For a very long time, I satisfied myself that enterprise class was “sufficient.” This was each when it comes to Japanese airways, and all different airways.
Truly, it had extra to do with different airways. Particularly, after getting upgraded from enterprise to first-class on Qatar Airways a few years in the past, I bear in mind feeling that whereas the expertise had been improbable, it wasn’t one which essentially justified the numerous premium it commanded.
When a possibility got here up just lately for me to fly in ANA’s new-ish “The Suite” first-class, nonetheless, I made a decision to re-visit the difficulty with an open thoughts. What follows is my sincere comparability of ANA first-class vs enterprise class.
Did ANA’s “The Room” By chance Kill “The Suite”?
When deciding between first-class or enterprise class on ANA, you first want to think about which plane you’ll be flying on. As of 2025, solely ANA’s 777-300ER plane characteristic first-class (although the 777-9s, once they lastly arrive, may also have first-class cabins). Of the 777-300ERs, about 75% have been refurbished with new interiors that started rolling out in 2019, together with “The Room” enterprise class and “The Suite” first-class.
Now, as you’ll know should you learn my evaluations of those merchandise, each are glorious, that includes enormous seats that remodel into lie-flat beds, giant leisure screens and fully-closing privateness doorways, to say nothing concerning the service and meals. The one downside? “The Room” is nearly as vast as “The Suite,” to the extent that some bloggers have argued that the previous cancels out the latter. Not me although, at the least not solely.
ANA Enterprise Class
Methods to Examine ANA’s First Class and Enterprise Class
Seat
On the refurbished 777-300ER plane, each ANA’s “The Room” enterprise class and “The Suite” first-class boast personal suites with doorways, that are among the many widest within the {industry} and convert to lie-flat beds. The important thing areas the place first-class beats enterprise are within the size of the mattress, in addition to the dimensions of the leisure display. Additionally, first-class seats have 3-4 home windows, in comparison with 2-3 in enterprise class.
Foods and drinks
The excellent news? Whether or not you fly ANA first-class vs biz, you’ll take pleasure in restaurant-quality meals onboard, particularly should you select the washoku, or Japanese possibility. The higher information? Top quality takes this to a different stage, with each the next high quality and amount of meals choices, in addition to ultra-luxurious accoutrements like Krug champagne and a caviar course.
Service
I’ve at all times been impressed by how frankly “first-class” service in ANA enterprise felt, so I used to be stunned when the service in precise first-class didn’t really feel that a lot better by comparability. I imply, don’t get me improper, my flight attendant (and I mainly had one all to myself) in ANA first-class was phenomenal. However the service merely didn’t really feel as elevated as I anticipated.
Lounges
Likewise, I arrived at Haneda Airport pondering I’d be capable of entry the first-class ANA Suite Lounge—not so. It seems that even should you arrive in first-class, you’ll be able to solely use the lounge throughout transit should you’re departing in ANA enterprise or first, operated by ANA itself. Since I used to be headed to Bangkok on a Thai Airways airplane, this meant I used to be restricted to the “regular” ANA lounge, which was high quality however…nicely, regular.
Pricing and award availability
ANA first and enterprise class are costly, with flights in each cabins usually priced above $10,000 one-way when touring on to Japan. If you will discover award availability, pricing can vary from glorious (as little as 75,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles for enterprise class) to exorbitant, with United charging a whopping 220,000 MileagePlus miles for ANA first-class. In different phrases, you want both persistence or some huge cash/miles!
ANA’s “The Suite” First Class
ANA’s Close to-Future Enterprise Class Evolution
In mid-2025, ANA introduced that its subsequent spherical of 787 deliveries could be fitted with a brand new, no-recline enterprise class product known as “The Room FX,” which might even be retrofitted onto about half of their present 787-9 plane. Whereas these planes nonetheless received’t characteristic first-class cabins, this new enterprise class will characterize a big improve over the present staggered product, which is over a decade outdated at this level.
Certainly, the place the excellence between ANA first-class or ANA enterprise class is available in is the service’s long-awaited 777-9 fleet. Initially supposed to enter service in 2020, these planes will now enter the ANA fleet in mid-2026 on the earlier. Whereas nothing is confirmed, many have speculated that these jets will introduce developed variations of “The Room” and “The Suite,” or presumably complete new first and enterprise class seats. Keep tuned!
Different FAQ About First and Enterprise Class on ANA
What’s the distinction between first-class and enterprise class on ANA?
ANA’s first and enterprise class cabins each options seats that remodel into lie-flat beds, giant leisure screens and privateness options, in addition to world-class eating and industry-leading service. The important thing distinction is within the particulars—ANA’s first-class “The Suite” is way bigger than “The Room” enterprise class; passengers take pleasure in enhanced delicacies, together with extra unique champagne and caviar service, and really customized service.
Which ANA seats are higher, first-class or enterprise class?
On ANA’s refurbished 777-300ER plane, each “The Room” enterprise class and “The Suite” first-class characteristic ultra-wide seats that convert into lie-flat beds and have privateness doorways. “The Suite” is for much longer, and has increased doorways and partitions for privateness, however to be sincere it’s not higher in a manner that justifies the a lot increased worth.
Does ANA nonetheless have first-class?
ANA does nonetheless have first-class, albeit on a way more restricted variety of jets than it as soon as did. Particularly, you’ll be able to fly in first-class on ANA’s 777-300ER fleets, and can quickly give you the option to take action on the 777-9, which is slated to enter service beginning in mid-2026. None of ANA’s 787 Dreamliners characteristic first-class.
The Backside Line
I hope you’ve loved my dialogue of ANA first-class vs enterprise class. Sarcastically, the principle downside with ANA’s first-class is that its improbable enterprise class is nearly pretty much as good. That is very true on its refurbished 777-300ER plane, the place “The Room” is nearly as vast as a first-class to seat, to say nothing of how unbelievable the service and meals (particularly the washoku, or Japanese meal) are. Likewise, it’s clearly less expensive to fly in enterprise, whether or not you’re paying money or miles. Want customized assist placing your journey to Japan collectively? Fee a customized Japan itinerary at present!