Choosing the best airlines for Japan travel or anywhere, can make or break your travel experience, especially for families or long-haul travelers. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compared the best airlines for Japan travel flying from North America, including ANA, JAL, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines. Here’s why ANA stands out as the top choice as one of the best airlines for Japan travel.
1. Family-Friendly Amenities
- ANA: From welcome gifts like toys and coloring books to pre-bookable bassinets, ANA prioritizes families. Their cabin crew offers exceptional support, such as warming milk and assisting with diaper changes, making travel stress-free for parents and kids. Rating: ★★★★★
- JAL: Also family-friendly, with thoughtful children’s meals and activities, but lacks some of ANA’s extra touches like welcome gifts. Rating: ★★★★☆
- United Airlines: Basic family amenities are available, but services are not as extensive or personalized. Rating: ★★★☆☆
- Delta Airlines: Family services are improving, but they don’t stand out compared to ANA or JAL. Rating: ★★★☆☆
- American Airlines: Limited family-focused services make it less appealing for travelers with young children. Rating: ★★★☆☆
2. In-Flight Dining Quality
- ANA: Offers gourmet-quality meals with options for Japanese and Western cuisine, as well as allergy-friendly and children’s meals. Meals are thoughtfully crafted to suit all ages. Rating: ★★★★★
- JAL: Known for its excellent Japanese cuisine, JAL also provides high-quality meals, including options for children. Rating: ★★★★☆
- United Airlines: Standard in-flight meals that are serviceable but lack variety or special touches. Rating: ★★★☆☆
- Delta Airlines: Improved food offerings, though Japanese meal options are limited. Rating: ★★★☆☆
- American Airlines: Basic meal offerings with little variety or focus on quality. Rating: ★★★☆☆
3. Punctuality
- ANA: Renowned for its exceptional on-time performance, with minimal delays. Rating: ★★★★★
- JAL: Similarly reliable, with high punctuality rates. Rating: ★★★★☆
- United Airlines: Prone to delays compared to Japanese carriers, but still relatively reliable. Rating: ★★★★☆
- Delta Airlines: Generally punctual, though not as consistent as ANA or JAL. Rating: ★★★★☆
- American Airlines: More frequent delays make it less dependable. Rating: ★★★☆☆
4. Cabin Comfort
- ANA: Spacious, ergonomically designed seats make long flights comfortable and relaxing. Rating: ★★★★★
- JAL: Equally comfortable, with a focus on passenger relaxation. Rating: ★★★★☆
- United Airlines: Standard seating with less focus on passenger comfort compared to ANA or JAL. Rating: ★★★★☆
- Delta Airlines: Offers decent comfort but lacks the premium feel of Japanese carriers. Rating: ★★★★☆
- American Airlines: Seats are adequate but fall short in comparison to ANA or JAL. Rating: ★★★☆☆
5. Customer Service
- ANA: Exemplifies Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) with attentive, professional, and warm cabin crew who cater to every passenger’s needs. Rating: ★★★★★
- JAL: Exceptional service similar to ANA, with highly trained and courteous staff. Rating: ★★★★☆
- United Airlines: Service quality is average, with less emphasis on personalization. Rating: ★★★☆☆
- Delta Airlines: Friendly service but lacks the refined touch of Japanese carriers. Rating: ★★★☆☆
- American Airlines: Service quality can be inconsistent, leaving room for improvement. Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why All Nippon Airways (ANA) is One of the Best Airlines for Japan Travel
Family-Friendly Amenities That Shine
Traveling with kids can be a challenge, but ANA makes it seamless with its family-first approach. From the moment we boarded, our daughter was delighted by a welcome gift—a toy and coloring book that kept her entertained for hours. For families with infants, ANA offers pre-bookable bassinets, which were a lifesaver for us.
The cabin crew provided exceptional support, offering help with warming milk, engaging our child, and ensuring we had everything we needed to relax. Compared to other airlines, such as JAL, which also offers great family amenities but lacks ANA’s thoughtful extras like welcome gifts, ANA truly goes above and beyond. Airlines like United, Delta, and American Airlines provide only basic family support, making ANA the clear winner for families.
In-Flight Dining: Gourmet Meals for All Ages
ANA’s in-flight dining transforms the experience of airplane meals into a culinary adventure. Whether you prefer authentic Japanese cuisine or Western dishes, ANA offers gourmet-quality meals that rival top restaurants. Families will appreciate the allergy-friendly and kid-specific meal options, which can be pre-ordered for peace of mind.
Our daughter, a notoriously picky eater, happily cleaned her plate during every meal—something we’ve never experienced with other airlines. While JAL also provides high-quality meals, airlines like United, Delta, and American lag behind with standard, uninspired options.
Exceptional Punctuality You Can Count On
One of the most frustrating aspects of air travel is delays, but ANA is known for its outstanding on-time performance. Our flight departed and landed exactly as scheduled, eliminating unnecessary stress. JAL is similarly reliable, while airlines like United, Delta, and American have a higher tendency for delays, making ANA a top choice for punctuality.
Comfort Redefined: Spacious and Modern Cabins
Flying long-haul can be tiring, but ANA’s thoughtfully designed cabins make the journey comfortable and relaxing. The spacious seats, ergonomic design, and generous legroom ensure that even families with young children have plenty of room to move around.
JAL offers comparable comfort, but ANA stands out with its seamless combination of comfort and tranquility. In contrast, United, Delta, and American Airlines offer standard seating that doesn’t quite match the premium feel of Japanese carriers.
World-Class Customer Service
ANA sets the gold standard for hospitality with its warm, attentive, and bilingual cabin crew. During our flight, a flight attendant surprised our daughter with a handwritten boarding certificate, a personal touch that left a lasting impression.
While JAL also excels in customer service, ANA’s focus on creating a personalized experience takes it one step further. American, Delta, and United Airlines deliver service that is polite but lacks the refined attention to detail characteristic of Japanese hospitality (omotenashi).
Reliable Entertainment for All Ages
Keeping kids entertained during long flights is no easy task, but ANA’s in-flight entertainment system is a lifesaver. With a wide selection of movies, games, and kid-friendly shows, there’s something for everyone. We especially loved the messaging feature that allowed passengers to communicate via seat-back screens—a fun way to stay connected during the flight.
Compared to competitors, ANA’s entertainment offerings are more diverse and family-friendly.
Business Class: A Worthwhile Upgrade
While our recent trip was in economy, I’ve flown ANA’s business class before and can confidently say it’s worth every penny. The lie-flat seats, multi-course gourmet meals, and free-flowing high-end sake elevate the experience to pure luxury. Whether traveling for business or a special occasion, ANA’s business class is an indulgent way to fly.
Effortless Airport Experience
ANA’s exceptional service begins before you even board. Priority boarding and “Airport Support” services make navigating busy airports a breeze, even with toddlers in tow. The process, from check-in to boarding, was seamless and stress-free—an invaluable feature for families.
Free In-Flight Internet: Even Better Connectivity in 2024
Starting in the summer of 2024, ANA will offer free in-flight internet to Business Class passengers on international flights. This expansion builds on their previous initiative, which made internet free for First Class passengers in 2018. But that’s not all—by the end of 2024, passengers in Premium Economy and Economy Class will also be able to send text messages (via social media or email) for free using the ANA Wi-Fi Service.
Whether you’re staying connected with family or catching up on work emails, ANA’s move to make in-flight communication more accessible ensures a seamless and stress-free travel experience for everyone.
Seat-to-Seat Messaging: Stay Connected Across the Cabin
One of ANA’s most unique features is the Seat-to-Seat Messaging system, which allows passengers to send messages to other seats directly from their personal monitors. This feature is perfect for families or groups traveling together who may be seated separately, or for those in different travel classes.
How it Works:
- Open the messaging feature on your personal monitor.
- Enter the seat number of the person you wish to contact.
- Type your message using the virtual keyboard or the keyboard on the back of the monitor controller.
This function is available on select aircraft, including:
- Boeing 777-300ER (some models)
- Boeing 767-300ER
- Boeing 787-8 (some models)
While ANA has no plans to introduce this feature on new aircraft, they have confirmed that it will remain available on aircraft already equipped with the system. It’s a small but thoughtful touch that adds convenience and fun to the flight experience.
Enhanced Entertainment Meets Connectivity
ANA has long been a leader in in-flight entertainment, offering a diverse library of movies, TV shows, and e-books. With the addition of expanded internet services in 2024, passengers can enjoy not only these entertainment options but also stay connected to the outside world in real-time. From updating social media to sending emails, ANA ensures that your in-flight experience is productive and entertaining.
Why Choose ANA?
As the comparison shows, ANA excels in every key area, from family-focused amenities and gourmet dining to punctuality, comfort, and outstanding customer service. These qualities make it the ultimate choice for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
For families in particular, ANA’s thoughtful touches—such as kids’ meals, bassinets, and attentive crew—can transform the journey into a stress-free and enjoyable experience. With its commitment to excellence, ANA ensures your trip to Japan starts the moment you step onboard.
If you’re planning a trip from North America, ANA is one of the best airlines for Japan travel—it’s also a gateway to Japanese hospitality and comfort.
Secret Tips to Booking ANA Tickets
- Book Early or During Sales: ANA frequently offers discounts during special sales periods. Signing up for their newsletter is a great way to stay informed.
- Use ANA Mileage Club: Redeem points for discounted flights or upgrades. If you’re not a member yet, it’s worth joining.
- Leverage Partner Airlines: ANA is part of the Star Alliance, meaning you can sometimes find cheaper tickets through partner airlines offering ANA-operated flights.
- Flexible Dates: Midweek flights and off-peak seasons are often more affordable. Use flexible date search tools to find the best deals.
- Travel Portals: Websites like Expedia, Kayak, or Google Flights sometimes list discounted ANA fares not visible on the official website.
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P.S. Visit ANA’s official website here for more information on their family-friendly services and tips for flying with children.
