REVIEW: ANA First Class Lounge – Tokyo NRT

In a bizzarre turn of events, despite the fact that I was enjoying every minute of this trip, I kept wishing for it to come to an end. The reason for this? The end would come courtesy of an ANA flight back to London, in First Class.

Being a lover of Japanese food and Krug, this was to be a grand finale, a masterful conclusion to an amazing journey.

After a quick go on the Hilton Shinjuku buffet, my day kicked off with a super-expensive ride on the N’EX. If you’re not in a hurry you’re far better off just taking a regular JR or Keisei train.

I love the fact that NH have a dedicated F area for check in. It leads straight out into priority security.

The standard option for F check-in

The “deluxe” option

I got from check-in to the lounge in about 10 minutes. Or so I thought.

It turns out the regular lounge, by our gate for today’s flight, was being renovated. I was advised to go to another lounge via a deserted underground tunnel.

Good to see that security is tight at NRT

At least they’re consistent. I guess nobody told them about salaryman drinks.

The NH F lounge is pretty unremarkable. You are greeted and offered a drink as you enter. You are then left to help yourself to a limited buffet and an extensive bar.

The views are good though

After about 15 minutes in the lounge, I embarked on another subterranean odyssey to get back to the gate.

I’ve never been one of these early boarders, as you can see. I prefer spending time in the lounge to spending time at the gate, or sitting in the seat I’ll be spending many more hours in.

I guess you could potentially get some nicer champagne on the plane, although not all airlines serve the good stuff pre-take off.

That being said, walking up the jet bridge into the F section, I was pretty damn excited.