Japan-based All Nippon Airways is gearing up for a giant announcement about the way forward for its business-class cabin, executives shared Wednesday.
Up first, although: all-new premium financial system seats.
TPG was there because the Tokyo-based Star Alliance provider unveiled its latest-generation premium financial system recliners, that includes extensive seat cushions, a notable 9 inches of recline, and a myriad of bells and whistles that ought to make it a worthy redemption for future flights to Japan.
Learn extra: One of the best methods to journey to Japan with factors and miles
The brand new lodging, a product of seatmaker Recaro, will begin showing on new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner deliveries subsequent 12 months, in keeping with Hiro Miyagawa, ANA govt vp.
“It is an ideal bundle,” Miyagawa stated, talking at a information convention held at Plane Interiors Expo, a serious trade gathering in Hamburg, Germany.
“It is a mixture of the seat pitch, the reclining, and likewise the high-class service that we offer,” he added.
ANA’s new premium financial system seats
There’s loads of purpose to be enthusiastic about ANA’s new premium financial system seats.
They’re outfitted with adjustable headrests and privateness wings, legrests and footrests, and cushions that — I can attest — mix to make the seat a bona fide center floor between coach and a lie-flat seat.
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ANA plans to rearrange its new premium financial system seats in a 2-3-2 configuration with 40 inches of pitch — which implies vital legroom, in comparison with the 33 to 34 inches it gives in coach.
Its 15.6-inch touchscreen seatback leisure facilities will permit prospects to attach with Bluetooth headphones. The screens might be flanked by AC, USB-A and USB-C energy shops.
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ANA plans to debut the up to date cabin on its 787-9s someday in 2026, Miyagawa stated. Solely three new Dreamliner deliveries will get the cabin. Nevertheless, the provider plans to retrofit 16 extra jets with the brand new seats — although the timeline for these cabin upgrades stays in flux, owing to produce chain disruptions going through the trade.
However a good larger announcement could also be coming quickly.
New enterprise class coming to the 787-9s
ANA executives confirmed Wednesday the provider plans to announce a brand new business-class product within the subsequent couple of months — one which would seem alongside the brand new premium financial system seats on its 787-9s.
Take into accout, whereas ANA does supply lie-flat lodging on the entrance finish of its 787-9s, these seats pale compared to the high-end product discovered on its Boeing 777-300ER jets generally known as “The Room,” which TPG has ranked among the many most luxurious suites within the sky.
Might one thing related discover its approach onto the Dreamliner? Chatting with TPG on the sidelines of Wednesday’s occasion, Miyagawa provided a preview of what the airline may quickly announce.
“I am unable to actually let you know,” he quipped, taking part in coy, earlier than invoking The Room.
“Sure, it’ll be an identical factor, I might say, sure,” he stated.
ANA at present flies its 787-9 Dreamliner from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) to 5 U.S. cities: Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington. It additionally flies to L.A. from Narita Worldwide Airport (NRT).
However that Dreamliner fleet is about to develop within the coming years, maybe providing attractive redemption alternatives on Tokyo flights past The Room, because the provider rolls out no matter new business-class product it is set to announce — a reveal deliberate, executives say, for inside “the subsequent couple months.”
Learn how to guide ANA with factors and miles
You’ll be able to guide ANA flights utilizing factors or miles by transferring American Specific Membership Rewards factors at a 1:1 ratio.
Plus, since ANA is a member of the Star Alliance, you’ll be able to switch bank card factors to one in every of its U.S. or worldwide companions, from United Airways MileagePlus to Singapore Airways KrisFlyer and Air Canada Aeroplan.
Additionally: Virgin Atlantic is a nonalliance companion of the Japanese provider; its Flying Membership program gives transfers from a variety of issuers.
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New coach seats, too
It wasn’t all about premium merchandise Wednesday.
ANA additionally revealed its new coach seats that can likewise be put in on its 787-9s sooner or later as a part of what Miyagawa referred to as a “whole change” for the plane deliberate for the approaching years.
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The brand new financial system seats, additionally from Recaro, sport 2 extra inches of recline than the airline’s previous-generation coach seats, together with 13.3-inch seatback screens outfitted for Bluetooth connectivity.
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