ANA unveils new premium economy seats — but a big business-class announcement looms
Japan-based All Nippon Airways is gearing up for a big announcement about the future of its business-class cabin, executives shared Wednesday.
Up first, though: all-new premium economy seats.
TPG was there as the Tokyo-based Star Alliance carrier unveiled its latest-generation premium economy recliners, featuring wide seat cushions, a notable 9 inches of recline, and a myriad of bells and whistles that should make it a worthy redemption for future flights to Japan.
Read more: The best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles
The new accommodations, a product of seatmaker Recaro, will start appearing on new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner deliveries next year, according to Hiro Miyagawa, ANA executive vice president.
“It’s a perfect package,” Miyagawa said, speaking at a news conference held at Aircraft Interiors Expo, a major industry gathering in Hamburg, Germany.
“It’s a combination of the seat pitch, the reclining, and also the high-class service that we provide,” he added.
ANA’s new premium economy seats
There’s plenty of reason to be excited about ANA’s new premium economy seats.
They’re equipped with adjustable headrests and privacy wings, legrests and footrests, and cushions that — I can attest — combine to make the seat a bona fide middle ground between coach and a lie-flat seat.
ANA plans to arrange its new premium economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration with 40 inches of pitch — which means significant legroom, compared to the 33 to 34 inches it offers in coach.
Its 15.6-inch touchscreen seatback entertainment centers will allow customers to connect with Bluetooth headphones. The screens will be flanked by AC, USB-A and USB-C power outlets.
ANA plans to debut the updated cabin on its 787-9s sometime in 2026, Miyagawa said. Only three new Dreamliner deliveries will get the cabin. However, the carrier plans to retrofit 16 more jets with the new seats — though the timeline for those cabin upgrades remains in flux, owing to supply chain disruptions facing the industry.
But an even bigger announcement may be coming soon.
New business class coming to the 787-9s
ANA executives confirmed Wednesday the carrier plans to announce a new business-class product in the next couple of months — one that would appear alongside the new premium economy seats on its 787-9s.
Keep in mind, while ANA does offer lie-flat accommodations at the front end of its 787-9s, those seats pale in comparison to the high-end product found on its Boeing 777-300ER jets known as “The Room,” which TPG has ranked among the most luxurious suites in the sky.
Could something similar find its way onto the Dreamliner? Speaking to TPG on the sidelines of Wednesday’s event, Miyagawa offered a preview of what the airline might soon announce.
“I can’t really tell you,” he quipped, playing coy, before invoking The Room.
“Yes, it’s going to be a similar thing, I would say, yes,” he said.
ANA currently flies its 787-9 Dreamliner from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) to five U.S. cities: Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington. It also flies to L.A. from Narita International Airport (NRT).
But that Dreamliner fleet is set to grow in the coming years, perhaps offering enticing redemption opportunities on Tokyo flights beyond The Room, as the carrier rolls out whatever new business-class product it’s set to announce — a reveal planned, executives say, for within “the next couple months.”
How to book ANA with points and miles
You can book ANA flights using points or miles by transferring American Express Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio.
Plus, since ANA is a member of the Star Alliance, you can transfer credit card points to one of its U.S. or international partners, from United Airlines MileagePlus to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Air Canada Aeroplan.
Also: Virgin Atlantic is a nonalliance partner of the Japanese carrier; its Flying Club program offers transfers from a wide range of issuers.
New coach seats, too
It wasn’t all about premium products Wednesday.
ANA also revealed its new coach seats that will likewise be installed on its 787-9s in the future as part of what Miyagawa called a “total change” for the aircraft planned for the coming years.
The new economy seats, also from Recaro, sport 2 more inches of recline than the airline’s previous-generation coach seats, along with 13.3-inch seatback screens equipped for Bluetooth connectivity.
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.