BACKGROUND ANA also flies a 215-seat Boeing 787 aircraft. Since 2019, all visitors need to complete an electronic SG Arrival Card up to three days before entry, which includes uploading vaccination certificates and travel details.
CHECK-IN From Tokyo Station the excellent Narita Express takes 53 minutes. I arrived at 1600 for the 1820 departure. ANA operates from Terminal 1, with check-in for business class passengers in Section C (many escalators up from the Narita Express arrival). There were lots of manned desks on one side, with a self bag drop on the other side. Everything was quick and trouble-free, followed by an equally speedy priority security check.
LOUNGE The ANA Lounge is located upstairs from gates 56-57 and open from 7am until the last departure of an ANAscheduled flight. It is open to those travelling in business and first class, members of the Diamond Service or Million Miler Program, or eligible passengers on Star Alliance-operated flights.
While large, the lounge was very crowded when I arrived, with a sign at the entrance informing those with Priority Pass or Lounge Key membership that they couldn't use it due to congestion. It was quite chaotic, with people coming and going constantly.
There are two small buffet areas - one by the entrance and another at the other end of the lounge - but both of these were teeming with people and rather basic, offering pastries, salads, soups and hot food such as fried chicken and potato wedges. Drinks included a dedicated counter for Japanese beverages such as sake and shochu, teas and coffees as well as machines for soft drinks.
The rectangular dining area has counter seating (including privacy screens), runway-facing tables and armchairs. There are seats on either side of a walkway, ending with a wider area with more seating (and the other food buffet).
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Business Traveller UK.
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This story is from the May 2023 edition of Business Traveller UK.
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