Why does ANA operate a less effective 2nd airside transfer bus option at HND?
May 26, 2020, 5:24 pm
#1
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Why does ANA operate a less effective 2nd airside transfer bus option at HND?
I took this bus before the virus situation but just remembered and now wanted to find out more from the experts here.
I was at HND, transferring from domestic to international. And thinking that the transfer slip I received (attached JPG) must mean that the ANA dedicated option was more efficient and speedy, I took their provided airside transfer bus...
Only to find out that the bus not only takes longer, follows a more convoluted path, and runs less frequently -- but then dumps you in the same public / landside area to have to clear security just like the other bus.
Why in the world does ANA operate this option then? What is the point? Is there some secret purpose to this bus that serves a special purpose? Are you supposed to get the hint that you should take the public bus? Wonderfully produced slip of information, and organized service with attendants and everything, but pointless...
I was at HND, transferring from domestic to international. And thinking that the transfer slip I received (attached JPG) must mean that the ANA dedicated option was more efficient and speedy, I took their provided airside transfer bus...
Only to find out that the bus not only takes longer, follows a more convoluted path, and runs less frequently -- but then dumps you in the same public / landside area to have to clear security just like the other bus.
Why in the world does ANA operate this option then? What is the point? Is there some secret purpose to this bus that serves a special purpose? Are you supposed to get the hint that you should take the public bus? Wonderfully produced slip of information, and organized service with attendants and everything, but pointless...
May 26, 2020, 5:36 pm
#2
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Why in the world does ANA operate this option then? What is the point? Is there some secret purpose to this bus that serves a special purpose? Are you supposed to get the hint that you should take the public bus? Wonderfully produced slip of information, and organized service with attendants and everything, but pointless...
FWIW - unless HND goes underground, there will be never any easy transit from T1/2 to T3, given the Runway 34L/16R in between.
May 27, 2020, 8:23 am
#3
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It is a way to have control of the customer experience "end to end".
ANA of course has no say as to how/when/if the airport provided free shuttle bus will operate. For example the current situation (link)
So, ANA decided to also offer their own bus to mitigate this kind of disruptions.
They (ANA) could add the courtesy to explain that the ANA bus is slower than the airport bus, but they apparently see no need to.
Remember, the bread and butter of these Domestic/International transfers at HND are Japanese retirees and families on "tour packages" coming from the various regions of Japan.
People not in a hurry, prefer not to have to figure out the HND transfer themselves, prefer to "leave everything to ANA".
Just FYI.
ANA of course has no say as to how/when/if the airport provided free shuttle bus will operate. For example the current situation (link)
So, ANA decided to also offer their own bus to mitigate this kind of disruptions.
They (ANA) could add the courtesy to explain that the ANA bus is slower than the airport bus, but they apparently see no need to.
Remember, the bread and butter of these Domestic/International transfers at HND are Japanese retirees and families on "tour packages" coming from the various regions of Japan.
People not in a hurry, prefer not to have to figure out the HND transfer themselves, prefer to "leave everything to ANA".
Just FYI.
Last edited by Tokyoite; May 27, 2020 at 8:28 am
May 27, 2020, 4:51 pm
#4
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Is my eyesight pretty bad, or is it not written rather clearly on the leaflet that the ANA bus takes more time? 
Depending on where in the terminal you come from, the walk to the landside bus can bit a bit longer, but nothing to make the overall trip time the same.
My best guess for reason would also be the "ANA service all the way argument", I can't see any better reason. If they have passengers with tight connections, they know where they have them all the way...
Depending on where in the terminal you come from, the walk to the landside bus can bit a bit longer, but nothing to make the overall trip time the same.
My best guess for reason would also be the "ANA service all the way argument", I can't see any better reason. If they have passengers with tight connections, they know where they have them all the way...