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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