Previously, only Delta and United operated non-stops fromSeattle to Tokyo (SEA-TYO).ANA flights leave SeaTac at 1:09 p.m. and arrive inTokyo at 3:10 p.m. local time the next day, as the flights cross theinternational date line. Return flightsleave at 4:55 p.m. local time, arriving in Seattle at 9:37 a.m. on the same daythe flight departed, again owing to crossing the international date line.
As of July 21, an economy ticket for flightsleaving August 10 and returning August 17 could be purchased for as low as$2,425.50, while the lowest Business Class round trip ticket is $7,650.50, andFirst Class seats are available for as low as $9,250.50. At those prices, all classes of ticket haverestrictions; unrestricted fares are, of course, higher.
Coach fares are approximately double the price available onDelta, either through the airline’s own website or through Travelocity. Movingto Business Class, however, the gap narrows, with at least one Delta businessfare available on the same travel dates for $6,533.10.
But then, you get what you pay for.
While I can’t remember when my last Delta flight was, I canremember being distinctly unimpressed. And I’ve been pretty outspoken in mycriticisms of United, which sadly have not been abated by their merger withContinental.
ANA, on the other hand, has an excellent reputation in thetravel industry (as do many non-U.S. carriers) and boasts of a number ofawards, including being named Best Transpacific Airline in 2012 by the airlinereview web site SKYTRAX.
Although passengers will ride in a 777 for the first few months, ANA will replace the triple-7 with a 787, Boeing’s newDreamliner that is winning accolades from its passengers, some time in the fall. ANA was the firstairline to take delivery of the Dreamliner and is currently operating 10according to the latest Boeing data. The only other airline to have takendelivery of the 787 is Japan Airlines, which has taken delivery of four todate. Accordingly, passengers who choose to fly to Tokyo on Delta or United canbe assured they’ll be riding older aircraft.
Beyond that, both U.S. airlines have recently beencriticized for their lack of customer service as well as the state of theiraircraft.
In my recent post “Actuallyusing those frequent flier miles,” I cited a survey that showed Delta atthe bottom of the heap when passengers tried to use their accumulated miles.
Seattle Times travel writer Carol Pucci was also recently criticalof the airline, writing on May 26 that Delta’s taking over of Air France'sdaily Seattle-to-Paris daily nonstop provided passengers with “the travelequivalent of a stale baguette.” Infairness, Pucci later reported that Delta will be replacing the aging 767-300it now flies on that route with a newer model 767 by January 2013.
Even with all else equal, I still recommend flying anairline operated by the country for which you’re headed. That way, you beginexperiencing some of the flavor of your destination as soon as you board theaircraft rather than waiting until after you’ve cleared customs upon arrival.
Bon voyage!
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