Just thought I'd post a little feedback on a recent SYD-HND-PEK-HND-SYD (J) booked using LifeMiles. Total cost was about $2200 return so I can't complain too much really.
I'd never flown ANA before and had very high expectations given the "5 Star Airline" title that they push.
SYD-HND
Checkin
I arrived fairly early (3 hours prior to departure) and the desks had been up and running for a while it seemed. There was a fairly long line for both Business and Economy. Checked in after about 15 minutes. Standard outport checkin experience.
Lounge
AirNZ lounge as expected. I've only ever used this lounge late at night (after the last NZ departure) and have found it to be consistantly disappointing. The bar has always been closed as soon as the last NZ flight departs. It was fine for a J lounge (although I wasn't impressed when I was here as a F passenger and told if I wanted a drink my only options were what's in the self-serve fridge).
Boarding/Departure
Flight left ontime. Crew were very friendly and had excellent English skills to match my terrible Japanese. Amenity kit was basic however there were some good amenities in the bathrooms. PDB was an absolutley awful "sparkling wine" served in a plastic cup (not a plastic wine glass.... a cup!)
Seat/IFE
The biggest letdown. The seat, while ok, was far too short for my 180cm frame. I had to sleep in a weird S position. The aisle seat was also very exposed (make sure you select the "window" seats). There was a matress that helped to soften the seat a bit. Storage was non-existant. I had to leave my iPad, wallet etc just sitting on the side table. Fortunatley, the crew weren't storage naz_s and simply said "make sure you careful of things for takeoff". IFE was very average. Limited English options and TV shows only had an episode or 2. I didn't even use it. I slept pretty well in the bed, but I was pretty inebriated which certainly helped.
Food/Drinks
The entire meal service felt very cheap. It began with some canapes however these were served off a tray in little plastic shot glasses. It's hard to explain, but picture a flimsy plastic shot glass served at a gay bar in Sydney after 10pm with a gerkin and some salami in it. These were walked around on a tray by the crew and you simply grabbed a few when they were presented. Meal was served on one tray, as I'd imagine it would be in economy, and I found the Japanese option (fish) to be dry and tasteless. I picked at it and basically left it all. Drinks, however, were served promptly and the crew were proactive with refills (which I find is unusual for an Asian carrier). I enquired about some Sake and one flight attendant took it upon herself to run me through all of the options including what her preference was, and then carried out a sample selection for me before coming back for feedback afterwards (again, the crew were excellent). After the main service, ANA operate an on-demand meal selection for the remainder of the flight (and no scheduled Breakfast service). I was just browsing the menu to see what was in it and a flight attendant appeared out of nowhere to ask what I wanted (which was nothing at that point!). It's almost like there are cameras watching you... I ended up having the ramen before arrival in HND which was actually really good. The "no breakfast" setup seemed to confuse the Australian passengers who were sitting and waiting for something after waking up. An Aussie guy tapped me on the shoulder and asked if they were serving breakfast, so I guess I somehow look like someone who knows what's going on :-|
Arrival
HND is a real pleasure compared to NRT. We were very quickly on the subway into Tokyo.
HND Lounge
Good overall. Nice selection of buffet and made to order food. Good booze selection (including the self-pouring Asahi machines). Nice views out over the tarmac. The dragons were very strict with entry requirements. There was an American man and wife (plus young child) at the door and they weren't letting him in as his UA status only allowed one guest and they were counting the child. I even walked up and said I was a friend of theirs and the kid can come in with me, however as "only business class passenger" that wasn't cutting it.
HND-PEK-HND
Regional 777 and Intl 787. The regional seat is just fine for the shorter hops. It's a typical recliner seat that was comfortable. No PDB. Drinks offered before the meal with rice crackers. Meal was again served all on one tray. It was again pretty disappointing on both sectors. Service excellent on both legs and drinks constantly topped up. I think it was a bit of a novelty to have two younger Westerners on these flights as the crew were falling all over us compared to the other passengers.
HND-SYD
Pretty much a repeat of the way over. Food was again average. Service wasn't quite as good on this flight however the crew responded quickly to the call bell. I asked for a Cointreau from one crew member and over the next 5 minutes 3 different crew proceeded to bring me 3 little bottles... again, slept well! I ordered the ramen again coming into Sydney and it took 45 minutes and was delivered as the seatbelt sign came on.
Overall, I wasn't impressed with ANA to be honest. The seat is a little small for a Westerners frame and the IFE terrible. The catering is very average and has a cheap economy feel to it. The service from the crew was excellent (especially on the SYD-HND. Imagine a QF flight attendant bringing you 3 drinks in one go without giving you the RSA lecture...). I think ANA might be kidding themselves with the whole "5 Star" thing. I still much prefer CX and they remain my choice for Asia. I'd almost lean towards saying that QF would be the better choice on the SYD-HND-SYD route (provided you fluke a good crew).
I have to go to Europe in about a month and ANA are coming up as a First option. I may give that a try as a comparison, however I won't rush back to Business.
I'd never flown ANA before and had very high expectations given the "5 Star Airline" title that they push.
SYD-HND
Checkin
I arrived fairly early (3 hours prior to departure) and the desks had been up and running for a while it seemed. There was a fairly long line for both Business and Economy. Checked in after about 15 minutes. Standard outport checkin experience.
Lounge
AirNZ lounge as expected. I've only ever used this lounge late at night (after the last NZ departure) and have found it to be consistantly disappointing. The bar has always been closed as soon as the last NZ flight departs. It was fine for a J lounge (although I wasn't impressed when I was here as a F passenger and told if I wanted a drink my only options were what's in the self-serve fridge).
Boarding/Departure
Flight left ontime. Crew were very friendly and had excellent English skills to match my terrible Japanese. Amenity kit was basic however there were some good amenities in the bathrooms. PDB was an absolutley awful "sparkling wine" served in a plastic cup (not a plastic wine glass.... a cup!)
Seat/IFE
The biggest letdown. The seat, while ok, was far too short for my 180cm frame. I had to sleep in a weird S position. The aisle seat was also very exposed (make sure you select the "window" seats). There was a matress that helped to soften the seat a bit. Storage was non-existant. I had to leave my iPad, wallet etc just sitting on the side table. Fortunatley, the crew weren't storage naz_s and simply said "make sure you careful of things for takeoff". IFE was very average. Limited English options and TV shows only had an episode or 2. I didn't even use it. I slept pretty well in the bed, but I was pretty inebriated which certainly helped.
Food/Drinks
The entire meal service felt very cheap. It began with some canapes however these were served off a tray in little plastic shot glasses. It's hard to explain, but picture a flimsy plastic shot glass served at a gay bar in Sydney after 10pm with a gerkin and some salami in it. These were walked around on a tray by the crew and you simply grabbed a few when they were presented. Meal was served on one tray, as I'd imagine it would be in economy, and I found the Japanese option (fish) to be dry and tasteless. I picked at it and basically left it all. Drinks, however, were served promptly and the crew were proactive with refills (which I find is unusual for an Asian carrier). I enquired about some Sake and one flight attendant took it upon herself to run me through all of the options including what her preference was, and then carried out a sample selection for me before coming back for feedback afterwards (again, the crew were excellent). After the main service, ANA operate an on-demand meal selection for the remainder of the flight (and no scheduled Breakfast service). I was just browsing the menu to see what was in it and a flight attendant appeared out of nowhere to ask what I wanted (which was nothing at that point!). It's almost like there are cameras watching you... I ended up having the ramen before arrival in HND which was actually really good. The "no breakfast" setup seemed to confuse the Australian passengers who were sitting and waiting for something after waking up. An Aussie guy tapped me on the shoulder and asked if they were serving breakfast, so I guess I somehow look like someone who knows what's going on :-|
Arrival
HND is a real pleasure compared to NRT. We were very quickly on the subway into Tokyo.
HND Lounge
Good overall. Nice selection of buffet and made to order food. Good booze selection (including the self-pouring Asahi machines). Nice views out over the tarmac. The dragons were very strict with entry requirements. There was an American man and wife (plus young child) at the door and they weren't letting him in as his UA status only allowed one guest and they were counting the child. I even walked up and said I was a friend of theirs and the kid can come in with me, however as "only business class passenger" that wasn't cutting it.
HND-PEK-HND
Regional 777 and Intl 787. The regional seat is just fine for the shorter hops. It's a typical recliner seat that was comfortable. No PDB. Drinks offered before the meal with rice crackers. Meal was again served all on one tray. It was again pretty disappointing on both sectors. Service excellent on both legs and drinks constantly topped up. I think it was a bit of a novelty to have two younger Westerners on these flights as the crew were falling all over us compared to the other passengers.
HND-SYD
Pretty much a repeat of the way over. Food was again average. Service wasn't quite as good on this flight however the crew responded quickly to the call bell. I asked for a Cointreau from one crew member and over the next 5 minutes 3 different crew proceeded to bring me 3 little bottles... again, slept well! I ordered the ramen again coming into Sydney and it took 45 minutes and was delivered as the seatbelt sign came on.
Overall, I wasn't impressed with ANA to be honest. The seat is a little small for a Westerners frame and the IFE terrible. The catering is very average and has a cheap economy feel to it. The service from the crew was excellent (especially on the SYD-HND. Imagine a QF flight attendant bringing you 3 drinks in one go without giving you the RSA lecture...). I think ANA might be kidding themselves with the whole "5 Star" thing. I still much prefer CX and they remain my choice for Asia. I'd almost lean towards saying that QF would be the better choice on the SYD-HND-SYD route (provided you fluke a good crew).
I have to go to Europe in about a month and ANA are coming up as a First option. I may give that a try as a comparison, however I won't rush back to Business.
