All Nippon Airways is Japan's largest airline and is known for its luxury first and business class cabins.
Equipped with huge beds and full privacy doors, "The Room" and "The Suite" were unveiled in 2019.
Here are the 6 coolest things I found in "The Room" business class during a recent flight to Tokyo.
All Nippon Airways is Japan's largest airline and one of the few carriers in the world rated as a 5-star airline by aviation ranking website Skytrax.
Source: Skytrax
But, the carrier recently made headlines for a currency conversion glitch that allowed $10,000 first and business class tickets to sell for just $300.
A Japanese airline accidentally sold some $10,000 business class tickets for $300 after a mistake with currency conversions
While ANA had to cancel the ultra-cheap bookings, the deal understandably excited customers — especially those who snagged the carrier's new premium cabin seats.
Japan's largest airline is canceling the $10,000 first and business class tickets it mistakenly sold for $300
In 2019, ANA unveiled "The Suite" first class seat and "The Room" business class seat on its Boeing 777-300ER planes.
I flew in business class on Japan's biggest airline for 14 hours and the seat felt more like a hotel room
These are a major upgrade from the carrier's current business class on its Boeing 787, which lacks a full privacy door.
Source: ANA
After years of waiting for the opportunity to fly in one of the luxurious loungers, I was finally able to enjoy "The Room" on a recent trip to Tokyo.
I flew from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and loved the experience. Here are the six coolest things about "The Room" on ANA's Boeing 777-300ER.
1. The rear-facing seat was a new experience for me.
The one thing I was nervous about when booking ANA's new business class was that some of the seats were rear-facing. While I could have opted for a forward-facing seat, I decided to try something new.
So, I ended up in 13A, which had a chest-strap seatbelt that I was required to wear for takeoff and landing. Insider paid a media rate for the flight.
I was a little worried at first, but everything went smoothly. Granted, the movement of the plane definitely felt different, but I didn't get nauseous or dizzy, and looking out the window helped.
2. The bed is the biggest I've seen in a business class cabin.
The first thing I noticed when I got to my luxury seat was how big the lounger actually was.
It looked more like a couch than a seat, and there was easily enough room to fit another person next to me.
Realizing how huge the sitting area was, I was excited to see the seat in lie-flat mode — and I wasn't disappointed.
The bed was ginormous. I could easily lay on my stomach, side, or back, and, I could even kick a knee out, which is how I sleep at home.
At just 5'3" tall, I also had plenty of room to stretch my legs all the way out, and there was enough space on the bed for myself, my water bottle, and my phone.
Granted, taller passengers might feel a little snug when laying perfectly vertical, so I suggest sleeping at a diagonal.
The only other comparable business class bed is Singapore Airlines' product on its Airbus A350, which also has plenty of space to sprawl out when sleeping.
I flew on the world's longest flight in business class and thought the 18-hour trip from Singapore to New York was nearly flawless
Both products are superior to other mainline carriers like United Airlines or Air New Zealand, which have narrower business class seats.
I flew on the world's new 4th longest flight from New York to Auckland and Air New Zealand's business class made the over 17-hour journey easily bearable
Though, I still prefer ANA's over Singapore because of its automatic lie-flat system, which can be controlled using a set of buttons.
Singapore's, on the other hand, has to be manually converted using a handle on the back, similar to flipping down a car seat.
3. The windows made it easy to sleep during the daytime.
Flying from New York to Japan can take a major toll on the body clock, and I could definitely feel the jet lag during my first day in Tokyo.
Fortunately, ANA's Boeing 777-300ER's have window shades in business class, meaning I could choose to let in more or less light to help me sleep.
This was helpful after the dinner service when it was still sunny outside. To watch a movie, I wanted a dimmed space to relax, but not full darkness.
Once I was ready to sleep, I closed the second window shade that darkened the cocooned space.
In general, I thought this was a cool feature to include in "The Room," especially since I'm only used to seeing a dimmable window on the Boeing 787 or the Airbus A350.
I flew from Tokyo to LA on Japan's largest airline. The spacious and comfortable cabin made the 10-hour ride easy.
4. The sliding door was a game changer.
ANA's upgraded business class seat was the first time I've ever flown in a fully cocooned space with a sliding door — but it made the 14-hour trek the easiest flight I've ever taken.
The hotel-like privacy helped me sleep much more comfortably, and I regularly forgot I was on an airplane full of passengers.
I particularly liked how tall the doors were, and that they could be just half-closed if desired. And, everything could be conveniently controlled at the touch of a button.
5. There was enough storage to keep everything organized.
On ultra-long-haul flights, I like to do a little of everything en route, including sleeping, working, and watching movies.
To do this without having to get up and ruffle through an overhead bin, I try to have everything with me before takeoff.
This isn't always easy in economy, but in business class I expect to have enough storage to hold everything I need, like chargers and pajamas…
…as well as a water bottle, snacks, and my purse, which has things like extra headphones, lotion, and medicine.
There are also the provided pillows and blankets to think about, as well as any cups and plates acquired during cruise.
While some carriers like French boutique airline La Compagnie made it difficult to find a place for everything…
I flew on the world's only all-business class airline and it felt more like flying on a private jet across the Atlantic
…ANA's "The Room" had more than enough storage. There was a cubby and a side table…
...as well as a shelf below the TV and space under the footrest big enough to fit my small duffle bag.
6. The clean lavatories came fully stocked with toiletries and a bidet.
A few hours into the long-haul flight, I headed to the bathroom and loved to see toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash available.
Even though I always carry my own, it's good to have backups just in case I accidentally leave mine behind one day.
Besides the toiletries, the business class lavatory also had other nice features, including a full-body mirror…
…the ability to adjust the sink water temperature…
…a hands-free trashcan…
…and a bidet, which was the coolest part of the entire plane and a staple in Japan.
Source: Reuters
Given the space and privacy provided by the seat, ANA's "The Room" is easily the best business class product I've ever flown.
Singapore's is a close second, but the sliding doors are simply game-changing, and something that is missed on many competing carriers.
I have flown in 4 airline business classes in the past year. Here's how they stack up.
However, it is important to note that not all of ANA's Boeing 777-300ERs have the two products. Company CEO Koji Shibata told Insider they are on only nine of the 13 -300ERs in the fleet.
The CEO of Japan's biggest airline says he has no plans to get rid of the world's largest airliner. See inside ANA's A380, which is painted to look like a sea turtle.
Moreover, he explained there are currently no plans to add them to the company's Boeing 787 fleet.
So, if you want to fly in "The Room" or "The Suite," be sure to double-check the aircraft type, and if that plane has the old or new business class seat.
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By: [email protected] (Taylor Rains) Title: The 6 coolest things about The Room, ANA's luxurious business class seat with a wide bed and fully closing doors Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/6-coolest-things-about-the-room-business-class-ana-japan-2023-4 Published Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2023 11:50:00 +0000