As I said, too many times, this flight was supposed to be the launch of ANA’s new cabin product called “Spirit of Japan”, but it was postponed. My excitement for this flight was subdued, but in reality, how bummed can you be when you get to fly on a 777 between two of the most prolific cities in the world?
In the Business Class cabin, no newspapers, magazines or drinks were offered upon boarding, but FA’s did offer cardigan sweaters. I have never been on a flight where the cabin gets so cold, one needs to sport a heavy wool sweater. After an uneventful departure and once were at cruising altitude, champagne and cold green tea were served and warm hand towels were passed out.
What I will always remember about this flight is how damn good the food was, probably the best catering I have ever tasted on a flight. First a small appetizer of shrimp, tomato and roasted pepper. That was followed by a favorful salad with air dried beef and a complex compote… I contemplated licking the plate.
At that point, my seat mated dumped her wine all over my eating area. It even splashed on to my camera. Not to fear, two FA’s s immediately sprung into action with towels and a new place setting. It was like the incident never even happened. For the main course I tried something I never had before: Oxtail Stew in a fig vinegar sauce. It was amazing. Note the individual dishes of sea salt and cracked pepper! Quite a decadent desert of ANA’s “original baby mandarin parfait” topped off what I think was the best meal I have ever eaten on an airplane.
The entertainment was adequate and the seat quite comfortable. Seat comfort is all relative I suppose, dependant upon how tired one is. I was pretty tired and manged 5 straight hours of sleep. The seats are much more comfortable than Asiana’s.
Cool thing about ANA: Instead of doing a 2nd meal service, passengers can order a-la-carte up until 90 minutes before landing. The choices are pictured below. The FA’s really had to hustle, as inevitably, folks ordered one after another for the last 4 hours of the flight. A very strong finish to my ANA experience, indeed.
ANA needs to add a few more routes to compete globally, but if they can consistently produce this type of food and service, coupled with brand new cabins in all 4 classes… watch out…
best shot I could get of our ride to jfk
2-3-2 seating in business class
scoops of ice cream with cake/brownie
bar set up between sections of business class cabin
2nd service: a-la-carte menu
udon noodles with tempura
sunrise, over canada
lga airport, snowy central park, upper e. and w. side
Japanese airlines do not offer predeparture beverages, Japanese regulation.
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