ANA collaborates with British designers Acumen on new cabins
The first redesigned aircraft will serve the Tokyo/Haneda-London route (NH211/NH212)*1 from the 2nd August 2019. Featuring the latest technology and design principles, these upgraded aircraft boast interiors that offer first rate comfort and convenience to all passengers and showcase the true inspiration of Japan.
“Our partnerships with Mr. Kuma and Acumen illustrate that ANA has sought out the input of the most influential voices in the design community for these innovative new cabin designs,” said Hideki Kunugi, Executive Vice President of ANA. “In 2010, we were the first in Japan to introduce the full flat seat with all aisle access and in order for ANA to continue to lead and set the global standard for comfort and convenience, we knew that it would be necessary to integrate the latest insights from design professionals as we sought to redesign the flight experience and elevate every aspect of travel for our passengers.”
“The design process is just as much about what we decided to include as what we decided to omit,” said architect Kengo Kuma of his involvement in the project. “My work is about understanding how space is used and creating the most comfortable conditions in any environment. I enjoyed working with ANA and Acumen to combine the best of Eastern and Western design traditions and create a finished product that sets a global standard by embracing Japanese heritage and international outlook.”
“Our work focused on transforming the cabin experience by fusing the rich history and culture of Japan with modern design principles and technologies,” said Ian Dryburgh, Founder and CEO of Acumen. “Combining our expertise in aviation interior design with the renowned visionary approach of Kengo Kuma, together we have created a striking cabin that has elevated the ANA customer experience to its highest level across all classes.”
New First Class Seat – 'THE Suite'
Among the most noticeable changes to the remodeled aircraft are the all-new First Class seats. Designed with impeccable attention to detail, THE Suite is inspired by luxury Japanese hotels and is the most spacious fully enclosed seating ever seen on an ANA aircraft. New features include the addition of privacy-enhancing doors as well as a crystal-clear 43 inch monitor that is the world’s first 4K personal monitor on a commercial airliner. THE Suite also boasts a movable partition which can be adjusted upon request to pair seats as well as a universal PC and USB port. For the ultimate grandeur, a luxury dark wood finish features throughout the cabin.
New Business Class Seat – 'THE Room'
At the heart of ANA’s new product investment is a brand new seat design for Business Class called THE Room. Inspired by modern, multifunctional Japanese living spaces, THE Room offers for the first time flexible doors for personal privacy that can also be adjusted to share the space with fellow travel companions – from dining together with the family to conducting meetings with colleagues. With its bold forward and rearward seat layout, THE Room offers a revolutionary change in space and comfort for ANA Business Class customers, offering one of the largest Business Class seating environments in the world – with a wide sofa which is double the width to previous Business Class seating. With a design focus on minimization and de-cluttering, the Business Class seat offers a ‘place for everything’ including discreet areas for all personal belongings, with deep blue accent hues precisely placed inside each compartment.
To bring warmth and a ‘home away from home’ feel to the cabin, Kengo Kuma finished the seats with three different wood finishes inspired by modern Japanese homes – Rosewood, Light Japanese Ash and Dark Japanese Ash.
New Premium Economy and Economy Class Seat
To celebrate the rich and magnificent history of Japan, the new Premium Economy and Economy Class upholstery has been redesigned with Japanese patterns which tell a story known as ‘The Journey,’ reflecting guests’ inflight experience from departure to landing. Traditional prints include tatami mat pattern which represents a Japanese welcome, and an arrow design taken from the Yagasuri pattern to suggest movement and direction. These non-repeating patterns mean each seat cover, across the Premium Economy and Economy seats will be completely unique. Passengers traveling in Premium Economy and Economy Class will also enjoy an enhanced flight experience thanks to improved touch screen monitors and headrests that are adjustable along six distinct axes. These are the same upgrades recently installed on ANA’s Boeing 787-10 aircraft.
Enhancement of In-flight Entertainment System
ANA is first in the world to introduce 4K resolution personal monitor on commercial aircraft, which is featured in First Class and Business Class. On this screen, not only can passengers enjoy the 4K visuals, but also adjust the lighting and the reclining angle.
Personal seat monitors in all classes are powered by ANA’s advanced MY SKY CHANNEL application to create a fully customizable entertainment experience. The Android and iOS app allows all customers to browse in-flight entertainment programs before the flight and create a favourite list that can be accessed through a paired seat monitor. Passengers can also use their personal mobile devices to control the programs playing on the seat monitor as well as using their devices as second screens for entertainment content.
New Technology and Equipment for Quality Sleeping, Reading and Dining
Both First Class and Business Class seats will feature new lights made by Panasonic which have been custom-designed specifically for ANA. Inspired by natural sunrise, the lights have been crafted to improve comfort and convenience during sleeping, reading and dining.
Additionally, in First Class and Business Class, ANA will be providing bespoke seat mattress and bedding in partnership with Nishikawa. The unique product is tailor-made to the seat cushion for the most comfortable seating and quality sleep experience for customers in the sky.
New Interior Cabin Design
Complementing these comfort-boosting upgrades to seating areas, ANA has also completely revamped the entrance area of the aircraft to create a hotel like reception complete with welcome monitors. ANA has also designed a new food service area to embody the Japanese ‘Omotenashi’ philosophy of hospitality. With customers wanting more space and freedom to move around whilst onboard, ANA have redesigned the self-service bar area, which now boast mini-fridges stocked with beverages and snacks for customers to enjoy at any time. The contemporary design of the galleys integrates a back light panel which incorporates patterns inspired by traditional Japanese hand-made paper (known as ‘washi’).
Following the the recent win of ‘Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ at the prestigious 2019 SKYTRAX Awards, ANA has made even further upgrades to its dining service, including new premium International cuisine tableware that will showcase on flights in autumn. All Business Class passengers will also have the opportunity to pre-order their meals on the ANA website up to 24 hours before departure and can choose from menus from other routes ensuring the passengers are given the best service possible. This summer, starting from July 2019 on North America and Europe routes, ANA will provide six different menu choices, including the collaboration cuisine with restaurant Yonemura, currently available for passengers on the Asian routes.
With demand for Japan tourism increasingly on the rise, these new cabin transformations are a true testament to ANA’s continued efforts to improve every aspect of the in-flight experience to satisfy the dynamic needs of modern travelers.
Footnote: *1 Daily operation of the redesigned aircraft will start from the end of August or beginning of September. Until then, the aircraft will be operated on the even number dates in August and odd number dates in September. The schedules are subject to change.
