Jul 31, 2024, 11:09 am
Last edit by: leftysauce
ANA has confusingly created a LCC called AirJapan, which it owns. "Air Japan" (NQ) operates under two brands: "AirJapan" under NQ flight numbers, and ANA under NH flight numbers.
When booking ANA flights, including through United with an ANA (NH) code share, it may show "operated by Air Japan". The Air Japan-operated flights are functionally the same as ANA flights - same equipment, seats, service, etc., as specified on the ANA website: https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/guide/air-japan/. Flights are marketed solely under NH flight numbers (cannot be booked under NQ).
AirJapan (NQ) separately operates a limited number of flights from/to Narita on an all-economy 787-8, including, as of Summer 2024, to/from Singapore, Bangkok, and Seoul. https://www.flyairjapan.com/en/service/plan/flight-route . It is not clear whether it is possible to book an NQ ticket in conjunction with a United flight.
When booking ANA flights, including through United with an ANA (NH) code share, it may show "operated by Air Japan". The Air Japan-operated flights are functionally the same as ANA flights - same equipment, seats, service, etc., as specified on the ANA website: https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/guide/air-japan/. Flights are marketed solely under NH flight numbers (cannot be booked under NQ).
AirJapan (NQ) separately operates a limited number of flights from/to Narita on an all-economy 787-8, including, as of Summer 2024, to/from Singapore, Bangkok, and Seoul. https://www.flyairjapan.com/en/service/plan/flight-route . It is not clear whether it is possible to book an NQ ticket in conjunction with a United flight.
Some "ANA" flights are now operated by "Air Japan", impact / options for UA flyers?
Jul 31, 2024 | 6:06 pm
#106
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 234
Reviving this thread because I am still confused. I am looking to book a trip from EWR-SIN via NRT and the United website is showing "NRT-SIN operated by Air Japan" and shows 789 metal and selling me a Z business fare. But isn't Air Japan a LCC with only Y 788 fleet? Based on this thread, it seems some ANA metal is operated by Air Japan so perhaps that is the case here? The flight is on September 21st so still 2ish months out. I don't want to book a business fare and then find out I'm stuck in a 7 hour econ seat. Anyone have any experience on this flight? Assuming it is an ANA 789, is it still business service or just Yservice with J seat?
Jul 31, 2024 | 6:21 pm
#107
Join Date: May 2015
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I flew LAX-HND on proper NH last month and HND-SYD on Air Japan. They were indistinguishable in just about every respect. You can see the Air Japan logo near the tail on those aircraft but otherwise fully branded as ANA. There was no indication inside the airport at all that there as any difference. As noted above, I think the absolute only change onboard was the amenity kit; but everything was available in the lavatory or from the FAs anyway.
Aug 1, 2024 | 8:26 am
#108
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 162
The simple thing is of course as long as it is not a 787-8 it literally can't be the LCC. Anything that carries an NH flight number will not be the LCC either. And for now, though that may change, they only sell tickets through their own website.
It is safe to say that anything you book on a UA code will be ANA proper.
It is safe to say that anything you book on a UA code will be ANA proper.
May 9, 2025 | 8:11 am
#109
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Is the BKK<->TYO route pretty stable with the lie flat 787-9s now? I seem to recall reading some of the HND flights get the cradle seats still, but can't find where I saw that.
Itinerary I am looking at is thru HND and shows the lie-flat 787-9, but it is a December trip so a bit concerned about ending up with a cradle, which would be a deal breaker for me.
Any insights appreciated.
Itinerary I am looking at is thru HND and shows the lie-flat 787-9, but it is a December trip so a bit concerned about ending up with a cradle, which would be a deal breaker for me.
Any insights appreciated.
May 9, 2025 | 1:10 pm
#110
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Is the BKK<->TYO route pretty stable with the lie flat 787-9s now? I seem to recall reading some of the HND flights get the cradle seats still, but can't find where I saw that.
Itinerary I am looking at is thru HND and shows the lie-flat 787-9, but it is a December trip so a bit concerned about ending up with a cradle, which would be a deal breaker for me.
Any insights appreciated.
Itinerary I am looking at is thru HND and shows the lie-flat 787-9, but it is a December trip so a bit concerned about ending up with a cradle, which would be a deal breaker for me.
Any insights appreciated.
May 10, 2025 | 2:09 am
#111
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When the cradle seats show up on HND BKK, is it scheduled that way or a plane swap? Any sense on how often?
May 10, 2025 | 2:33 am
#112
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The 787-8 with the cradle seats are regularly scheduled for the Bangkok route. But I am sure swaps can also happen.
May 10, 2025 | 9:10 am
#113
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OK, thanks. Sounds like I should just avoid it altogether than. I was seeing some decent fares going thru HND, but I have no risk tolerance for ending up in a cradle for the overnight flight.
May 11, 2025 | 12:27 pm
#114
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BWI; say hi if you're in the area!
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Posts: 608
This isn't about Air Japan, but it's about ANA Wings (so, related to NH, but I didn't think it warranted an entire new thread):
I have an upcoming itinerary in Polaris to NGO (D fare), in which the last leg is a 738 from NRT-NGO on ANA Wings. The UA website only offers Y for sale (even though the 738s have business class equivalent upfront).
Is there a way to request an upgrade on the Japanese domestic leg (using PN space, or Star Alliance upgrades, or something else)? Thanks!
I have an upcoming itinerary in Polaris to NGO (D fare), in which the last leg is a 738 from NRT-NGO on ANA Wings. The UA website only offers Y for sale (even though the 738s have business class equivalent upfront).
Is there a way to request an upgrade on the Japanese domestic leg (using PN space, or Star Alliance upgrades, or something else)? Thanks!
May 11, 2025 | 1:06 pm
#115
Join Date: Sep 2001
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I once booked a LAX-NRT-XXX via Google Flight and got PE the whole way when United.com only gave me Y NRT-XXX. Give Google Flights a shot and click through to United.com. It ended up being the same price.
May 11, 2025 | 3:14 pm
#116
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This isn't about Air Japan, but it's about ANA Wings (so, related to NH, but I didn't think it warranted an entire new thread):
I have an upcoming itinerary in Polaris to NGO (D fare), in which the last leg is a 738 from NRT-NGO on ANA Wings. The UA website only offers Y for sale (even though the 738s have business class equivalent upfront).
Is there a way to request an upgrade on the Japanese domestic leg (using PN space, or Star Alliance upgrades, or something else)? Thanks!
I have an upcoming itinerary in Polaris to NGO (D fare), in which the last leg is a 738 from NRT-NGO on ANA Wings. The UA website only offers Y for sale (even though the 738s have business class equivalent upfront).
Is there a way to request an upgrade on the Japanese domestic leg (using PN space, or Star Alliance upgrades, or something else)? Thanks!
Domestic Premium Class when bought stand alone books in F for full fare and A for discounted, and for ANA bookings is only sold as connections for first class passengers. Which is probably why United can't sell it on the connecting flight
You can buy on availability basis a day of departure upgrade. Though people with their ANA number registered can request from 48 hours in advance and others only at the airport. Though a short flight like NRT NGO probably does not see a lot of interest.
Last edited by CPH-Flyer; May 11, 2025 at 3:57 pm
May 11, 2025 | 6:25 pm
#117
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: UA*G
Posts: 237
If the cradle seats show up, it will typically be scheduled that way. For BKK, cradle seats are currently scheduled only on the redeye NH877 and the return NH878. The configurations should stick until the end of season in late October. ANA is not currently selling seats on NH877/878 past late Oct. There is some risk of the other 2 BKK departures being scheduled with the cradle seats for December, though lesser so than if your flight were in the next FY after late March 2026.
May 12, 2025 | 4:53 am
#118
Join Date: May 2006
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Posts: 608
ANA Wings is a subsidiary that operates the domestic 737 flights, it is effectively like flying ANA.
Domestic Premium Class when bought stand alone books in F for full fare and A for discounted, and for ANA bookings is only sold as connections for first class passengers. Which is probably why United can't sell it on the connecting flight
You can buy on availability basis a day of departure upgrade. Though people with their ANA number registered can request from 48 hours in advance and others only at the airport. Though a short flight like NRT NGO probably does not see a lot of interest.
Domestic Premium Class when bought stand alone books in F for full fare and A for discounted, and for ANA bookings is only sold as connections for first class passengers. Which is probably why United can't sell it on the connecting flight
You can buy on availability basis a day of departure upgrade. Though people with their ANA number registered can request from 48 hours in advance and others only at the airport. Though a short flight like NRT NGO probably does not see a lot of interest.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 12, 2025 at 11:01 am Reason: merged consecutive by same member
Jul 20, 2025 | 10:40 am
#119
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 21
Was on an LM mixed class award flight SGN->NRT in Y and HND->JFK in F.
Was in line to check in @ SGN when an ANA agent walked down the line holding a sign offering paid upgrade on the Air Japan operated flight which I jumped on. Cost was US$237 for a pretty full flight. No cash, CC payment only.
Was in line to check in @ SGN when an ANA agent walked down the line holding a sign offering paid upgrade on the Air Japan operated flight which I jumped on. Cost was US$237 for a pretty full flight. No cash, CC payment only.
Jul 20, 2025 | 6:52 pm
#120
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Was on an LM mixed class award flight SGN->NRT in Y and HND->JFK in F.
Was in line to check in @ SGN when an ANA agent walked down the line holding a sign offering paid upgrade on the Air Japan operated flight which I jumped on. Cost was US$237 for a pretty full flight. No cash, CC payment only.
Was in line to check in @ SGN when an ANA agent walked down the line holding a sign offering paid upgrade on the Air Japan operated flight which I jumped on. Cost was US$237 for a pretty full flight. No cash, CC payment only.