ANA sponsors ‘Japan Pavilion’ at Expo Milano 2015 food exhibition

In line with ANA’s strategy to promote international tourism to Japan, ANA will sponsor the ‘Japan Pavilion’ at Expo Milano 2015, from May until October.

Expo Milano 2015 will focus on global food and nutrition with the theme of ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’. The Expo will look at the relationship between food and culture, food innovation and technology as well as considering how food can improve wellness and impact lifestyle.

The ‘Japan Pavilion’ will showcase various aspects of traditional Japanese cuisine, known as ‘washoku’, including agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries, as well as some of the skills and techniques involved in food preparation and cookery.

In conjunction with Expo Milano 2015, ANA will also launch new content on the theme of ‘washoku’ on its ‘IS JAPAN COOL?’ website* from March 24. The website, launched in 2012, is designed to promote Japanese culture and encourage tourism to Japan. The website will introduce a wide range of Japanese cuisine, including everything from well-known dishes such as sushi, ramen noodles, sukiyaki and wasabi (Japanese horseradish), through to lesser known ingredients, seasonings and condiments such as katsuo-bushi (dried bonito fish flakes) and Japanese vinegar. The washoku series will also cover whisky made in Japan.

The ‘IS JAPAN COOL?’ show, created by ANA, will also be shown on in-flight entertainment systems on international flights throughout the year. During April and May the show will feature tempura (battered vegetables and seafood), oden (a hot broth containing various ingredients) and Japanese vinegar. The show will introduce viewers to new tastes as well as explaining the care and skill involved in the creation of ‘washoku’ and the history of the cuisine.

As an airline linking Japan with the rest of the world, ANA is committed to continually promoting Japan as an exciting, unique and vibrant travel destination for international tourists.

London Heathrow and Star Alliance take joint accolade

London Heathrow and Star Alliance have won the World’s Airport of the Year at Air Transport World’s (ATW) 41st Annual Airline Industry Achievement Awards, honoured jointly for their collaborative work on the new Terminal 2 at Heathrow. The accolade was presented to Andy Garner Director Airline Business Development, London Heathrow, and Mark Schwab, Star Alliance CEO, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. last night (25 February).

“London Heathrow Airport truly stood out for its exceptional project in the redesign of Terminal 2 and its demonstration of what can be achieved when airports and airlines work together. Heathrow and Star Alliance have produced a marvellous facility that is a win, win for its passengers in every respect,” ATW Editor-in-Chief Karen Walker said.

The award is one of the first bestowed on the new Terminal 2 | the Queen’s Terminal which opened on June 4th, 2014. The purpose-built, state of the art facility was jointly conceived by Heathrow Airport, Star Alliance and its member carriers with the aim of establishing a true seamless hub at one of the world’s premier international airports. The building was designed by Spanish Architect Luis Vidal to be simple and intuitive, with a bright and airy atmosphere. The 2.5 billion GBP investment is part of an overall upgrade to Heathrow Airport, which has cost a total of 11 billion GBP over the last five years.

Mark Schwab commented: “In June last year we rang in a new era for our customers, member carriers and employees at London Heathrow. Feedback we have received so far confirms that we offer our customers a superior travel experience, are creating new business opportunities for our member carriers and providing an improved working environment for employees. It is great to see our joint efforts culminate in receiving the prestigious Air Transport World Airport of the Year Award; the first time ever that this award is being given jointly to an airport and an airline alliance.”

Andy Garner said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this coveted award. This is a very valuable accolade within the airline industry and our success is the result of a strong collaboration with over 180 organisations, particularly Star Alliance, to deliver such a complex project. Our passengers are pleased with the result – our airport service quality scores show that if Terminal 2 was an airport in its own right we would have the best customer service scores in Europe. We couldn’t be more proud of what we have achieved so far and this award is a step towards fulfilling our ambition to become one of the best airports in the World.”

Being able to operate from a single terminal at Heathrow ensures that Star Alliance member carriers can offer their more than 12 million passengers using the airport on an annual basis a vastly improved travel experience, including shorter connecting times. The latest technology is used throughout the terminal to give passengers control of their journey. The check-in area has been specially designed for speed and efficiency. Airlines are grouped in zones, while a row of 81 common use self-service kiosks can be used by any passenger to check in and/or print a bag tag before handing their luggage to an agent at the fast bag drop. Full-service traditional check-in desks are provided for the use of First Class, Business Class and Star Alliance Gold passengers. This passenger group also has a Gold Track option to speed them through the security checks.

Eight out of 12 gates at the T2B satellite allow self-boarding, meaning passengers simply pass through a mechanical barrier to board their flight.

Three airline lounges are currently available for premium passengers, including those with Star Alliance Gold status. These are located in the main terminal building and the satellite, so eligible passengers can relax close to their gate. A fourth lounge is due to open in the coming months.

The terminal also houses some of the best in British retail, including John Lewis, Cath Kidston and Mulberry.

The Star Alliance airlines serving Heathrow are Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India*, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, and United.

Together they operate over 121 flights per day to 47 destinations in 26 countries. Each of these flights acts as a gateway to the full Alliance network of more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,321 airports in 193 countries

ANA announced 2014 Summer Flight Schedule with changes to International Routes

ANA recently announced their new international flight schedule for summer 2014 and new services to Vancouver (Canada) and Hanoi (Vietnam).

The expansion which became effective March 30, 2014 will make ANA the biggest airline carrier at Haneda – offering the most international flights to and from this airport. Since Haneda Airport is easily accessible from Tokyo, the new flight schedules and the existing domestic network of ANA will make it easier and more convenient for passengers to connect with Japan and to travel to overseas destinations. Aside from Vancouver and Hanoi, ANA will also offer services to London, Jakarta and Manila. The schedule details of these flights are soon to be announced.

ANA also announced that they are increasing the number of North American destinations it services from Asian cities via Narita to improve the convenience of their passengers.

ANA operates a dual-airport strategy in the Tokyo area, capitalizing on the respective strengths of Haneda and Narita Airport. Routes and schedules for destinations served from both airports are carefully planned to complement one another, offering passengers the greatest convenience, and to meet the growing demand for international travel.

The full details of the new flights, routes and aircraft are as follows:

(1) New Service

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*1 Schedule for NH857 is 10 minutes earlier than shown during March 30-Apr 30. Boeing 787-8 will be introduced from June.

*2 Boeing 787-8 will be introduced from May.

 

(2) Added Flights

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*1 Boeing 787-8 will be introduced from July.

(3) Changes in flight schedules

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*1 Due to changes in operating schedules, flights originating in Jakarta will be suspended on March 30.

*2 Flight schedule for NH1163 and NH1164 will be changed and operated as NH1167 and NH1160. Due to changes in schedules, NH1160 on March 30 will be suspended.

(4) Suspended and reduced flights

ANA will offer alternative flights to passengers who have made reservations on flights that will be
suspended after March 30.

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*1 ANA will suspend flights between Narita and London but code-sharing flights with Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd will remain.

*2 Flights NH111 and NH902 will be suspended.

*3 Flights NH953 and NH916 will be suspended.

 

(5) Service resumed

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