Real Blue｜ANA - Commemorative First Flight of A380 Aircraft No. 3, Narita (Japan) to Honolulu, Business Class Flight Report

ANA
Narita - Honolulu

Commemorative First Flight of A380 Aircraft No. 3, Business Class Flight Report

October 2023

Posted by AO/あお

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About this flight

The third Airbus A380 aircraft operating on ANA's Narita–Honolulu route was introduced at Narita in October 2011. In October 2023, it made its debut on a regularly scheduled flight to Honolulu, and I had the privilege of flying business class on this memorable inaugural flight.

Before boarding, I browsed a wide selection of Japanese sake brands available at the Narita Airport duty-free shops.

At the boarding gate, there was a special inaugural flight event, and I received a commemorative tote bag.

The business class in-flight meal featured delicious dishes, including an appetizer of smoked duck with pumpkin and milk gelatin (à la Grand Marché), and a main course of sautéed flounder with Provençal-style eggplant and bell peppers simmered in tomato sauce.

The flight took approximately seven and a half hours.

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Narita Airport

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Terminal 1

This is the departure information board at Narita Airport. It indicates arrival at Terminal 1 at 5:45 PM. Today's inaugural flight of the A380 third aircraft (nicknamed "Lā-chan") is scheduled to depart at 9:30 PM as flight NH182.

Departure Lobby

This shows the departure lobby of the South Wing of Terminal 1.

ANA Suite Check-In Counter

This is the entrance to the ANA Suite Check-In counter, available to Diamond members like myself.

Notice of the Inaugural Flight Event

This is the notice I received at the check-in counter.

"Today, to commemorate the first commercial operation of the Airbus A380 third aircraft, we are holding a special event." The inaugural event is scheduled to begin around 8:15 PM.

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Lounge

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ANA Suite Lounge

This is the entrance to the ANA Suite Lounge located in Satellite 5 of Terminal 1.

According to ANA’s website, it seems the Suite Lounge in Satellite 3 at Narita Airport will also reopen for service starting March 28, 2024.

Meal (1)

This is the meal I had in the Suite Lounge.

• Chocolate baguette – delicious!
• Cherry tomatoes
• Dried fruits and cheese
• Salad, etc.

Meal (2)

This is the next round of food I had.

• Gratin – I often order it because it’s tasty.
• Nigiri sushi
• ANA original caramel-flavored rice crackers

Meal (3)

• Tonkotsu ramen
• Champagne
• Sparkling water

View of the Tarmac

This is the view of the tarmac from the Suite Lounge window. You can see ANA's Airbus A380s with the HONU (sea turtle) livery—Unit 1 and Unit 3. Unit 3 is orange and Unit 1 is blue. Unit 1 is scheduled to depart for Honolulu 1 hour and 20 minutes before Unit 3.

Underground Passage to Boarding Gate

This underground corridor connects Satellite 5, where the Suite Lounge is located, to Satellite 3, where the boarding gate is. Using this underground route allows for a shortcut from Satellite 5 to Satellite 3.

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Commemorative Event

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Character Plush Toys (1)

We’ve arrived at the boarding gate. The commemorative event for the inaugural flight is about to begin. ANA staff are wearing aloha shirts.

A sales booth for the three HONU (sea turtle) plush toys was set up. Normally, these plush toys are only sold at ANA's duty-free shop near Satellite 3, but they were offered here specially for this inaugural flight. Many aviation enthusiasts have come out today.

Character Plush Toys (2)

Adorable plush toys of the three HONU sea turtles.

FLYING HONU Nebuta

It says "FLYING HONU Nebuta." It's incredibly well-crafted and realistic. The fuselage is made of washi paper. There's also a handwritten note saying, “Four-engine aircraft are a man’s romance.” This piece was made by students from Tokyo Metropolitan Rokugo Technical High School with official approval from ANA.

Stage

This is the event stage. Many members of the press were present.

Passengers

In addition to media, passengers gathered around. Some were wearing T-shirts with “ANA FLYING HONU” logos—likely made by ANA fans just for this day.

Three HONU Mascots

Three HONU (sea turtle) mascots also made an appearance.

Commemorative Photo

Commemorative photo with the three HONU mascots.

Commemorative Banner

This is the commemorative banner for the inaugural flight.

The person in the center appears to be an ANA executive.

Mascots on Stage

The mascots on stage are very cute.

Passengers in front are wearing orange T-shirts with the word "Congratulations." Everyone seems to have created and worn unique T-shirts to mark this special flight.

HONU Dance

This is the dance performance by the three HONU mascots. As expected, many ANA and aviation fans gathered for this flight, sporting custom-made, spirited T-shirts.

Press Conference (1)

The press conference is about to begin.

You can really feel the excitement.

Press Conference (2)

This is the ANA executive holding a press conference and taking questions.

Press Conference (3)

Comments from the ANA executive:

• I'm very happy to see this day arrive.
• Bookings for the Airbus A380 flights during the New Year season are full, but overall demand for the Hawaii route has not yet returned to pre-COVID levels.
• One reason demand from Japan hasn’t recovered is the weak yen. During COVID, the mindset for international travel diminished among Japanese people, but now that the pandemic is over, the enthusiasm for overseas travel is gradually rising again.

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Boarding

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Boarding Gate

This is the scene at the boarding gate before the final check.

Aviation Fans Celebrating the Inaugural Flight of Aircraft No. 3 'Lā-chan'

At the boarding gate, you could really feel the excitement of aviation fans celebrating the inaugural flight of the third aircraft. Some people wore orange shirts matching the plane’s color, and others had uniquely designed shirts. You could sense their passion and love for ANA and HONU.

According to nearby passengers, some business class passengers were planning to fly on this inaugural flight and then immediately return to Japan on the first return flight without staying in Hawaii.

Aircraft

After passing through the gate, looking out the window in the corridor, ground staff including mechanics were holding a banner that read, “Have a good trip #A380 #FlyingTurtle #Hawaii” to send us off.

The big eyes of aircraft No. 3 “Lā-chan” are so cute.

Commemorative Banner

In the background of the banner, you can see luggage containers painted with the aircraft’s design. Staff holding smaller banners on the right side were also waving us off.

Commemorative Tote Bag

This is the commemorative tote bag for today’s inaugural flight.

Each passenger received one.

Entrance to the Boarding Bridge

This is the entrance to the boarding bridge.

Entrance Door of Aircraft No. 3

Just moments before boarding the aircraft. As expected on its first flight, the fuselage is polished and sparkling clean.

Poster at the Entrance

This poster was displayed at the entrance.

“First Flight Lā (nickname of Aircraft No. 3) – October 20, 2023.”

The orange autumn leaves added a beautiful seasonal touch.

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In the Cabin

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During Boarding

This is the cabin during boarding.

Galley

This is the galley. On the Airbus A380, the galley walls are wood-grain styled.

Business Class Cabin

This is the business class cabin during boarding.

Business Class Seat

This is my seat — the last seat on the right by the window in business class.

The side table is very spacious.

My Seat

At the very back of business class, there's a decorative photo of a sunset on the wall. You can also see the premium economy seats in the back.

Neighboring Seat

This is the seat next to mine. The two middle seats were unoccupied that day.

Overhead Storage

This is the overhead rack above the neighboring unoccupied seat. It contained a pillow and blanket.

Business Class Cabin View

This is the cabin view of business class before takeoff. I noticed the new-plane smell, like a brand-new car.

I mentioned this to the flight attendant, who replied, “I’m not really sure myself.”

Around the Seat

This area includes the reading light switch, power outlet, and magazine holder above the side table.

Amenities

Items placed at the business class seat:

・ Amenity kit
・ Pillow and blanket
・ Slippers
・ Headphones

Seat Features

This is the cover over the switches, power plug, and magazine box on the side table.

Windowside Storage Box

The Airbus A380 is a full double-decker aircraft. First class, business class, and premium economy are located on the upper deck. For window seats on the upper deck, there is a storage box between the window and seat like this.

Welcome Drink

This is the welcome sparkling wine.

Amenity Bag

This is a leather amenity bag made by GLOBE-TROTTER.

Unlike the boxed version used in first class, this is a soft pouch style.

However, this will be discontinued at the end of January 2024. ANA will gradually switch to a new fabric brand.
(Editor’s Note) Starting January 2024, ANA is transitioning to ETTINGER-branded amenity pouches from the UK.

Back of Amenity Bag

This is the back side of the amenity bag.

Information about the contents (product names, countries of origin, ingredients, etc.) is printed on the plastic cover.

View from the Window

This is Aircraft No. 1 “Flying HONU Lani,” parked next to Aircraft No. 3.

Send-Off

Just before departure from the stand, ANA staff gathered outside to wave us off.

Just After Takeoff

This is the screen showing flight progress around the time the meal service began after takeoff.

The remaining time shows 4 hours and 54 minutes. The total flight time to Hawaii is about 7.5 hours.

It really feels like it goes by quickly.

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In-Flight Meal

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Amuse-Bouche and Champagne

Amuse-bouche (appetizers) and champagne.

・ Almond stick
・ Marinated shrimp, cheese, and olives

Current Location

By the time the amuse-bouche was served, there were 4.5 hours remaining in the flight. The screen showed our current position on the map, and the main meal service began with the carts rolling out.

Western Meal

I chose the Western meal. It was served on a single tray.

(Appetizer) Pumpkin blancmange-style with smoked duck
Blancmange is a cold dessert made by combining flavored milk with sugar, vanilla, and cream, then setting it to firm
(Main) Sautéed flounder with piperade
Piperade is a mixture of eggplant and bell peppers sautéed and simmered in a chili-infused tomato sauce
Potato gnocchi in cream sauce
(Dessert) Crème de Marron (Mont Blanc)

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Honolulu

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Disembarking

We've arrived in Honolulu and are heading toward the aircraft exit.

The ceiling lights are lit in rainbow colors.

Poster of 'Lā-chan'

A cabin crew member held this poster to send us off.

Arrival in Honolulu

From the airport terminal window in Honolulu, I could see “Lā-chan” with her big eyes and long eyelashes.

Moving through the Terminal

Walking from the aircraft to immigration control.

The big windows offer a refreshing view of Honolulu’s blue sky and white clouds.

Hawaiian Blue Sky

The bright and crisp light of Honolulu. Compared to Japan, the lower humidity makes the sky look much bluer. No wonder so many Japanese people have always loved Hawaii.

A380 – Second Aircraft

You can see the second A380 aircraft preparing for departure in the distance.

Wiki-Wiki Shuttle

This is the “Wiki-Wiki Shuttle” bus. It's likely used to transport passengers from the aircraft to immigration due to the long distance between them.

Airport Map

This is the terminal map of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

Ground Transportation Info

This ground transportation guide is located just outside the terminal's arrivals exit.

It shows that the inter-terminal shuttle bus runs from the 1st floor, while city buses and ride-share pickups are on the 2nd floor.