ANA is allowing passengers wider purchase options during their journey, including airport lounge access and meal selections from flight classes other than their own. These are available on both international and domestic flights from December 1, 2009.
“To continue meeting and exceeding a wide variety of customers’ needs”, the airline explained, was the purpose of the service enhancement. This a la carte feature has been the service bedrock of low-cost carriers, one that legacy airlines have been picking up on in recent years in the hope of improving declining revenue.
Lounge Services
• All passengers on international flights from Narita Airport and domestic flights from Haneda Airport will be able to enjoy designated times in the carrier’s airport lounges from December 2, 2009. This applies to customers on domestic flights from Haneda Airport departing at or prior to 6pm and passengers departing from Narita International Airport at or after 12.00.
• The introductory fee is JP¥4,000 yen (US$44) and runs until end of January 2010, then the regular fee is JP¥5,000 (US$55).
• An application to use the lounge must be made by telephone or via the Internet. Detailed instructions will be posted on ANA’s website in November.
Inflight Services
• Specially selected wines and shochu currently served to Business Class passengers on international flights will be sold, together with snacks, to passengers in Economy and Premium Economy Class.
• The introductory price is from JP¥800 (US$8.80) per glass until the end of January, the regular fee is JP¥1,000 (US$11) per glass.
• Business Class light meals on medium-haul international flights from Narita will be made available to other classes – a service already being carried out on flights to Europe and North America. Fresh udon noodles are sold on flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai at the introductory price of JP¥500 (US$5.50) until the end of January, then the regular fee is JP¥700 (US$7.70). To Honolulu, ANA original instant noodles are sold at the introductory price of JP¥300 (US$3.30) until then end of January, then the regular fee is JP¥500 (US$5.50).
ANA promised to open up more items and services in the coming months.
For more details, visit www.ana.co.jp
Margie T Logarta
