or you can enjoy standard economy class meals.

Flying economy class on ANA

The airline offers different types of economy seats on its aircraft, around 17”-wide, set between 31” and 34” apart. The in-flight entertainment screens range between 9” and 13.3” displays.

On ANA’s Airbus A380 Flying Honu to Hawaii, you can also book special ANA Couchii seats. These custom economy class seats have a folding cushion panel at the legrest that extends up to make a three or four-seat-across bed. You can book these unique seats separately. The airline also offers blankets and pillows.

ANA also offers a bid-for-an-upgrade option, which allows economy class passengers to make an offer for an upgrade to Premium Economy seating. The airline sends an email inviting passengers to bid about seven days before the flight. I’ve used bid-for-upgrade programs on other airlines and found them an excellent way to set your price for more comfort. It all depends on the rate you bid, but I have successfully gotten significant discounts on a full-fare premium ticket by doing this.

ANA’s themed airplanes

Demand for flights between Japan and Hawaii is very high. ANA has dedicated its superjumbo Airbus A380s to this service, with the theme of the FLYING HONU. These sea-turtle-painted planes offer a unique experience on flights to Honolulu, including themed amenities.

ANA lounges

ANA operates branded lounges at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and Honolulu airports. First and business class passengers can also access Star Alliance partner lounges in other airports.

The airline’s lounges are very well-appointed, soothing and elegant spaces where you can relax before a flight, get some work done, or enjoy meals and drinks.

Economy class passengers on full-fare tickets can purchase lounge access at Haneda, Narita and Honolulu airports in advance by buying a pass through the airline’s website.

Wi-Fi connectivity and power

In most of its fleet, ANA offers high-speed satellite Wi-Fi connectivity, and most seats have universal AC power and USB-A outlets.