We Fly 1st – Boeing 787 Dreamliner with ANA

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Yukari

(This is part 2 of 3. You can read part 1 here.)

Adventure continues in Tokyo. We got to visit ANA’s Maintenance Center and Cabin Attendant Academy In Haneda International Airport.

Here is a GeekBeat.TV episode from the maintenance center tour, so check this out.

After the tour, we got to fly on the amazing new aircraft, Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

If you didn’t know how special the 787 is, read this page – but basically the 787 is the lightest, most sustainable aircraft currently available in the world. And the amazing thing is, ANA (and many other Japanese companies such as Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Kawasaki, Toray, etc) worked together with Boeing to build this aircraft. It is said that this aircraft was “Made with Japan” (Yeah, this is where I got all misty while watching the documentary on the plane)

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Saw this outside subway station.

I love their copy “We Fly 1st” – well, because, they did!

ANA is the first airline to fly 787 in the world. And we as the Brand Ambassador team got to fly to Okayama on Dreamliner!

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Ambassadors on 787!

First thing you’ll notice on board is how roomy it is inside. Interior had a very high ceiling and calming color with LED lighting. Of course, everything was brand new.

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High ceiling with huge overhead bins

I loved the big windows, with electronic “auto-dimming” shade – there was no sliding shade you’ll see in regular planes. On 787, all you need to do was to push the button under the window to darken or lighten the glass. You know, sometimes you want the full view of outside, but don’t want all the light, or your neighbour is asleep? This window will solve the problem.

Of course, each seat was equipped with its own screen, complete with seat-to-seat text messaging system and an USB port.

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Drink holder OUTSIDE of tray table, USB port and window dimmer

As I looked outside when we were taxing to take off, I saw something heartwarming. Couple of people in uniform on the tarmac, were lined up side by side, and were waving at us! (Well, not to us specifically – but to the aircraft. You know what I mean.) I was so excited I had to let John, who was sitting in front of me, know right away. I wish I had a photo to prove this. But that is Japanese customer service, in my opinion. Extreme attention to details. This reminded me the simple fact that it doesn’t take much to make people – your customers – feel good.

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See the Rolls Royce logo? They made the engine

We had a wonderful flight to Okayama, and a quick tour in Kurashiki.

Be sure to check out Dreamliner when you have a chance!

(To be continued in Part 3)

Adventure Begins with an A…ANA

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Yukari

Welcome drink on board

What is the first thing that come to your mind when you think of Japan? Sushi, Kimono, or Ninja?!

As part of the social media campaign for their latest service, “Inspiration of Japan”, my friend Neal Schaffer and I became their Brand Ambassadors for ANA – All Nippon Airways. Neal and I have been working since November on this campaign, and it was finally time for us to fly to Narita with an IOJ.

I’m writing this post from consumer’s perspective. I’ve written about it in my first post about IOJ, but as a frequest flyer to Japan from North Ameria, the comfort during my trip home is very important. I love traveling and flying, but let’s be honest, flying takes so much toll on you. I flew back to my home town of Sasebo last month and I was exhausted.

So I was very excited to try this new IOJ services. Our seats were called “Business Staggered“- Because each seat was staggared and every seat has an aisle access-I love that.

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You can rest your tired heet there

The cabin for IOJ was amazing. Plenty of room to store your personal items, like your laptop or a purse. There are a deep pocketed foot rest under your entertainment system so you can fully stretch your legs with your shoes off. (Of course, they provide slippers, shoehorn, and a bag to take your slippers home!) You have a side desk other than your normal tray, so I got to keep all my magazines, camera and water bottle there. There are USB port and iPod jack, so you can enjoy your own media if you get tired of all the entertainment available on your personal screen. (I actually watched a short documetary on how their latest aircraft Boeing 787 came together and got a little misty. True story. I will be writing about 787 later.)

Here’s a quick video of me experiencing IOJ. (Sorry it’s a bit noisy)

Neal wasn’t the only partner I had on this trip. John P. and Cali Lewis from GeekBeat.TV were also the ambassadors, and they flew in from San Francisco. Unlike Neal, who has lived in Japan for 15 years and speaks fluent Japanese, this was John and Cali’s first time in Japan. I got to spend a lot of time with them in Tokyo, and not only it was fun, but it brought me a lot of insights. I got to see Japan through first time visitor’s eyes, and that was definitely a cool experience.

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Cali, John and me

One of the things John said and it stuck with me was “There is so much attention to details!“…Of course, I knew that. I have always been proud to be Japanese and proud to offer extreme attention to details. But by spending time with John and Cali, I rediscovered many things with a lot of attention to details, and of course, IOJ was no exception.

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The food and presentation was amazing

I have flown to Japan many times before, but the minute you board ANA flight, it just feels different. When I sat down, my Cabin Attendant came to me to hand me a warm steamed towel and introduced herself that she would be taking care of me today. She soon came back to ask how to pronounce my name, so that she can personally address me as “Ms. Peerless”. I really wish I got her name and took a photo of her, as she was the best CA I have ever encountered. She quickly figured out what kind of drinks I like and made some excellent recommendations. It sure was the highlight of my flight.

I got to use the full flat seat to have a nap on the flight, and soon we arrived in Narita, Tokyo, where many adventures were waiting for us.

(To be continued in Part 2)

ANA’s New Inspiration of Japan Services

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Yukari

LA Social Media heavy hitters

Do you fly often? Being a Japanese living in Canada, I go back home probably every other year. And that 10-hour flight can really drain you. Comparing airline experience is a pretty common thing among my Japanese friends living here. And even though I don’t go to Japan so often, flying has become part of my lifestyle. I love flying, and I like to do it as much as possible if it takes me to places I’d love to visit.

So you can imagine my excitement when ANA(All Nippon Airways) asked me to be their Brand Ambassador for their latest cabin services, Inspiration of Japan(IOJ)!

I attended ANA’s VIP launch event on Novemer 9th in LA. They had mock-ups of each class-First, Business and Economy. You can see the detailed specs for each classes here, but here is the summary:

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ANA Business Class -Inspiration of Japan

-ANA FIRST SQUARE : Features taller-than normal partitions that enhances personalized spaces, 180 degrees full flat seat,(Yes, you can actually lie down.) World’s largest-in-class 23 inch LCD widescreen, Ample storage

-ANA BUSINESS STAGGERED: Features perfectly staggered layout so that every seat has an aisle access, 180 degrees full flat seat, World’s largetst-in-class 17 inch widescreen

-Economy Class features “Fixed Back Shell” seat where the seat slides forward without disturbing the passenger behind you, and footrest!

All class seats are equipped with iPod connector and USB port so that you can enjoy your own music or use your laptop. Oh, and First and Business class are equipped with Washlets(Fancy Japanese style toilet)…..it’s SO Japanese, isn’t it? (Sorry, I had to mention this.)

I had a great time at the launch event. It was great to meet many social media friends from LA area. We got to try each class mock-ups and check them out…I was particularly excited with their new economy class, as that’s I’m most likely to use. Footrest and sliding seats are such a great idea..Hello!

My friend Neal Schaffer is my partner on this LA-Narita route of Inspiration of Japan.

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Neal and me

We are flying to Japan in February on the Business Class with Cali Lewis and John Pozadzides from GeekBeat TV! It’s going to be one heck of a trip….I CAN’T WAIT!