All Nippon Airways’ Business Class Review

All Nippon Airways business class offers luxury, gourmet dining and world-class Japanese hospitality. Read our full review here:

This year we did a fall trip to Japan and we really fell in love with the country. We had an amazing two weeks there and we are already planning a trip to go back.

On our trip we tested out All Nippon Airlines 787-9 business class from San Jose Mineta International Airport, California to Narita International Airport in Tokyo, and had a very pleasant experience.

All Nippon Airlines aka ANA operates form two airports in San Francisco Bay Area but San Jose was the closest to us. We also think that this smaller airport is more functional than the huge San Francisco International Airport.

All Nippon Airways

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is Japan’s largest airline, operating both domestic and international flights. ANA’s main hubs are Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports, and its headquarter is located in Minato, Tokyo.

All Nippon Airways was originally founded in 1952 under the name Japan Helicopter and Aeroplane. A few years later, the company changed its name to All Nippon Airways and merged with Far East Airlines. After several developments, ANA launched its first international flights in 1986.

Today, ANA flies to around 50 destinations within Japan and 40 international destinations, employing just under 45,000 people. Despite its size, it does not rank among the world’s largest airlines.

ANA’s frequent flyer program is called ANA Mileage Club, and the airline is a member of the global Star Alliance network.

All Nippon Airways Business class – our experience

On the day of departure in California, we arrived at the airport well ahead of time. The business class check in was quick and efficient, and the staff kindly pointed us toward the lounge. Business class tickets usually include lounge access, so we enjoyed a light breakfast there. ANA’s lounge at San Jose Mineta International Airport is called The Club.

Our plane for the flight was a Boeing 787-9 with a total of 246 seats. In addition to business class, it also had Premium Economy and Economy sections.

As soon as we boarded, passengers were handed slippers (which quickly became very familiar to us during our Japan trip), a shoehorn, and a travel kit. The kit included a facial spray, hand cream, lip balm, toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, and an eye mask. Pajamas were also available to borrow for the flight.

In the lavatories, there were extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, facial wipes, and mouthwash available. The space was also suprisingly large, I even fit in there comfortably together with our little one.

Comfortable and Functional Seats

The business class seats were fully straggered, which means every passenger gets their own private space without even seeing their seat neighbor. For us, traveling with a child, this set up wasn’t necessarily ideal but for a solo business traveler, I imagine it’s absolutely perfect.

In front of each seat, there were two shelves that doubled as footers. The seat itself reclined into a fully flat bed. Under the shelves, there was storage space for a bag, and above them were the entertainment system and power outlets. The table unfolded to a wide surface and could be adjusted to the exact position you wanted.

Every seat also came with a mattress pad, pillow, and blanked for sleeping, plus noise-cancelling headphones for watching movies. Overall, I found the seats to be very practical and extremely comfortable; great both for sitting and for getting some real rest.

A menu perfected down to the last detail

On board, passengers could choose between a Japanese and an international menu. On both the outbound and return flights, I went with the Japanese menu for my first meal and then tried the international option for the second.

Every dish was beautifully presented, flavorful, and generously portioned. Drinks were paired from a full wine list. In Japan, presentation is always taken seriously, but here it truly felt perfected down to the very last detail. Japanese cuisine is absolutely delicious, and I really enjoyed every bite of this in-flight dining experience.

During the ten hour flight, two full hot meals were served. In between, passengers could also order from a special mid-flight menu or even customize their choices a little. Options ranged from hamburgers to cheese plates, and even a comforting bowl of miso soup.

For our daughter, we had pre-ordered a children’s meal, which came with its own appetizer, main course, and dessert. It was, of course, far too much food for a little one, but everything was delicious and playfully decorated. It was so fun for her.

Seamless service

What touched me the most on this flight was the way my daughter was treated. She was cared for as if she were one of the important business travelers on board. At times, I almost wished they’d ask me about her drink choices too, not just her! But it was wonderful to see how attentively she was looked after during the ten-hour journey.

The crew made her bed, cut her food into bite-sized pieces, and even propped a pillow behind her back so she could reach the table more comfortably. Full points to our lovely flight attendants! Just before landing in Tokyo, she was given a little gift bag filled with toys, candy and cookies.

The true highlight of the flight was this exceptionally warm and thoughtful service. In classic Japanese style, the atmosphere remained calm, the crew was incredibly polite and they even tool the to explain each dish; what it was and how to enjoy it.

✈️✈️✈️

Our flight was truly a delight, without exaggeration, one of the best we’ve vere experienced. On top of that, ANA’s food service was absolutely top-notch. And once in Japan, even travelling by train turned out to be a great experience.

We can wholeheartedly recommend flying with All Nippon Airways, thanks to the warm and thoughtful service we received. The flight itself felt like an introduction to Japanese culture, making it the perfect start to our two week Japan adventures in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, and Hiroshima.

ANA is also famous its special Star Wars, Pokémon, and Demon Slayer-themed airplanes. We even spotted one at Narita Airport. How fun would it be to catch one of those flights someday, especially with kids!

All in all, our experience in All Nippon Airways business class was incredibly pleasant and definitely worth recommending.

🇯🇵 OUR JAPAN TRAVEL RESOURCES 🇯🇵

⛩ Read from here about the things your should know before traveling to Japan.
🍣 While in Japan, make sure to try out at least these foods and treats.
🗝 Hotels & Vacation Rentals: We usually find the best hotel deals here and also check this site.
Vacation homes and condos we book through VRBO.
🚗 Car Rentals: We compare rental car prices on DiscoverCars to find the best deals worldwide.
🚄 Train: If you are visiting multiple cities in Japan we recommend taking the train. Here is
everything you need to know about traveling by train in Japan. We got our JR Pass from here.
🗺 Tours & Activities: We usually book tours through Viator or GetYourGuide.
Both have huge selections and easy cancellation.
✈️ Flights & Online Security: We use VPN when searching for flights.
📞 Travel eSIM & Data: For mobile data in Japan, we used Yesim and it worked well for that.
🩹 Travel Insurance: We always travel with insurance and use SafetyWing on our trips.