The foot rests – even in economy – is a critical feature for Japanese travelers. Shorter legs get very fatigued hanging in the air over a long flight. The footrests help them rest their feet, and can be pushed out of the way for a longer-legged passenger.

As for reclining seats – I never recline my seat, because I figure it is discourteous to the person sitting behind me. Even if it’s only a small recline, this feature allows me to do so without intruding into somebody else’s space.

It all looks so sterile, and uninviting to me, they remind me too much of the velvet prison known as office cubicles.

**Exception***

I DO like those economy seats, they look like much better offerings than current economy class. Those Prem seats look pretty comfortable as well. Very soon, there will be no justifiable reason to pay the $$$ to sit up front.

hey Cranky! do you cover Emirates airlines frequent flyer topics too? I’d love it if ek’d also copy ana’s ideas for coach, biz class, 1st etc.

I have written about Emirates product before. You can see all posts here:
http://crankyflier.com/category/airline/emirates/

Hhm, I am wondering about the recline of those new economy seats. I couldn’t find anything on this in the ANA announcement. The backs of these seats don’t move, so the recline must be ‘internal’ a la Thompson and probably isn’t big. Recline is the #1 thing for me (not legroom, as I am not very tall). I just can’t sleep if the seat does not recline considerably.

You’re right, it is an internal recline. You can get an idea from the pic at this link, but it’s hard to know if that’s the full recline or not:
https://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/en/new_brand_2010/y_class.html

You would think that with 34″ pitch, they’d be able to have it recline more than the airlines who try this with lesser pitch, but I don’t know for sure.

Gary Leff wrote:

But where ANA really needs to focus in first class is ground service. Remains to be seen how much of an improvement this’ll be on the ground.

Did you look at the suite check-in and the suite lounges? It seems like they’ll be really on top of their game in Tokyo, but that doesn’t really apply to the rest of the system. What aspect needs the most help in your opinion?

Sure, this new first will be ‘better’ and it’s time for an update. But where ANA really needs to focus in first class is ground service. Remains to be seen how much of an improvement this’ll be on the ground.

Business looks great, not really innovative but a huge leap forward compared to their angled flat product. And of course there are big advances in the other two lesser cabins.

Always love it when airlines make product improvements, rather than cutbacks!

I think KT74’s comments are spot on!! ..and he is correct regarding the Delta layout! (on their 767-400s) He is talking about Layout, not space!

Yes, that’s fine. I don’t recall saying that this was the first time anyone had ever used this layout?

I continue to be amazed at how Cranky can trash (and offer up biased reports time and time again) this time with JAL off the bat, and yet totally ignore JL’s upgrades. http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/

Hmm, welcome to Cranky. Apparently you haven’t been reading very long, because I most certainly did cover the JAL seats when they were launched last year. Have a read:
http://crankyflier.com/2008/06/17/japan-air-lines-rolls-out-new-first-and-business-class-seats/

Based upon what I have read over the past year on this site. Whereas Cranky clearly knows the US domestic market! Its also clear that he does not travel much overseas…..and his blatant nonstop trashing of Virgin America is proof of this. As I mentioned before several months ago. Richard Bransons dream was to launch a US based Virgin airline. Its a dream (something “most” Americans do not understand the concept of) that he would sink $1 billion dollars into a hole to make it happen! ..its been a long fight, and worth it, regardless of the outcome in the future. Understand the parent company, to understand the product!!!

I fail to see how just because Richard Branson has a dream, I shouldn’t be able to trash it? If he wants to drop a ton of money into an airline, he’s more than welcome to do so. I will continue to say I think it’s a dumb idea. Also, I’m not quite sure why this means I don’t travel much overseas, but I suppose that’s a discussion for another time.

By the way, of course this site has bias. People don’t come here to read the news. They come here to read my opinion and the opinion of all the commenters. All comments are welcome, and when there are civilized disagreements, it’s at its best.

ANA basically copied Swiss, and improved upon it!

I continue to be amazed at how Cranky can trash (and offer up biased reports time and time again) this time with JAL off the bat, and yet totally ignore JL’s upgrades. http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/ Its clear that NH blows JAL out of the water, but their upgrades are still far superior to ALL US carriers, and it should be noted!

Based upon what I have read over the past year on this site. Whereas Cranky clearly knows the US domestic market! Its also clear that he does not travel much overseas…..and his blatant nonstop trashing of Virgin America is proof of this. As I mentioned before several months ago. Richard Bransons dream was to launch a US based Virgin airline. Its a dream (something “most” Americans do not understand the concept of) that he would sink $1 billion dollars into a hole to make it happen! ..its been a long fight, and worth it, regardless of the outcome in the future. Understand the parent company, to understand the product!!!

Sometimes Im just beside myself when I read this site!…BUT. CF is great when he sticks to the domestic market!.