Narita Airport Terminal 1

This is the international arrivals area at Narita Airport Terminal 1, South Wing. The domestic departures area is located to the left of the arrivals information board. The check-in for the in-flight dining event also takes place here in the domestic departures area.

Domestic Check-in Counter

The domestic flight check-in counters.

ANA Domestic Check-in Counter

The ANA check-in counters.

Event Reception

Staff members holding a signboard for “Restaurant FLYING HONU” guided guests at the reception area. “HONU” means “sea turtle” in Hawaiian.

The Airbus A380 aircraft, scheduled to be used for ANA’s Honolulu route after the pandemic, features a special turtle-themed livery—hence the name “HONU.”

Boarding Pass and Souvenirs

These are the boarding pass and participation souvenirs received at the reception desk—such as a pen and an event booklet.

Heading to the Boarding Gate

After completing the event check-in, I headed toward the domestic flight boarding gate.

Boarding Gate

Arrived at the boarding gate.

ANA Airport Bus

We were transferred by bus from the gate to the aircraft used for the event.

During the ride, I saw ANA-branded airport buses parked nearby.

Philippine Airlines

While riding the bus, I spotted a Philippine Airlines aircraft parked at Terminal 2’s apron.

Finnair

Another aircraft parked at Terminal 2’s ramp was a Finnair plane from Finland.

Hawaiian Airlines

Next, I came across a Hawaiian Airlines aircraft.

JAL Aircraft

I also saw a Japan Airlines aircraft while riding the bus.

Airbus A380 No.1 Aircraft

We approached ANA’s Airbus A380 No.1 aircraft, which was to be used for the event.

The 'Face' of Aircraft No.1

The large, friendly eyes of the blue sea turtle design on this No.1 aircraft are quite charming.

Passenger Stairs on Both Sides

Since this was a special event, passenger stairs were set up on both sides of the aircraft.

During regular operations, boarding is done from only one side.

Airbus A380 No.2 Aircraft (1)

This is the emerald green No.2 Airbus A380 aircraft.

Its turtle face features a smiling expression with narrowed eyes.

Airbus A380 No.2 Aircraft (2)

This No.2 aircraft is where we will enjoy the in-flight meal.

Regular ANA Aircraft

This ANA aircraft was parked next to the two Airbus A380s.

Aircraft Used for the In-Flight Restaurant

This No.2 aircraft served as the in-flight restaurant. After enjoying the meal here, we would move on to Aircraft No.1 for the cabin tour.

Commemorative Photo with the Chef

A chef was standing in front of the boarding stairs, and guests could take commemorative photos with them if they wished.

Boarding

We climb the stairs and enter the aircraft.

Aircraft Entrance

This is the aircraft entrance.

Aircraft Viewed from the Stairway

The emerald-green aircraft seen through the stairway window just before entering.

Business Class — Overview

The Airbus A380 has two full decks. I went up to the second deck and arrived at the Business Class cabin. Business Class spans rows 5–18 in a 2-2-2 layout.

Business Class Seat (1)

A front view of the Business Class seat.

Business Class Seat (2)

A rear view of the Business Class seats.

Business Class Seat (3)

Looking down at a window-side Business Class seat. The window seats have a wide side table and a storage box, making them very spacious.

Welcome-Drink Service

The cabin crew walk through Business Class with trays of welcome drinks—orange juice and champagne.

Welcome Drink

I had the champagne as a welcome drink.

Amuse-bouches

Amuse-bouches (appetizers).

Japanese Appetizers (Covered)

I chose the Japanese meal for this event. Because it was during COVID, every dish was served with a lid.

Japanese Appetizers

Appetizers with the lids removed.

Champagne

The champagne I had.

Japanese Main (Covered)

This is the main course; the dish was also served with a lid.

Japanese Main

With the lid removed.

Dessert (1)

Dessert.

Dessert (2)

I had tea, served with a small piece of chocolate.

Galley

As we exited after the meal, we viewed the aft galley on the second deck, which was open to event participants.

The galley is an area you rarely get to see up close.

Before Disembarking

Having finished the meal, I was about to leave the aircraft.

Cabin Lighting

After the meal, the cabin lighting shifted to rainbow colors.

Main-Deck Galley

I went down from the second deck to the main deck. This is the galley on the first (main) deck.

Main-Deck Cabin

I walked along the first-deck aisle toward the exit. The entire main deck is Economy Class.

Main-Deck Lighting

The lighting on the first deck was also set to rainbow colors.

Airbus A380 — Aircraft No.2

From this No.2 aircraft, we will move to No.1 for the cabin tour.

Transfer by Bus

We took a bus once to transfer to Aircraft No.1.

From the bus we could see a standard ANA-livery aircraft.

No.2 Seen from the Bus

This is Aircraft No.2, where we had the in-flight meal.

A380 — Aircraft No.1

The bus is approaching No.1.

Heading to No.1 (1)

No.1 as seen from the bus window.

Heading to No.1 (2)

The “face” of Aircraft No.1 seen before getting off the bus. We’ll tour this aircraft.

Wheel Chock

A wheel chock used to block the wheels when the aircraft blocks in (pulls into the stand).

Boarding the Tour Aircraft

We board the aircraft for the cabin tour.

Boarding No.1

Climbing the stairs to board Aircraft No.1.

Front Door of No.1

This is the entrance to No.1. On the FLYING HONU aircraft, the door designs differ completely between No.1 and No.2, and even between the front and rear doors—that variety is really fun to see.

Economy Class

The entire main deck is Economy Class. There are two aisles with seats in a 3-4-3 layout. Window-side seats are a light gray, center seats a deep blue. Using lighter colors on the outside is said to make the cabin feel more spacious.

Economy Class Seat (1)

Economy Class seats.

Seat pitch is a generous 86 cm, giving a spacious feel.

The headrest is the same type as Premium Economy, adjustable up/down and side-to-side.

Economy Class Seat (2)

The 86 cm pitch does feel roomy. The screens are 13.3 inches (just under 34 cm), which is large for Economy Class.

Large Screen on Main Deck

The screen on the main deck. A large display is mounted on the wall near the galley entrance.

Wing

The wing as seen from a main-deck window.

Economy Class Seats

Seats in the emergency-exit row at the back of Economy Class. The tray table has been lowered.

Economy-Class Galley

The galley located on the main deck for Economy Class.

Partitions Between Cabin Sections

A partition at the front of an Economy Class section. Monitors are installed for passengers seated in the bulkhead row.

2nd Anniversary of Service

A board celebrating the 2nd anniversary of ANA’s A380 service on the Narita–Honolulu route. It first launched on May 24, 2019, so this marks two years. The blue sea-turtle special livery is nicknamed FLYING HONU—“honu” means sea turtle in Hawaiian.

Space for Diaper Changing, etc.

This isn’t a restroom; it’s a dedicated space for changing clothes, diaper changing, and similar needs.

Galley Equipment (1)

Taking a close look at the galley equipment.

Galley Equipment (2)

Looking at more galley equipment.

Galley Equipment (3)

More galley equipment.

Premium Economy (1)

We climbed the stairs from the main deck to the upper deck. This is the Premium Economy cabin.

The Premium Economy layout is 2-3-2.

Premium Economy (2)

The Premium Economy section.

Pitch to the seat in front is 96.5 cm—very roomy.

Premium Economy (3)

A window-side Premium Economy seat. The screen is 15.6 inches (just under 40 cm), on the large side.

For a flight of about 7 hours 20 minutes from Narita to Honolulu, Premium Economy should be very comfortable.

Premium Economy Seat

Open the Premium Economy armrest and you’ll find the tray table stowed inside.

Premium Economy

Another view of Premium Economy from the aisle behind the seats.

It really is spacious.

Business Class

The Business Class section.

The screen size is 18 inches (just under 46 cm).

Both the side table and tray table are on the larger side.

Business Class — Pair Seats

The seats recline to a full 180-degree flat bed.

The blue movable partition can be fully lowered, so chatting with your companion is no problem. Pair seats are the center seats in the 2-2-2 layout.

Business Class

Although arranged 2-2-2, the Business Class seats are in a staggered configuration, so every seat has direct aisle access.

Business Class Seat

The positions of the seat pan and side table alternate left/right between rows, increasing privacy.

Business Class Amenities

An introduction to the Business Class amenities.

Business-Class Refrigerator

The refrigerator in the Business Class galley for chilling beverages.

Bottle Storage Rack

A rack in the galley that secures wine bottles and the like.

Upper-Deck Galley

The galley (food prep and service area) on the upper deck.

First-Class Bedding

A First Class seat set up as a fully flat bed, with bedding laid out and the amenities introduced on top.

The bedding used in First Class:

First-Class Amenities

On the bed is the amenity bag provided to First Class passengers, made by the British luggage brand Globe-Trotter.

Inside, you’ll find items such as THE GINZA moisturizing cream.

Also provided: pajamas, cardigan, slippers, headphones, and more.

Screen

The First Class seat is very large.

The monitor is 32 inches. The tray table is also wide.

Below the screen is an ottoman for resting your feet.

First-Class Seat from Above

A top-down view of a First Class seat.

A wide seat and backrest, plus an ottoman to stretch your legs and relax—very comfortable.

First-Class Seat (1)

First Class consists of eight seats across two rows at the very front of the upper deck.

First-Class Seat (2)

Close the door along the aisle side to create a private space.

Lighting includes a reading light and a meal light.

Bar-Counter Decorations

The three HONU (turtles) displayed on the front-row bar counter.

First-Class Lavatory

The First Class lavatory. The upper-deck lavatories are equipped with warm-water bidets.

Tour Complete

The tour is over; we descend the stairs and board the return bus.

Aircraft Viewed from the Stairs

The aft section of No.1 as seen through the top stairway window while deplaning.

Jet Engine

The jet engine of Aircraft No.1.

Aft Exit

The aft door (exit) and stairs of No.1.

Main Wing and Horizontal Stabilizer

The main wing and horizontal stabilizer.

Inner Jet Engine

A view of the aircraft taken from a low position near the inner engine nacelle.

Farewell to No.1

Time to say goodbye to Aircraft No.1, which we toured. The pilots even leaned out the window to see us off.

JAL Aircraft

On the bus ride back to the terminal, we saw a JAL aircraft.

Vanilla Air Aircraft

From the bus window on the way back, we saw a Vanilla Air aircraft with a yellow-painted tail. Vanilla Air was ANA’s LCC, but in 2019 Peach Aviation received a transfer of shares from ANA, and the two carriers merged. Of Vanilla Air’s 15 aircraft, only three were not converted to Peach specs and instead were returned to ANA on lease. This aircraft may be one of those.

Star Wars Special Livery

On the ride back we also saw ANA’s Boeing 777-300ER in Star Wars special livery. This Star Wars jet was retired at the end of March 2022. In June 2021, when this tour took place, it was still in service.

Back to the Terminal

With the “Restaurant FLYING HONU” event over, we returned to Terminal 1. This is the South Wing international arrivals lobby.

Terminal Exit

We stepped outside from the arrivals lobby on the first floor.