All Nippon Airways

Flew on ANA (All Nippon Airways) for the first time from Honolulu to Hong Kong.
Actually, the entire trip was broken into four legs (Honolulu to Narita, Narita to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Narita, and Narita to Honolulu). The first leg (Honolulu to Narita) was unfortunately on United Airlines. Having that different carrier really highlighted the difference in service between international and domestic carriers. Every ANA employee we encountered (check-​in agents, gate agents, flight attendants, etc.) on the remaining three legs were welcoming, friendly, helpful and attentive. On the other hand, the United employees, particularly the flight attendants, although not overtly hostile (although I’ve experienced this on other flights) were not nearly as pleasant or helpful. In fact, I’d probably describe them as indifferent and disinterested. How hard is it for domestic carrier employees to act like they care about their jobs and their customers?
In the end, both domestic and international carriers get you to your destination. However, the attention to detail and the care and effort they display, makes the ANA experience, from start to finish, a much more positive expereince.

All Nippon Airways is a codeshare partner with Delta Airlines so I was able to redeem Delta miles for a business class flight to Haneda, the smaller of the two main airports for Tokyo. Being a foreign carrier, I had very high expectations for All Nippon Airways. As you can see from my pictures, the food was very good but in some cases was still served with the wrapping paper or plastic covers on certain food items. Yes, of course I can take off the plastic cover myself but hey, this is international business class so I expected a higher standard of service.
The main meals of lunch flying to Haneda and dinner on the return flight were both very good but the breakfast on the return flight was disappointing. However, one nice feature of All Nippon Airways business class is that you may order a hot bowl of udon at any time on request. Since I didn’t like the breakfast offering, I ordered udon for breakfast. (Yes, that is a bottle of Chivas Regal with my breakfast.)
A very nice touch in the lavatories were the toothbrushes, mouthwash, wet wipes, and the no touch sensor operated basin. All Nippon Airways definitely deserves 4 stars for great food and service but no lay flat seating in business class so no 5 stars for them.

Terrible customer service… Family needed to fly back to Tokyo as our father passed away. They would not allow us to fly back even though they had seats available. No meal = no fly… What??? Then we found out United had cancelled their flight to Tokyo… Guess who was checking in… Yup United passengers … Before us… Who cares if their food is good or they have better videos… They’re not even loyal to their own customers… Family emergency means nothing to these idiots.

ANA is quite possibly the best airlines ever!!!
I took an ANA economy flight from Narita, Japan to Honolulu a few months back and I still talk about their amazing service and amenities!
Reasons why I wish that ANA flew everywhere:
–Sweet and attentive Japanese flight attendants
–Hot oshibori is passed out at the beginning of the flight.
–Leg rests!
–A tv with a selection of movies, games, and music for each seat.
–Delicious in-​flight meals! (e.g. sukiyaki over rice, hot ocha, steamed vegetables, hiyashi chuka soba, fruit, and a small piece of manju)
–Generous (and free) snack packs with individually packaged manju, arare, and more.
In short, flying with ANA made an eight hour flight actually enjoyable! Now if only domestic airlines could take a hint from them and perhaps then they could ease their way out of their financial troubles! ;)
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