About this flight
In August 2022, I participated in ANA’s in-flight meal and cabin tour event held at Narita Airport, which began in May 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic when international flights were difficult to operate. ANA created this event to allow participants to enjoy the feeling of traveling.
For this event, ANA used three Airbus A380 aircraft originally introduced for its Honolulu routes. One aircraft was used as a restaurant where in-flight meals were served, and another was opened for a cabin tour. Each of the three aircraft features a special sea turtle-themed livery in different colors. The word “HONU” in the event’s title, “FLYING HONU,” means “sea turtle” in Hawaiian.
Table of Contents
Before Boarding
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Narita Airport Terminal 1
This is the departure floor of Narita Airport Terminal 1.
Check-in Counter
The check-in counter area.
Boarding Pass and Souvenirs
After checking in for this in-flight meal event, I received the following items:
- • Boarding pass
- • Ballpoint pen
- • Restaurant FLYING HONU booklet
- • COVID-19 safety information
Boarding Procedure
This is the check-in procedure for the FLYING HONU flight, scheduled to “depart” at noon.
Hula Dance
In front of us, ANA staff members performed a hula dance. They were barefoot, and the performance was quite authentic and lively.
Boarding Pass
This is the boarding pass.
Transfer to the Aircraft
We moved to the aircraft by bus. All three FLYING HONU aircraft were lined up — blue, emerald green, and orange, each with a unique livery.
The orange aircraft was scheduled to begin regular service to Honolulu on October 20, 2023, and I planned to be on that inaugural flight.
Emerald Green Aircraft
The emerald green aircraft was used for the cabin tour, while the blue one was used for the in-flight restaurant experience.
Airplane Flying Overhead
As we arrived in front of the emerald green aircraft, a plane flew directly overhead on approach for landing.
Cabin Tour
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Aircraft for the Cabin Tour
This emerald-green Unit 2 is the aircraft used for the cabin tour.
A two-shot with a plane flying overhead. Judging by the tail fin, the aircraft above is from Asiana Airlines.
Aircraft Entrance
The inside of the door at the entrance to the tour aircraft. The interior also features the emerald-green livery design.
Fun Fact Card
This is the economy-class area. On the tour aircraft, cards like this hang down from above with trivia.
It says, “ANA FLYING HONU’s takeoff speed is slower than the Shinkansen Nozomi’s top speed.”
Exit-Row Seats
Exit-row seats don’t have seatback pockets in front, so there are three shared pockets mounted on the side wall.
Mini Aviation Class
A “mini aviation class” is being held in the tour cabin.
It’s like a quiz with three choices—raise your hand, then the answer and explanation are given.
Couch Seats
Rows 71–76 at the very back of economy are “couch seats.”
The leg rest raises to the same height as the seat, making it easier for small children to lie down, and adults can also lie flat by using multiple seats.
Bed linens use first-class sheets and business-class pillows.
Room with Four Uses
A sign for a multi-purpose room using the turtle character. It’s not a toilet—this room has four uses.
- • Nursing
- • Touching up makeup
- • Changing clothes
- • Baby diaper changing
Inside the Four-Use Room
Inside the room from the previous photo. It says “This is not a toilet,” so this is the room indicated by the turtle character for those four uses.
Galley
The galley (onboard food preparation and service area) in economy class.
Stairs to the Upper Deck
The staircase at the very rear leading from the main deck to the upper deck.
Galley Décor
Decor in the galley inspired by Hawaiian beaches.
Galley
A slightly more spacious area within the galley.
Premium Economy
The seats in the Premium Economy section.
Photo Prop Board (1)
A photo board where you can place your face and take a picture.
Photo Prop Board (2)
Another face-in photo board.
Business Class — Full Flat
This is a business-class seat set to full-flat with bedding in place.
Business Class — Front Row (1)
A slightly aft-facing view of the front-row seats in business class. There are large stowage boxes at the very front.
Business Class — Front Row (2)
A top-down view of the front-row business-class seats. There’s a large surface area for placing items.
Business-Class Galley
The business-class galley, decorated with the three FLYING HONU turtle characters.
Galley — Fold-Down Table, etc.
This appears to be a fold-down table in the galley. Sliding the red latch at the top to the side allows the table to be used for preps such as arranging in-flight meals.
An onboard phone and memo pads are also mounted on the wall.
Galley (1)
More of the galley—various control knobs and switches.
- • DISH WARMER
- • TEMP GAUGE
- • GALLEY COOLING
- • MICROWAVE OVEN
- • Emergency power controls, etc.
Galley (2)
Another panel of various controls.
- • BREAD WARMER
- • STEAM OVEN
- • GALLEY COOLING
- • TEMP GAUGE, etc.
Galley (3)
Another set of controls—“BREAD WARMER” can be seen.
Galley — Possibly for Heating Towels
This is probably the machine used to warm oshibori (hot towels).
A notice says, “Hot steam will come out, so open the oven door slowly.”
Galley — Storage Shelves
Storage shelves inside the galley.
Galley — Coffee Maker
This appears to be a coffee maker. It says “Espresso” as well, and there are paper cups.
It likely makes both espresso and regular coffee, and probably dispenses hot water too.
Cart Stowage
This seems to be the storage area for service carts used for beverages and meals. It’s the kind of thing you only get to see at events like this—very interesting.
Galley — Overhead Bins
The inside of the upper shelves.
First Class (1)
First-class seating set to full-flat with bedding. There’s also a light-blue amenity pouch by the British suitcase brand Globe-Trotter.
First Class (2)
Another view of the first-class cabin.
First Class — Bar Counter Décor
Decorations atop the bar counter at the very front of first class.
- • The three FLYING HONU turtles
- • Hawaiian hibiscus, etc.
First-Class Lavatory
The exclusive first-class lavatory. It features a warm-water bidet function. It also has a very large mirror.
Tour Completed
With the tour finished, we stepped off Unit 2.
Just then, another aircraft flew overhead to land—so we encountered planes overhead both before and after the tour. It almost felt staged!
Unit 3
After finishing the tour and stepping off Unit 2, we could see Unit 3. I’m looking forward to taking its inaugural flight in October 2023.
In-Flight Meal Restaurant
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Before Boarding
This is the blue aircraft used as a restaurant where the in-flight meal is served.
If you wish, you can take a commemorative photo together with an ANA chef.
First Class Seat
This is a First Class seat—seat 1A.
My Seat Today
A front view of the First Class seat as well.
Seated
The view of the seat in front of me after sitting down.
Adjacent Seat
The adjacent First Class seat.
First Class Seat — Ottoman
The ottoman (footrest) for the First Class seat.
Decorative Paper Airplane
A decorative paper airplane placed on the side table—made from ANA Hawaii paper.
First-Class Lavatory
Inside the dedicated First Class lavatory. Amenities are neatly set out.
- • Toothbrush and mouthwash
- • Face & body wipes
- • Cloth towels
Bench in the Lavatory
There is a bench inside this lavatory, so you can sit here while changing clothes.
Stairs from Upper Deck to Main Deck
The stairs descending from the upper deck to the main deck as seen from my seat 1A.
Menu
The menu had been placed beside the seat.
Welcome Drink
Champagne as the welcome drink.
Amuse-Bouches
Amuse-bouches (appetizers).
- • Prosciutto
- • Myoga (Japanese ginger)
- • Boiled quail egg
- • Almond stick, etc.
KRUG Champagne
KRUG, often called “the king of champagnes,” served in ANA First Class. I took a photo of the bottle.
View of Unit 2
From my window seat I can see the emerald-green A380 (Unit 2) we toured earlier. Its nickname is “Kai.”
The blue aircraft we’re on now (Unit 1) is nicknamed “Lani.”
Table Setting
The table has been set.
White Wine
This is the bottle of white wine.
Caviar (1)
The caviar course.
Bread was served alongside.
Caviar (2)
For the appetizer, caviar is placed atop a cream sauce and presented wrapped in a thin, translucent sheet.
Green Salad
A green salad.
Red Wine
Red wine—BETZ, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA.
Main Course (1)
A steak as the main course, served with a rich sauce that concentrates the meat’s savory juices.
Main Course (2)
A close-up of the steak—looks delicious.
Cheese and Nuts After the Meal
Cheese to finish.
The nuts are marinated in honey.
Dessert
Dessert.
The green is melon sorbet, the orange is cantaloupe, and the white is ice cream.
Petit Fours
The final mignardises.
- • Matcha chocolate
- • Walnut yubeshi (Japanese confection)
- • Cookies
Return to the Terminal
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Boarding the Bus
After enjoying the in-flight meal, I boarded the bus back to the terminal.
Unit 3
This is Unit 3, nicknamed “Lā.”
ANA Aircraft Seen from the Bus
This is another ANA aircraft I saw while riding on the bus.
