ANA The Room Business Class Review From Tokyo To San Fransisco
ANA’s The Room redefines business class luxury on the B777-300ER, but does the experience match the hype?
Pro Tip:
Did you know you can both earn and redeem Velocity Frequent Flyer points on and for ANA flights?
Having previously experienced ANA's new first-class suite on flights to London and New York, I was looking forward to testing out their business class product, "The Room," on a journey from Tokyo to San Francisco. This innovative cabin is exclusively available on ANA's Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, marking a significant upgrade from their older business class seats.
How to Book ANA Business Class with Points
For Australian frequent flyers, ANA offers several options to redeem points for business class travel. As a Star Alliance member, ANA partners with Virgin Australia Velocity and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Booking with Velocity Points:
Since 7th September 2023, Velocity Frequent Flyers can redeem points for ANA flights. A flight from Narita to San Francisco requires 82,000 Velocity Points, covering a distance of 5,130 miles. To book, visit velocityfrequentflyer.com, select your flight, and choose the "book with points" option to check for award availability.
Booking with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points:
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers redemptions for ANA flights at 60,000 miles for a business class seat from Japan to the U.S. East Coast. As an American Express transfer partner, you can convert Amex Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic at a 2:1 ratio. Bookings must be made by calling Virgin Atlantic Flying Club directly, as online reservations aren't available. They also offer a 48-hour award seat hold, allowing time for point transfers.
Narita ANA Business Class Lounge
The Narita ANA Business Class lounge is notably busy and lacks aesthetic appeal, resembling an outdated office with cubicles and a monotone colour scheme. However, the lounge compensates with a commendable food selection, featuring both a buffet and made-to-order dishes.
Boarding ANA Business Class to San Francisco
ANA's boarding process is impressively orderly and efficient. Upon boarding, I anticipated more attentive service but was slightly disappointed when no welcome drinks were offered initially. Eventually, the crew provided sparkling wine in plastic glasses.
ANA The Room Seat Overview
The Room stands out for its exceptional spaciousness. Configured in a 1-2-1 layout, seats alternate between forward and backward-facing positions. I prefer the backward-facing seats near the window, offering added privacy with the bulkhead adjacent to the aisle.
The cabin's design incorporates a mix of light and dark tones, including light grey fabric and woodgrain paneling. While visually appealing, such a colour scheme may make signs of wear and tear more noticeable over time.
Each suite features fully closing doors, enhancing privacy despite their modest height. The seat's width is remarkable, comfortably accommodating two passengers side by side. However, the foot cubby is slightly compact due to the design, though still more generous than many airlines, tapering similarly to Singapore Airlines' long-haul business seats.
Amenities include multiple pillows, a blanket, a bed pad, and slippers. A 24-inch HD in-flight entertainment system is prominently positioned, though the content selection is somewhat limited. Adjacent is a storage cabinet with a mirror, power outlet, and a separate USB Type-A port.
The seat is on the firmer side, which I find acceptable. Adjusting to your preferred recline is straightforward using the control buttons and dial. Once the doors are closed and you're settled with a few pillows, the space to stretch out and relax is unparalleled.
ANA Business Class Food & Drinks
While ANA's first-class menu is outstanding, the business class offerings are modest. Champagne choices include Drappier and Castelnau, both of which are unremarkable. The wine list is similarly underwhelming, with several selections unavailable during my flight.
The menu provides Japanese and international options. I chose the Japanese selection, which was satisfactory but not exceptional, leading me to forgo breakfast in favour of additional rest.
ANA Business Class Bed
The bed setup is commendable. Some may find it too firm, but requesting an extra mattress pad significantly enhances comfort. As a stomach sleeper, the ability to stretch my arms and shoulders is invaluable—something not feasible on carriers like Qantas and Emirates.
Crew and Service
Following the initial lack of attention, the remainder of the flight proceeded smoothly. I consistently find Japanese crews to be particularly service-oriented and attentive.
ANA In-Flight Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available on B777-300ER flights but comes at a premium. Without a data cap, 30 minutes cost US$6.95, 3 hours are US$16.95, and a full flight is US$21.95. The speed is adequate for messaging, web browsing, and light social media use.
Conclusion
While the hardware is impressive, the food and beverage offerings in business class are somewhat lacking. Additionally, the in-flight entertainment system could benefit from more up-to-date content and a broader catalog. Having experienced Emirates' business class, it's evident why they pride themselves on their extensive content selection.
Overall, ANA's The Room is an excellent option for points redemption. However, if the opportunity arises, I would recommend opting for their first-class experience for a more comprehensive premium service.
