Programs: US1, UA1K, Hilton/Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, PC Gold
Posts: 2,352
Had a Great NH Experience!
Just wanted to take a moment and write that I had an absolutely delightful experience with ANA in F NRT-SFO. Food was very good (and I was able to try the "Super Cheeseburger" ), drinks were good, and service was simply stellar - I was never left wanting for anything, and I tend to drink a lot of water/tea/juice on-board and am usually waiting for refills.
The AirShow locked up at least twice (F/A apologized and said there was nothing she could do, then re-booted it and it worked), but otherwise the seat and IFE worked just fine.
Pajamas and slippers were nice, comforter was comfortable . Found it too warm in the cabin, but I understand this is more of a regional/cultural thing (seems like many Americans like colder cabins).
F was only filled 2/8 - myself in 2A and someone else in 2F/J (whatever the right-side window was). Enjoyed my private bathroom...
Wasn't as impressed with the lounge and was denied a shower (very politely, BTW ).
Service was more consistent and at least as friendly and professional as TG, SQ, LH, and UA. Only LX was on par. I would not hesitate to take (or recommend) NH flights in the future.
Thanks for sharing your experiences on NH. I too was very impressed with NH when I flew with them for the first time last year. On other forums, I mentioned (to the shock of some other posts) that on a LAX-NRT flight last August, when presenting a drink to me, the FA would bow after the drink was served. On the next segment from NRT-SIN, at check-in, an NH agent would carry my bag to the check-in counter. After I received my boarding pass, I walked towards security when 5 NH agents stood in a straight line and bowed and said "thank you very much" or "welcome" in Japanese. I was just traveling in Y class yet the hospitality is like F service! On a SIN-NRT red eye flight, NH operates cozy 767-300s, which I like very much. That plane matched their personlized, detailed type of service.
I do agree that on some flights, the cabin temperature was a bit warm and you are right. I think that is a cultural thing. Yet, I find NH to be a quiet, jewel of an airline. They are very discrete, non-obtrusive, yet provide impeccable service.
Programs: US1, UA1K, Hilton/Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, PC Gold
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
Why were you denied a shower?
Asked for a shower 50 minutes before scheduled departure. I understand the reasoning, but I think it's kind of stupid given that the lounge is maybe 1.5-2 minutes from the departure gate (gate 56 in this case). There were several open rooms.
I had to be at a wedding upon arrival at my final destination, and it would have been nice to have been all set right off the plane. SFO is distinctly lacking for arrivals in this regard.
Programs: US1, UA1K, Hilton/Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, PC Gold
Posts: 2,352
Quote:
Originally Posted by tonywestsider
Thanks for sharing your experiences on NH. I too was very impressed with NH when I flew with them for the first time last year. On other forums, I mentioned (to the shock of some other posts) that on a LAX-NRT flight last August, when presenting a drink to me, the FA would bow after the drink was served. On the next segment from NRT-SIN, at check-in, an NH agent would carry my bag to the check-in counter. After I received my boarding pass, I walked towards security when 5 NH agents stood in a straight line and bowed and said "thank you very much" or "welcome" in Japanese. I was just traveling in Y class yet the hospitality is like F service! On a SIN-NRT red eye flight, NH operates cozy 767-300s, which I like very much. That plane matched their personlized, detailed type of service.
I do agree that on some flights, the cabin temperature was a bit warm and you are right. I think that is a cultural thing. Yet, I find NH to be a quiet, jewel of an airline. They are very discrete, non-obtrusive, yet provide impeccable service.
Wow, you got better ground service in Y than I did in F...
That's the only thing that surprised me, really - the lack of ground service. Other than a special check-in counter, there was nothing - no handling of bags, no priority security, no priority immigration, no escort to plane, no escort from plane upon arrival in SFO. Strangely, the other F pax did have an ANA employee escort him to immigration in SFO. They went to the foreign/visitors line so maybe it's only a service they provide to foreigners at SFO. Oh well, flight was early and my bag made it to the belt before I got there, and that's all that matters to me.
Thanks for your response, tonywestsider - it sounds like NH in Y is just fine as well!
Just took NRT-JFK on NH in F. Had a fantastic flight as well. I had a wonderful wagyu steak for the main dish and then midway in the flight had a new snack on board wagyu short ribs over rice with an egg.. It was really the best dish I have ever had aloft. And of course who could forget the never ending glass of Krug....
Everyone seems to be so "surprised" by the attentiveness of the FAs and the quality service on NH. Allow me to let you all in on a little secret - this is how things are done in Japan in this "bracket". It is a JAPANESE "thing", to put it simply. You can expect the same level of service in an upmarket restaurant in Japan (well, even in not-so-upmarket establishments!).
I'm flying NRT-NYC in F on NH in a few days and have gotten to the point where nothing surprises me about the high level of quality with the service and general "attitude" of the FAs. This is HIGHLY appreciated and is the reason why my custom goes to a Japanese or other Asian carrier whenever possible.
JAL seems to lag a bit in their service in F, however, I might add. Not quite as doting but really still excellent. This level of quality and professionalism cannot be duplicated on a, say, US or Europe-based carrier. This is more than just "training", this is also highly cultural. We all know the US carriers are way too familiar (and not service-oriented) and this is, again, a cultural thing that really cannot be changed just because one steps onto an airplane! Thank heavens for Japanese customer service and integrity!
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NH F is very good. On my NRT-JFK flight, the aircraft deplanes via Door 2L at JFK which is between the two J cabins. Before we landed, the FA came over, and apologized that we wouldn't be deplaning via Door 1 from the F cabin but "F passengers must deplane first so please follow me when we get to the gate."
She took me and the other F pax parting the sea of J pax and we did get off first
I absolutely agree with Flyingfox that the service quality on NH is high because of culture and traditions. When I arrived in Tokyo and stayed there for awhile, I realized IMHO that the world's best service is in Japan.
To me in Japan, honor, integrity, courtesy and responsibility are literally the hallmarks of the culture. And NH follows that culture to the N-nth degree. For NH, that is just their day-to-day service.
Vysean, thank you for the compliments and you are most welcome.
Just got off NRT-LAX in F. As usual, a fantastic flight. Can't fault anything. I did try the wagyu short ribs over rice with egg. It was fantastic. My only regret is not also ordering the super cheeseburger!!
What was funny this time, the Krug just didn't taste right to me. It was too bubbly. I never noticed this before. Maybe it was just my taste buds that day.
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New York to London via Bangkok....Is there really any other way?
... when presenting a drink to me, the FA would bow after the drink was served... an NH agent would carry my bag to the check-in counter... I walked towards security when 5 NH agents stood in a straight line and bowed and said "thank you very much" or "welcome" in Japanese.
I agree with all of you. Japanese service, and specifically the experience on ANA, is stellar. There is no other word. At times, I would even call it flawless, in the true sense of that word. This is the reason I am actively switching memberships to ANA this year, to acheive their diamond status by this summer. I want to be a part of their experience in every possible way.
I suspect that tonywestsider received some form of VIP service. Escorts, and even more bows than usual (especially in Y) is suggesteive that your name has been flagged as a VIP or CIP. This is a designation given to important people, and cannot be attained by miles (the category is not listed on their frequent flyer website). I personally do not have it, but there are people who contribute to this forum who do, and essentially, it involves extra special service like bows and escorts. Otherwise, it would not be normal to get quite that service in Y or C (although the service standard would still be very high). If you have this designation, it is because the airline considers you ultra-important for a specific reason (celebrity, CEO of a company that gives a lot of business to ANA, etc.), and the decision has been made in Tokyo. I travel a lot, to Asia, and have occasionally seen people with pink luggage tags... this is the VIP tag that is quietly kept in an envelope behind the check-in counter.
I agree with all of you. Japanese service, and specifically the experience on ANA, is stellar. There is no other word. At times, I would even call it flawless, in the true sense of that word. This is the reason I am actively switching memberships to ANA this year, to acheive their diamond status by this summer. I want to be a part of their experience in every possible way.
I suspect that tonywestsider received some form of VIP service. Escorts, and even more bows than usual (especially in Y) is suggesteive that your name has been flagged as a VIP or CIP. This is a designation given to important people, and cannot be attained by miles (the category is not listed on their frequent flyer website). I personally do not have it, but there are people who contribute to this forum who do, and essentially, it involves extra special service like bows and escorts. Otherwise, it would not be normal to get quite that service in Y or C (although the service standard would still be very high). If you have this designation, it is because the airline considers you ultra-important for a specific reason (celebrity, CEO of a company that gives a lot of business to ANA, etc.), and the decision has been made in Tokyo. I travel a lot, to Asia, and have occasionally seen people with pink luggage tags... this is the VIP tag that is quietly kept in an envelope behind the check-in counter.
Thank goodness for ANA! I hope they never change.
FF
I don't think I had VIP service, I think it was a coincidence. But thank you, I appreciate the flattery. All I know was that I ended up paying a higher Y class fare because I was flying in Japanese high season (Obon season). When I booked the trip, almost all seats were sold out in Y class on my first segment outbound flight from LAX. I could not check in online either because of something to do with my mulitple flight segments. So I went to the airport real early to check-in. I was shocked upon check-in that NH assigned me an aisle seat in Premium Economy. That was the start of the NH experience for me. Perhaps I am a VS FC member but at that time, Red status is not much status on VS but perhaps NH thinks of that differently as NH and VS are partners.
I also remembered that NH had an agreement with Asian telecommunications providers where you can rent a cell phone for free, you only pay for the phone calls. I ended up using a cell phone that I took with me from NRT to SIN and then to CGK (I live in the US). I think the agreement was for foreign customers using NH flights to non-US cities. Sorry to digress but at least that was a ground "perk" NH had at NRT.
Yes, I hope NH keeps up the excellent service. I will be back flying with them for sure.
NH service is truly wonderful, and underappreciated.
Any my F flights have had the best catering I've experienced in the air.
A shame about lack of special ground service (a la TG in BKK).
Overall, soup to nuts, I rate SQ a bit ahead of NH. But no European or American carrier can come with several standard deviations of what they offer.
NH F is nice but on a cheap side, but I would never say it is the best catering or best service, how nice is an airline has to ask you to return the PJ at the end of the flight in F?
SQ is way ahead of NH, just look at the amenity kit, a bottle of cologne or perfume, not even travel size, and what does NH gives you ? A basket of items same as C class with a few extra things and a bag. The airline that can compare to SQ is probably OZ when they finish installing the new F seats on the 747. The service on OZ is even better than SQ, amenity kit, PJ, and a thank you gift at the end of the flight.
), drinks were good, and service was simply stellar - I was never left wanting for anything, and I tend to drink a lot of water/tea/juice on-board and am usually waiting for refills.
