NRT-JFK New product.. Anyone?
May 13, 2011, 2:06 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: Continental Plat (RIP); United 1K MM; Starwood Plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 114
ANA new biz seats... meh
I flew ANA's new biz product in November from NRT to JFK. As a side note, I was originally booked to fly from NRT to JFK via FRA on Lufthansa, but due to severe storms in Europe there were major delays. And I was not a happy camper, especially since I would've experienced Lufthansa's new A380! Oh well, back to the review.
ANA's seating concept involves a staggered layout, which in my opinion is a complete waste of space. I was sitting in 5H, the first seat on the right-hand side of the plane, and I got a nice view of the first-class cabin with the elegant sliding doors for each suite.
Each seating unit in biz is really bulky. For example, the seats that line the sides of the aircraft actually block several windows because the table pieces are placed there, thereby reducing a lot of natural light that comes into the aircraft. There is a dual cut out space in front of you--to store things on the lower level and the upper part connects with the seat in the fully reclined position when you turn it flat into a bed. This is where it really gets bad. You have to be very careful getting into and out of that lie-flat space, as I've banged my shins on the top part of the metal cutout several times, and you all know how painful shin bruises are! It almost feels like you're sleeping in a coffin--it's very tight--and I'm a slim guy! I think overall the seating arrangement was poorly arranged in business class.
The food menu was okay. As nak pointed out above, the food concept was disappointing. The menu was confusing and they allowed you to mix and match items from the Western set, Japanese set and the special "Kun's" menu. The touch-screen, on-demand menu was not working as well.
So for all the hype, I was definitely disappointed. I love ANA and will continue to fly them any chance I get, but they missed the mark on their latest upgrade.
ANA's seating concept involves a staggered layout, which in my opinion is a complete waste of space. I was sitting in 5H, the first seat on the right-hand side of the plane, and I got a nice view of the first-class cabin with the elegant sliding doors for each suite.
Each seating unit in biz is really bulky. For example, the seats that line the sides of the aircraft actually block several windows because the table pieces are placed there, thereby reducing a lot of natural light that comes into the aircraft. There is a dual cut out space in front of you--to store things on the lower level and the upper part connects with the seat in the fully reclined position when you turn it flat into a bed. This is where it really gets bad. You have to be very careful getting into and out of that lie-flat space, as I've banged my shins on the top part of the metal cutout several times, and you all know how painful shin bruises are! It almost feels like you're sleeping in a coffin--it's very tight--and I'm a slim guy! I think overall the seating arrangement was poorly arranged in business class.
The food menu was okay. As nak pointed out above, the food concept was disappointing. The menu was confusing and they allowed you to mix and match items from the Western set, Japanese set and the special "Kun's" menu. The touch-screen, on-demand menu was not working as well.
So for all the hype, I was definitely disappointed. I love ANA and will continue to fly them any chance I get, but they missed the mark on their latest upgrade.
May 13, 2011, 2:54 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,166
I couldn't disagree more. Haven't flown SQ (relatively) new C, but I can't think of a better C product in the sky. Flew new LX C, nice product but nowhere near as private as NH, with IFE/food that was a notch below.
The "waste of space" as you call it allows for every pax to have aisle access, which is pretty nice. And the "bulkiness" of the seats allows for max privacy - a F-like experience in C. And without the claustrophobia some have for herringbone seats.
I'm pretty broad too - didn't have any issues in those seats.
If you were going to be in LH C on the A380, you know your C experience would have been 5x worse, right?
The "waste of space" as you call it allows for every pax to have aisle access, which is pretty nice. And the "bulkiness" of the seats allows for max privacy - a F-like experience in C. And without the claustrophobia some have for herringbone seats.
I'm pretty broad too - didn't have any issues in those seats.
If you were going to be in LH C on the A380, you know your C experience would have been 5x worse, right?
May 15, 2011, 8:19 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
Programs: NWA, AA, UAL, Starwood, Marriott
Posts: 154
I'll be flying ANA C SFO-NRT June 21 and NRT-LAX July 22. Any news yet if these could have the new C product yet? Looking forward to your reports on the new C as not many have given reports yet. Thanks.
May 15, 2011, 6:48 pm
#19
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
These two routes do not have new seats. No date has been announced for when they will get new seats.
May 16, 2011, 11:17 pm
#21
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
May 27, 2011, 2:57 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Yo mama's closet
Posts: 171
FYI, none of the NH F suites have sliding doors (unlike e.g. EK, SQ, TK). However there is still plenty of privacy.
May 27, 2011, 10:40 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 52
NH has suspended the touch screen food ordering temporarily due to irregularity in operation (whatever that means)
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/en/new_brand_2010/info_02/
http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/en/new_brand_2010/info_02/
I hope the reason wasn't "food ordering" and "irregularity"
May 28, 2011, 2:30 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Yo mama's closet
Posts: 171
All my success with F redemption on NH has been 1-2 weeks out. Note, however at this time there is a ton of availability in business in April on NH1 e.g. (IAD).
May 28, 2011, 2:06 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YYZ
Posts: 622
I did notice that... I wonder if I should take ICN-LAX in OZ F, then Y from LAX to YYZ... or just book NH J through to IAD, and cross my fingers to see if F opens up.
May 30, 2011, 1:52 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Yo mama's closet
Posts: 171