Flight check: ANA

Published: 01/02/2006 - Filed under: Archive » 2006 » February 2006 » Tried and Tested » Tried & Tested » Airlines » Tried & Tested » Airlines » ANA » Import errors »

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First impressions I arrived two hours before my 1900 departure on All Nippon Airways flight NH202 from London Heathrow to Tokyo Narita. At first I could not find my check-in desk at Terminal 3. The board indicated zone D but after being directed to zone C, I eventually asked at the ANA desk and it turned out to be zone B. There was only one person at the business class (ANA Club) check-in counter; the economy class had a queue of around 20. I requested an aisle seat but there were none available. I then went to the fast-track security where I had to queue for around 10minutes.

The lounge ANA's shared Star Alliance Red Carpet lounge is signed as United Airlines. Check-in staff told me that when the flight was called I was to go to Gate 15. The lounge is quiet and spacious with plants sectioning off different areas for reading, TV, internet booths and desks. The lighting is gentle and the temperature a cool relief after the main terminal. The lounge was busy but I found a place to sitby the window on a leather sofa. There were the usual snacks and drinks available and a good selection of newspapers and magazines.

Boarding ANA operates a daily non-stop service from London Heathrow to Tokyo.The flight was called in Japanese first, estimated boarding 1830. The queue at the gate was long but I saw first one man leave it and disappear around the corner, then another. A member of staff appeared and walked up and down the queue saying something in Japanese. I thought I heard "fast track" and so I stepped out and asked. She checked that I was business class and then let me through.

The seat This Boeing 747-400 has 75 business class seats (2-3-2 configuration,some upstairs). The seats have 65cm width, 165cm pitch and recline to170 degrees (lie-flat style). My seat was 24K by the emergency exit,useful in economy, but not so in business. For one thing, I did not have the handy built-in pockets for my shoes and water bottle (usually on the back of the seat in front) or a hook for my jacket (which was hung in a wardrobe) or the useful pocket large enough to store a laptop computer.

The seat has an adjustable recline, head and foot rest as well as a massage function and lumbar support. There is a power point at the seat as well as a personal light, which can be directed. The in-flight entertainment (IFE) audiovisual on demand screen comes out of the armrest and can be twisted to avoid light reflection.

The flight We had boarded by 1845 but at 1915 there was an announcement that there would be a slight delay in take-off because of an electrical fault. We sat in dim lighting for a while and eventually took off at 1936. Once airborne we were offered green tea or Champagne and olives and canapés of Palma ham with tofu.

At 2030 dinner orders were taken (I chose the Japanese meal rather than the western alternative). A few minutes later a flight attendant asked if I would mind having the western dinner as they had fallen short on the Japanese. She was very apologetic.

Dinner was served on blue tablecloths with metal cutlery at 2050. The flight attendant apologised once again and thanked me for my co-operation. Starter was warm squab and porcini mushroom ragout-filled crisp filo pastry and garden salad; it was rich and tasty but the pastry was a bit limp. The main was excellent: pan-fried beef tenderloin with fontina and horseradish sauce with ball shaped carrots and sprouts. Dessert was apricot tart and vanilla ice-cream.

After dinner chocolates and liqueurs were offered and then at around 2200 we were left alone. I slept on and off for around three hours (I could have slept longer but was lured into the IFE and watched two films). I found that when the seat was fully extended I tended to slip, but when I adjusted the lumbar support the angle helped. I found the most comfortable position lying on my side. There was no one sitting in the aisle seat next to me, which made the flight even more comfortable. The service was excellent and just before landing we took a light meal. I had Japanese noodles, which were delicious. We landed at 1554 local time.

Verdict An excellent service. The staff were attentive, polite and friendly and always on hand. Although we were slightly delayed on the outward journey we were well informed and we landed only nine minutes late. The return journey a few days later was perfect and I had the Japanese meal, which was superb with a great variety of fish dishes and a chance to have the noodles again. We arrived back in Heathrow half an hour early.

Price All Nippon Airways operates a daily non-stop service from London Heathrow to Tokyo Narita from £699 return in economy, and from £3,120 return in Club ANA. For reservations call +44 (0)20 8846 0250; anaskyweb.com.

Felicity Cousins