Searcher Posted June 11, 2003 Report Share Posted June 11, 2003 Looking at maybe using ANA from LAX to BKK. From their web site they look a bit behind the competion when it comes to Biz or 1st class seats. Has anybody flown them? How was the flight, the service, food, etc.? Most importantly....would you pay Biz or 1st class money to fly them again?? Searcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAL875 Posted June 11, 2003 Report Share Posted June 11, 2003 Try this link to a similar thread. I don't think much has changed. I will be using ANA next week on the BKK- NRT return leg of my trip. Good luck. http://board.nanaplaza.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB3&Number=150760&page=5&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=365&fpart=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 11, 2003 Report Share Posted June 11, 2003 Singapore, ANA, and Thai are my favorite biz class in that order. I fly biz class out of LAX out of pocket based on who will give me the best deal. The only reason Thai makes the favorite list is nostalgia. They have little to offer other than Thai ladies in silk dresses who know what a black soda is. I refuse to use those ridiculous personal 8mm movie things; resolution and screen size are horrid. I think ANA is fabulous where JAL is kind of basic like US carriers (no linen in the bathrooms, no drink/hot towel the moment you sit down). If there is one thing I would critique biz class airlines on in general is all the foofi stuff they call meals. Enough with the duck livers and salmon pate! I just want some pizza or burgers on the menu thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted June 11, 2003 Report Share Posted June 11, 2003 i have flown them from Washington Dulles to BKK in Biz. price was around 500usd cheaper than UA and it is the only direct flight to asia out of Dulles, so i reduced one stopover. it also arrives one hour earlier in Bangkok and gives you some more time to go out the first night in comparison to the late arriving United and Northwest. they use 747 on Narita-BKK (very good seat) and 777 on Narita-IAD (a bit less comfortable and less recline than UA seats on 747). service is excellent and miles ahead of UA. entertainment: individual screen with around 10 movies. food: i ate only japanese food, which was excellent (better than the UA Obento set) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted June 11, 2003 Report Share Posted June 11, 2003 UAL 875 is switching from UAL876 to ANA? the 747 of ANA on this leg is IMO better than the 777 of UA but changing the terminal in Narita sucks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAL875 Posted June 11, 2003 Report Share Posted June 11, 2003 UAL 875 is switching from UAL876 to ANA? Good catch. I avoid UAL876 at all costs leaving BKK. Too Fucking Early! However I have flown it on its NRT - Denver leg (via Seattle) and that's a good deal because I generally get upgraded to First. changing the terminal in Narita sucks! Not an issue as I will shower, "Takyubin" my luggage home and go right to the office. I love the redeyes (TG, JAL, ANA) back from BKK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torrenova Posted June 11, 2003 Report Share Posted June 11, 2003 Don't know about stateside flights but ANA have introduced new Club ANA seating on the LHR - NRT legs (perhaps FRA-NRT also). Anyway, here is a link http://www.anaskyweb.com/uk/e/travelservice/inflight/index.html Regards Torrenova Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcher Posted June 12, 2003 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2003 Thanks for all of your replies. It's nice to hear you all confirm what I suspected was the case with ANA's international service. In the past, I've flown ANA and JAL on the short hops within Japan. Always enjoyed ANA a bit more. The cabins weren't as "pretty" as JALs but the service just always seemed to be better. Glad to hear that good service extends to their international flights. When it comes to exceeding baggage limits are we just talking about simply paying an excess baggage charge or are we talking major pain? Asking, because this time I'm coming in heavy and with more than 2 bags. From their website it seems that they have the new flat seats on the flights out of JFK. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer before they upgrade the planes out of LAX Searcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAL875 Posted June 12, 2003 Report Share Posted June 12, 2003 Yes ? ANA international service is fine for Biz or First, many of my coworkers making first-time trips to Japan used 'em and had very positive comments. As far as the regulations ? hard to get Japanese carriers to bend. Period. My girlfriend works for one of the airlines here and we have discussed this very topic and my conclusion is that the whole ?rule thing? is just way too heavily embedded in the Japanese mindset (her?s included) for you and I, Joe Passenger, to ever get them to change. Fortunately the stringent thinking does have upside particularly when traveling domestic within Japan. JAL, ANA, and JAS have made the process so robotic and economical that I could sleepwalk my way onto flights at Haneda Airport. Regarding luggage, my experience is that JAL is not flexible whatsoever regarding extra baggage. I do not wish to rant or rave on the board ? just trust me. ANA is a bit more understanding, I remember being over the luggage/weight limit with them and not being charged (but that was right after 911 so the flight was fairly empty). As far as what to expect ?worst case scenario? regarding having too much baggage ? the standard charge, whatever that is these days. You will get service with a smile though (as spelled out in the employee handbook)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtimer Posted June 15, 2003 Report Share Posted June 15, 2003 I have never travelled on ANA; but I sympathize with other posters about JAL being rule crazy, especially when it come to baggage and what you can take on the aircraft -- even if one is in business class. Another thing I find annoying about JAL is that they won't let one on the plane if you are visaless because you are planning to spend less than 30 days in LOS. Yes, I tell them at check in that I know the rule about officially needing a confirmed return ticket, but I buy my tickets in BKK and anyway have NEVER been asked to show a return ticket at Thai immigration in the last 30 years. Last time I had to go through the ridiculous charade of buying a BBK/NRT one way ticket before JAL would let me board at JFK. Of, course, on arrival at BKK I applied for a refund and bought my return usual business class return ticket BKK/JFK from Khun Porn @ JM Travel right next to the Nana Hotel. She can arrange great fares on any carrier you wish. I usually travel on the more relaxed Cathay Pacific Airways but due to SARS have lately been going on JAL via Tokyo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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