First Class Comparison: OZ VS ANA
 

So I have two possible routings JFK--->NRT that I am considering, and was hoping for some input from the OZ FFs.

Option 1:
OZ JFK-ICN in F (it looks as though it scheduled for a 747 on my date and not a 777)
1hr 20m layover
OZ ICN-NRT in Business (A320)

Option 2:
United JFK-ORD in F (737)
2.5 hr layover
ANA ORD-NRT in F (777 w/ new seats)

I've never flown with OZ but have always been intrigued by the consistent reports of excellent service. The ANA routing gets me to Tokyo a few hours earlier, but the OZ flights let me avoid ORD in February (although the weather looks OK according to early forecasts).

Any guidance or advice would be tremendously appreciated!

I haven't flown on Asiana, yet i too have read about the incredible service. Their hard product, unless you are on the new first cabin (which I believe is out of ORD), simply doesn't pass the test for me.

I flew on ANA to Japan last year from ORD. Not even the First Square...still, the seats were wonderful. Extremely wide and comfortable. The service and food were amazing...I can't say enough about it. I flew Singapore this year in first, and as much as I enjoyed it, the ANA experience was even more special.

I vote you take the chance on Chicago and get BOTH great food/service and a wonderful hard product.

New F vs. Old F on NH is a red herring - I just don't think there is a meaningful difference in anything between the old and new except for screen size.

New F suite on OZ is of course miles ahead of their old F offering, but the old F is still decent in the overall context of the soft product and service.

Still, between your choices, I would personally go for Option 2 unless ORD is going to be a big problem.

Thanks ymmot73 and stargold.

+1 on NH through ORD. If there is space on OZ F from ORD-ICN then I would say that.

Doesn't look like OZ flies ORD-ICN on my date of travel, so I think OZ new F product is off the table for this trip.

Sorry to bump up an old thread but I'd love to hear what you decided and how it went and any other comments. I have the exact same dilemma in reverse:

Option 1:
OZ JFK-ICN in F (which by the time I fly will have the 77W and therefore the new OZ F Suite)
1hr 20m layover
OZ ICN-NRT in Business (A321)

Option 2:
United JFK-ORD in F (737)
2.5 hr layover
ANA ORD-NRT in F (777 w/ old first class seats barring a switch to a 77W before my departure date -- they do have a 77W on this route but the timing doesn't work for me as I need an afternoon departure)

The airlines are different in their own ways, but roughly comparable.

What I don't understand is why the OP didn't just fly the non-stop NH flights between JFK and NRT.

In my case I'm going on award travel and unfortunately ANA is only open in Y, obviously as I get closer to departure date if ANA opens up a direct in F from JFK - NRT I'll spring for it in a second, but for now I want to at least ensure I have F in something for the long-haul

OZ F would be much preferable, especially given new seat and overall quality of journey.

NH Old F is perfectly fine, but OZ New F is better. Comparable quality (but different) soft product and F&B.

OZ new F is only running between JFK and ICN starting in July.

NH is running new F on that route now.

Flew OZ up front last week. Way better than UA, but not even remotely on the same level as NH in terms of sophistication. On the ground, in the air or in the galley. The wines however were comparable, the food was mediocre at best.

Didn't the person asking say that it will be the OZ suites by the time he flies?

Yes, that's correct, it will be OZ suites by the time I fly. The OP did not have that option, however my routing choices were the exact same as the OP with just flip in the available equipment (Suite on JFK - ICN, no suite on ORD - NRT) so that's why I tacked my question onto this thread and wanted to see where he landed.

Thanks to all for the feedback on both, it sounds like in either case I'll be much happier than taking United and at this point I'm just splitting hairs and should just pick one and move on to planning the other parts of the trip!

That has not been my experience. NH, to me, provides more of a Japanese experience and OZ, not surprisingly, more of a Korean experience.

The champagnes are superior on OZ. The NH seats and suites are better than the older OZ seats in F. I haven't tried the new OZ suites yet.

I found everything else perhaps somewhat different, but I wouldn't point to one as significantly better than the other.

Typing faster than reading!