Usually we go on trips simply based on cheap fares I can find and our experience with the airline, or the reputation of the airline if we've never flown it. This was the case for our summer trip, when I found cheap fares on ANA to go to Japan (it would've cost us approximately $500 more per person to go on the airline we usually fly on to go to Japan).
It was our first time on ANA. Booking and registering our information online for travel was simple.
We checked-in online 24 hours prior via the website (they do have an app, but it redirected us to a website).
At HNL, there are no kiosks, so everyone has to stand in line if you are checking in bags. We are a carry-on family, but because of the lighter weight maximums for combined carry-ons and personal items, we decided to check-in luggage.
The line moved efficiently and we were well on our way to the gate. You board by groups, and if you're in economy like we were, you get assigned a group based on your seat (aisle, middle, or window). This meant we all had different boarding groups, but because one of us had boarding group 3, those of us in 4 and 5 could all board in 3 as a family (we made sure to ask the agent).
We got to fly on the blue honu plane going over!
The information screens that are displayed during boarding are very helpful, and I love that they make a point to say not to photograph or video staff or other passengers without permission, which is all too prevalent these days in the age of "influencers."
The food was good. I loved that we got ice cream with our meal, and then another snack box towards the end of the flight.
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| Snack |
We had a connecting flight from NRT to ITM, and I was worried about having enough time to get through immigration, retrieve our luggage, and get through security again, but we did it in ample time (we had 2.5 hours in between flights, but our flight arrived about 30 minutes early and it took us about an hour to get to the next gate).
The transfer desk to drop off your luggage is right outside the lobby exit, and the checkpoint is nearby. I discovered that for Japan domestic flights, you can bring through water bottles!
Our domestic flight to ITM was out of a small terminal where we had to hop on a bus, get driven to the plane, and walk up to the plane.
We flew out of HND to get to HNL. We got to the airport 3.5 hours early and that was plenty of time. Bag drops are completely automated, and immigration / security lines were nonexistent. You can never be too sure how long lines will be, so we always try to get to the airport at least 3 hours before our flight for international flights.
The food on the return was good as well.
I've been told that certain Asian airlines run their planes warm. Going to Japan the flight was comfortable, but the aircraft was noticeably warmer on the flight home - I wish I had thought ahead to use my neckfan.
The crew was friendly and so were the agents we encountered at the airports.
We had a great experience on ANA, and would definitely fly them again!
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