Sadly all good things must come to an end. It’s now time to leave Japan, but at least I’ll be doing it in style as I will be flying in ANA’s First Class Suites! So after an early morning wake up, I check out of my hotel and make my way to Tokyo Haneda Airport.
Haneda Nihombashi Bridge
Haneda is a very cool airport in its own right. While most of my time is spent in terminal 3, there are lots of things to see and do at this terminal. These features are also pre-security, so if you plan to check them out do so before clearing into the sterile area of the airport.
The first is the Haneda Nihombashi Bridge. This is a replica bridge of an ancient Nihombashi bridge from the past. Having been to many airports over the years. Something aesthetically significant in what otherwise can be a bland airport terminal adds so much character. This bridge is finely made and it leads into a series of restaurants decorated like an olden times Japanese village. Unfortunately I am here quite early and none of the stores are open.
TIAT Sky Road
Another cool little feature is the TIAT Sky Road. It is a hall way with displays of model airplanes. Each airplane represents one of the airlines that flies into or out of Haneda airport. So as a bit of an aviation geek it I probably spent more time here than most. I took quite a few photos but as a Canadian, finding our national carrier was important. My flight today is on ANA so finding them also needed to be highlighted.
Observation Deck
The last attraction at Haneda airport I visited is the Observation Deck. This is by far one of my favourite spots in the airport. It’s an open air area on the “roof” of the terminal overlooking the apron. From here you get to see a good number of planes all over. I think for someone like me I could spend hours up here, and possibly even miss my flight trying to spot all the cool types and liveries that come in and out of this airport. Add in that it is beautiful morning and the whole scene plays out like an Avgeek’s dream!
ANA Suite Lounge
I would have been fine staying at the observation deck until it is time to board. However, because I am flying in ANA’s Suite class today, I get access to their Suite Lounge. This is a lounge that is restricted to their first class passengers only. So I wanted to make sure I have the full experience there too. I make my way to the lounge level and get settled into a very spacious “pod” which will be my seat for the next few hours. From here, I’m able to order some breakfast and get myself some beverages while I enjoy my own view of the tarmac and planes. My flight ends up getting delayed by an hour. And of course being in ANA’s first class lounge is not a bad place to wait out the delay!
ANA NH110 to New York in First Class
Eventually it is time to get onboard my flight to New York. Some may wonder “You live on the west coast, why fly to New York?”. Well my answer to that is that ANA has been updating their business and first class seats over the past few years. And their new seats new first class suites. Are considered some of the nicest in the world at present. So with only a planes operating with these new seats, I needed to find the right flight. Hence, booking a flight to New York.
I make my way to the gate and go through our final document scans before walking down the jet bridge to our plane. It’s always weird to know there will only be a handful of you flying in the cabin. Today there are four of us.
The ANA Suites Class
Once onboard, the friendly flight attendants show me to my seat. It wouldn’t have been very difficult to find given there are only eight in the entire cabin. My seat for this flight is 1K, right at the front. The pod itself is huge! It’s easily bigger than my Emirates first class flight from last year. It looks super modern, the seat is super wide and the IFE is probably the biggest of any plane I have been on. It’s also very practical, with storage space well implemented and lots of privacy given the doors!
As the plane boards, the flight attendants come around with our welcome drinks and our First Class Journey is afoot!
Taking off
Boarding is done quite efficiently and before we know it we are taxiing for take off. As we pull away from the gate I notice that even the Japanese ground staff are waving and sending us off. I’ve seen this in videos before and think its such a cool thing that the staff take that pride in their work.
On the way to the runway, I’m also treated to a fairly “rare” sight. I see a Parked “R2-D2” ANA Star Wars Plane. A while back ANA painted some Star Wars themed liveries on a few of their jets. I’ve always wanted to fly on one of these, but finding the route has never lined up for me. But being able to see it live is still a pretty cool treat!
Eventually we get to the runway and take off without issue!
The Food
Soon after we reach cruising altitude, the inflight service starts. And to say that the food on a Japanese plane is the star of the show is an understatement! For dinner I opt for the Japanese Washoku menu. It’s a little hard to tie each item to the menu, but I will include a few photos of the menu after the pictures of the food.
Ultimately though this is a FEAST. They also have a light snack menu that you can order anytime. So in between naps I try to partake as much as I can. I have both the Ippudo Plant-based “Pla-ton” Ramen and the Japanese Udon Noodles Garnished with Chicken. Being someone that loves soup noodles both are EXCELLENT
Unfortunately, in my sleepy demeanor, I forgot to take a photo of the breakfast menu. However, it is a bento box of of tasty goodness. The main attraction being a grilled fish which is DELICIOUS!
Throughout the flight, the beverage selection is excellent. Including two lovely Champagnes. However for me, the main attraction is the Hibiki 21. As a bit of a Whisky nerd this is a very rare expression. In general these bottles go for over a thousand dollars a bottle. So to be able to have as much as I can on this flight is something I took full advantage of.
Sleeping
ANA offers their first class passengers pajamas to change into so they can be more comfortable. After dinner and some drinks, the flight attendants come around to turn down our pods into beds while we change into pajamas. As this is one of the widest airplane beds I have been in. Sleeping is not an issue and I’m off into dreamland soon after lying down. Getting several hours of sleep is always great when flying over an ocean, and being treated to a beautiful sunrise is also a bonus!
Here’s a little Instagram compilation of the flight as a whole:
Sadly, the flight needs to land at some point and after fourteen hours being treated like royalty in the air, we arrive in New York’s JFK airport. I quickly pick up my luggage, clear customs and immigration and I am now stateside.
Getting Home
In order for me to get back to Vancouver, I have a flight from New York’s Newark airport directly home to Canada. So prior to landing in New York I had arranged for a shuttle to transfer me from JFK to EWR. This did seem like the most cost effective option to get between the airports as an UBER would have easily been double the price. After getting checked in for my flight to Vancouver, I spend some time exploring Newark’s new terminal.
With a little time to kill, I even ride the bus to another terminal just to get some views of planes up close. I even decide to bookend my New York Start and end trips with another Shake Shack meal!
Flying home
Soon it is time for me to board my flight home. After the luxury of my ANA flight, it feels a bit odd to talk about my Air Canada flight home. But for a trans continental business class, it is perfectly fine! I’m served another meal onboard, the seats are comfortable and I spend the time catching up on episodes of White Lotus! The flight is smooth and before I know it I am landing into the familiar confines of my home airport!
As we exit the plane I see the all too familiar sights of the international arrivals hall of Vancouver International Airport. And to me these are all signs that I am home.
This has been an excellent trip and one I am not going to forget for a very long time. Next week I will write my wrap up for the entire trip. But for now I am happy to be home. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to travel and I am eagerly looking forward to my next adventure.
That food on the ANA flight! It looks so so good!! You must have been so full haha.