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ANA Business class review: Tokyo Haneda to London

Sebastien Chaneac
ANA Business class review: Tokyo Haneda to London

Here's our review of flying business class with ANA from Tokyo to London.

“A glass of champagne s'il vous plait Mademoiselle: it matches my complexion…”

The very sweet Japanese cabin crew girl onboard our ANA business class flight from Tokyo to London giggled at this proud Frenchman as I pouted back at her fiercely, preparing to tuck into a very tasty beef steak fillet and Aomori black garlic confit.

Stefan also looked on in a fit of giggles at me as I so effortlessly settled into my ANA business class experience…

ANA business class review Seb with champagne
A proud Frenchman enjoying one of many glasses of champagne in ANA's business class

And wouldn't you? All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, is not only recognised as one of the seven 5-star Airlines by Skytrax, the ANA business class always ranks amongst the top of the World Airline Awards. The accolades don't stop there. ANA's business class is also highly rated for its seats, airline staff, catering and comfort amenities.

We flew business class on ANA Boeing 777-300 on our way back to London from Tokyo (12.5 hours). We loved every second of it and couldn't wait to write our review of flying business class with All Nippon Airways.

Travel advice for LGTBQ community

Advice for LGBTQ travelers to Japan

We found Japan to be very gay friendly for LGBTQ travelers. Whilst society is very conservative, the Japanese are one of the most respectful and polite people we've ever met. They welcome all foreigners with a charming smile and bow. As a gay couple traveling in Japan, booking a double bed was never an issue in any of the hotels or guesthouses we stayed at.

For more, check out our gay guide to Tokyo and our Japan itinerary for LGBTQ travelers.

ANA Business class review highly rated seats and facilities
Stefan enjoying the facilities aboard the highly rated ANA business class

Pre-departure

Business-class check-in with ANA is very smooth and efficient. The airline has its own dedicated desk for business class passengers at Tokyo Haneda airport.

Once through security and immigration, a spacious lounge overlooking the runway awaits you. There, you can get some refreshments, food and also use the showers if you need to. Plane addicts (like our champagne hogging Frenchman) will have heaps of #planeporn fun here.

ANA business class lounge at Haneda airport
Plenty of #planeporn at the ANA business class lounge pre-departure

State of the art business class seats

The ANA business class seating arrangement has been carefully designed using a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring a sense of privacy for each passenger as you're never directly next to anyone.

This also means that every passenger has direct aisle access, avoiding the unpopular middle seat dilemma.

ANA business class review staggered seating plan
ANA business class staggered seating ensures no one is directly next to you

The real fun starts from the moment you board the plane and take your seat. These are no ordinary seats. ANA's business class seats were rated the 5th best in the world at the World Airline Awards and deservedly so.

The seating area is very spacious with a fully reclinable seat, large side table and your own personal overhead luggage drawer.

ANA business class review large spacing seating area
Stefan's private cubicle area with plenty of room to completely spread out

The seats have a width of 19.4 inches/ 49.3cm and fully recline to a length of 74.5 inches / 189cm, to become a very comfortable flatbed. For us, this was more than enough space to sleep in a straight position: Stefan is 170cm (5ft 7″) and Sebastien is 175cm (5ft 9″).

A bed pad and a soft warm duvet are provided which makes for a very comfortable night's sleep.

ANA Business class fully reclinable seat
Sebastien taking a break from the champagne for a quick nap in his bed

The inflight service

The standard of service onboard ANA is extremely high, as you would expect from a Japanese airline. They were rated one of the world's best cabin staff at the recent World Airline Awards and considered the #1 for best airline staff in Asia.

The staff are never short of smiles. And of course, neither were we when greeted so warmly (with a glass of champagne to hand).

The ANA staff take a genuine interest in you without being intrusive. They make you feel like you have your own personal attendant throughout the flight. They are on hand whether you want to order a particular meal, want a copy of The Times newspaper, or just want to top up your champagne.

Throughout the duration of the flight, they ask you if you want more drinks and always ensure you have plenty of water to keep you hydrated – and always with a smile.

ANA business class review flight attendants award winning service in Asia
Service with a smile – one of the super friendly flight attendants

Fine-dining at 30,000 feet

The meal service is high class. Menus have been selected by THE CONNOISSEURS, a group of master chefs and wine experts from outside and inside Japan.

The friendly cabin crew lay a white table cloth, provide you with a warm towel and present all passengers with a menu, listing the excellent culinary options.

For the first meal, you have a choice of the Washoku Japanese Cuisine or International Cuisine.

ANA business class review menu for meal service
Sebastien browsing the ANA menu planning his next meal

The Amuse-Bouches

Prior to the first meal, everyone is served a delicious hors d'oeuvre. This consisted of sweet glazed walnuts, young bamboo shoots aspic with okra puree, uncured beef ham and artichoke, cornichon brochette and marinated herring, feta cheese and semi-dried tomato:

Our delicious amuse-bouches ANA business class starter
Our delicious amuse-bouches

The Japanese Washoku 

If you choose the Japanese cuisine, you'll be spoilt with a variety of culinary prizes like firefly squid with vegetables, chilled quick-poached beef with ponzu jelly, quick-seared seven-band grouper, quick-poached diamond squid with nori and simmered mackerel in soy-based rice.

Phew!

ANA business class review Japanese washoku meal
Part of the Japanese washoku feast

The International Cuisine

This option included smoked shrimp, soft-dried beef and marinated turnip starter with a main of fillet of beef steak, Aomori black garlic confit with teriyaki sauce and sautéed tilefish and cereal risotto with slaty cherry blossom-flavoured sauce.

Everything is so beautifully presented, making it hard to put the camera down and tuck in.

ANA business class international cuisine started
The delicious starter for the international cuisine option

Drinks

There's everything you could possibly imagine on offer, whether it's whisky, sake, wine or beer. They have a great choice of white and red wines which have been carefully selected to complement their menu. The champagne Henriot Brut Souverain on offer was enough to satisfy even this demanding Frenchman's taste buds.

A La Carte light dishes

For the remainder of the flight, a selection of Light Dishes is available for order at any time, like salads, soups, croque-monsieur and also including some of our Japanese favourites like udon noodles, ramen and okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake).

ANA business class review a la carte Japanese food options
Sebastien with some of his a la carte dishes (champagne on its way of course…)

Entertainment

Each cubicle has its own large 17-inch touch screen with the ANA Sky channel entertainment system, which includes some of the latest blockbusters, games, music and documentaries. Sony noise-cancelling headphones are provided, which are so effective, they make you forget you're flying.

Underneath each screen is your own personal USB dock and power connectors to charge your phone and laptop.

Amenities

ANA gives all business class travellers a plush flannel toiletries bag filled with L'Occitane products including lip balm to soothe dry lips, a revitalising serum, earplugs, an eye mask and more.

The bathrooms are equipped with Japanese style bidet toilets, and in addition, toothbrushes, mouthwash and wet face towels are provided.

ANA business class amenities during flight
A beautiful gift in ANA business class: toiletries L'Occitane bag with prizes inside

So is it worth flying Business Class with ANA?

Hell yeah!

We had a fabulous experience from start to finish. The service was outstanding, the food, delicious, and the seats… well, you'll never want to fly economy on long haul flights ever again.

ANA has now become one of our favourite airlines and definitely the one we will choose to fly to Japan again.

ANA business class boarding passes Nomadic Boys
Our ANA business class boarding pass selfie

For more inspiration:

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An honest review of flying business class with All Nippon Airways from Japan to London

Happy travels are safe travels

We recommend you always take out a reputable travel insurance before your next vacation. What happens if you suffer from illness, injury, theft, or a cancellation? Many travelers forget about it and regret it when something happens. Better to pay a small price and have the peace of mind and not worry.

Sebastien Chaneac

Hey everyone, I'm Seby, the co-founder, editor, and know-it-all IT guru behind the Nomadic Boys gay travel blog...at least that's how Stefan describes me! I'm also a total travel nerd and food enthusiast. Over the past 10 years, I've travelled to over 80 countries with my partner in crime and the love of my life, Stefan. I've written for a wide range of publications ranging from Pink News, Matador, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Guardian and many more. Want to know more about me? Check my full bio here.

Mark

Thursday 12th of April 2018

I have not yet had the opportunity to travel in business class, the tourist difference is quite high, I think that one day, when the stock market rings, I will treat myself. Very good article guys, keep it up! :)

Nomadic boys

Thursday 12th of April 2018

Thanks Mark :)

James

Thursday 15th of March 2018

Hey guys. I loved this service myself when I flew JFK-NRT. My own personal preference is for the onboard sake. Champagne is a, of course, a pleasure, but it's quite difficult to find the premium sakes on board outside of Japan (at any price).

Nomadic boys

Thursday 15th of March 2018

Agreed!!!!!

The Authentic Gay

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

You guys are goals! Thanks for sharing all the great stories! <3

Nomadic boys

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

Awww our pleasure :)

Monday 17th of April 2017

4

Thursday 5th of January 2017

3.5