⚡ Key Takeaways
- ANA First Class delivers the most emotionally complete flying experience
- Kaiseki dining is among the best meals in the sky
- Omotenashi service outclasses every Western carrier
- The Suite is refined and quiet, not theatrical
- Best value via 110,000 Virgin Atlantic points
ANA First Class Review 2026: The Japanese Masterclass at 38,000 Feet
By Derek Morrison - Updated January 2026
I have a theory about why most airline reviews miss the point of ANA First Class. It is because they focus on the hardware and completely fail to register what is actually happening around them. They describe the skeleton and miss the soul.
ANA First Class is not about the seat. The seat is fine - comfortable, spacious, fully enclosed. But compared to the Emirates First Class Suite, it is smaller. Compared to Singapore Airlines Suites, it lacks the double bed. Compared to a first-class suite on any Gulf carrier, it has less visual drama.
And yet ANA First Class is, in my assessment after eight years and 200+ premium cabin flights across 18 carriers, the single most complete flying experience available in commercial aviation in 2026.
Not the most luxurious. Not the most dramatic. Not the most Instagrammable. The most complete - the product that delivers excellence across every single dimension of the experience without a single weak link.
The reason is omotenashi - a concept of service so deeply embedded in Japanese culture that it has no adequate English translation. The closest approximation is wholehearted hospitality, delivered through genuine anticipation of the guest's needs. It is the hospitality philosophy that defines the Aman Tokyo and the Park Hyatt Tokyo. At 38,000 feet, ANA translates it into a flying experience no Western or Middle Eastern carrier has replicated.
I flew ANA First Class round trip, Tokyo Haneda to New York JFK, in October 2025. This is the review.
The Product: ANA The Suite First Class (777-300ER)
ANA operates its First Class product on the Boeing 777-300ER, primarily between Tokyo and New York, Chicago, London, and Frankfurt. The cabin features 8 suites in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cabin Configuration | 1-2-1 (8 suites) |
| Suite Type | The Suite - fully enclosed with closing doors |
| Seat Width | 23 inches |
| Bed Length | 78 inches (fully flat) |
| Suite Space | Approximately 35 sq ft |
| Screen | 43-inch 4K monitor |
| Storage | Multiple compartments, personal wardrobe |
| Power | Universal AC outlet, USB-A, USB-C |
| Wi-Fi | Complimentary, unlimited |
| Amenity Kit | Curated Japanese selection |
| Pyjamas | Custom-designed Japanese cotton |
| Retail Price (Tokyo-New York, one-way) | $8,000-$14,000 |
| Retail Price (Tokyo-London, one-way) | $7,500-$12,000 |
The Suite Itself
The ANA suite is finished in warm, natural materials - pale wood tones, soft textiles, matte surfaces. The lighting adjusts through a spectrum from warm amber to cool daylight, controlled by an intuitive panel. The design follows the Japanese principle of ma - negative space used with intention.
The 43-inch screen is the largest in any first-class cabin in the world. It is immersive rather than ostentatious.
The bed converts with assistance from the crew and includes a thick mattress pad, proper bedding, and a pillow menu that includes a buckwheat option. The 78-inch length accommodates passengers up to approximately 6'3" comfortably.
The Service: Omotenashi at 38,000 Feet
Moment 1: The Boarding
I was greeted with a proper bow, my name pronounced correctly, and a handwritten welcome card with the crew's names and turbulence windows. A glass of water and Japanese sweets appeared without a request.
Moment 2: The Anticipation
While I was reading during quiet hours, a flight attendant delivered green tea and a rice cracker without being called. It was a small gesture executed with invisible precision.
Moment 3: The Bed Turn-Down
The bed was prepared with fresh sheets, amber lighting, and lavender pillow mist. A card read: "Good night. We will wake you 90 minutes before landing, or at any time you prefer." I slept 7 hours - the best sleep I have had on any aircraft.
ANA's service feels like care, not performance. It is the only airline service that has ever made me emotional for its sincerity.
The Dining: A Kaiseki Tradition at 38,000 Feet
ANA's food programme offers a Japanese kaiseki meal or a Western multicourse dinner. The kaiseki is extraordinary and should be your default choice.
Highlights from the October menu:
- Autumn tofu with yuzu and chrysanthemum
- Clear dashi with matsutake mushroom
- Sashimi trio with fresh wasabi
- Grilled sea bream with miso glaze
- Koshihikari rice, miso soup, pickles
- Green tea ice cream with mochi
The beverage list includes Krug Grande Cuvee, premium sake (junmai daiginjo), and Japanese whisky (Hibiki, Yamazaki 12). The sake selection is unmatched by any non-Japanese carrier.
The Lounge: ANA Suite Lounge, Tokyo Haneda
The ANA Suite Lounge is serene, minimal, and impeccably maintained. The a la carte menu includes sushi, ramen, tempura, and Western options prepared to a standard that exceeds most airport lounges. The shower suites are spotless and stocked with Japanese grooming products.
Compared to Emirates' lounge, ANA's is less theatrical and more harmonious - a continuation of the omotenashi philosophy on the ground.
How ANA First Class Compares
vs Emirates First Class
Emirates wins: Suite size, shower, ground transfers, visual drama ANA wins: Food quality, service philosophy, emotional experience Price: ANA is typically 40-45% cheaper on comparable routes
vs Singapore Airlines Suites
Singapore wins: Bed size, suite space, Western refinement ANA wins: Food, cultural immersion, sake programme
vs Qatar QSuite
QSuite delivers 80-85% of the ANA First experience at roughly half the cost. ANA wins on food and service depth.
vs ANA The Room (Business Class)
ANA The Room delivers 80-85% of the First Class experience at roughly half the price. First Class is the emotional choice.
Booking ANA First Class: Smart Strategies
Cash Pricing
| Route | Typical Cash Price (One-Way) |
|---|---|
| Tokyo-New York | $10,000-$14,000 |
| Tokyo-Chicago | $9,000-$12,000 |
| Tokyo-London | $8,000-$12,000 |
| Tokyo-Frankfurt | $7,500-$11,000 |
Points Sweet Spots
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 110,000 points one-way Tokyo-US
- ANA Mileage Club: 75,000-105,000 miles one-way (zone-based)
Best play: transfer Chase or Amex points to Virgin Atlantic.
Availability Tips
First-class awards open up 3-4 weeks before departure. Book business as a backup and upgrade when space appears.
The Tokyo Connection
ANA First Class is the prologue to a Tokyo trip. The cabin aesthetic mirrors the Aman Tokyo and the Park Hyatt Tokyo - minimal, intentional, reverent toward craft.
Wearing a Grand Seiko on board sparked a conversation with a flight attendant who recognised the studio. This cultural resonance is unique to ANA.
What I Would Change
- Wi-Fi speed: Adequate for email, not for video calls.
- Suite size: 2-3 inches more width would improve space.
- Screen position: A tilt mechanism would improve viewing angles.
- Route network: Expand to Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Who Should Fly ANA First Class
Book It If:
- You are flying to Japan and want the journey to be part of the experience.
- You are a food lover.
- You value service philosophy over service performance.
- You can book with points.
Consider an Alternative If:
- You want a shower at 38,000 feet.
- You want maximum suite size and visual drama.
- You are not flying to or from Japan.
- You prioritise value above all else.
The Moment That Defined This Flight
Two hours before landing, a flight attendant knelt beside the suite and thanked me for allowing the crew to serve me well. It was not a script. It was sincere. That moment captured the essence of ANA First Class: care without performance.
The Verdict
Rating: 9.7 / 10
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Suite & Hardware | 9.0 |
| Bed & Sleep Quality | 9.5 |
| Food & Beverage | 10 |
| Service (Omotenashi) | 10 |
| Lounge Experience | 9.5 |
| Value for Money | 9.5 |
| Emotional Impact | 10 |
| Overall | 9.7 |
The Bottom Line: ANA First Class is not the most luxurious first-class product in the sky. It is not the largest, the most theatrical, or the most Instagrammable. What it is is the most emotionally complete flying experience available. The kaiseki dining rivals ground-level fine dining. The omotenashi service is a cultural experience as much as a hospitality one. The sleep quality is the best I have achieved on any aircraft. The price is significantly lower than Emirates and competitive with Singapore.
If you fly first class for the shower and the gold, fly Emirates. If you fly first class for the double bed and the refinement, fly Singapore. If you fly first class because you believe the journey should prepare you for the destination, fly ANA. There is nothing else like it.
Route Reviewed: Tokyo Haneda (HND) - New York JFK, Round Trip Cabin: ANA The Suite First Class, Boeing 777-300ER Seat Position: 2A (window, outbound) / 1K (window, return) Approximate Cash Price: $12,000 one-way / $22,000 round trip Points Redemption Used: 110,000 Virgin Atlantic points (one-way, transferred from Chase) Would I Fly Again: Every time I go to Tokyo. Without exception.