Earlier today, All Nippon Airways launched two new cabin products for its Boeing B777-300/ER fleet, First Class “THE Suite” and Business Class “THE Room”. 12 Boeing B777-300ERs in the current fleet will get this upgrade.
Upgraded aircraft will have four cabins, including 8 First Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 64 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 24 Premium Economy Class in a 2-4-2 configuration, and 116 Economy Class seats in a 3-4-3 configuration, making a total of just 212 seats.
THE Suite
The new First Class seats are customised by JAMCO, it is similar to the First Class product installed on the ANA A380.
The seats are equipped with large 43-inch 4K monitors, addition privacy-enhancing doors and cushions made in collaboration with Nishikawa Sangyo.
THE Room
The most impressive update is the new Business Class seat; the first actual usage of the Fusio seat manufactured by Safran. Other than having an individual door to provide a more private space, THE Room is also the widest Business Class seat in the world. The large 24-inch 4K screen can provide passengers the best watching experience.
At first glance, the configuration is similar to the Qsuite by Qatar Airways, which is awarded the title of Best Business Class in the world. However, the width of the seat is much wider when compared to the Qsuite and is similar to the Singapore Airlines Business Class.
New Interior Cabin Design
ANA has completely revamped the entrance area of the aircraft to create a hotel-like reception complete with welcome monitors. ANA has also designed a new food service area to embody the Japanese “Omotenashi” philosophy of hospitality.
ANA has also redesigned the self-service bar area, which now boasts mini-fridges stocked with beverages and snacks for customers to enjoy at any time. The contemporary design of the galleys integrates a backlight panel which incorporates patterns inspired by traditional Japanese hand-made paper (known as “washi”).
Route Deployment
The first redesigned aircraft will serve the Tokyo/Haneda-London route (NH211/NH212)* from August 2nd.
* Daily operation of the redesigned aircraft will start from the end of August or beginning of September. The schedules are subject to change.
Bottom Line
At first glance the new products, especially new Business Class “THE Room” product, is impressive from the image renderings. It seems like an improvement in all aspects compared to the current Business Class on the B777-300/ER. However, I would only able to comment more once I have tried out the real product and see how it fares. It is also widely expected that the new ANA Boeing 777-9 will have the same interior.
What do you think of ANA’s new cabin product? Are you planning to take one of the flights?
I have just sat this route in Business last week and tried the new ‘Room’ product on the NH212 and NH211! I have to say, it feels like an incredibly generous amount of space compared to the previous product. The amount of privacy you get is nothing short of awesome! I’m a fairly tall person (6′ 2/187cm) and there was just about enough legroom when taking advantage of the new diagonal space (thanks to the wide seat). I slept right through turbulence, apparently.
Admittingly I’m not a frequent business class flyer so it’s hard for me to compare. The quality of the seat I would say is on par of a futon, not so much a sofa. It was still comfortable enough for me. I found myself using the bed configuration most of the flight and sitting cross legged, having the table out and doing some work (or having a sneaky midnight ramen..).
Hospitality has been wonderful both ways. Offering hot towels 2-3 times on a 12-hour journey, welcome drinks (and of course drinks throughout).
I think food should be ANA’s next focus area for improvement. Whilst I was still impressed, I feel like JAL still has the edge out of the two Japanese airlines who operate this route. However, offering ramen ‘at any time’ has proven dangerous for the whole cabin, as whoever orders it starts a chain reaction for the rest of the cabin to order it too!
Looking forward to your detailed review of this product with your wider experience of different business class cabins! Sam, if I could convince you to a challenge: Can you wake up the cabin with the smell of the ramen?
Thanks for sharing this Phil. I am flying on ANA New Business Class tomorrow. Stay turned for more details!
any news on new routes and when we ca. expect a flight review for this???
I have mentioned so far just London. Will try this flight soon!
For me , new businesses class seats seem to be copy of Singapore Airlines’ old A380 business class product.
Moreover, economy class seats which are currently used on the flight to Heathrow are 2-3-4 configuration. Now they turned out to be 3-4-3 configuration. That would be a little shame though.
Absolutely stunning! What a beautiful product. Looking forward to seeing Sam’s video review when the time comes.
Hi Sam,
I fly SQ Suites often from JFK/SIN, and also the new Suites from ZUR. Would be helpful on your reviews to know the seat dimensions in first as a lot of time is spent in the bed and the width is important to me. Thanks, like your reviews.
Business Class seats that look like the old bench seat one might pull from a Ford before it got scrapped in the 1960s are diabolical……………….
These very flash new uncomfotable cabins which we pay a mint to fly in are so ill conceived.
Cramped and just ridiculous.
Backs to windows, rear facing dog kennels in herring bone patters (BA), and seats that completely obscure these big new windows on 787’s………..ugh’.
I very much miss my big fat cushy Business Class chair.
Many thanks Sam!!
It’s exciting to see the new 777-300ER First Class suite – the existing suites are “boxy” and have almost no window view opportunity without one being a contortionist 😉
I will most certainly look forward to experiencing the new suite soon!