ANA vs. JAL B787 business class SFO-NRT/HND
Jul 8, 23, 8:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington, DC
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ANA vs. JAL B787 business class SFO-NRT/HND
Quick question. Planning a trip to Japan and India for January 2024. United operates flights, but their flights are pricing out at a considerably higher price. All Japanese flights from SFO to either NRT or HND are on 787s. ANA's flights are coming in at about $300 more per ticket. From my understanding, ANA offers staggered seats while JAL offers a Sky Suite. I presume that ANA will not operate the 773, which features the Room, in winter 2024. Based only on the hard and soft product, which carrier would you choose? I am a Mileage Plus member, but I'm really more interested in the quality of seat comfort and service.
Jul 8, 23, 8:46 pm
#2
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There is no real knowing what either carrier will do in the winter schedule 2024.
ANA may reshuffle their 77W once again, but with both JAL and ANA heavily reducing F from California there is probably a reason to believe that the market is not what it used to be. But I thought the late SFO HND departure (1am or so) was still with the new 77W cabin.
JAL is getting their first A350-1000 for the winter schedule, meaning some 77W hours will be freed up, as it seems the retirement is not as quick as the delivery, and it is a question where they will go.
From a soft product perspective, I do prefer JAL. While both airlines have made some cuts to their premium class menus, ANA has taken the more heavy handed approach. But on the global scale of things both remain very good carriers.
ANA may reshuffle their 77W once again, but with both JAL and ANA heavily reducing F from California there is probably a reason to believe that the market is not what it used to be. But I thought the late SFO HND departure (1am or so) was still with the new 77W cabin.
JAL is getting their first A350-1000 for the winter schedule, meaning some 77W hours will be freed up, as it seems the retirement is not as quick as the delivery, and it is a question where they will go.
From a soft product perspective, I do prefer JAL. While both airlines have made some cuts to their premium class menus, ANA has taken the more heavy handed approach. But on the global scale of things both remain very good carriers.
Jul 8, 23, 9:03 pm
#3
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Quick question. Planning a trip to Japan and India for January 2024. United operates flights, but their flights are pricing out at a considerably higher price. All Japanese flights from SFO to either NRT or HND are on 787s. ANA's flights are coming in at about $300 more per ticket. From my understanding, ANA offers staggered seats while JAL offers a Sky Suite. I presume that ANA will not operate the 773, which features the Room, in winter 2024. Based only on the hard and soft product, which carrier would you choose? I am a Mileage Plus member, but I'm really more interested in the quality of seat comfort and service.
As for soft product agree that JL > NH — catering on JL (both Western and Japanese) is a step above NH I think. However at SFO assuming you're not on the midnight NH departure the daytime NH flights do get the Polaris lounge...
Jul 9, 23, 2:56 am
#6
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Aug 6, 23, 3:18 pm
#12
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Can confirm. Been a few times in the past few months - very overcrowded, hours long waits for the a la carte dining, buffet dishes are not refreshed in a timely manner and get mobbed as soon as they do.
Aug 21, 23, 1:09 pm
#15
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I've flown both - JAL's seat is a little dated, but very competitive and if you can book the 777 and get into the mini-cabin, it's very private at the window, like a F suite on other airlines. ANA's older seats are also showing their age, but provide a little more space with less privacy.
In flight service, well Japan is Japan, so both airlines are stellar in the service area - however - when it comes to food and beverage, I put JAL waaaayyy ahead of ANA in terms of variety, quality and quite frankly, quantity, especially when you consider the midflight snack menu which is extensive, varied, and you can order anything and as much as you want directly from the IFR controller. It's like being trapped in one of SF's best Japanese restaurants with nothing to do except watch movies and order more food. I almost had to be wheeled off my two JAL longhaul segments and upon arrival at NRT, I went into the lounge and was still so stuffed from the flight, I looked at the buffet and just walked away - I couldn't do one more bite of anything.
In flight service, well Japan is Japan, so both airlines are stellar in the service area - however - when it comes to food and beverage, I put JAL waaaayyy ahead of ANA in terms of variety, quality and quite frankly, quantity, especially when you consider the midflight snack menu which is extensive, varied, and you can order anything and as much as you want directly from the IFR controller. It's like being trapped in one of SF's best Japanese restaurants with nothing to do except watch movies and order more food. I almost had to be wheeled off my two JAL longhaul segments and upon arrival at NRT, I went into the lounge and was still so stuffed from the flight, I looked at the buffet and just walked away - I couldn't do one more bite of anything.
