All Nippon Airways Mileage Club - ANA announces its new Boeing 787 San Jose / Tokyo flights will begin Jan 11 2013

(and my question is: will they use those crappy hallway "international" gates? Gates 15 and 16 are unbearably cramped when a 767 boards--what will it be like with a 787?)

August 2012

Silicon Valley to Tokyo Flight to Start January 11, 2013
All Nippon Airways Announces Schedule of New Service From San Jose

All Nippon Airways (ANA) today announced the new nonstop service between Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Narita International Airport in Tokyo will start January 11, 2013. The inaugural flight will bring the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to the Bay Area.

The new flight will depart San Jose at 11:45 a.m. and arrive in Tokyo at 4:10 p.m. The return flight will leave Tokyo at 5:35 p.m. and arrive at SJC at 10:10 the following morning. The service is expected to start with five flights per week, excluding Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The afternoon arrival in Tokyo is timed to allow connections to destinations throughout Asia, including Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Delhi, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Bangkok, and Manila. The new route will be available for booking August 30.

ANA will use its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the Tokyo Narita-San Jose route. Built mainly from carbon fiber composite material, the 787 features increased fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. ANA was the launch customer of the 787, ordering 55 of the aircraft in 2004 and taking delivery of the inaugural aircraft this year.

Mineta San Jose International Airport
1701 Airport Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95110
408-392-3600

SAN JOSE -- All Nippon Airways' announcement Tuesday that it will launch its highly anticipated San Jose-Tokyo route Jan. 11 is giving Mineta San Jose International Airport lift in its efforts to garner more overseas routes after years of struggling to attract new flights in a tough economy.
ANA will be flying a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner into San Jose five days a week, making the airport the first in the Bay Area to land the innovative and fuel-efficient aircraft.
The flight's scheduled departures from San Jose will be 11:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each 11-hour flight is expected to arrive at Narita International Airport shortly after 4 p.m. the next day with connecting flights

All Nippon Airways' (ANA) Boeing new 787 Dreamliner jet leaves the Narita international airport on its first commercial flight at Narita city, Chiba prefecture, suburban Tokyo on October 26, 2011.

The flight will leave Tokyo at 5:35 p.m., arriving in San Jose shortly after 10 a.m. The 787-8 aircraft will be configured to have 46 business-class seats and 112 economy-class seats, the airline said.<redacted>


http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci_21361913/ana-announces-boeing-787-flights-between-san-jose-tokyo?source=most_viewed

SAN JOSE -- All Nippon Airways' announcement Tuesday that it will launch its highly anticipated San Jose-Tokyo route Jan. 11 is giving Mineta San Jose International Airport lift in its efforts to garner more overseas routes after years of struggling to attract new flights in a tough economy.

"If ANA does well in the first three to six months and load factors are high...
The ANA flight is a welcome boost for the newly redesigned airport, which needs to attract more international and direct flights to the East Coast to meet the travel needs of Silicon Valley road warriors tired of schlepping up to San Francisco International Airport for long-haul trips..."

http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci_21361913/ana-announces-boeing-787-flights-between-san-jose-tokyo?source=most_viewed


As a local, I welcome the fights! :)
As long as the prices for seats on this plane are competitive with SFO, it should be successful.
However, if they try to make it a premium-type of service, it won't work. Because, folks here will just drive up to SFO for the cheaper flight.
I truly hope that ANA does this right!

My question is, who are they targeting to fill these planes? The corporate, who normally drive up to SFO? OR, the locals? They have a hub in NRT to connect to the rest of Asia but they have very little connecting options at SJC.

IMO, they will use SFO for the connecting passengers and the corporate who want F class. SJC will be O&D.

Lets see if it works.

My question is, who are they targeting to fill these planes? The corporate, who normally drive up to SFO? OR, the locals? They have a hub in NRT to connect to the rest of Asia but they have very little connecting options at SJC.

IMO, they will use SFO for the connecting passengers and the corporate who want F class. SJC will be O&D.

I think the plan all along was to target business passengers originating at SJC and connect them through NRT to Japan and the rest of Asia.

I would consider using SJC-NRT (but not NRT-SJC) on my trips back from the US, as I'd have to make an overnight stop in any event.

I think the plan all along was to target business passengers originating at SJC and connect them through NRT to Japan and the rest of Asia.

I would consider using SJC-NRT (but not NRT-SJC) on my trips back from the US, as I'd have to make an overnight stop in any event.

overnight stop for NRT-SJC? so they don't have much connecting flights from SJC?

overnight stop for NRT-SJC? so they don't have much connecting flights from SJC?

The largest carrier at SJC is SW and I do not believe they interline. UA, *A partner, maybe has five flights a day.

Looks like this flight is O&D. Just thinking, They added a second flight from JFK and have two flights out of LAX. Is this a way for NH to add a second flight from SFO but actually not using SFO?

To suggest SFO and SJC are two markets is not believable. They are a mere 30 miles apart. Travel from NRT to Downtown Tokyo is about the same distance, or any other major City airport.

overnight stop for NRT-SJC? so they don't have much connecting flights from SJC?

Sorry, I should have been clearer -- I would be connecting from the East Coast so I would never be able to make the AM/noon departures the same day. Also, I prefer to take a non-stop flight from Japan to the East Coast to avoid having to make another transcontinental flight when I'm already pretty tired.

As a local, I welcome the fights! :)
As long as the prices for seats on this plane are competitive with SFO, it should be successful.


Cheaper than SFO? I just priced flights from the West Coast gateways, and SFO was the most expensive. I'm going to be flying through LAX again, even though I hate LAX, but the prospect of saving hundreds of dollars, even with flying in the previous day and staying overnight, convinced me.

(and my question is: will they use those crappy hallway "international" gates? Gates 15 and 16 are unbearably cramped when a 767 boards--what will it be like with a 787?)

August 2012

Silicon Valley to Tokyo Flight to Start January 11, 2013
All Nippon Airways Announces Schedule of New Service From San Jose

I suppose the true inaugural for this new ANA787 route will be the incoming flight from NRT (day before or same day I don't know)?

I was on the HND-FRA first long haul inaugural for a 787-8 with ANA and I loved every minute of it.

I wonder if I could log another 787-8 inaugural from Japan with ANA... from Narita this time? I would love it - probably on a newer bird than JA-805A the bird we had for the very first long haul to Frankfurt.

Any news about this? They can't possibly make the NRT to San Jose first 787-8 flight a ferry flight with no passengers on board?

:confused:

I suppose the true inaugural for this new ANA787 route will be the incoming flight from NRT (day before or same day I don't know)?

The inaugural will be NRT-SJC on January 11 -- but the return will also be on January 11 due to the crossing of the IDL.

The inaugural will be NRT-SJC on January 11

That's what I thought.

I looked at booking the flight in the system - ANA website- it is not available yet.

That's what I thought.

I looked at booking the flight in the system - ANA website- it is not available yet.

The new route will be available for booking August 30.





Silicon Valley to Tokyo Flight to Start January 11, 2013


All Nippon Airways Announces Schedule of New Service From San Jose

All Nippon Airways (ANA) today announced the new nonstop service between Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Narita International Airport in Tokyo will start January 11, 2013. The inaugural flight will bring the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to the Bay Area.
The new flight will depart San Jose at 11:45 a.m. and arrive in Tokyo at 4:10 p.m. The return flight will leave Tokyo at 5:35 p.m. and arrive at SJC at 10:10 the following morning. The service is expected to start with five flights per week, excluding Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The afternoon arrival in Tokyo is timed to allow connections to destinations throughout Asia, including Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Delhi, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Bangkok, and Manila. The new route will be available for booking August 30.
ANA will use its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the Tokyo Narita-San Jose route. Built mainly from carbon fiber composite material, the 787 features increased fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. ANA was the launch customer of the 787, ordering 55 of the aircraft in 2004 and taking delivery of the inaugural aircraft this year.

ANA has announced ex-Japan fares for the NRT-SJC route to be sold starting August 30.

http://www.ana.co.jp/pr/12_0709/12-101.html (Japanese only)

Got an email from ANA saying the route starts Jan 11, 2013 with special fares starting at $888

Economy Class Fares to Japan: San Jose=Tokyo Special Inaugural Fare
Outbound Departure Date: January 11, 2013 only
Ticketing Period: until September 18, 2012
San Jose - Tokyo (Narita) / Osaka / Nagoya --> from $888* (round trip)

For the business travelers from Asia, this would be a good option if they are only visiting and working in San Jose area. (and there should be plenty of such people these days).
For the leisure travelers in either direction, the fare has to be lower than SFO flights, or people will just drive to/from SFO.
For travelers who needs to connect via SJC to/from other part of U.S.-- this is more difficult than SFO flight.

Anyone planning to fly the inaugural flight...

Just booked the inaugural flight from NRT to SJC on JAN 11...

Carfield

I was checking fares on the NH site from SJC-NRT-SJC departing on Jan 11 and return two weeks later. The fare is just under $900 USD. Same dates from SFO are showing $1,600 USD.

Looks like there are milage tickets available in C for 1/11!

Looks like there are milage tickets available in C for 1/11!

Yes there is!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On *A tooooo!!!!!!!!!

I sincerely hope there would be some lounge option for J pax/*G, or else it would not be a good start to the otherwise very exciting first trip on the 787.

I sincerely hope there would be some lounge option for J pax/*G, or else it would not be a good start to the otherwise very exciting first trip on the 787.

A good point.

All I know of is Admirals Club

The lounge is currently under construction and will be open by the inaugural flight.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/blog/2012/03/sjc-plans-to-resurrect-passenger-lounge.html

I am assuming this shared-use lounge will be shared by...ANA. It is set to open on Jan 11, the same day as the inaugural flight. Hope someone will post a report.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/blog/2013/01/san-jose-airports-new-lounge-gives.html

I am assuming this shared-use lounge will be shared by...ANA. It is set to open on Jan 11, the same day as the inaugural flight. Hope someone will post a report.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/blog/2013/01/san-jose-airports-new-lounge-gives.html

This is an independent lounge not affiliated with any air carrier. Any passenger on AA,DL,AS,NH ect.. and flying any class can pay the $35 entry fee.

I assume NH will be paying for their J class passengers to gain access to the lounge. Other carriers?? I would not hold my breath.

I have been to the Club at LAS - nothing outrageous but excellent staffs with a nice quiet place to relax prior to flights.

I am glad that Priority Pass members will gain access to the new Club at SJC. I will report back if I have a chance to stop by on January 11. I am flying the inaugural NRT to SJC flight but have a connection flight to SLC on Delta later in the afternoon. I will stop by and report back.

Now if SJC has Global entry, it will even be nicer.

Carfield

Now if SJC has Global entry, it will even be nicer.

According to this link, SJC is not a Global Entry Airport. SJC is such a small airport, the wait would be minimal.

http://www.globalentry.gov/locations.html

According to this link, SJC is not a Global Entry Airport. SJC is such a small airport, the wait would be minimal.

http://www.globalentry.gov/locations.html

Actually since SJC is a small airport, it would have much less officers working at immigration, resulting long wait in the lines.

When I last flew to SJC on AA, the immigration and custom processing time is actually quite minimal. The officers were definitely less tense compared to SFO or LAX. The baggage delivery time was actually quite acceptable too, compared to SFO and LAX.

I will report back, but inaugural flight usually spots officers in better mood.

Hopefully if the NH flight works out, Global Entry kiosks will be installed.

Carfield

I grabbed a *A C award ticket on this flight and I am really excited to try the 787. However my final destination is HKG and getting from NRT-HKG is looking tough unless you want to fly out of HND.

I could take NH1005 from LAX-HND, but the experience will not be the same!

Any thoughts on options out of NRT that are late departures? How difficult is it to go to HND?

Always nice to see smaller airports get such service. Only question I have is if AA could not make a profit on this route with a traffic feed how will this service work out. What airlines do they code share with.

Anyone planning to fly the inaugural flight...

Just booked the inaugural flight from NRT to SJC on JAN 11...

Carfield

I'm flying the reverse (SJC-NRT) on the 11th. Looks like quite a fun event. (got a schedule of events from the NH press people)

Anyone planning to fly the inaugural flight...

Just booked the inaugural flight from NRT to SJC on JAN 11...

Carfield

I'll be on NRT-SJC on the 11th as well. Got it as part of an award ticket a few months ago (I was a bit surprised it was available but grabbed it while I could).

I'm looking forward to all of your trip reports on the SJC service. Even though I fly at least a dozen trips a year SFO<->NRT, and I live very close to SJC, I am still booking all my 2013 flights via SFO.

My reasons:

- Two vs three class cabin aircraft. I am usually booking Z fares and upgrading to F. I don't want to give up the F experience when available based on availability of seats and my own mileage balance.

- No F lounge at SJC. For this point, it'll be particularly interesting to see all of your reports about the final lounge solution NH implements.

- No CLEAR lane for airport security. I hate waiting in lines and this is a huge benefit to flying out of SFO.

Unknown items:

- Are there Global Entry lanes at SJC? This would also be a deal breaker for me. GE saves me tons of time in many cases.

- Not sure if my TSA PreCheck status works when flying on ANA? Or perhaps it is carrier independent?

Just a few more days now! Have fun, folks!

I'm looking forward to all of your trip reports on the SJC service. Even though I fly at least a dozen trips a year SFO<->NRT, and I live very close to SJC, I am still booking all my 2013 flights via SFO.


- No F lounge at SJC. For this point, it'll be particularly interesting to see all of your reports about the final lounge solution NH implements.

The NH rep said the lounge will be quite nice. I'll post plenty of pics.


- No CLEAR lane for airport security. I hate waiting in lines and this is a huge benefit to flying out of SFO.

At least they've got a priority line for F/elite at SJC.


- Are there Global Entry lanes at SJC? This would also be a deal breaker for me. GE saves me tons of time in many cases.

No GE kiosks at SJC, though maybe they'll be added if the route is successful.


- Not sure if my TSA PreCheck status works when flying on ANA? Or perhaps it is carrier independent?

No Pre-Check at SJC. It only works for AA/AS/DL/UA/US, and only for domestic flights.


Just a few more days now! Have fun, folks!

^

I'm flying the reverse (SJC-NRT) on the 11th. Looks like quite a fun event. (got a schedule of events from the NH press people)

I will be at the gate for the inaugural flight, but will not be flying on the 787 that day.

I should have some free time on Monday the 14th in Tokyo, as it is a holiday in Japan.

From what I've seen, you and others on the flight will be in for a treat at the gate. There will be a number of VIP's on hand, a few of which made the flight possible if you're familiar with the backstory.

I believe the route will be successful with SJC as the O/D airport as the greater bay area has many *A members. The route is in demand and will allow those in Silicon Valley to depart SJC vs making the trek to SFO.

I suspect Global Entry will follow at SJC with the addition of this route.

Look forward to meeting some fellow FTers. I will not have a bag on me but I will lookout for the FT tags. I will likely be dressed in a suit with a blue dress shirt - but if anyone wants to PM, I'd be happy to exchange mobile #'s.

Steve / SDF

I will be at the gate for the inaugural flight, but will not be flying on the 787 that day.

I'll keep an eye out for you! I will be wearing jeans, a blue, button-down shirt, and will have my camera gear out with me.


From what I've seen, you and others on the flight will be in for a treat at the gate. There will be a number of VIP's on hand, a few of which made the flight possible if you're familiar with the backstory.

I don't know much about the backstory, but I have gotten a list of the VIPs that will be on hand. Looking forward to meeting all of them ^


I believe the route will be successful with SJC as the O/D airport as the greater bay area has many *A members. The route is in demand and will allow those in Silicon Valley to depart SJC vs making the trek to SFO.

Agreed. The trek to SFO is certainly not something that you want to have to do before a long flight to Asia. And with the 4:30pm~ arrival, that will allow for a decent night's sleep before meeting, etc, the following day.


I suspect Global Entry will follow at SJC with the addition of this route.

Let's hop so. Would be a nice addition ^


Look forward to meeting some fellow FTers. I will not have a bag on me but I will lookout for the FT tags. I will likely be dressed in a suit with a blue dress shirt - but if anyone wants to PM, I'd be happy to exchange mobile #'s.

Steve / SDF

I'll be in touch!

- No F lounge at SJC. For this point, it'll be particularly interesting to see all of your reports about the final lounge solution NH implements.


Unknown items:

- Are there Global Entry lanes at SJC? This would also be a deal breaker for me. GE saves me tons of time in many cases.


NH will not have F class so no need to worry about an F lounge.

SJC has no Global entry at this time.

The lounge ANA is offering appears to be a Priority Club, of the "The Club @ SJC"
http://www.theclubairportlounges.com/club-SJC.html

"Some of the amenities that allow you to work and be productive are:
Telephones
Wi-fi Access
Work Stations / PCs
Internet / Dataports
VIP Conference Room*
Some of the amenities that allow you to relax are:
Free Snacks and Drinks
Free Alcoholic Drinks
Newspapers / Magazines
TVs
Shower Facilities
Disabled Access"

- No F lounge at SJC. For this point, it'll be particularly interesting to see all of your reports about the final lounge solution NH implements.



You know NH's 787 is 2 class right ? What's good to have a F lounge that no one can access ?


The lounge ANA is offering appears to be a Priority Club, of the "The Club @ SJC"
http://www.theclubairportlounges.com/club-SJC.html


I think you meant Priority Pass not Priority Club. Priority Club operate IC and Holiday Inn, they don't operate airline lounges.

You know NH's 787 is 2 class right ? What's good to have a F lounge that no one can access ?


Friends, I am well aware. As you'll see in my reasons, the 2 class cabin is a deal breaker for me when compared to SFO where the likelihood of an upgrade to F is quite high based on my experiences.

And the reason I'd still care about the F lounge is that NH Diamonds always get into NH F lounges irrespective of ticketing class. Obviously this isn't applicable where there is no F lounge or F service.

I guess perhaps it would have been clearer for me to drop the lounge as a reason and just focus on the 2 cabin aircraft. But the point was that the quality of the lounge offerings is likely to be below the SFO UA Global First lounge.

The NH rep said the lounge will be quite nice. I'll post plenty of pics.


^

Since this is a contract lounge, does NH provide access for *G flying in Y?

And the reason I'd still care about the F lounge is that NH Diamonds always get into NH F lounges irrespective of ticketing class. Obviously this isn't applicable where there is no F lounge or F service.

Unless I'm mistaken, that's only for NH's own lounges, not third-party lounges (like the one at SJC or UA's lounges). That really limits it to the two Suite Lounges at NRT, the Suite Lounge at HND, and the T2 SQ First lounge at SIN.

If DIAs can access the UA IFLs regardless of class, I'd be very interested to know!

Unless I'm mistaken, that's only for NH's own lounges, not third-party lounges (like the one at SJC or UA's lounges). That really limits it to the two Suite Lounges at NRT, the Suite Lounge at HND, and the T2 SQ First lounge at SIN.

If DIAs can access the UA IFLs regardless of class, I'd be very interested to know!

Believe you are right. Never tried to flash a DIA card at the UA GFL when traveling in C. Highly doubt it'd impress them. :)

ceremony at SJC

http://sp.mainichi.jp/m/news.html?cid=20130113k0000m020009000c&inb=mo

I see Ambassador Roos and Mr. Ohashi.

The ceremony was great, and the flight was terrific. I've probably got 600 photos from the moment the 787 landed, to our arrival in Tokyo. Will start to upload later this evening.

Here are the photos (http://www.friendlyskies.co/Trip-Photos/Inaugural-ANA-SJC-NRT/27519235_GrTsbd#!i=2316086964&k=8r95pgG) from the media event that I attended before the departure

And here are the photos (http://www.friendlyskies.co/Trip-Photos/Inaugural-SJC-NRT-NH1075/27530850_f9jL9g#!i=2317186371&k=TmxBGxr) from the inaugural flight.

Enjoy ^

Thanks for the pics! I am looking forward to taking this flight very soon! Is picture 15 on the inflight pics with the shade fully activated?

Thanks for the pics! I am looking forward to taking this flight very soon! Is picture 15 on the inflight pics with the shade fully activated?

IIRC, that was the fourth level of darkness. While the windows did take a whole to darken in some cases, they kept out a great deal of light--even when the sun was shining on my side of the aircraft.

- No F lounge at SJC. For this point, it'll be particularly interesting to see all of your reports about the final lounge solution NH implements.

There's a thread in the San Francisco forum with some details and links to various photos. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/san-francisco/1414805-san-jose-ca-sjc-airport-airline-club-sjc-lounge-confirmed.html
I was in the lounge on the day it opened (Thursday) and it's nice, without being anything overly special. Definitely better than a United Club, similar to the SQ SKL at SFO, although bigger.

- No CLEAR lane for airport security. I hate waiting in lines and this is a huge benefit to flying out of SFO.

Presuming you have status or are in a premium cabin, security at SJC is a non-event. There's a separate Priority line, and I've never had to wait more than about 30 seconds to get through.

Since this is a contract lounge, does NH provide access for *G flying in Y?

Yes, apparently they do, along with 1 guest. This is fairly typical for contact lounges and *A. (But do not expect to get in if you're *G and not flying ANA)

How do I view the pictures, see no link.

How do I view the pictures, see no link.

For the flight or the lounge?

If the flight, they're embedded in the following post:

Here are the photos (http://www.friendlyskies.co/Trip-Photos/Inaugural-ANA-SJC-NRT/27519235_GrTsbd#!i=2316086964&k=8r95pgG) from the media event that I attended before the departure

And here are the photos (http://www.friendlyskies.co/Trip-Photos/Inaugural-SJC-NRT-NH1075/27530850_f9jL9g#!i=2317186371&k=TmxBGxr) from the inaugural flight.

Enjoy ^

I got it great pictures. Anyone out there take the first American Airlines flight. AA 137 3/2/1991 DC-10.

Do any airlines other than UA share code with this flight?

OZ,TG,SQ?

Do any airlines other than UA share code with this flight?

OZ,TG,SQ?

No, just UA so far. Same with NRT-SEA.

Well, it made it 5 days before problems hit.

Tomorrow's flight has been canceled due to ANA grounding their 787's. I'm presuming they will re-schedule everyone through SFO.

Well, it made it 5 days before problems hit.

Tomorrow's flight has been canceled due to ANA grounding their 787's. I'm presuming they will re-schedule everyone through SFO.

From what I've heard, they are rescheduling passengers through SFO & LAX.

Too bad they can't run a 777 for a few days.. Would certainly be a nice sight at SJC!