ANA All Nippon Airways

Flew from Haneda to Frankfurt on the Dreamliner. Happy to be on board of that plane as someone who usually gets headaches on long-haul flights you can tell the cabin atmosphere is really a lot better here. I'm not so impressed with the seat width this config had 9 abreast in economy which is really narrow. Prepare for elbow struggles with your neighbor(s). Worst aspect was the food. The flight left at 1am so I can understand they don't start serving hot meals but the replacement sandwich was really extremely basic. Nothing else followed till breakfast which was I'm sad to say awful. I am quite happy with airline food but this was really not tasty not fresh worthless really. I will consider other options on my trips to/from Japan despite the overall professionalism punctuality and nice airplane. One final detail - is it really necessary to close the curtains between economy and business upon landing? I mean rub it in extra that cattle class passengers have to wait deboarding until the elite has left?

Flew TPE-NRT-ORD on ANA. The first leg was on a 767-300 and the last on 777-300. The first flight seemed a bit more cramped but acceptable. The legroom on the 777 was excellent. I almost had to lean over at times to look at the (huge) IFE screen. The service is always excellent smile and bow as you'd expect from ANA. On arrival to Chicago Japanese speaking agents welcome you and guide you to the immigration area. Real silverware was given on both flights. Excellent food as always.

PVG-NRT-JFK Shanghai-Tokyo-New York 6/5/2014: Both flights on 773 one older livery and one new both 3 class. I was originally booked for business class my husband was supposed to be as well however after a screw up by our travel agent he found himself in economy. Although I did not cause a disturbance at the counter I guess my face showed my disappointment at the incompetence of our travel agent. To my surprise the woman checking us in bumped me to first for the first leg of our flight because they couldn't help my husband at that point. Upon our arrival at NRT before disembarking there was an announcement for my husband to see a cabin attendant. They found a seat for him in premium economy NRT-JFK with no extra charge. My husband reported that economy service and entertainment options were very good and the seats were comfortable. I briefly checked out the lounges as I did not want to abandon my husband for too long. Lounges had a good selection of food table service bar changing room etc. In-flight the attendants are what you expect from Japanese service including bowing in multiples. I had a chance to enjoy a full Japanese meal and a Western meal both near excellent the Japanese meal edged ahead for presentation. The entertainment system was not the best I have experienced but it was very good and there are plenty of English and Japanese movies and programing to choose from. The staggered seats are comfortable I have no real problem with the foot cubby. I was pleased to find each seat had an additional cushion which unfolded for making the lie-flat seats even and more comfortable for sleeping. I used it the whole flight even when sitting up. I recommend choosing a seat with the side-table on the aisle they are more private. The check-in and in-flight crew on ANA is one of the most attentive and gracious I have ever come across. In my experience ANA's rating is well deserved.

787 HND-ITA. The usual friendly efficient service of ANA made even better by using the Dreamliner which is aptly named. Very comfortable seat even in economy with lots of leg room. Like the window shade. I was the last one off the plane on purpose because I wanted the flight to last longer.

NRT-SIN on 788 (2-4-2 configuration) NH801 on 16 June. Return leg following SIN-NRT on 31 May on 788. Flight got re-timed by 30 minutes due to "late arrival of aircraft". Didn't appreciate it however since this is the final leg of my journey home and I was really tired as I did not sleep on my previous leg from YYZ (12 hours). I was trying to sleep on this flight but I couldn't as the seat was simply too uncomfortable: the fixed-shell non- reclining seat really deters against sleeping. As mentioned in my last review if you intend to stay awake this seat is good. If you intend to sleep and do not fall asleep easily steer clear. In-flight entertainment was still as good but I was too tired to appreciate it. Also the selection of music is quite limited.

SIN-NRT on 788 (2-4-2 configuration) NH802 on 31 May. Last flew on ANA in 2011 post-Fukushima on the same route using the 767 and overall it was great. This time round they were still quite good. Staff service is always excellent. I was excited to fly the new 787 plane and it was quite exciting to see the tinted windows and the window in the toilet. And I could feel the difference in the air on-board the 787: skin felt less dry I felt less tired. In-flight entertainment was good. The seat unfortunately remained the fixed-shell kind that does not recline. For someone tall like me it was absolutely uncomfortable as my legs were squeezed against the seat in front. Thankfully I did not intend to sleep that flight sleep would have been impossible. The food surprisingly disappointed me a little: it looked good but did not taste up to my (heightened) expectations. Outside the flight I like how ANA website does automatic online check-in 24 hours before the flight. Overall ANA has been a good experience certainly befitting their Skytrax 5-star rating. If they ditch their fixed-shell seating and offered cheaper tickets (I got my tickets at a promotion otherwise I wont have flown them) I would certainly consider using them for transpacific flights.

5/25/2014 Seattle-Tokyo-Ho Chi Minh City. Usually fly 2-3 long haul flights a year. First and last time on ANA- Dreamliner- big disappointment. Studied seat map carefully and picked 2x3x2 seat configuration-however after purchase aircraft was changed to 3x3x3 - sat in the middle. 9.5 hours in overheated cabin and extremely uncomfortable seat that barely reclines. The 767 portion has no recline and equally hard seats. The Dreamliner dedicates 2/3 of plane to First and Business cramming over one half of it's passengers in 1/3 of it's space. Expected more from a Japanese Airline.

NRT-JFK B777-300. New seats config. (1-2-1). New ANA lounge in NRT is very comfortable has a nice view of the tarmac offers a large variety of food. Unfortunately as onboard wine quality is not as on other airlines. Detailed boarding announcements and smiling staff. Onboard nothing to complain to staggered seats. Very private more even if you have the following seats : 6K 8K 10K etc. or 5A 7A 9A etc. Food perfect Champagne just correct wines not nice. Food is served on demand. Staff spoke a good English. Flight on time.

ITM-NRT. B737/800. Messy check-in. Separated security lane for Star Alliance Gold pax. Very poor Lounge however (no food) poor drinks. Boarding well done. Please was clean. No entertainment. No food. On time.

Flew HND-OKA-HND - Very good service but no meal or snacks provided on a three hour journey (outbound - 2.5 hours return). Very large aircraft used but nowhere near full so plenty of room to move around. Seemed modern and staff very well turned out - nice presentation and very smart and friendly. A lovely toy provided for my infant son too.