ANA - All Nippon Airways
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. Also known as Zennikku or ANA holds its headquarters at Shiodome City Centre in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It is the second largest international airline in Japan, Japan Airlines being the largest. However, ANA is the country’s largest domestic airline and employs around 22,000 as of 2007.
Its main hubs are at Narita International Airport for international routes; and Tokyo International Airport, Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport for domestic services. Its focus cities include Chubu Centrair International Airport and New Chitose Airport.
ANA’s regional airline is Air Nippon and its other subsidiaries include Air Central, Air Japan, Air Next (Fukuoka-based low-cost airline) and ANA & JP Express (AJV).
All Nippon Airways was founded on 27 December 1952 as Nippon Helicopter and Aeroplane (NH). It offered helicopter services in February of 1953 and in December of the same year, started its first cargo flight between Osaka and Tokyo.
Another predecessor of ANA was the Far Eastern Airlines (FEA) which was founded a day before NH although it only started operations in 1954.
NH and FEA merged in 1957 under the All Nippon Airways brand name. Throughout the 1960s, the company grew and expanded. In 1963 the airline merged with Fujita Airlines and in a few years ANA became the largest domestic airline in Japan.
Only in 1986 that ANA was allowed to operate internationally. Japan Airlines was previously granted monopoly on international jet services by the Ministry of Transportation.
Since then, ANA steadily grew and added more international flights and set-up subsidiaries. It garnered awards such as “Airline of the Year” in 2007 from Air Transport World and has been the most punctual scheduled airline between London and Tokyo for four consecutive years according to FlightOnTime.info.
Domestic and International Destinations
ANA All Nippon Airways has a fleet size of 187 and flies to 49 destinations within Japan and offers services to 22 international routes. It is planning to expand even more by adding new services in Asia.
ANA currently flies worldwide including Beijing, Dalian, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Tianjin and Xiamen in People’s Republic of China; Taipei in Taiwan, Seoul in South Korea; Mumbai in India; Singapore; Bangkok in Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam; Paris in France; Frankfurt in Germany; London in United Kingdom; Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D. C. in the United States.
Its domestic destinations include Narita, Hachijojima, Miyakejima, Oshima, Ota, Nagoya, Komatsu, Wajima, Niigata, Toyama, Kobe, Osaka, Hiroshima, Okayama, Onan/Hagi, Tottori, Yonago, Yamaguchi-Ube, Akita, Odate-Noshiro, Fukushima, Sendai, Shonai, Asahiwaka, Hakodate, Kushiro, Monbetsu, Ozora, Rishiri Island, Sapporo, Wakkanai, Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Kochi, Tokushima, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Goto-Fukue, Nagasaki, Tsushima, Oita, Ishigaki, Miyakojima, Naha, Okinawa Island; and Saga.
ANA Mileage Club
ANA Mileage Club is All Nippon Airways’ frequent flyer programme. Joining the Club is free. Members can earn miles by travelling with ANA’s domestic and international flights and its airline affiliates. ANA is a member of Star Alliance, the largest airline alliance in the world.
With ANA’s network, you can also earn miles through non-travel services and goods purchase such as hotel stays, restaurants, bars, car rental, telecommunications, moving services and other commercial partners. Miles are earned whether you pay in cash or use partner credit cards.
Earned miles may be redeemed for special flight tickets both domestic and international, upgrades in international flights, value vouchers, gift selection items and shopping points awards.
The premium member services have three tiers namely: Bronze, Platinum and Diamond. Diamond and Platinum flyers are welcome to join the ANA Superflyers Club. Membership benefits include airport lounge access for the member and one guest, bonus miles upon renewal, priority seat reservation service, priority airport standby, priority check in, priority baggage handling, additional check in baggage allowance and discounts on various services and purchases from commercial partners.
Star Alliance
ANA joined Star Alliance in 1999. It has 21 full members, 3 non-voting and 4 voting. Each member airline’s frequent flyer programme has equivalent status in Star Alliance. Upon reaching any of the two premium levels set by Star Alliance, which are Silver and Gold, frequent flyers can enjoy benefits such as priority reservations waitlisting, priority airport standby, priority boarding, priority airport check in, priority baggage handling, preferred seating, additional checked luggage allowance, airport lounge access, guaranteed seating on fully booked flights and free upgrade. The benefits are dependent on the frequent flyer programme of the member airlines.
In-flight Services
ANA has three travel classes, First Class, Business Class and Economy Class. Each class offers various services and entertainment features that will ensure the passenger’s comfort and pleasant experience during the flight.
There is also an in-flight duty free shopping service where passengers can easily choose and purchase goods, computer battery rental service and special meals for those that have medical, dietary, cultural or religious concerns.