Flew ANA business class on their 787-9 last month. Tokyo to LA. Here’s what twelve hours in that cabin actually feels like.
The Seat
Staggered 1-2-1 layout. Everyone gets aisle access. Privacy panels between seats. The stagger means you’re not staring at your neighbor.
Fully flat bed. Like actually flat, not angled like some “lie-flat” seats. About 74 inches long – I’m 6’1″ and fit fine. Massage function actually works too.
The Food
Choice of Japanese or Western menu. I went Japanese both meals. Mistake to not try both.
Presentation is beautiful – proper tableware, not plastic. The sake selection is extensive. Champagne kept appearing without asking.
Honestly the best airline food I’ve had. Not “good for airplane food” – actually good food.
The Service
ANA crews are… different. Attentive without being intrusive. Anticipated what I needed before I asked. Turned down my bed while I was in the bathroom. Bowed. A lot.
Cultural difference maybe but it felt genuinely caring rather than performative.
The Plane
787 Dreamliner benefits: bigger windows that dim electronically, better cabin pressure, less dry air. I actually felt decent after the flight instead of destroyed.
Worth It?
Paid about $4,200 one way. That’s not cheap. But for a 12-hour flight? Arrived actually rested instead of wrecked.
Points redemption makes this more accessible. If you’ve been hoarding miles, this is the kind of flight to burn them on.
