Old First Class Seat (IAD-NRT)

January 05th, 2009 edit

  • I am trying to book award travel between the east coast and Japan in F on ANA and am trying to solicit some opinions on how comfortable the old-style F seat is; outbound, I am confirmed JFK-NRT in the new F seat but my return is to IAD on a 777 in (what I presume) is the older F seat.

    Does the old F seat recline into a fully flat bed? Is the IFE really that bad (I don't think it's AVOD but I may be wrong). Are there differences in actual service between routes with the new F seat (e.g., JFK-NRT) and those with the old F seat?

    Thanks.


  • Thanks - is it really worth the PITA (that would be pain in the a**) to route through NY for the difference in the suite?

    Opinions appreciated....


  • (deleted by spk)


  • I am trying to book award travel between the east coast and Japan in F on ANA and am trying to solicit some opinions on how comfortable the old-style F seat is; outbound, I am confirmed JFK-NRT in the new F seat but my return is to IAD on a 777 in (what I presume) is the older F seat.

    Does the old F seat recline into a fully flat bed? Is the IFE really that bad (I don't think it's AVOD but I may be wrong). Are there differences in actual service between routes with the new F seat (e.g., JFK-NRT) and those with the old F seat?

    Thanks.

    Well I will be using these old first class seats from IAD - NRT also using awards in about a month and had the same questions. Go to anaskyweb.com, ( US Page) and then to service classes and then you can have a view how they really look, they look a bit old , but they are fully flat and the Video seems to be AVOD and you can have a look at the menus. Service seems to be really good, I experienced already Ana service this year from NRT - JFK in C, really, really, good....

    Just search a bit this board, they are some threads about these seats

    Regards

    Thomas


  • I'm using points to fly IAD-NRT in December. Any idea if the "new first" will be rolled out to this route by then? Thanks.


  • It's sad my travel (yes, the word sad is not exaggeration) takes me to fly Japan Airlines as opposed to ANA because the latter is so much better in every respect (maybe except in food). I never get to try to ANA's New F but absolutely loved their old F. The service is one of the best of all airlines I have flown. I used to write trip reports when I wasn't that busy but let me tell you, ANA's old F is more than acceptable because its seat is fully flat, clean, very spacious (as measured by the feel of the cabin and distance between seats) and good entertainment system (better than JAL, even in their new F, which is still an awful old equipment that dates almost like 10 years old now...whereas their new C actually got upgraded to Magic III :mad: what are they thinking?).

    I am sure the new F would be even better but I'll fly ANA's old F anyday if I could (even over JAL's new F, which is not really new except the seat and even that the seat looks worn down already).


  • I have flown both styles. While the suite is certainly superlative, the old style is excellent as well.


    I agree. i have also flown both, and while the new seat and IFE is definitely better, the service was incredible, and I felt that the cabin on the 777 had a little more spacious feel to it.

    I would definitely choose NH olf F over other choices from NRT to the east coast. Amenity Kit and PJ's are the same. And the 777 has the nose cam, and I can't remember if the 747 does or if you can watch it in F.


  • Thanks - is it really worth the PITA (that would be pain in the a**) to route through NY for the difference in the suite?

    I don't sleep on planes, which is why you will never find me in First Class on an international UA flight of my own volition (though op-ups are always welcomed!).

    Yet I specifically went out of my way to fly SEA-LAX-JFK to hook-up with NH New Style First JFK-NRT instead of rolling down to SFO or LAX for Super (Old) Style or just flying UA direct SEA-NRT and upgrading to Business Class.

    I did it because I wanted to try this based on what I had read here in FT and from what the web said.

    I didn't sleep a wink, and enjoyed myself the entire flight. If you do sleep, NH's suite is all over UA's. And a suite is a more comfortable (and definitely more private) place to snooze then a paired seat.

    NH IAD-NRT will be great. But NH JFK-NRT will be truly exceptional, I believe.


  • Are there any plans to put in the newer suites on these 777's going through IAD? I'm not flying until September 2005 (PIT-IAD-NRT), so I have my little dreams...


  • I have taken both types of seats. The NEW first class seat is definitely better but the ANA service in FIRST is so terrific that I would be happy anyway


  • Yet I specifically went out of my way to fly SEA-LAX-JFK to hook-up with NH New Style First JFK-NRT instead of rolling down to SFO or LAX for Super (Old) Style or just flying UA direct SEA-NRT and upgrading to Business Class.

    But didn't some if it have to do with all those extra miles you were earning SEA_Tigger ;)


  • I am scheduled to fly 1st IAD to Tokyo flight ANA #1 on the way over (March 4th) and flight ANA #2 (March 9th) on the way back. I am just currious to know if these aircraft are fitted with the new first suites?

    Both flights are scheduled on a 777 with 2 rows of full flat 2-2-2 'old' seats


  • Thanks guys for all of your feedback.


  • It all depends on you. You you would not be happy unless you are in a suite, then yes.

    If all you want from the experience is a comfortable fully reclining seat with Avod and great service then no.

    I just flew TPE-NRT in a UA 1st suite and NRT-SFO in NH Old F, I'd I'd choose NH over UA in the future.

    It was the overnighter and I had no problem sleeping 6 straight hours from the conclusion of the meal service until 35 min prior to landing.

    I guess the real question is how big a PITA is it for tyou to get to JFK? Would I go to LAX or SEA from SFO just to fly the New F? Not unless I was doing it for the miles.

    Scho


  • I am not sure if NH plans to retro-fit their 777 aircraft to New Style.

    Look into doing JFK-NRT if you can. Just take a seperate UA IAD-JFK flight or the train or something. If you plan to sleep, the suite is excellent. And even if you don't, the 15" monitor is great for watching AVOD.


  • I have flown both styles. While the suite is certainly superlative, the old style is excellent as well.


  • NH's New Style First Suite is one of the best in the sky. Their older First seat looks fine, however. And service should be pretty much the same - read excellent - regardless of aircraft.


  • I am scheduled to fly 1st IAD to Tokyo flight ANA #1 on the way over (March 4th) and flight ANA #2 (March 9th) on the way back. I am just currious to know if these aircraft are fitted with the new first suites?


  • But didn't some (of the great experience) have to do with all those extra miles you were earning SEA_Tigger ;)

    Honestly, after crossing the Pacific the last thing I looked forward to was crossing the country side-to-side, then top-to-bottom. :) But the NH NewStyle pictures and trip reports looked so nice I wanted to try it. It was my first real "luxury" trip to Japan (four nights at Park Hyatt Tokyo) instead of staying with my former exchange students or ryokans, so I figured I'd go all-out. :)

    I did, however, be sure to book the UA 763 (which is why I paid more to route via LAX then SFO) so at least Business Class would be comfortable (I actually prefer the Economy Exit row to Business on the 767-200).







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