ANA Business Class Review: First Experience with Free Wi-Fi and Ginza Okuda Collaboration on Tokyo–Vancouver Route

Departure from Tokyo Haneda: Boarding Process

Here are the details of the flight:

I boarded ANA Flight NH116, departing from Tokyo Haneda Airport at 9:55 PM and arriving in Vancouver at 2:45 PM local time.

The flight was operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offering a smooth and comfortable nine-hour journey across the Pacific.

Check-in at Haneda Airport Terminal 3

The flight departed from Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 3 (formerly known as the International Terminal).

I used the dedicated Business Class check-in counter at ANA, and the process was smooth and efficient.

ANA Lounge Experience at Haneda Airport Terminal 3

Before boarding, I spent some time at the ANA Lounge, as usual for Business Class travelers.

Haneda’s Terminal 3 offers two lounge options: the ANA LOUNGE and the ANA SUITE LOUNGE (in Japanese).

This time, I used the ANA LOUNGE, which is available to Star Alliance Gold members and Business Class passengers.

The lounge is spacious and open, with a variety of light meals and drinks available, making it a perfect place to relax before the flight.

For a detailed review of the ANA Lounge at Haneda Airport, please see this article (in Japanese).

Boarding Gate and Boarding Process

About 30 minutes before departure, I arrived at Gate 108B.

As expected from ANA, known for having the best on-time performance in the Asia-Pacific region, the flight was scheduled to depart on time.

ANA has introduced a facial recognition boarding system called “Face Express” in recent years.

However, during this flight, the system was only operational at the security checkpoint — it was not yet fully implemented at the boarding gate.

While the facilities appear ready, full deployment at the gates has not yet been realized.

As a side note, Face Express has been rolled out at departure gates for ANA flights from Narita Airport and Terminal 2 at Haneda Airport (excluding flights to the U.S.).
More details can be found here: Official InfoFace Express Boarding System.

 

Similar systems are also available at Hong Kong International Airport. My experience with it is shared in this article (in Japanese).

 

Review: ANA Business Class Seat and Amenities

Thanks to ANA’s priority boarding service, I was able to board the aircraft early.

This was my very first trip to Canada — I was excited to see what adventures awaited!

Seat Specifications and Comfort

This route to Canada was operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The Business Class cabin featured ANA’s well-known staggered seat layout, allowing every passenger direct aisle access.

The seat was spacious, fully flat, and extremely comfortable — ideal for a long-haul journey like this.

Each seat was equipped with a large table, AC power outlets, and USB ports for added convenience.
For more details about the seat layout, please refer to this article (in Japanese).
I also previously reviewed ANA’s newer Business Class product, “THE Room”, which you can find here (in Japanese).

Amenities Provided by Ettinger

A Business Class amenity kit was already placed at the seat upon boarding.

The kit included AVEDA lip balm and body lotion, along with an original eco-friendly tote bag — a thoughtful and ethical touch.

I usually leave amenity kits behind, but I love the design of Ettinger’s pouch so much that I always end up taking it home.

Click here for more details about ANA’s Ettinger amenity kit (in Japanese).

The eco bag design featured a simple image of an airplane against a blue sky.
Interestingly, the color gradation slightly differed between my outbound and return flights!

Welcome Drink

Before takeoff, a welcome drink was offered — either sparkling wine or orange juice.

I opted for the orange juice this time.

Along with the drink, the inflight meal and beverage menu were provided.

I was particularly excited about the special collaboration menu with “Ginza Okuda,” which I’ll review in detail later.

You can view the full inflight meal menu here:

Detailed ANA Business Class Menu for Haneda–Vancouver (PDF)

Encountering the Pokémon-Themed Safety Video

After a smooth pushback from the gate, our aircraft taxied to the runway.

Before takeoff, the safety video was shown — and to my delight, it featured a special Pokémon-themed version!

ANA collaborated with The Pokémon Company to create a limited-edition safety and deplaning video, available on both domestic and international flights from December 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025.

Remarkably, this is said to be the first initiative of its kind in the world!

Characters like Farfetch’d and Pichu made appearances, explaining key safety procedures such as stowing luggage and using life vests through charming animations.

It was absolutely adorable — so much so that I wish they would keep it beyond just a limited-time event.

The video brought smiles not only to children but also to adults, making the pre-flight moments even more enjoyable.

If you’re a Pokémon fan, I highly recommend visiting the Pokémon Cafe in Tokyo or Osaka!

 

Since reservations are required in advance, preparation and strategy are key.

I’ve shared tips based on my actual booking experience — including the best seats and how to grab last-minute cancellations!

 

▼ Click here for the Pokémon Cafe Reservation Guide 

 

In-Depth Review: ANA In-Flight Dining Featuring Collaboration with Ginza Okuda

Once we reached cruising altitude, the in-flight meal service began!

I started with a glass of Champagne Drappier Premier Cru Brut.

Since moderate turbulence was forecasted in about an hour, the amuse-bouche was served quickly and efficiently.

Overview of the Ginza Okuda Collaboration Menu

As mentioned earlier, this flight featured a special collaboration with Ginza Okuda, a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant.

(Image courtesy of ANA official site)

ANA has previously collaborated with other prestigious restaurants like entre nous (March 2024 onward) and Hyotei (June–August 2024).

On another occasion flying ANA’s London route, I experienced a collaboration with the French restaurant “RYUZU”, which delivered a similarly outstanding culinary experience.

Click here to read about that flight experience (in Japanese).

Since these special menus are not available year-round, consider yourself very lucky if you get one!
Advance reservation is strongly recommended when possible.

Tasting Review: Traditional Japanese Course

Let’s start with the appetizers and small dishes.

The beautiful presentation and delicate flavors felt more like dining at a top restaurant than being on an aircraft.

The balance of sourness, sweetness, bitterness, and umami was masterful — truly a deeply satisfying culinary experience!

Next, the main course set was served.

The combination of fish and meat dishes, enhanced by the fragrant dashi broth, was absolutely delicious.

The beef was especially tender and paired wonderfully with the rice.

It was incredible to enjoy such a high-quality Japanese meal in the air — truly a testament to the excellence of the ANA × Ginza Okuda collaboration!

As for dessert — unfortunately, I decided to skip it to maximize rest and minimize jet lag.

For reference, here were the available choices:

Note: All desserts were ANA’s original creations and not part of the Ginza Okuda collaboration.

When Did Free Wi-Fi Begin? Overview and Connection Instructions

Starting from flights departing on or after July 19, 2024, ANA began offering complimentary Wi-Fi service for international Business Class passengers!

This means that eligible passengers can enjoy free internet access throughout the flight.

To use the free Wi-Fi, you need a voucher code issued by ANA, sent to you by email at least two hours before departure.

Each passenger receives one unique voucher code, which must be entered on the onboard portal site to access the internet.

If you miss the notification email or didn’t register an email address with ANA, it could take longer to connect once onboard — so it’s highly recommended to check before departure!

For a detailed explanation of ANA’s complimentary Wi-Fi service, please see this article (in Japanese).

Thanks to the free Wi-Fi, I could easily stay in touch with my family and look up local information whenever I needed — it was incredibly convenient!

Pre-Arrival Light Meal Service

Thanks to the staggered full-flat seat, I slept soundly — and before I knew it, it was just an hour and a half until arrival!

I managed to order just in time for the second meal service, waking up to refreshing orange juice and herbal tea.

For my second meal, I decided to try the Western option.

The main dish was Conchiglie pasta with shrimp and zucchini.

The tomato-based sauce was light and pleasant, making it a perfect meal to wrap up the long-haul flight.

The meal was accompanied by two kinds of bread — rice flour bread and soft noix bread — along with a fresh fruit platter, creating a well-balanced, healthy meal.

Everything was delicious — it made for a truly satisfying breakfast (or technically, lunch in local time)!

Arrival at Vancouver International Airport

As I finished my meal and freshened up, we were already approaching Vancouver.

It was my first time seeing Canada — and the cityscape felt distinctly different from both the U.S. and Europe!

Landing and Domestic Connection

After a smooth, on-time landing at Vancouver International Airport, I proceeded toward my next flight.

I completed the transfer procedures and moved to the domestic flights area for my connecting flight to Yellowknife.

Transfer Completed: Relaxing at the Maple Leaf Lounge

The entire transfer process took about 20 minutes, and I arrived at Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge.

There’s a large outlet mall, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport, located near the airport, but since my Yellowknife flight would land around midnight and aurora tours were scheduled for the following day, I chose to stay and rest inside the airport instead.

I’ll share a detailed review of the Maple Leaf Lounge in my next report!

Conclusion: ANA Business Class Flight from Haneda to Vancouver

This wraps up my flight report for ANA’s Business Class from Tokyo Haneda to Vancouver.

From the comfortable seating and thoughtfully designed amenities to the exquisite traditional Japanese meal by Ginza Okuda, the experience was outstanding.

Trying out ANA’s new complimentary Wi-Fi service also significantly enhanced my in-flight experience.

For this trip, I redeemed 90,000 ANA Mileage Club miles, plus approximately ¥75,000 in taxes and fees.

Since ANA is a member of Star Alliance, it is also possible to book this itinerary using miles from partner airlines such as United Airlines.

I’ll be sharing more about my adventures in Yellowknife soon — stay tuned!