We’re returning to Tokyo today on one of the long-haul flagships of the other Japanese flag carrier, All Nippon Airways. As the launch customer for the 787 family in general and the 787-8 and 787-9 variants in particular, ANA operates one of the largest Dreamliner fleets in the world. They fly throughout Japan, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America day in and day out from the airline’s hubs at Tokyo-Narita and Tokyo-Haneda. One of the more prominent Asian destinations for ANA’s Dreamliners is Manila, which sees the 787-9 from Haneda and the 787-8 from Narita in the Northern Winter season, switching to the high-capacity 787-10 in the summer.
Server: Solo
Airline: All Nippon Airways
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Origin: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Destination: Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan (HND)
Flight Number: NH870
Route: RPLL-RJTT
Seat: 10A (Business)
Time En Route: 3 Hours 58 Minutes
Sitting in the boarding area at Manila’s Terminal 3. Opened in 2008, Terminal 3 handles slightly over half of the many international flights out of MNL, and is the newest of the airport’s three terminals. Among the roughly two dozen airlines that use it, All Nippon Airways is the oldest international tenant, having moved over from Terminal 1 in 2011.
Taxiing out for departure past a few empty gates at T3. We’re seated in one of ANA’s world-famous business class suites for this roughly four-hour flight to Haneda.
Rapid takeoff from MNL’s Runway 06. As we lift into the humid air, vapor streams over the leading edges of the wings and off the wingtips in prominent vortices.
Climbing out from the Manila area with Mount Mariveles in the background. We’re reclining our seat and settling back for what should be a very relaxing trip up to Tokyo.
We’ve reached our cruising altitude of 37,000 feet off the coast of Luzon, the largest of the over 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines. In encouraging news, the captain has announced that we’ve got smooth skies ahead of us, and the seatbelt sign will likely remain off for most of the flights.
Sunset finds us cruising by the Amami Islands, a sub-archipelago of the Ryuku Islands, located in Kagoshima Prefecture. All Nippon Airways has definitely lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s premier airlines over the course of this flight! Besides the renowned hard product of the seat, amenities, and IFE system, the soft product has been top-notch, too. Service has been hospitable and friendly, and the food…great day in the morning, the food. We ordered the beef sukiyaki with steamed rice, and were presented with what may have been the best meal we’ve had on any flight with any airline.
In our initial descent into Tokyo as we pass by the volcanic island of Kōzu-shima off the coast of Honshu. While we’ve had an absolutely terrific flight so far, it’s time for it, like all good things, to come to an end.
Arriving in the evening on Runway 34L at Haneda. Terminal 3 is busy, busy, busy tonight! Our flight was the hallmark of punctuality, departing five minutes and arriving 2 minutes ahead of schedule. And, much to the elation of the flight crew, cabin crew, and passengers, we’ve got an open gate! No waiting on the taxiway or ramp for one to open up for us!
Taxiing to our gate with Haneda Tower and Terminal 1 in the background, packed with domestic flights, which here in Japan include aircraft the size of an A350-900. In the meantime, the pilots have shut down the starboard Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 and we’re taxiing in on the port engine.
Nose to nose with our aircraft. Our trip was a lovely way to bridge the Philippines and our trip home from Tokyo, allowing us to relax and unwind for what’s going to turn out to be a layover until one in the morning. Few airlines can accomplish this, and fewer still with sufficient ease that it’s a cornerstone of their brand, but All Nippon Airways is one of them. Off we go to Terminal 2 to await our flight across the Pacific, another All Nippon Airways Dreamliner!