I flew from Tokyo to LA on Japan's largest airline. The spacious and comfortable cabin made the 10-hour ride easy.

Taylor RainsApr 14, 2023, 16:01 IST

Alex Tai/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
ANA Holdings CEO Koji Shibata told Insider the company has not been impacted by 787 delivery delays.

Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet.

Robert Alexander/Getty Images

ANA was also the Dreamliner's launch customer, flying the plane for the first time in 2011 from Tokyo to Hong Kong. It has since grown its 787 fleet to 79 aircraft.

The economy section of ANA's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner during a 2011 media tour.Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images

The widebody jet is wildly popular across the globe thanks to its flexibility and reduced fuel burn, with Boeing solidifying nearly 200 orders since December, including from United Airlines, Air India, and two Saudia Arabian carriers.

The 787 reduces fuel burn by 20% compared to older generation planes, according to Boeing.United Airlines

The widebody jet is wildly popular across the globe thanks to its flexibility and reduced fuel burn, with Boeing solidifying nearly 200 orders since December, including from United Airlines, Air India, and two Saudia Arabian carriers.

But, recent delivery delays of the Dreamliner have caused problems for some operators, like American Airlines, which had to cut some 2023 summer routes as a result.

Deliveries of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner have been paused three times in three years due to production flaws.Nicolas Economou/Getty Image

However, ANA Holdings CEO Koji Shibata told Insider the delays have not impacted the company, saying Boeing management is on track to deliver the jets on time.

Undelivered Dreamliner aircraft at Boeing's factory in June 2022.Taylor Rains/Insider

"This year we will have two to three deliveries," he said. "But, if the deliveries are delayed, we can manage it by using another airplane. It wouldn't have an impact on the business plan at all."

Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

"This year we will have two to three deliveries," he said. "But, if the deliveries are delayed, we can manage it by using another airplane. It wouldn't have an impact on the business plan at all."

As the workhorse of the ANA fleet, I've been eager to fly on the company's 787 and I recently got the chance. Here's what my 10-hour flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles was like in economy.

Taylor Rains/Insider

As the workhorse of the ANA fleet, I've been eager to fly on the company's 787 and I recently got the chance. Here's what my 10-hour flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles was like in economy.

I started my transpacific trek at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, arriving around 6:00 p.m. for my 9:05 p.m. flight.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I checked in at a kiosk in Terminal 3 and was happy to see no lines. I easily got my boarding pass and headed to bag drop.

I flew on a Monday, which may have contributed to the low crowds.Taylor Rains/Insider

An agent checked my passport and ticket before tagging my luggage and sending me on my way. The entire check-in process only took about 10 minutes.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Security and passport control took about the same amount of time and I was inside the terminal within 25 minutes of arriving at Haneda.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Inside the terminal, I grabbed a quick bite to eat and killed some time watching Netflix before boarding the Boeing 787-9, which started right on time at 8:35 p.m.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I boarded in Group 3 and made my way to seat 24A — a window seat in the middle of the economy cabin. The reserved seat cost $25 on top of the airfare, which Insider paid a media rate for.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I boarded in Group 3 and made my way to seat 24A — a window seat in the middle of the economy cabin. The reserved seat cost $25 on top of the airfare, which Insider paid a media rate for.

Getting settled into my seat, I was impressed with the thick cushioning and generous legroom.

The cabin is configured in a 3x3x3 layout.Taylor Rains/Insider

According to ANA, each economy seat offers 34 inches of pitch — that's well above the standard 31-32 inches seen on competing carriers, like United Airlines and American Airlines.

Taylor Rains/Insider

According to ANA, each economy seat offers 34 inches of pitch — that's well above the standard 31-32 inches seen on competing carriers, like United Airlines and American Airlines.

At 5'3", I was able to stretch my legs all the way out with plenty of room to spare.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I was also happy to see a footrest available, which is something I typically see reserved for premium economy cabins.

The only other carrier I've seen with a footrest in economy is Aerolineas Argentineas.Taylor Rains/Insider

The added space and comfort — plus the pillow and silky blanket provided — made it much easier to sleep on the long-haul flight.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Further exploring the seat, I found the regular bells and whistles of an economy cabin, including a nine-inch seatback screen with a handheld remote…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…an adjustable headrest…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…dimmable window shades…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…power ports…

There were two charging spots — a USB in the TV and an outlet below the seat.Taylor Rains/Insider

…and a foldable tray table. I liked the hollow cup holder because it held my drink in place during turbulence.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I also appreciated the seatback pocket had a smaller mesh pouch for extra storage.

Taylor Rains/Insider

About 20 minutes after takeoff, the flight attendants started the inflight service. Passengers were first served a small snack mix, which actually tasted a little spicy.

Taylor Rains/Insider

About 20 minutes after takeoff, the flight attendants started the inflight service. Passengers were first served a small snack mix, which actually tasted a little spicy.

Drinks came next, with things like tea, coffee, wine, soda, juice, and water available. ANA serves green tea from my favorite brand, Ito En, so that was an easy choice.

Taylor Rains/Insider

For dinner, there were two options: a chicken dish or a hamburger. I had the former, which came with vegetables, rice, salad, sushi, edamame, and macaroni.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The dessert was simple vanilla ice cream.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Surprisingly, the economy class meal came with actual silverware instead of the bamboo or plastic ware that I've seen on many other carriers.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I thought all of the food was filling and flavorful, particularly the macaroni and sushi dishes. I wish the garden salad came with more dressing though.

Taylor Rains/Insider

By the time the meal service ended, it was around 11:30 p.m. Japan time, so I was ready to sleep.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Thanks to the seat's nice recline, headrest, footrest, and spacious legroom, I was able to stretch out and get comfortable. It also helped that there was no one in the middle seat.

Adjustable headrests make sleeping even easier.Taylor Rains/Insider

Thanks to the seat's nice recline, headrest, footrest, and spacious legroom, I was able to stretch out and get comfortable. It also helped that there was no one in the middle seat.

I slept for about three hours before waking up to work. The onboard WiFi cost me $22 and was fast and reliable.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Around three hours from landing, we were served breakfast. The options were fish or pancakes — I opted for the latter, which came with syrup-filled pancakes, potatoes, broccoli, sausage, egg, fruit, and yogurt.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Around three hours from landing, we were served breakfast. The options were fish or pancakes — I opted for the latter, which came with syrup-filled pancakes, potatoes, broccoli, sausage, egg, fruit, and yogurt.

I really enjoyed the pancakes — the sweet syrup inside was the perfect amount. The only thing I didn't like was the egg.

Taylor Rains/Insider

After eating, I headed to the lavatory to freshen up. The bathroom was clean, and I was thrilled to see it had a bidet. I also found a bidet on ANA's Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Taylor Rains/Insider

After eating, I headed to the lavatory to freshen up. The bathroom was clean, and I was thrilled to see it had a bidet. I also found a bidet on ANA's Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

We landed on time in Los Angeles about two hours later. I was off the plane and through customs in less than five minutes thanks to Global Entry.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Overall, I really enjoyed my ANA experience, especially since it offers an economy product that I can comfortably sleep in.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Moreover, the seats offer more legroom compared to competing products, and the food was really good for economy.

I liked that there was no bar separating the footspace under the seats, so me and my aisle-seat neighbor could easily fit both of our backpacks in the middle.Taylor Rains/Insider

While Insider paid a media rate, I wouldn't hesitate to book ANA for myself and highly recommend it to travelers looking for a reliable and comfortable flight to and from Japan.

I watched Disney's Strange World during the flight.Taylor Rains/Insider

While Insider paid a media rate, I wouldn't hesitate to book ANA for myself and highly recommend it to travelers looking for a reliable and comfortable flight to and from Japan.

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I flew from Tokyo to LA on Japan's largest airline. The spacious and comfortable cabin made the 10-hour ride easy.

Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet.

ANA was also the Dreamliner's launch customer, flying the plane for the first time in 2011 from Tokyo to Hong Kong. It has since grown its 787 fleet to 79 aircraft.

The widebody jet is wildly popular across the globe thanks to its flexibility and reduced fuel burn, with Boeing solidifying nearly 200 orders since December, including from United Airlines, Air India, and two Saudia Arabian carriers.

But, recent delivery delays of the Dreamliner have caused problems for some operators, like American Airlines, which had to cut some 2023 summer routes as a result.

However, ANA Holdings CEO Koji Shibata told Insider the delays have not impacted the company, saying Boeing management is on track to deliver the jets on time.

"This year we will have two to three deliveries," he said. "But, if the deliveries are delayed, we can manage it by using another airplane. It wouldn't have an impact on the business plan at all."

As the workhorse of the ANA fleet, I've been eager to fly on the company's 787 and I recently got the chance. Here's what my 10-hour flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles was like in economy.

I started my transpacific trek at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, arriving around 6:00 p.m. for my 9:05 p.m. flight.

I checked in at a kiosk in Terminal 3 and was happy to see no lines. I easily got my boarding pass and headed to bag drop.

An agent checked my passport and ticket before tagging my luggage and sending me on my way. The entire check-in process only took about 10 minutes.

Security and passport control took about the same amount of time and I was inside the terminal within 25 minutes of arriving at Haneda.

Inside the terminal, I grabbed a quick bite to eat and killed some time watching Netflix before boarding the Boeing 787-9, which started right on time at 8:35 p.m.

I boarded in Group 3 and made my way to seat 24A — a window seat in the middle of the economy cabin. The reserved seat cost $25 on top of the airfare, which Insider paid a media rate for.

Getting settled into my seat, I was impressed with the thick cushioning and generous legroom.

According to ANA, each economy seat offers 34 inches of pitch — that's well above the standard 31-32 inches seen on competing carriers, like United Airlines and American Airlines.

At 5'3", I was able to stretch my legs all the way out with plenty of room to spare.

I was also happy to see a footrest available, which is something I typically see reserved for premium economy cabins.

The added space and comfort — plus the pillow and silky blanket provided — made it much easier to sleep on the long-haul flight.

Further exploring the seat, I found the regular bells and whistles of an economy cabin, including a nine-inch seatback screen with a handheld remote…

…an adjustable headrest…

…dimmable window shades…

…power ports…

…and a foldable tray table. I liked the hollow cup holder because it held my drink in place during turbulence.

I also appreciated the seatback pocket had a smaller mesh pouch for extra storage.

About 20 minutes after takeoff, the flight attendants started the inflight service. Passengers were first served a small snack mix, which actually tasted a little spicy.

Drinks came next, with things like tea, coffee, wine, soda, juice, and water available. ANA serves green tea from my favorite brand, Ito En, so that was an easy choice.

For dinner, there were two options: a chicken dish or a hamburger. I had the former, which came with vegetables, rice, salad, sushi, edamame, and macaroni.

The dessert was simple vanilla ice cream.

Surprisingly, the economy class meal came with actual silverware instead of the bamboo or plastic ware that I've seen on many other carriers.

I thought all of the food was filling and flavorful, particularly the macaroni and sushi dishes. I wish the garden salad came with more dressing though.

By the time the meal service ended, it was around 11:30 p.m. Japan time, so I was ready to sleep.

Thanks to the seat's nice recline, headrest, footrest, and spacious legroom, I was able to stretch out and get comfortable. It also helped that there was no one in the middle seat.

I slept for about three hours before waking up to work. The onboard WiFi cost me $22 and was fast and reliable.

Around three hours from landing, we were served breakfast. The options were fish or pancakes — I opted for the latter, which came with syrup-filled pancakes, potatoes, broccoli, sausage, egg, fruit, and yogurt.

I really enjoyed the pancakes — the sweet syrup inside was the perfect amount. The only thing I didn't like was the egg.

After eating, I headed to the lavatory to freshen up. The bathroom was clean, and I was thrilled to see it had a bidet. I also found a bidet on ANA's Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

We landed on time in Los Angeles about two hours later. I was off the plane and through customs in less than five minutes thanks to Global Entry.

Overall, I really enjoyed my ANA experience, especially since it offers an economy product that I can comfortably sleep in.

Moreover, the seats offer more legroom compared to competing products, and the food was really good for economy.

While Insider paid a media rate, I wouldn't hesitate to book ANA for myself and highly recommend it to travelers looking for a reliable and comfortable flight to and from Japan.