Trip Reports - Tiny trip report - UA vs ANA IFL at NRT

Flying UA 804 NRT-IAD on 17-Nov

Checkin was fantastic. Great service from the UA/*A F TAs. Priority security line was completely empty. Nice shopping in NRT.

With some extra time, I decided to sample both the ANA and UA IFLs. I went to the ANA IFL by Gates 51-59, which looked larger on the map than the other ANA IFL. After that, I went to the UA IFL by gate 34. Here's a 'snapshot' comparison:

ANA:

1. Drink (with hot towel) served to me. (from beer machine, but I didn't even have to push the button or carry it)
2. Nice selection of snacks including both Japanese and Western tidbits
3. Big range of electronic 'toys': DVD/VOD, eBook readers, PCs, etc.
4. Huge, open, empty, tranquil, serene
5. Over the top helpful staff, 10 out of 10 on JP scale, 15 out of 10 on USA scale.

UA:

1. Nice selection of snacks.
2. Beer machine, a personal favorite.
3. More cramped, and more crowded (probably becuse the UA flights are yet to leave, while the ANA flights are fewer at this hour (2pm on a Friday, JP time)
4. Helpful staff, 9 out of 10 on USA service scale, about 7 out of 10 on JP service scale.

If the level of service in these two IFLs is any guide, maybe I should try ANA C and attempt a *A upgrade rather than UA C+SWU next time. I am not UA-bashing here -- I guess I'm one of the few who finds UA F service levels to be just fine (though I have to admit, the LH FCT and SG's F service leave any UA offering in the dust).

(Mod, if this is more suitable for TripReports, please move).

Have a nice weekend all and happy/safe flying.

--now back to the beer machine :)

-C

Nice comparison.

I'm just curious but how did UA do better on the US scale than on the JP scale? Also if you fly ANA too often, you won't be UGS anymore. :eek:

I'm just curious but how did UA do better on the US scale than on the JP scale? Also if you fly ANA too often, you won't be UGS anymore. :eek:

UA gets 9/10 on US scale, which to me is equivalent to 7/10 on JP scale. That is, JP scale is tougher. My point is that the overall level of service, and the potential top-end of that service, is higher, on my completely biased and limited-sample experience point of view, in Japan than in the US.

And, I'm well aware of the UGS situation. But, I already requalified for 2007, and 2008 is far away. If my travel plans would let me, I'd love to try for LH HON status, mostly due to my preoccupation with the FCL in FRA. But that's another thread. :cool:

-C

Going to move to Trip Reports were the widest audience can see your helpful comparisons, thanks.

cblaisd
Moderator, United

Having sampled both I definitely agree with the OP, but I much prefer the ANA lounge. The facilities are much nicer and I find that the passengers in the ANA lounge are generally more polite than their counterparts in the UA IFL. Pax in the UA lounge easily fit into the stereotype of the "loud American." Plus the NH lounges have smoking rooms (and Fauchon) :)

To the OP's comment about flying NH... If you do this (even in C) your opinion of UA F will change dramatically.