About this flight
In August 2018, I flew from Haneda to London in ANA First Class.
Normally, in First Class, a full-course meal is served after takeoff as the first meal, and à la carte breakfast is served before arrival as the second meal. However, this time I asked the cabin crew to switch the order, so I had the à la carte meal first, and the full-course meal before arrival.
Table of Contents
Haneda Airport
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Departure Lobby
This is the departure lobby at Haneda Airport.
Priority Security Check
This is the priority security lane available to eligible passengers.
- • Passengers flying in Business or First Class
- • Frequent flyers with elite status
Champagne
This is the first glass of champagne I had upon entering the ANA Suite Lounge.
Food Station
The food station inside the ANA Suite Lounge.
Boarding Pass
This is today's boarding pass for the Haneda to London flight.
Boarding Gate
The boarding gate for flight NH211 bound for London.
Aircraft
This is the aircraft for today's flight. Boarding will begin shortly.
In-Flight Seat
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Amenity Kit
Amenity items provided on the seat upon boarding.
- • A blue amenity bag in a plastic sleeve
- At that time, it was a Samsonite bag
- • A black case containing headphones
- • A cardigan and pajamas
First Class Seat
This is my First Class seat for today's flight.
Welcome Drink
Champagne served as a welcome drink.
Glasses Storage Box
There was a small compartment on the aisle-side wall next to the seat—inside was a storage box for glasses.
Immigration Documents
Documents for entering the UK.
- • Landing Card
- • Fast Track pass for priority immigration
- • Coupon for in-flight Wi-Fi service
At the time, face-to-face immigration checks were still the norm, so I paid close attention to these documents. (Nowadays, I believe automated gates have become more common.)
Send-Off
The aircraft has pushed back from the gate.
The ground crew is waving goodbye as we depart.
In-Flight Meal
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Menu Book
This is the menu book.
Amuse-Bouche
Champagne and amuse-bouche served first.
- • Stick pie
- • Skewered tuna, zucchini, and abalone
- • Sea bream marinated with kelp
- • Foie gras mousse (probably)
Appetizer
Normally, in international First Class, the full course meal is served after takeoff, and à la carte before landing. However, I requested to have à la carte first and the full course before landing.
I asked the crew to serve the à la carte items as something to enjoy with champagne.
- • Satsuma-age (fried fish cake)
- • Deep-fried marinated chicken (Tatsuta-age)
- • Cheese wrapped in kelp (probably)
Cheese Platter
I had a cheese platter.
Dessert
Dessert served after the cheese course.
- • Sweet bean jelly (mizu-yokan)
- • Matcha (green tea)
Main Dish of the First Meal
This was the main dish of the first meal.
- ◆ Japanese Meal Set
- • Grilled Spanish mackerel marinated in Saikyo miso, rolled omelet, scallions
- • Vinegared wakame seaweed with grated yam
- • Salted kelp
- • Natto (fermented soybeans)
- • Clear soup
- • Pickles
- ◆ Yakitori Rice Bowl
After-Meal Drinks
Drinks served after the first meal.
- • Cappuccino and tea
- • Petit fours (small sweets)
- • Red wine
Drinks
Drinks served after waking up and at the start of the second meal before landing.
- • Sparkling water and Coca-Cola Zero
- • Orange juice from Sembikiya
Table Setting
This is the pre-landing meal, about three hours before arrival.
After the table was set, the full-course meal service began.
Full Course – Bread
Delicious bread was served.
Full Course – Caviar
Appetizer with caviar.
Full Course – Salad
Salad course.
Full Course – Soup
Corn soup.
Full Course – Steak
Main dish of the full-course meal: Japanese wagyu steak.
Full Course – Dessert
Dessert was served at the end.
- • Mango and vanilla ice cream
- • Black coffee and tea
Arrival
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Over the English Channel
After the meal service, we were already flying over the English Channel.
Above Central London (1)
Just before landing, the plane flew over central London.
Above Central London (2)
This is the view of central London from the aircraft window.
The river visible below is the Thames.
Approaching Heathrow Airport
Scenery of the town as we approached Heathrow Airport.
Smooth Landing
We landed safely. The moment of landing was displayed on the screen.
Arrival at Terminal 2
We arrived at Terminal 2B on the basement level. Now heading to immigration control.
Escalator
Taking the escalator up to the second floor where immigration is located.
Apron View
While heading to immigration, we could see the apron area.
Aircraft from Swiss International Air Lines and Greece’s Aegean Airlines were parked there.
2nd Floor Immigration Area
The area marked "UK Arrivals" ahead is where immigration procedures take place.
Arrival Lobby
Successfully cleared immigration. This is the arrival lobby.
Underground Station
From the terminal, I made my way to the underground station in the airport, and from here I’ll take the Piccadilly Line into the city.
