IAD - NRT, Any reason to choose ANA over UA in Y?
Dec 19, 2014, 3:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 403
IAD - NRT, Any reason to choose ANA over UA in Y?
Never flown ANA.
Main concerns are seat comfort and noise level for sleep (lots of flight announcements, etc). I don't care about quality of food or IFE.
I imagine that UA E+ may the deciding factor, but is there something positive about ANA that I am missing?
Ticket will be after 4/1 on 016 stock so I think either way mileage earning/PQM with UA will be the same, right?
Thanks!
Main concerns are seat comfort and noise level for sleep (lots of flight announcements, etc). I don't care about quality of food or IFE.
I imagine that UA E+ may the deciding factor, but is there something positive about ANA that I am missing?
Ticket will be after 4/1 on 016 stock so I think either way mileage earning/PQM with UA will be the same, right?
Thanks!
Dec 19, 2014, 4:38 pm
#2
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
Never flown ANA.
Main concerns are seat comfort and noise level for sleep (lots of flight announcements, etc). I don't care about quality of food or IFE.
I imagine that UA E+ may the deciding factor, but is there something positive about ANA that I am missing?
Ticket will be after 4/1 on 016 stock so I think either way mileage earning/PQM with UA will be the same, right?
Thanks!
Main concerns are seat comfort and noise level for sleep (lots of flight announcements, etc). I don't care about quality of food or IFE.
I imagine that UA E+ may the deciding factor, but is there something positive about ANA that I am missing?
Ticket will be after 4/1 on 016 stock so I think either way mileage earning/PQM with UA will be the same, right?
Thanks!
Dec 19, 2014, 4:46 pm
#4
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For mileage, if booked on 016 ticket, yes, accrual will be the same. If an ANA flight is booked on ANA stock, it will be based on percentage of miles/fare class. Believe all TPAC classes earn 100% on ANA right now, however, UA will likely announce partner earning changes starting March 1. Delta recently announced their changes, and for those flying on partners, the deal for low class flyers is not good (no surprise there).
As for UA vs. ANA, I flew ANA in economy ORD-NRT a couple of years ago on their newer configured 77W, and wouldn't do it again. They have cradle seats in economy that slide forward to "recline" instead of the back reclining. Despite the fact their seats are marketed to be at 34" pitch throughout economy, at least on the 77W I was in, I felt cramped, especially when "reclined". And I would say I'm very average sized.
I know you mentioned you don't care about food or IFE, but I was not much a fan of the food (though I did like the special juice they have onboard...I forget exactly what it is), and IFE is much more targeted to Japanese/Asian clientele then a US one. And while others have said the service is superior, I didn't see it as great. There was nothing to complain about, but nothing special either.
On the return flight, I was on UA in a PMUA 777, and was much more comfortable.
As for UA vs. ANA, I flew ANA in economy ORD-NRT a couple of years ago on their newer configured 77W, and wouldn't do it again. They have cradle seats in economy that slide forward to "recline" instead of the back reclining. Despite the fact their seats are marketed to be at 34" pitch throughout economy, at least on the 77W I was in, I felt cramped, especially when "reclined". And I would say I'm very average sized.
I know you mentioned you don't care about food or IFE, but I was not much a fan of the food (though I did like the special juice they have onboard...I forget exactly what it is), and IFE is much more targeted to Japanese/Asian clientele then a US one. And while others have said the service is superior, I didn't see it as great. There was nothing to complain about, but nothing special either.
On the return flight, I was on UA in a PMUA 777, and was much more comfortable.
Dec 19, 2014, 4:50 pm
#5
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Dec 19, 2014, 4:55 pm
#7
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ANA's stranded econ is 34 and the premium econ is 38 which all of the ERs now have. United's standard Econ is 31 and E+ is 34, so United's E+ is equal to ANA's E. JAl beats all in econ with its newest config with 34 stranded with 42 in PE and all seats being an inch wider.
Dec 19, 2014, 4:58 pm
#8
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As I implied above, I disagree that they are equal. Maybe the technical seat pitch is equal, but I definitely found ANAs cradle Y seats more cramped and uncomfortable than E+ on a UA 777.
Dec 19, 2014, 5:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
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I would go the opposite on the same reason, on JAL and ANA if you recline your seat you loose room on UAL, DAL and AAL if you recline your seat I loose space. With that in mind I will take option 1 any day of the week.
Dec 19, 2014, 5:59 pm
#10
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I don't think that is correct. On the slider seats, the top of the seat doesn't translate as much (if any) rear-ward. I think if you measure from top of back of seat to the bottom of the seat in from of you, you gain space on UA and you gain very little (if any) on the slider seats. Your back reclines just as on UA, but you lose space at the knees.
Dec 19, 2014, 6:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,664
I don't think that is correct. On the slider seats, the top of the seat doesn't translate as much (if any) rear-ward. I think if you measure from top of back of seat to the bottom of the seat in from of you, you gain space on UA and you gain very little (if any) on the slider seats. Your back reclines just as on UA, but you lose space at the knees.
Last edited by ROCAT; Dec 19, 2014 at 6:31 pm
Dec 19, 2014, 6:49 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,968
ANA hands down if you can get the 34 inch standard seats.
Better food, way better service, free and frequently replenished alcohol, on time flights.
However, no individual air vents in many ANA planes so that is a downside and they run their planes warm.
Better food, way better service, free and frequently replenished alcohol, on time flights.
However, no individual air vents in many ANA planes so that is a downside and they run their planes warm.
Dec 20, 2014, 7:43 am
#15
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IAD - NRT, Any reason to choose ANA over UA in Y?
An issue also is reliability. IME, UA is less reliable, especially if it is a 747. Take a look at the delayed international flights thread. (edit: I now see that the OP is originating IAD so he will not get a tired, old 747).
In general, ANA will not hold inter-asia connections for late UA flights, so if you are going beyond Tokyo, this is a consideration.
Also, as far as food, on ANA, the special Hindu meal is very, very good. Last time I had it, it was not vegetarian, it was chicken tikka masala.
Free booze on ANA, wine is better than on United. But still, if you want to drink good stuff, you're going to have to sneak it on
In general, ANA will not hold inter-asia connections for late UA flights, so if you are going beyond Tokyo, this is a consideration.
Also, as far as food, on ANA, the special Hindu meal is very, very good. Last time I had it, it was not vegetarian, it was chicken tikka masala.
Free booze on ANA, wine is better than on United. But still, if you want to drink good stuff, you're going to have to sneak it on