Ever spontaneously booked a flight to Tokyo in business class for under 50k points?
Well I have.. Twice.. If you’re wondering what a Thursday afternoon in Nashville and Friday evening in Fort Lauderdale have in common, I can tell you. A business class flight to Tokyo on the following Tuesday!
Booking
I’d been monitoring flights on Air Canada and United’s website for a few months, tracking when availability most commonly occurred for ANA flights from JFK to HND, the route that Virgin Atlantic offers their 47.5k mile redemption for. I noticed seats usually opened for Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5-12 days in advance and filled within 24 hours.
Nashville, March 23rd at 3pm: While at a bar, enjoying a crisp coors light, watching march Madness, I decided to check the United App. I noticed the following Tuesday had a business class seat open on an ANA operated flight, the only one available for the next few months. I immediately polished off my beverage, and stepped outside, calling Virgin Atlantic’s booking line.
After a 15 min conversation with the Virgin Atlantic rep while on the side of broadway, I was down 47.5K American Express points and up a business class ticket to Tokyo.
💡 For a guide on how to book this exact flight in 3 steps, click here
At the airport
Two days after getting back from Nashville I found myself back at John F Kennedy International Airport. I headed through security with my favorite Osprey 42L backpack and made my way to the business class lounge. NOTE: JFK terminal 7 doesn’t have the best selection of lounges, however with an ANA business class ticket you do receive entry into Horizon’s T7 Business Lounge. The quality of ANA’s partnered business class lounges is going to depend on the airport, JFK’s is really nothing special - it’s a nice touch but don’t expect luxury. Truthfully it’s no where near up to the standards of the Amex centurion or (newer) Delta/United Lounge products.
But no real complaints from me.. I had my share of buffet food to get ready for the 12+ hour flight. After a few calls to family/friends, the ANA staff directed ANA biz class to board.
The flight
You can find more in-depth blogs on flying ANA’s business class product - so I’ll keep it simple. ANA’s flight attendants are first class - I mean from the second you step foot on the plane it’s the royal treatment. Before I even had the chance to put on the complimentary slippers I was provided with champagne, water, and a snack.
The seats are massive. Simple as that. While they’re not as luxurious as other seats like Ethiad - They’re largest I’ve ever seen by far in a biz class product. When fully reclined into the lie down position, A full grown adult and a child can easily lay. When I say I got 7 hours of sleep I’m serious. I slept on my stomach, side, and back. Massive Seat = Big Sleep = No Jet Lag. Shout out ANA.
In addition to the seat, the food is a very notable call out. The Japanese menu is fantastic - Three courses of various selections of nigiri, sashimi, tofu, soup, and ice cream. There’s also an international menu to choose from that I did not go with. When you’re done with the main meal you can choose from a selection of ramen, sandwiches, deserts, and fruits for the duration of the flight.
While I regret not indulging more with ANA’s extensive beverage selection, I did have a few glasses of their reserve port wine to tee myself up for my slumber in my oversized bedseat.
My thoughts...
The answer is YES. You should absolutely go to Japan in ANA’s business class. If you can find a seat on ANA and book with Virgin Atlantic, then it’s a no brainer. If you know you’re going to Japan I’d make it a priority to book one of these seats. For a 12+ hour flight, the enormous bed/seat and unmatched service take the edge off traveling. Not only does VA offer this for the price of what other airlines charge for an Economy ticket, you’ll be starting off your trip refreshed and fired up.
💡 United commonly charges 55k miles one way in economy from NYC ⇒ Tokyo…
If you have a gauge of your travel flexibility and how many travel rewards are in your vault then you’re 75% of the way to getting to Japan. What comes next is searching and booking, all of which can be done from a mobile phone while at a bar in Nashville 🤠