ANA B777-300ER First Class - Tokyo HND to Chicago ORD
Flying first class had always been one of those “maybe one day” dreams for me. I wasn’t actively planning for it, but while searching for an entirely different trip, an ANA First Class award seat suddenly appeared. I booked it instantly. When the confirmation email landed in my inbox, I genuinely couldn’t believe it—I even planned a full Japan trip around this flight.
On the day of departure, I arrived at Haneda with plenty of time, cleared security and immigration, and made a beeline for the ANA Suite Lounge. I’d read glowing reviews, but experiencing it firsthand was something else. The staff were exceptionally attentive; as I was looking for a place to sit, one of them walked over with a drink and waited patiently for me to choose a seat before handing it to me. I settled into a comfortable booth-style seat equipped with a personal TV and noise-canceling headphones. After dropping my bag, I explored the dining area. The food selection was appealing and beautifully presented, but I held back—I wanted to save room for the onboard dining experience.
Boarding was calm and efficient. As soon as I stepped into the cabin, a flight attendant greeted me by name. Later, I realized they memorized all first class passengers’ names before boarding. My seat felt enormous; even when I stretched my legs out fully, the TV still felt far away. After takeoff, I changed into the provided pyjamas and slippers and reclined the seat to get comfortable.
Meal service began smoothly, but mid-way through, we hit a patch of intense turbulence. It was strong enough that the crew had to pause service entirely, and I stopped eating for a moment—it really was that bumpy. Still, the quality of the food, presentation, and attentiveness of the crew were absolutely first class. Since the cabin wasn’t full, the crew made our beds in the empty seats, which meant we could switch between our original seats and the freshly made beds for sleeping or lounging. It felt like having my own little suite within the cabin.
I never thought I’d get the chance to experience first class, and I’m genuinely grateful that my first time was with ANA. From the lounge to the service to the sheer comfort of the seat, everything exceeded expectations.
Background
ANA’s First Class on the Boeing 777-300ER has long been considered one of the most reliable and consistently refined premium products in the world. While it isn’t the flashiest or the newest cabin compared to some Middle Eastern carriers, ANA has built its reputation around exceptional service, understated luxury, and meticulous attention to detail—core elements of Japanese hospitality that travellers rave about.
The 777-300ER has been the backbone of ANA’s long-haul fleet for years, especially on routes connecting Japan with major North American hubs like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. First Class on this aircraft features just a small number of suites, making the cabin feel private and quiet even on fully booked flights. ANA is also known for its highly trained cabin crew, many of whom spend years in premium-class service before moving to First Class, which is why the experience often feels seamless and incredibly personal.
For aviation and points enthusiasts, ANA First Class is something of a “bucket list” redemption—not only because of the comfort, but because it’s one of the best-value premium cabin awards you can book through Aeroplan. Many travellers go out of their way to plan trips around ANA availability, and in this case, this flight ended up being the highlight that shaped an entire Japan itinerary.
Route Overview
Flight: Tokyo (HND) → Chicago (ORD)
Distance: 6,305 mi
Duration: 11 hr 40 min
Cost Breakdown
Plane Ticket: C$110.30 + AC 106,500 pts
