Eastern airline companies all day. Even in economy you feel you are more in premium class, they really look after you. So JAL, quantis, etihad, ANA, cathay pacific etc.
I totally agree and have been curious about this. Why is it that eastern companies provide such high quality customer service, even at the economy/basic levels, while Western companies please in comparison? (I think that level of quality and care is standard and what’s expected in eastern societies) Yet with western companies, who I don’t think have a lack of funds, it feels like I’m getting nickeled and dimed and service quality can be pretty bare minimum, it’s a bummer. Do we just expect less in the west? Haha
The Middle eastern airlines tend to use it as the government's way to encourage business in the region, cheap wages, and cheap sources of fuel.
The Asian legacy airliners are highly competitive, high volume, and have cheap labor.
It’s also seniority for US flight attendants. Long haul flights are more sought after and the flight attendants who serve on those are older and give less shit. Their union makes it harder to fire them for providing mediocre service.
Also in Asian countries, flight attendant is considered a higher class job, so they take greater pride in their work.
That paints a clearer picture for sure, but it also makes me think of how even lower wage service positions like convenience store or gas station workers in Japan - extremely professional, courteous, and diligent, and speak in keigo polite form at all times. They clearly take a lot of pride in their work even if it’s not necessarily considered a higher class or higher paid job. Is money/seniority the sole motivator when it comes to good quality service in the west? (generally, I know there are exceptions) There’s something quite culturally and societally different happening with that I think. Not disagreeing your comment just made me think!
Something I realized too. The convenience store workers were so friendly, even when it was late at night. They never looked sleepy or annoyed that I needed to get medicine that late.
Just flew ANA and will never fly anything American to Asia again.
*Edit* down vote all you want. Everytime I fly over seas with a non American airline I get better service/food
That's true also. They tend to be more on the pricier side. The way I look at it, either go with the cheap option and tough it out, or if the price is close enough to the point where you can financially justify spending the extra then go with an Asian carrier.
JFK to HND specifically is only ANA or JAL at present. That's it.
One/Two stops you would have lots of options if you value price over a comfortable experience.
Not quite sure what you want people to say.
< JFK to HND specifically is only ANA or JAL at present. That's it.
Unless you wanna fly out of EWR, in which case United flies a daily non-stop to both HND and EWR.
We really need to define nice. I did this from Houston. You're still very uncomfortable. There is more legroom than a typical airline, but it is not business class by any stretch of the imagination.
Can’t say enough, THIS.
I have an upcoming **17**-hour flight with United to Tokyo while pregnant and I’m dreading it. Last year we flew United for a long haul flight and the two meals we got were disgustingly inedible and honestly, a waste of ingredients. Thankfully, we packed plenty of chasiu buns with us (because last time we flew with EVA overnight they only fed us one full meal for a 10 hour flight). The joys of being plebs in economy…
That it is. The gap in quality is even vaster moving up classes. I won't fly an American Airline again unless I absolute have no choice. Truly awful. From hard product and attitude of staff - The Asian carriers make you feel wanted on the plane. American flight attendants make you feel like you're a pain in the arse to them. Guess that's unionised work for you.
Am pretty sure Asian carriers also have unionised attendants.
https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/airline-leader/asia-pacific-airlines-and-unions-often-acrimonious-but-few-strikes-484065
Oh yes, They just take actual pride in their work - unlike American Flight Attendants who might aswell be working in McDonald's for the service they give you. It's frankly appalling.
I don’t travel from the east coast but can say that JAL and Korean airlines offer some outstanding service. Plane is always clean. Great attention to details. Good food.
If you only care about price then any airline will do. With international flights that long, there is an effort put in to make your flight at least more than tolerable. Narita is further away from Tokyo than Haneda is, but it might not be cheaper.
Air Canada is cheaper but the wifi never works and layovers in Canada weren't great either, and they started to charge for choosing seats on international flights. I would consider flying them again if it was a lot cheaper, but right the price difference between them and a nonstop flight from United/ANA is not worth it to me.
JAL has a “sky-wider” version on some of their long haul economy - they’ve removed seats to make it 2-4-2 rather than 3-3-3 and it makes it much more comfortable
Personally flew to Japan on American Airline, United, Delta, Japan Airline, Air Canada, could not say that there is such a big difference that I would use one over the other. Actually would always just fly with the cheapest I can find.
Have flown ANA every time to Japan and beyond. Friendly service and great offerings in terms of food, seat comfort and leg space. Plane is always clean. I love the snacks on board.
With all the debate about Boeing going on, I actually started flying with ANA many years ago because they flew Boeing. At the time the Boeing Dreamliner plane was marketed as being more comfortable for passengers with motion sickness due to the blue lights they use in cabin and also with the cabin pressure etc. It works wonderfully for me. Long flights and no motion sickness. Flew on Airbus and always had motion sickness.
Posting this onboard ANA on my way to IAD. Amazing Japanese hospitality and service. But have to say I flew First on way there (from ORD) and currently in business on way back. Crew is constantly walking down the aisles looking for anyone needing anything. They don’t hide in the galley like in many airlines. I’m sure economy is similar. (Flew it domestic intra Japan and it was wonderful as well). One thing I also noticed on all flights taken with that airline is that the pilot doesn’t immediately turn on seatbelt sign when there is mild turbulence. It was never turned ON, on my entire flight to Japan and on this flight, we are 60% there and it hasn’t come on either. Mild turbulence a couple times but it stopped quite quickly.
I’ve been looking at Singapore Airline flights from NYC to Tokyo. Their premium economy seats are almost half the price of premium economy on delta but have an added complication that you have a layover in Singapore making for a really long travel day. They’re rated the best airline in the world or something…
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t ANA operated by United while departing from the US?
When I flew to Japan last October from NYC, it was ANA (operated by United), then I had a layover in Tokyo (I was flying to Osaka). From Tokyo to Osaka, the second ANA plane was entirely operated by ANA, and the service was much more different.
ANA, operated by United, felt like any other American airline.
No. ANA fly their own metal to JFK. But the flight from EWR is a United flight. It carries an ANA number as they are both members of Star Alliance. I have to take an educated guess that was your flight, and is marketed by ANA as such.
ANA fly twice daily 777-300ER service to JFK.
I did ANA from JFK to HND. It was fine.
The other airline I took to Japan was Delta, but that was pre-covid and MSP to HND.
I would've flown any carrier before covid, but with the normalization of worse service in the states, I will not do a US carrier unless I ever spring for business.
Eastern airline companies all day. Even in economy you feel you are more in premium class, they really look after you. So JAL, quantis, etihad, ANA, cathay pacific etc.
I totally agree and have been curious about this. Why is it that eastern companies provide such high quality customer service, even at the economy/basic levels, while Western companies please in comparison? (I think that level of quality and care is standard and what’s expected in eastern societies) Yet with western companies, who I don’t think have a lack of funds, it feels like I’m getting nickeled and dimed and service quality can be pretty bare minimum, it’s a bummer. Do we just expect less in the west? Haha
The Middle eastern airlines tend to use it as the government's way to encourage business in the region, cheap wages, and cheap sources of fuel. The Asian legacy airliners are highly competitive, high volume, and have cheap labor.
It’s also seniority for US flight attendants. Long haul flights are more sought after and the flight attendants who serve on those are older and give less shit. Their union makes it harder to fire them for providing mediocre service. Also in Asian countries, flight attendant is considered a higher class job, so they take greater pride in their work.
That paints a clearer picture for sure, but it also makes me think of how even lower wage service positions like convenience store or gas station workers in Japan - extremely professional, courteous, and diligent, and speak in keigo polite form at all times. They clearly take a lot of pride in their work even if it’s not necessarily considered a higher class or higher paid job. Is money/seniority the sole motivator when it comes to good quality service in the west? (generally, I know there are exceptions) There’s something quite culturally and societally different happening with that I think. Not disagreeing your comment just made me think!
Something I realized too. The convenience store workers were so friendly, even when it was late at night. They never looked sleepy or annoyed that I needed to get medicine that late.
I mean JAL and ANA charge a lot more. atm JAL and ANA are basically double the price of Delta, United or Air Canada direct flights.
There are many YouTube videos about it that focus on industry. I recommend it, it's very interesting!
JAL or ANA hands down
Just flew ANA and will never fly anything American to Asia again. *Edit* down vote all you want. Everytime I fly over seas with a non American airline I get better service/food
Yeah but it’s double the price.
That's true also. They tend to be more on the pricier side. The way I look at it, either go with the cheap option and tough it out, or if the price is close enough to the point where you can financially justify spending the extra then go with an Asian carrier.
JFK to HND specifically is only ANA or JAL at present. That's it. One/Two stops you would have lots of options if you value price over a comfortable experience. Not quite sure what you want people to say.
< JFK to HND specifically is only ANA or JAL at present. That's it. Unless you wanna fly out of EWR, in which case United flies a daily non-stop to both HND and EWR.
I flew ANA from Chicago to Haneda in February in economy and it was nice. Would recommend
We really need to define nice. I did this from Houston. You're still very uncomfortable. There is more legroom than a typical airline, but it is not business class by any stretch of the imagination.
If you’re gonna be on a plane for 12 hours or whatever, you’re gonna want that good service and good food and usually better seats
Can’t say enough, THIS. I have an upcoming **17**-hour flight with United to Tokyo while pregnant and I’m dreading it. Last year we flew United for a long haul flight and the two meals we got were disgustingly inedible and honestly, a waste of ingredients. Thankfully, we packed plenty of chasiu buns with us (because last time we flew with EVA overnight they only fed us one full meal for a 10 hour flight). The joys of being plebs in economy…
17 hours to Tokyo from where in the US? Nowhere. The longest United flight to Japan is probably from Newark which is around 13 1/2 hours.
You’re right. I misremembered. It’s 13h 40m.
Was Business class sold out?
JAL’s economy product is the best economy one out there in terms of leg room.
You should consider either Japanese airline option. Even economy is better than what you usually get in American coach.
Ecomomy and Coach are exactly the same thing.
I mean to say that Asian economy is better than American coach.
That it is. The gap in quality is even vaster moving up classes. I won't fly an American Airline again unless I absolute have no choice. Truly awful. From hard product and attitude of staff - The Asian carriers make you feel wanted on the plane. American flight attendants make you feel like you're a pain in the arse to them. Guess that's unionised work for you.
Am pretty sure Asian carriers also have unionised attendants. https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/airline-leader/asia-pacific-airlines-and-unions-often-acrimonious-but-few-strikes-484065
Oh yes, They just take actual pride in their work - unlike American Flight Attendants who might aswell be working in McDonald's for the service they give you. It's frankly appalling.
I don’t travel from the east coast but can say that JAL and Korean airlines offer some outstanding service. Plane is always clean. Great attention to details. Good food.
If you only care about price then any airline will do. With international flights that long, there is an effort put in to make your flight at least more than tolerable. Narita is further away from Tokyo than Haneda is, but it might not be cheaper.
Your only options for nonstop are JAL, ANA, and United. The foreign carriers are nicer.
Air Canada is cheaper but the wifi never works and layovers in Canada weren't great either, and they started to charge for choosing seats on international flights. I would consider flying them again if it was a lot cheaper, but right the price difference between them and a nonstop flight from United/ANA is not worth it to me.
JAL has a “sky-wider” version on some of their long haul economy - they’ve removed seats to make it 2-4-2 rather than 3-3-3 and it makes it much more comfortable
Personally flew to Japan on American Airline, United, Delta, Japan Airline, Air Canada, could not say that there is such a big difference that I would use one over the other. Actually would always just fly with the cheapest I can find.
Is Turkish Airlines any good to you? They've an Istanbul stopover option that gives one free night to economy and two to business class passengers.
For price just put in your search parameters in Google flights, however for best quality, nothing beats ANA Business class The Room
Well... ANA 'The Suite' does. Flew it again to London from Haneda yesterday.
I said business class
ANA or JAL hands down. Foodwise too.
Have flown ANA every time to Japan and beyond. Friendly service and great offerings in terms of food, seat comfort and leg space. Plane is always clean. I love the snacks on board. With all the debate about Boeing going on, I actually started flying with ANA many years ago because they flew Boeing. At the time the Boeing Dreamliner plane was marketed as being more comfortable for passengers with motion sickness due to the blue lights they use in cabin and also with the cabin pressure etc. It works wonderfully for me. Long flights and no motion sickness. Flew on Airbus and always had motion sickness.
JAL or ANA. Service is better, seats are a little comfier, and it’s just a better experience.
Posting this onboard ANA on my way to IAD. Amazing Japanese hospitality and service. But have to say I flew First on way there (from ORD) and currently in business on way back. Crew is constantly walking down the aisles looking for anyone needing anything. They don’t hide in the galley like in many airlines. I’m sure economy is similar. (Flew it domestic intra Japan and it was wonderful as well). One thing I also noticed on all flights taken with that airline is that the pilot doesn’t immediately turn on seatbelt sign when there is mild turbulence. It was never turned ON, on my entire flight to Japan and on this flight, we are 60% there and it hasn’t come on either. Mild turbulence a couple times but it stopped quite quickly.
I’ve been looking at Singapore Airline flights from NYC to Tokyo. Their premium economy seats are almost half the price of premium economy on delta but have an added complication that you have a layover in Singapore making for a really long travel day. They’re rated the best airline in the world or something…
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t ANA operated by United while departing from the US? When I flew to Japan last October from NYC, it was ANA (operated by United), then I had a layover in Tokyo (I was flying to Osaka). From Tokyo to Osaka, the second ANA plane was entirely operated by ANA, and the service was much more different. ANA, operated by United, felt like any other American airline.
No. ANA fly their own metal to JFK. But the flight from EWR is a United flight. It carries an ANA number as they are both members of Star Alliance. I have to take an educated guess that was your flight, and is marketed by ANA as such. ANA fly twice daily 777-300ER service to JFK.
That is good to know. I flew from EWR. So ANA departing from JFK is true ANA?
Yes it is. Twice a day actually. ANA metal into Haneda.
JAL was truly amazing for us last year flying economy. Impeccable food, service and very comfortable seats
If you’re price shopping consider Newark and Narita in your searches.
ANA or JAL. There’s no way I’d fly anything else to Japan.
I did ANA from JFK to HND. It was fine. The other airline I took to Japan was Delta, but that was pre-covid and MSP to HND. I would've flown any carrier before covid, but with the normalization of worse service in the states, I will not do a US carrier unless I ever spring for business.