REVIEW – SWISS : First Class – Montreal YUL to Zurich ZRH (B777)
October 5, 2019
WORLD EXCLUSIVE REVIEW – ANA : New First Class “The Suite” – Tokyo HND to London LHR (B777)
November 3, 2019
All Nippon Airways (NH)
- Class: First
- Access:
- First Class Passengers on Star Alliance Carriers
- Inbound ANA First Class passengers connecting on Star Alliance within 24h
- ANA Diamond card holders
- ANA Million mile card holders
- First Class Passengers on Star Alliance Carriers
- Date visited: October 2019
Intro
ANA First Class check in – Tokyo Haneda.
Unlike the private, black marble clad room in Narita ANA’s First Class check in at Haneda airport is just a roped area within the regular bank of check-in counters.
During check-in I was informed that there are two similar ANA Suite (First Class) Lounges and that I should use the one at gate 110 since this was the one that my flight was departing from.
The Lounge
ANA Suite Lounge – entrance.
Taking an escalator up from a doorway opposite gate 110 I came to a lobby area with the entrance to the Suite Lounge ahead of me and the Business Class lounge to the left of it.
After having my boarding pass checked at the reception by the door I was directed to make my way down a hallway and into a further greeting area within the lounge. It was here that I was greeted and told that I would have “no privacy and no seats”, if I opted to head left to the room with the runway views. I was instead guided to take a seat in a rather bleak room with a low ceiling and countless old fashioned black leather chairs.
Nothing about this experience was First Class so far. Especially when compared to ANA’s arch rival JAL, who have an absolutely superb First Class lounge just a few metres away.
ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo Haneda.
I almost didn’t bother reviewing this lounge given that I had to resort to taking pictures on my phone.
The place was so crowded that I really didn’t want to be taking shots with a full frame camera, making people feel awkward. However I felt that it was my duty to document how bad this place is so that others will not make the mistake of visiting.
ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo Haneda – coffee.
After taking my seat I was approached by a server who offered me a warm towel and asked if she could get me a drink. I asked for an extra strong cappuccino which she made perfectly.
After drinking my coffee I headed over to the buffet section at the back of the room, every single counter seat was taken and the buffet itself was overrun with people piling up their plates. It was rather like being on safari, waiting in the wings to line up my perfect shots as the stampede made its way past me.
The drinks selection was decidedly bottom shelf: where JAL has Hibiki and Yamazaki whiskies, ANA serves the Chita. BA manages to serve both Ciroc and Grey Goose vodkas in their First Class lounge in Heathrow, which puts this offering of Smirnoff firmly into context.
ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo Haneda – coffee machine.
At least the coffee machine is decent.
The noodle bar offers a variety of hot dishes made to order.
ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo Haneda – buffet.
The centrepiece of the buffet offering. A selection of salads and cheeses.
ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo Haneda – buffet – soups and pastries.
The other side of the lounge, facing the tarmac, had an almost identical buffet. Since half the items were out of stock in the main buffet area, I snapped a pic of the remaining items on the other side.
ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo Haneda – buffet.
Cereal and Japanese breakfast staples: rice, fish roe, omelette, pickles and grilled fish.
I waited for half an hour in the bleak room, watching as even more people piled in. Thing were getting bad. I was slightly anxious that any minute now an elderly Japanese businessman was going to matter of factly come over to me, stating the words “double seat policy” before proceeding to methodically sit on me.
Then all of a sudden something incredible happened. People started vacating their seats.
ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo Haneda.
An empty seat! I guess I should probably mention that these seats all have power sockets and a personal table with space for a carry-on underneath.
I took my chance and quickly rushed to the room with the views:
ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo Haneda.
Rather uninspired and tired looking decor.
ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo Haneda.
This area features numerous cubicle style seats as well as comfy chairs facing the taxiway.
ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo Haneda – cubicles.
The cubicles feature personal screens with headphones and comfy chairs with footstools should you wish to take a quick nap.
I took an empty seat and was promptly offered another hot towel and drink.
Despite the lacklustre offering within, I definitely enjoyed the views outside this lounge.
Conclusion
After a rather lacklustre experience at the ANA Suite lounge in Narita a few years back I didn’t exactly have high hopes for this lounge.
I set the bar of expectations low and this facility under delivered with aplomb.
The lounge is a seething mass of people. The food offering is below the standard you’d expect of a 3 star hotel, the drinks selection appears to have been lifted from a student flat and the furniture looks like it hasn’t been updated since 1986.
Friendly service and hot towels though… so that’s something.
Japan Hotel Reviews
Here is a selection of our most recent Japan hotel reviews:
