All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and 5-star airline for six consecutive years, continues to set the standard in the airline industry with its recently announced services available aboard Japan’s first Airbus A380, set to launch on May 24, 2019, from Tokyo Narita International Airport.
Preparations are on schedule and the first aircraft, scheduled to have its exterior painting completed in mid-December 2018, will fly three round trips per week, departing from Japan on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The frequency will increase to ten round trips per week when the second aircraft starts operation, currently planned on July 1, 2019. Sales for First Class and ANA COUCHii, which will be newly introduced, will start in January 2019. On the Airbus A380, ANA will provide unrivaled service with everything from a gourmet menu, to far-reaching in-flight services and amenities for families traveling with children.
* Information related to flight schedule and sales mentioned above are subject to government approval.
* After July 1, 2019, double daily operation by Airbus A380 will be on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
In-Flight Meals and Gourmet Collaborations
Passengers traveling First Class will have their choice of food from “Noe,” an award-winning Italian Restaurant located at the Five-Star luxury resort, Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina. The meal will be overseen by the restaurant’s Michelin starred Head Chef Ryo Takatsuka. This menu will be served from May 24, 2019, through the end of August 2019.
ANA will also collaborate with the Australian casual dining “bills” to create a special Economy Class menu for passengers departing from Japan. This collaborative menu is scheduled to run from May 24, 2019, through the end of May 2020. Passengers will receive a special card which they can take to bills Waikiki and exchange for a drink.
ANA is also upgrading meals for Premium Economy flyers, offering them for the first time a superior menu in comparison to the one served in Economy Class. As before, a choice from both International and Japanese culinary traditions will be available for flights to and from Japan.
In-Flight Services and Amenities
In addition to a drink and snack bar that passengers can visit at any time throughout the duration of the flight, ANA will provide exclusive blue Hawaii cocktails that match the airplane’s FLYING HONU theme. The complimentary cocktail is available on flights departing to and from Japan and to all classes.
All other drinks on board will be served in FLYING HONU themed cups, by flight attendants wearing similarly designed aprons.
To ensure that the A380 feels as close to home as possible, ANA took extra consideration and care when selecting bedding for the flight. In First Class, passengers will be able to wrap up in a comforter from Japan’s famous Tokyo Nishikawa Sangyo. Travelers can rest their heads on pillows made out of premium Hungarian white duck down. They will also receive a 100 percent organic cotton loungewear and a blanket made by the renowned Japanese producer Tenerita, the only Japanese company that obtained the Global Organic Textile Standard certification.
Responding to passenger requests, in Business Class, ANA will also be providing sheets, loungewear, as well as a comforter and pillow set from Japan’s well-known high-technology bedding company Maruhachi. The pillow is designed so that one side is soft and airy, while the other side is more structured so that it provides more neck support.
Passengers traveling on ANA COUCHii, will have a dedicated bed sheet, pillow and blanket set.
ANA has also gone the extra mile by offering First Class amenity kits designed in collaboration with the famous English luggage manufacturer Globe Trotter. The partnership represents Globe Trotter’s first collaboration with an airline. ANA also worked with the American luxury brand Fred Segal to create Business Class amenity kits which are only available on the Honolulu route.
Passengers traveling Premium Economy will receive a FLYING HONU beach bag from Tyvek.
Services for Passengers with Children
The Honolulu route is popular with families, and ANA has enhanced services for children to make traveling an enjoyable and stress-free experience.
For passengers who order baby meals or children’s meals on flights departing from Japan, ANA will provide specialty-branded silverware from “EDISONmama.” ANA original bags and inflatable FLYING HONUs will also be available for young passengers and their families.
The flight will also feature a new flight map called “ANA Flight Path 3D.” This will allow passengers to see the aircraft from various angles as well as the actual perspective from the cockpit and street views at the destination.
To celebrate this new aircraft, from May 2019, ANA will offer model planes for purchase during international in-flight duty-free shopping. The HONU doll (Lani) will also be available for purchase on the FLYING HONU.
Additional Services for ANA Mileage Club Members
ANA Mileage Club members flying the Japan to Hawaii route with ANA will be eligible to use the electronic “ANA Express Bus” connecting T Galleria Hawaii by DFS, Hawaii and the Ala Moana Center. The bus ride takes approximately 12 minutes, and buses are scheduled to depart from each location every 15 minutes. In keeping with the Hawaiian theme, the bus will be decorated with FLYING HONU iconography.
As part of ANA’s far-reaching hospitality program, ANA Hawaii Tour participants currently have access to the luxurious Mahalo Lounge on the second floor of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. However starting in spring 2019, AMC members will be able to redeem miles to use this exclusive lounge.
These measures represent ANA’s commitment to making flying aboard the Airbus A380 a once-in-a-lifetime-experience. Through this initiative, ANA is cementing its commitment to excellence in customer service and the prioritization of the passenger experience.
