My DISAPPOINTING Flight in ANA Business Class: The Room
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Date: 2023-08-20
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Comments and reviews: 19
David
Another great video Noel. Thank you. As a Japan resident Ive flown ANA and JAL more times than I would like to remember (100 at least) but in my opinion you made the wrong choice for your international flight. I have come to reckon ANA is better for domestic rotations and JAL for international ones (if its a B763 then I am happy to change this rule however. You're right ANA international can be a little underwhelming - but this may be because their service aims to be as unobtrusive as possible as many Japanese customers prefer it this way plus ANA check-in at SE Asia cities tends to be in the 'satisfactory' category only. On JAL international routes I have always had a great experience at check in and in the cabin. In terms of ANA cabin service I often feel the crew seem more relaxed on domestic rotations than international ones.
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Another great video Noel. Thank you. As a Japan resident Ive flown ANA and JAL more times than I would like to remember (100 at least) but in my opinion you made the wrong choice for your international flight. I have come to reckon ANA is better for domestic rotations and JAL for international ones (if its a B763 then I am happy to change this rule however. You're right ANA international can be a little underwhelming - but this may be because their service aims to be as unobtrusive as possible as many Japanese customers prefer it this way plus ANA check-in at SE Asia cities tends to be in the 'satisfactory' category only. On JAL international routes I have always had a great experience at check in and in the cabin. In terms of ANA cabin service I often feel the crew seem more relaxed on domestic rotations than international ones.
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Jamie
I used the Haneda ANA lounge last week at Haneda (although my flight was with Lufthansa) and I thought it was a great lounge - although I will admit I was there a little earlier in the day when it was less busy. The had a decent buffet including Japenese snacks (onigiri, japanese omlette, curry and rice) and a good drinks selection (Japanese whisky, Ashahi, iced coffee) but the best bit is the cooked to order ramen hatch - just like being in central Tokyo
I get it would suck if it was busier but it was far from crap!
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I used the Haneda ANA lounge last week at Haneda (although my flight was with Lufthansa) and I thought it was a great lounge - although I will admit I was there a little earlier in the day when it was less busy. The had a decent buffet including Japenese snacks (onigiri, japanese omlette, curry and rice) and a good drinks selection (Japanese whisky, Ashahi, iced coffee) but the best bit is the cooked to order ramen hatch - just like being in central Tokyo
I get it would suck if it was busier but it was far from crap!
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Tim
Noel, is there anything in the myth that the Japanese dont care for westerners very much and that we receive sub par service when using their premium products? I havent flown on ANA for a while but my experience was never one that was overly impressive. As a Europe based traveler heading to Asia quite frequently I would lean towards using Q Suites on QR or probably SQ where available. I know CX didnt rate highly on your recent video either and I used to enjoy their product.
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Noel, is there anything in the myth that the Japanese dont care for westerners very much and that we receive sub par service when using their premium products? I havent flown on ANA for a while but my experience was never one that was overly impressive. As a Europe based traveler heading to Asia quite frequently I would lean towards using Q Suites on QR or probably SQ where available. I know CX didnt rate highly on your recent video either and I used to enjoy their product.
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Jason
re: the cheap wet wipe - it's a cultural thing as this is perceived to be much more sterile/sanitary. You seem to quite fancy the United one. I wonder what you'd think if you know it was just a washcloth doused in hot water from the plane's water tank? We've all been told not to drink that water, but it's ok for wiping your face? Not saying I prefer one or the other, but I understand the Japanese reasoning.
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re: the cheap wet wipe - it's a cultural thing as this is perceived to be much more sterile/sanitary. You seem to quite fancy the United one. I wonder what you'd think if you know it was just a washcloth doused in hot water from the plane's water tank? We've all been told not to drink that water, but it's ok for wiping your face? Not saying I prefer one or the other, but I understand the Japanese reasoning.
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Mark
Youre not crazy. I flew United Polaris to Tokyo, returned on ANA. In terms of seat comfort, despite the ANA being loads wider, the Polaris was just more comfortable. I think the on-board food is better on ANA by a good margin, but the Polaris lounge makes up for a lot of that on Uniteds end of things. I really, really wanted to love ANAs The Room but the seat is just not that comfortable.
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Youre not crazy. I flew United Polaris to Tokyo, returned on ANA. In terms of seat comfort, despite the ANA being loads wider, the Polaris was just more comfortable. I think the on-board food is better on ANA by a good margin, but the Polaris lounge makes up for a lot of that on Uniteds end of things. I really, really wanted to love ANAs The Room but the seat is just not that comfortable.
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Adam
Noel spoke facts. He said the business class lounge was busy and you could clearly see the crowd in the video. He said the amenity kit was cheap and again you could clearly see that in the content of the kit. No hand cream etc and rubbish eye mask. And he said the lack of things like a warm/cold towel before a meal didnt show a very premium service. All fair and valid points.
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Noel spoke facts. He said the business class lounge was busy and you could clearly see the crowd in the video. He said the amenity kit was cheap and again you could clearly see that in the content of the kit. No hand cream etc and rubbish eye mask. And he said the lack of things like a warm/cold towel before a meal didnt show a very premium service. All fair and valid points.
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Daniel
You have to keep in mind that if you did not know about the little fare hack that the airline was asking for over $8000 for this experience.
Remember that Noel has flown many airlines and many of them has been in a business or first class cabin, so there is a degree of expectation especially when they market it as five star.
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You have to keep in mind that if you did not know about the little fare hack that the airline was asking for over $8000 for this experience.
Remember that Noel has flown many airlines and many of them has been in a business or first class cabin, so there is a degree of expectation especially when they market it as five star.
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seinfielder
I think someone got up on the wrong side of the bed that day in Bangkok. This is not like Noel to term everything from the lounge to the plastic cup to the amenity kit as crappy. This is the most times I have heard the word crap in one of Noel's videos. I guess just one of those days where one finds everything crappy: )
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I think someone got up on the wrong side of the bed that day in Bangkok. This is not like Noel to term everything from the lounge to the plastic cup to the amenity kit as crappy. This is the most times I have heard the word crap in one of Noel's videos. I guess just one of those days where one finds everything crappy: )
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David
Just got off 3 (4th was Delta) Westjet flights in premium class and got real silverware, actual glasses, very good hot meal. So maybe one up there for Canadian hospitality. Also, I once had a place on a rear facing bench seat (6 total passengers) on Southwest many years ago, and will never and haven't flown them since.
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Just got off 3 (4th was Delta) Westjet flights in premium class and got real silverware, actual glasses, very good hot meal. So maybe one up there for Canadian hospitality. Also, I once had a place on a rear facing bench seat (6 total passengers) on Southwest many years ago, and will never and haven't flown them since.
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CraziiT26
It looks like the hard product in air and ground operations were stretched for ANA. They tried their best, given the positive customer service. However, if you were going to pay $8, 000 for business class (if you had just bought Japan to SF ticket) and can't even find a seat in the lounge, that is unreasonable.
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It looks like the hard product in air and ground operations were stretched for ANA. They tried their best, given the positive customer service. However, if you were going to pay $8, 000 for business class (if you had just bought Japan to SF ticket) and can't even find a seat in the lounge, that is unreasonable.
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Notso
The main reason I follow you is because I am 195cm tall and the best seats in the world often are not for us. The difference between a day flight is so significant I sometime do odd stopovers. eg Q-suite, done it 4 times, it is OK. SQ flip J class that everyone hates is WAY better for Me
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The main reason I follow you is because I am 195cm tall and the best seats in the world often are not for us. The difference between a day flight is so significant I sometime do odd stopovers. eg Q-suite, done it 4 times, it is OK. SQ flip J class that everyone hates is WAY better for Me
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Ted. s.
ANA is normally a great airline Noel
You should always choose non western options in Asia ie ANA order Japanese
Also Noel
U picked the busiest time of day to go to the lounge and I have never seen a lounge not be slammed at that time
Maybe try JAL if u dont like ANA
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ANA is normally a great airline Noel
You should always choose non western options in Asia ie ANA order Japanese
Also Noel
U picked the busiest time of day to go to the lounge and I have never seen a lounge not be slammed at that time
Maybe try JAL if u dont like ANA
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Travel
Love your sense of humour calling CNN the Comic News Network. I find British TV news bad enough so can only imagine what it is like in the US. Enjoyed the video but it looked like you were getting frazzled by the end of the long trip even with the luxury of business class.
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Love your sense of humour calling CNN the Comic News Network. I find British TV news bad enough so can only imagine what it is like in the US. Enjoyed the video but it looked like you were getting frazzled by the end of the long trip even with the luxury of business class.
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Casey
Where did you book your flight through? Im living in Manila and was looking to fly business class back to US in Oct going into SFO. But im looking at 8-9k with wife and daughter. I tried looking directly on ana website and prices are 8k from BKK - SFO
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Where did you book your flight through? Im living in Manila and was looking to fly business class back to US in Oct going into SFO. But im looking at 8-9k with wife and daughter. I tried looking directly on ana website and prices are 8k from BKK - SFO
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CranehawkPilot
Noel, When you go back to Europe, youve got to try out the KLM Amsterdam to Norwich flight. It only lasts 30 minutes. You can get connections to Aberdeen or get a return to AMS. And its one of KLMs shortest flights they do.
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Noel, When you go back to Europe, youve got to try out the KLM Amsterdam to Norwich flight. It only lasts 30 minutes. You can get connections to Aberdeen or get a return to AMS. And its one of KLMs shortest flights they do.
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JBG
Ive learned in life that staying polite even in disappointment can be very helpful in resolving issues. Its not that agents fault his seat was lost. She just happened to be the one that discovered the issue. Always stay polite.
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Ive learned in life that staying polite even in disappointment can be very helpful in resolving issues. Its not that agents fault his seat was lost. She just happened to be the one that discovered the issue. Always stay polite.
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CrispDZN
Hey Noel, your videos are always amazing, and I wanted to express my gratitude for including captions. Being deaf, it means so much to me to be able to enjoy your content. Wishing you wonderful travels ahead.
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Hey Noel, your videos are always amazing, and I wanted to express my gratitude for including captions. Being deaf, it means so much to me to be able to enjoy your content. Wishing you wonderful travels ahead.
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David
Very ecologically poor: plastic cup, packaged towel. JL still offers an amenity kit between BKK-TYO though modified from the one on its longer flights. But 787 seats are not as nice as the ANA one you had.
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Very ecologically poor: plastic cup, packaged towel. JL still offers an amenity kit between BKK-TYO though modified from the one on its longer flights. But 787 seats are not as nice as the ANA one you had.
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Muhammad
I've been seeing Noel's videos for quite a while now, I think it's the first time I've disliked his video, he's just deliberately trying to be negative about everything! Want the old Noel back please
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I've been seeing Noel's videos for quite a while now, I think it's the first time I've disliked his video, he's just deliberately trying to be negative about everything! Want the old Noel back please
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