Originally Posted by
Only ANA
Where would the demand for good food airside be at an international focused airport like Narita?
Premium passengers have lounges, so the food would have to be markedly better to get these passengers to leave their lounges and decent free food (and the ANA Suite lounges have been stepping up their game).
We’re left with economy passengers then, who are more price conscious (which correlates to lower quality of food). Japanese citizens and residents can just eat before going to the airport, which will both be cheaper and better tasting, so we really only have international economy passengers.
That, combined with the fact that Narita is so far away from most people would live, doesn’t make for a compelling business case.
I disagree, I think there is a market, and I think there is a great market in the connecting international passengers. Also originating Y passengers, once you have spent a couple of hours getting to the airport, or a domestic connecting flight, and know they are up for 12 hours of United style gourmet, I am sure there is a market for better food.
Both the ANA Suite Lounges and the JAL F lounges have OK food, but mainly the benefit that it is free and there are no decent alternatives in the airport. I certainly would not pay more than convenience store prices for most of it. The period with the breakfast galettes from the teppan grill in the JAL F lounge in Haneda are missed though. The sushi bar in the JAL lounge is a good champagne snack, but there is the question would people with F access pay for an actual quality sushi selection? Probably not. But we still have to remember, the majority of passengers don't have lounge access, and certainly not F lounge access.