All Nippon Airways: Fleet, Routes and Why It Is Among the World's Best-Rated Airlines
All Nippon Airways was founded in 1952 as a small helicopter company in Tokyo and over the decades became Japan's leading carrier by number of passengers, now controlled by the holding company ANA Holdings. A founding member of Star Alliance since 1999, it operates from the two Tokyo hubs of Haneda and Narita a network that combines a dense domestic web with intercontinental links to Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania. It is one of the few airlines in the world to have kept the 5-star Skytrax rating for years, a rating reserved for very few global carriers.
History and positioning
From its origins as a helicopter operator, ANA grew to become the pillar of Japanese domestic air transport, in constant competition with Japan Airlines. Joining Star Alliance in 1999 enormously widened the reach of the network through codeshares with the alliance's partners, while the holding company ANA Holdings has gradually diversified the group with the low-cost carrier Peach Aviation and stakes in regional carriers such as AIRDO and IBEX Airlines.
The fleet
ANA operates one of Asia's most modern fleets, with Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner (it was the model's launch customer in 2011) and a small number of Airbus A380 aircraft dedicated to the Honolulu route, recognizable by their Hawaiian sea turtle-themed livery. On long haul it offers up to four service classes, with a well-regarded flat-bed business class and a first class on a selected part of the intercontinental fleet.
Routes and network
The network combines a very dense domestic web, linking Tokyo with dozens of Japanese cities several times a day, with intercontinental routes to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, New York, Chicago, Houston, San Jose, Mexico City, Sydney and numerous Asian destinations. The model is hub-and-spoke centered on Haneda for premium links and on Narita for part of the leisure and long-haul cargo traffic.
On board and service
The ANA Mileage Club loyalty program is among the most complete in the Asia-Pacific area and also integrates miles earned on regional partners such as AIRDO. On board, the airline is known for the care of its cabin service, carefully prepared regional Japanese catering even in economy classes, and an entertainment and Wi-Fi offering now aligned with the standards of the best Asian carriers.
What passengers say
What passengers like most:
- Punctuality among the best in the world for a carrier of this size.
- Attentive cabin service, often cited as above average even in economy.
- High comfort in long-haul business class.
What weighs on the verdict:
- Fares generally higher than the regional low-cost competition.
- Limited availability of premium seats in high season to Japan.
ANA is the most solid choice for those who want to fly to or through Japan with the highest level of reliability and comfort, especially in business class on intercontinental routes. It is less suitable for those looking for the absolute lowest fare on a purely domestic route, where the group's low-cost carriers or regional competitors can cost significantly less. A practical tip: on the busiest domestic routes, such as Tokyo-Osaka or Tokyo-Fukuoka, discounted ANA fares sell out quickly, so it is better to book online well in advance rather than relying on a last-minute purchase at the airport.
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