Experiencing ANA's New Economy Class and Business Class Seating

Being comfortable during an eleven-hour flight from Los Angeles to Narita Airport in Japan can be a daunting task, especially if one is flying in Economy Class.

ANA (All Nippon Airways) has introduced new seats that will help alleviate this problem.

I have to confess, I've never flown to Japan on ANA.  But, since the introduction of these seats, I may just give them a try.

ANA had an elaborate display at this year's Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show in Long Beach (Japan Airlines and Delta were also there, but had nothing elaborate as ANA).  While there, I talked to the representatives from ANA and tried out the new Economy Class seats and the new Business Class seats.

New Economy Class

The Economy Class seats feature a fixed-back shell seat that can slide forward within the shell.  The design of the seats provide more leg/foot room under the seat immediately in front so you're not squished in like a sardine.  Besides this, the seat will allow the passenger to elevate his/her legs with the three-level footrest.

Each seat will also have a touch panel 10.6" monitor with a wide selection of 160 programs.  And, every seat is equipped with universal laptop power port, iPod connector and USB port.

When I tried out the seat, I was impressed that it was unlike anything I've experienced when flying Economy Class.

New Business Class

After trying out the Economy Class seats, I went over to ANA's new Business Class display.  Here, ANA had several rows of their new Business Class seats that were more like individual cubicles.

Naturally, the seats are wider than the Economy Class seats.  The way the seats are configured on the plane will allow aisle access for each seat, which will allow getting in and out of your seat much easier.  Each full flat seat reclines 180 degrees and are capable of "fine adjustments to ensure sweet dreams."  I was quite comfortable in the seat when I tried it out (right).


Each seat is provided with a large side table, storage for shoes and hand baggage.  The front sliding table is 150% larger than previous versions.  A 17" touch panel screen comes with each seat and also has 160 channels of movies, television series, music and games on demand.

Like the Economy Class seats, Business Class seats also are equipped with universal laptop power port, iPod connector and USB port.

With all this available to play with, eleven hours from Los Angeles to Tokyo would seem to go by very fast.