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I didn’t assume I used to be going to have the ability to overview ANA’s new top notch, a minimum of not anytime quickly. (It’s mid-2025 after I’m first penning this submit, so by “quickly” I imply earlier than about 2027).
There have been two important causes for this. First, award seat availability for this product (often called “The Suite”) is low, and pricing from the US to Tokyo tends to be excessive. Secondly, ANA’s present “new” top notch dates again to 2019, when it was launched as a stopgap for a really new product onboard the 777-9, which has but to fly.
The dangerous information? It nonetheless stays to be seen when ANA will take supply of its next-generation 777 plane, which have been initially slated for 2020. The excellent news? Even when these planes have been delivered by the point you’re studying my works, my ANA new 777 top notch overview remains to be instructive.
How I Booked My Flight in ANA’s New First Class
A couple of months earlier than my journey, I missed the chance to guide ANA suite top notch for my most well-liked journey date. And since there are solely 8 seat per aircraft (and, usually, a kind of are launched as awards), I assumed I wouldn’t get one other likelihood. Fortunately for me, about three weeks earlier than my journey, I acquired a notification through the wonderful seats.aero service {that a} seat had been launched. My coronary heart began fluttering.
The dangerous information? I didn’t have sufficient United miles for that service’s exorbitant awards; I didn’t need to name Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership, which presents the bottom worth, however solely through cellphone. The excellent news? Avianca was having a sale on LifeMiles, and since I used to be persevering with onward to Bangkok (in Thai Airways enterprise class), I used to be in a position to guide your entire journey for 131,730 LifeMiles, which I bought for simply $1,683 (in comparison with a ~$10,000 money fare).
What to Anticipate in ANA’s “The Suite” First Class
Boarding and welcome
Originating at Chicago (ORD) for flight NH111 to Tokyo (HND), I used to be impressed that employees had cordoned off a portion of the chaotic gate space completely for top notch passengers. Upon boarding, I used to be delighted to obtain a glass of Krug champagne (which might movement freely all through the flight), a sizzling towel and a heat introduction by Shibuya-san, the flight attendant who could be taking good care of me through the flight.
“The Suite” itself
Whereas the brand new ANA top notch isn’t all that new—it was launched in 2019, and developed a minimum of a yr earlier than that—the seat (or, slightly, “Suite”) remains to be fairly superior. There are simply 8 of them onboard, in a 1-2-1 configuration, and I significantly loved the truth that mine (I used to be in window suite 1K) had a whopping 4 home windows, permitting me wonderful views all through your entire battle. I additionally preferred the privateness door, a minimum of as soon as service was full.
Foods and drinks
As I often do onboard Japanese airways, I ordered washoku, a multi-course Japanese meal, which in top notch options not solely a tasty seafood important, however a number of scrumptious zensai (appetizers), and a beef sukiyaki course. Ending up my important meal, Shibuya-san provided me caviar and blini; she saved my Krug refilled and in addition really helpful each sake, wine (and within the case of the caviar, vodka) to pair with every part I used to be consuming.
Service
Though different flight attendants (together with the purser) served me onboard ANA 777 top notch, I can not emphasize strongly sufficient simply how customized Shibuya’s service was. It really felt like I used to be her solely passenger—and, frankly, I may need been. From dine-on-demand service after the primary meal, to anecdotes about journey in Japan and questions on my life and profession, to creating my mattress after I was able to sleep, it was simply heavenly.
Sleep, leisure, et cetera
Talking of sleep, ANA’s “The Suite” presents one of many widest and most comfy beds within the sky, which in fact consists of the turndown service I described above. Leisure-wise, the library was pretty restricted (as is the case on most East Asian carriers), although the TV (which, at 43″, is sort of as huge as my one at house) made viewing an absolute pleasure. I additionally loved free Wi-Fi onboard ths flight, which allowed me to remain on prime of labor.
What About ANA’s Suite First Class Lounge?
I arrived at Tokyo Haneda with nearly 4 hours to spare, partially as a result of passengers coming from the US not need to clear transit safety—we will merely go immediately into the terminal. Sadly for me, I turned up on the ANA Suite Lounge to the sound of dangerous information. “You’ll be able to’t enter,” the lady stated plainly (and, worse, in English). “You aren’t persevering with your journey on an ANA-operated flight.”
Personally, I discover it ridiculous that I wasn’t in a position to pattern the ANA top notch lounge, on condition that I had simply flown 13 hours in ANA’s top notch, no matter how or whether or not I proceed onward. I did spend a while within the regular ANA Lounge, which was…superb, however positively lower than the requirements each the ANA 777 and the service onboard had set 35,000 toes within the air.
Different FAQ About ANA’s “The Suite” First Class
Is top notch on ANA price it?
ANA’s top notch is certainly price redeeming miles, significantly in the event you’re in a position to guide a flight on certainly one of its refurbished 777-300ER plane, which function the new-ish “The Suite” product. Nonetheless, on condition that money fares can repeatedly exceed $10,000 one-way between the US and Tokyo, I’m undecided that may be a wise buy (except, in fact, cash isn’t any object to you).
What’s ANA’s top notch cabin like?
ANA’s worldwide top notch cabin is unique, that includes two rows of seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Every seat converts into a totally flat mattress—and, on refurbished 777-300 ER plane, is supplied with a door that closes absolutely. Should you sit in one of many 4 window seats, you’ll additionally take pleasure in a tremendous view, with between 3-4 home windows per seat within the cabin.
How a lot does ANA top notch value?
The money worth of ANA top notch can simply exceed $10,000 one-way on flights between the US and Japan. That’s the dangerous information. The excellent news? You’ll be able to guide ANA top notch less expensive utilizing miles, with Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership, Air Canada Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles providing the most effective charges. Do observe that in the event you guide through Virgin Atlantic, you’ll want to take action by cellphone, which may be cumbersome and threat the supply (which is uncommon, and will get booked up quick) slipping away.
The Backside Line
The fact is that my ANA new 777 top notch overview may not be related for lengthy—frankly, I hope it isn’t. The present “The Suite” product will likely be up to date, upgraded or changed solely within the close to future, when ANA’s long-await 777-9 plane lastly take to the skies. Despite this, I feel you’ll nonetheless discover worth in studying about ANA’s current-best top notch, even when what’s out there by the point you fly is considerably higher. My fingers are crossed that award redemption prices (whether or not on United or in any other case) don’t improve earlier than then! In the event that they do, in fact, you’ll be able to all the time rent me to plan your Japan journey for you, and to provide the most bang on your buck regardless.
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