scorecardThe 6 coolest things about The Room, ANA's luxurious business class seat with a wide bed and fully closing doors
  1. Home
  2. life
  3. news
  4. The 6 coolest things about The Room, ANA's luxurious business class seat with a wide bed and fully closing doors

The 6 coolest things about The Room, ANA's luxurious business class seat with a wide bed and fully closing doors

Taylor Rains   

The 6 coolest things about The Room, ANA's luxurious business class seat with a wide bed and fully closing doors
The long business class seat.Taylor Rains/Insider
  • All Nippon Airways is Japan's largest airline and is known for its luxury first and business class cabins.
  • Equipped with huge beds and full privacy doors, "The Room" and "The Suite" were unveiled in 2019.

All Nippon Airways is Japan's largest airline and one of the few carriers in the world rated as a 5-star airline by aviation ranking website Skytrax.

All Nippon Airways is Japan
All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300ER.      Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Source: Skytrax

But, the carrier recently made headlines for a currency conversion glitch that allowed $10,000 first and business class tickets to sell for just $300.

But, the carrier recently made headlines for a currency conversion glitch that allowed $10,000 first and business class tickets to sell for just $300.
Taylor Rains/Insider

While ANA had to cancel the ultra-cheap bookings, the deal understandably excited customers — especially those who snagged the carrier's new premium cabin seats.

While ANA had to cancel the ultra-cheap bookings, the deal understandably excited customers — especially those who snagged the carrier
"The Room" business class.      All Nippon Airways

In 2019, ANA unveiled "The Suite" first class seat and "The Room" business class seat on its Boeing 777-300ER planes.

In 2019, ANA unveiled "The Suite" first class seat and "The Room" business class seat on its Boeing 777-300ER planes.
"The Room" business class.      Taylor Rains/Insider

These are a major upgrade from the carrier's current business class on its Boeing 787, which lacks a full privacy door.

These are a major upgrade from the carrier
ANA's Boeing 787 business class has the staggered seats as well, but a different fabric pattern.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: ANA

After years of waiting for the opportunity to fly in one of the luxurious loungers, I was finally able to enjoy "The Room" on a recent trip to Tokyo.

After years of waiting for the opportunity to fly in one of the luxurious loungers, I was finally able to enjoy "The Room" on a recent trip to Tokyo.
"The Room" business class.      Taylor Rains/Insider

I flew from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and loved the experience. Here are the six coolest things about "The Room" on ANA's Boeing 777-300ER.

I flew from New York
The author in "The Room" business class.      Taylor Rains/Insider

1. The rear-facing seat was a new experience for me.

1. The rear-facing seat was a new experience for me.
My rear-facing window seat.      Taylor Rains/Insider

The one thing I was nervous about when booking ANA's new business class was that some of the seats were rear-facing. While I could have opted for a forward-facing seat, I decided to try something new.

The one thing I was nervous about when booking ANA
The view of the cabin from seat 13A.      Taylor Rains/Insider

So, I ended up in 13A, which had a chest-strap seatbelt that I was required to wear for takeoff and landing. Insider paid a media rate for the flight.

So, I ended up in 13A, which had a chest-strap seatbelt that I was required to wear for takeoff and landing. Insider paid a media rate for the flight.
The chest-strap seatbelt.      Taylor Rains/Insider

I was a little worried at first, but everything went smoothly. Granted, the movement of the plane definitely felt different, but I didn't get nauseous or dizzy, and looking out the window helped.

I was a little worried at first, but everything went smoothly. Granted, the movement of the plane definitely felt different, but I didn
For those that are prone to motion sickness, I'd suggest Dramamine before flying.      Taylor Rains/Insider

2. The bed is the biggest I've seen in a business class cabin.

2. The bed is the biggest I
"The Room" business class seat in lie-flat mode.      Taylor Rains/Insider

The first thing I noticed when I got to my luxury seat was how big the lounger actually was.

The first thing I noticed when I got to my luxury seat was how big the lounger actually was.
The long business class seat.      Taylor Rains/Insider

It looked more like a couch than a seat, and there was easily enough room to fit another person next to me.

It looked more like a couch than a seat, and there was easily enough room to fit another person next to me.
The space next to me.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Realizing how huge the sitting area was, I was excited to see the seat in lie-flat mode — and I wasn't disappointed.

Realizing how huge the sitting area was, I was excited to see the seat in lie-flat mode — and I wasn
"The Room" business class.      Taylor Rains/Insider

The bed was ginormous. I could easily lay on my stomach, side, or back, and, I could even kick a knee out, which is how I sleep at home.

The bed was ginormous. I could easily lay on my stomach, side, or back, and, I could even kick a knee out, which is how I sleep at home.
"The Room" business class seat in lie-flat mode.      Taylor Rains/Insider

At just 5'3" tall, I also had plenty of room to stretch my legs all the way out, and there was enough space on the bed for myself, my water bottle, and my phone.

At just 5
I had so much stuff on the bed with me, but they didn't get in the way of sleeping.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Granted, taller passengers might feel a little snug when laying perfectly vertical, so I suggest sleeping at a diagonal.

Granted, taller passengers might feel a little snug when laying perfectly vertical, so I suggest sleeping at a diagonal.
Laying at a diagonal on the lie-flat bed.      Taylor Rains/Insider

The only other comparable business class bed is Singapore Airlines' product on its Airbus A350, which also has plenty of space to sprawl out when sleeping.

The only other comparable business class bed is Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines' business class seat.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Both products are superior to other mainline carriers like United Airlines or Air New Zealand, which have narrower business class seats.

Both products are superior to other mainline carriers like United Airlines or Air New Zealand, which have narrower business class seats.
Air New Zealand's business class seat.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Though, I still prefer ANA's over Singapore because of its automatic lie-flat system, which can be controlled using a set of buttons.

Though, I still prefer ANA
"The Room" control buttons.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Singapore's, on the other hand, has to be manually converted using a handle on the back, similar to flipping down a car seat.

Singapore
The handle to put Singapore's A350 business class seat in lie-flat mode.      Taylor Rains/Insider

3. The windows made it easy to sleep during the daytime.

3. The windows made it easy to sleep during the daytime.
"The Room" business class seat.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Flying from New York to Japan can take a major toll on the body clock, and I could definitely feel the jet lag during my first day in Tokyo.

Flying from New York to Japan can take a major toll on the body clock, and I could definitely feel the jet lag during my first day in Tokyo.
I went during cherry blossom season in Tokyo.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Fortunately, ANA's Boeing 777-300ER's have window shades in business class, meaning I could choose to let in more or less light to help me sleep.

Fortunately, ANA
Our flight departed at 2:05 p.m. EST, so there were several hours of light during the journey.      Taylor Rains/Insider

This was helpful after the dinner service when it was still sunny outside. To watch a movie, I wanted a dimmed space to relax, but not full darkness.

This was helpful after the dinner service when it was still sunny outside. To watch a movie, I wanted a dimmed space to relax, but not full darkness.
The window shade had three settings: fully open, one shade down to let in some light, and two shades down to black out the sun.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Once I was ready to sleep, I closed the second window shade that darkened the cocooned space.

Once I was ready to sleep, I closed the second window shade that darkened the cocooned space.
The window with both shades down.      Taylor Rains/Insider

In general, I thought this was a cool feature to include in "The Room," especially since I'm only used to seeing a dimmable window on the Boeing 787 or the Airbus A350.

In general, I thought this was a cool feature to include in "The Room," especially since I
The dimmable window shades on ANA's Boeing 787 Dreamliner.      Taylor Rains/Insider

4. The sliding door was a game changer.

4. The sliding door was a game changer.
"The Room" business class seat.      Taylor Rains/Insider

ANA's upgraded business class seat was the first time I've ever flown in a fully cocooned space with a sliding door — but it made the 14-hour trek the easiest flight I've ever taken.

ANA
The door fully closed.      Taylor Rains/Insider

The hotel-like privacy helped me sleep much more comfortably, and I regularly forgot I was on an airplane full of passengers.

The hotel-like privacy helped me sleep much more comfortably, and I regularly forgot I was on an airplane full of passengers.
"The Room" fully cocooned.      Taylor Rains/Insider

I particularly liked how tall the doors were, and that they could be just half-closed if desired. And, everything could be conveniently controlled at the touch of a button.

I particularly liked how tall the doors were, and that they could be just half-closed if desired. And, everything could be conveniently controlled at the touch of a button.
Using a button to close half of the sliding privacy door.      Taylor Rains/Insider

5. There was enough storage to keep everything organized.

5. There was enough storage to keep everything organized.
"The Room" business class.      Taylor Rains/Insider

On ultra-long-haul flights, I like to do a little of everything en route, including sleeping, working, and watching movies.

On ultra-long-haul flights, I like to do a little of everything en route, including sleeping, working, and watching movies.
My favorite thing is enjoying the food and watching a movie.      Taylor Rains/Insider

To do this without having to get up and ruffle through an overhead bin, I try to have everything with me before takeoff.

To do this without having to get up and ruffle through an overhead bin, I try to have everything with me before takeoff.
I had chargers and headphones.      Taylor Rains/Insider

This isn't always easy in economy, but in business class I expect to have enough storage to hold everything I need, like chargers and pajamas…

This isn
"The Room" business class pajamas.      Taylor Rains/Insider

…as well as a water bottle, snacks, and my purse, which has things like extra headphones, lotion, and medicine.

…as well as a water bottle, snacks, and my purse, which has things like extra headphones, lotion, and medicine.
I had several items, like my medicine pouch, slippers, and the amenity kit provided.      Taylor Rains/Insider

There are also the provided pillows and blankets to think about, as well as any cups and plates acquired during cruise.

There are also the provided pillows and blankets to think about, as well as any cups and plates acquired during cruise.
I also had a pillow, blankets, my electronics pouch, my water bottle, and the over-ear headphones provided.      Taylor Rains/Insider

While some carriers like French boutique airline La Compagnie made it difficult to find a place for everything…

While some carriers like French boutique airline La Compagnie made it difficult to find a place for everything…
The nook to the left of my lounger on La Compagnie was small, but enough space for a water bottle and the amenity kit. There was also a small shelf and mesh pocket.      Taylor Rains/Insider

…ANA's "The Room" had more than enough storage. There was a cubby and a side table…

…ANA
The cubby could fit a passport, a book, a phone, and small toiletries bottles.      Taylor Rains/Insider

...as well as a shelf below the TV and space under the footrest big enough to fit my small duffle bag.

...as well as a shelf below the TV and space under the footrest big enough to fit my small duffle bag.
The shelf was a perfect storage place for my phone.      Taylor Rains/Insider

6. The clean lavatories came fully stocked with toiletries and a bidet.

6. The clean lavatories came fully stocked with toiletries and a bidet.
ANA business class lavatory.      Taylor Rains/Insider

A few hours into the long-haul flight, I headed to the bathroom and loved to see toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash available.

A few hours into the long-haul flight, I headed to the bathroom and loved to see toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash available.
The toiletries in the ANA business class lavatory.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Even though I always carry my own, it's good to have backups just in case I accidentally leave mine behind one day.

Even though I always carry my own, it
The amenity kit (pictured) also had a toothbrush and toothpaste.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Besides the toiletries, the business class lavatory also had other nice features, including a full-body mirror…

Besides the toiletries, the business class lavatory also had other nice features, including a full-body mirror…
The full-body mirror.      Taylor Rains/Insider

…the ability to adjust the sink water temperature…

…the ability to adjust the sink water temperature…
Changing the sink temperature.      Taylor Rains/Insider

…a hands-free trashcan…

…a hands-free trashcan…
Stepping on the pedal to open the trash can.      Taylor Rains/Insider

…and a bidet, which was the coolest part of the entire plane and a staple in Japan.

…and a bidet, which was the coolest part of the entire plane and a staple in Japan.
The bidet settings.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: Reuters

Given the space and privacy provided by the seat, ANA's "The Room" is easily the best business class product I've ever flown.

Given the space and privacy provided by the seat, ANA
"The Room" business class.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Singapore's is a close second, but the sliding doors are simply game-changing, and something that is missed on many competing carriers.

Singapore
Singapore's A350 business class seat.      Taylor Rains/Insider

However, it is important to note that not all of ANA's Boeing 777-300ERs have the two products. Company CEO Koji Shibata told Insider they are on only nine of the 13 -300ERs in the fleet.

However, it is important to note that not all of ANA
David Slotnick/Business Insider

Moreover, he explained there are currently no plans to add them to the company's Boeing 787 fleet.

Moreover, he explained there are currently no plans to add them to the company
Robert Alexander/Getty Images

So, if you want to fly in "The Room" or "The Suite," be sure to double-check the aircraft type, and if that plane has the old or new business class seat.

So, if you want to fly in "The Room" or "The Suite," be sure to double-check the aircraft type, and if that plane has the old or new business class seat.
"The Room" business class with the privacy doors fully cocooning the seat.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Advertisement