ANA deserves its five-star reputation. My sister and I found a great fare to Ho Chi Minh City on ANA and recently flew JFK-NRT-SGN and we had a great experience. For starters, ANA is kind of Japan's second airline behind JAL so I didn't know much about it, but it is run with the efficiency, courtesy, style and flair that Japan and its products are so known for, and that adds so much to the experience.
Our flights from JFK-NRT and back were on ANA's sparkling Boeing 777-300ER jets which feel top-of-the-line, even in Economy. ANA also has a very unique economy layout with a 2-4-3 arrangement which means that a pair of travelers can get a window-aisle combination with no middle and that is very nice. The jets also feature quick, extensive on-board entertainment systems with large screens and USB and regular power plugs, so you can keep your devices powered up on these long-hauls. ANA's on-board service is exceptional. On-board catering is delicious, interesting and even presented nicely, with Japanese and Western options available. Word to the wise: always go for the Japanese options since they're better, and they usually come with those awesome noodles! The flight attendants are doting and friendly, and make frequent rounds during the middle-parts of the flight to offer water, juice and snacks. There was also a spread of snacks and bites available in the galleys at all times during the flights. ANA's flights between Japan and Ho Chi Minh City are also great, but were flown on older Boeing 767 aircraft. These jets also have on-board entertainment but the cabins were older and the options were more limited. In any case, on-board service was just as good and friendly, and on-board catering is exactly the same.
Overall, ANA was a pleasure to fly, and made these very long flights easy to endure. For flights between New York and Japan or other destinations in the Far East, ANA is a great choice and probably a very underrated one at that! read more