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Home » ANA » How Impeccable ANA Shines Even During Flight Check-In
ANA

How Impeccable ANA Shines Even During Flight Check-In

Matthew Klint Posted onAugust 9, 2019November 14, 2023 21 Comments

I’ve got to hand it to ANA in the “attention to detail” department…even  check-in is covered.

I arrived at Honolulu Airport about three hours and 15 minutes before my flight to Tokyo. I knew the lounge opened three hours before and wanted to arrive early to take some pictures before it got crowded.

When I showed up to the check-in counter, it was not yet open. But all of a sudden at about 8:25AM, all the ANA ticket agents marched out of. a backroom in lockstep and began preparation to open the counters. The precision, almost like a military march, was impressive.

But rather than just sit down behind the counter, at 8:29AM everyone lined up in a straight line in front of the counters. As the clock struck 8:30AM, the manager on duty welcomed passengers to ANA in English and Japanese. Then, in unison, every agent bowed toward the many passengers now waiting in line.

a group of people standing in front of a desk

a group of people in a line at a check-in counter

I’ve never seen anything like it and quite frankly, I loved it. I deeply respect this element of Japanese culture and I know I was not the only passenger who felt a bit of awe at this simple yet meaningful gesture.

CONCLUSION

The hospitality on ANA is excellent, as my trip report will soon demonstrate. Even from the moment of check-in at an outstation I noticed the attention to detail and careful precision that mark ANA as a top-tier airline.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

21 Comments

  1. ron Reply
    August 9, 2019 at 9:52 am

    Had a similar experience a few months back in Guam. Was a bit early for check in on Korean and then witnessed a similar ceremony.

  2. James Reply
    August 9, 2019 at 10:09 am

    Mutation due to atomic bomb radiation is not always a bad thing it seems….

    • Mike Reply
      August 9, 2019 at 10:58 am

      This comment is disgusting and should be moderated.

      • Justin Reply
        August 9, 2019 at 3:54 pm

        +1

      • Christian Reply
        August 9, 2019 at 5:35 pm

        +1

        • Peter Reply
          August 12, 2019 at 9:05 pm

          +1

    • Lucian Reply
      August 9, 2019 at 11:05 am

      Americans are just retarded

      • Kacee Reply
        August 9, 2019 at 10:22 pm

        This comment, by contrast, displays remarkable erudition and sophistication.

  3. Santastico Reply
    August 9, 2019 at 10:10 am

    It reminds the check-in process at one of the Big 3 US airlines. LOL!!!!!!!!!

    • ron Reply
      August 10, 2019 at 10:44 pm

      Maybe AA could offer its check-in staff a 6 month internship at ANA? Their typical attitude and total disinterest is in need of some professional polishing. I suggest starting with Miami staff as they are by far the worst of the lot.

  4. AK Reply
    August 9, 2019 at 10:29 am

    this is all senseless symbolism. a bow costs nothing and gives you nothing of value.

    • Dom Reply
      August 9, 2019 at 1:37 pm

      That’s right, so everybody should stop smiling as it costs nothing and gives you nothing of value…

  5. Justin Reply
    August 9, 2019 at 10:30 am

    I went to a flagship Japanese department store at opening time on one of my visits to Tokyo. I think it was the Ginza branch of Mitsukoshi. This was just a normal day and at opening, all the store attendants in this huge department store had lined up along the main path running through the centre of the ground floor and proceeded to bow as I walked past. I felt like an emperor!

    • Justin Reply
      August 9, 2019 at 10:33 am

      Another story: I went to Tokyo for business meetings and so got to go to a bunch of Japanese big company offices. At one of the big banks, our meeting was at the end of the day and at another it was first thing in the morning. So I got to see streams of workers coming and and leaving their respective buildings. At both, the security guards would stand very upright at the entry barricades and would bow and greet every worker as they swiped in/out. I just can’t imagine US security guards even contemplating that.

    • Bandmeeting Reply
      August 9, 2019 at 11:29 am

      I was going to post virtually the same thing but I guess I don’t have to now.

      I’ll add that I’ve seen plenty of bowing in Asia but it is simply amazing to walk into a store and, what, 60 people bow as you make your way into the store.

  6. Moises Reply
    August 9, 2019 at 11:26 am

    Have seen this a few times at HKG. It has always impressed me and the other passengers waiting in line. I think it perfectly sets the tone for the day’s service from ANA staff.

  7. stanho Reply
    August 9, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    I agree with @AK – flown on ANA quite a few times. All bows and such but trying to change a randomly assigned seat to a window seat almost impossible: “No seats, sorry”. The reality – at least two open window seats on board.

    • James Reply
      August 9, 2019 at 7:03 pm

      Hahaha…. Just because they are polite, doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want…. Contrary to hollywood movies, murica is not the most important part of the world. Only hollywood aliens thought so…

  8. Chris. E Reply
    August 9, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    What a wonderful gesture! I don’t understand why so many negative comments.

  9. Kacee Reply
    August 9, 2019 at 10:24 pm

    I also love how NH ground staff wave goodbye to the aircraft as it taxis away from the gate. NH has most consistently great service of any airline I’ve flown.

  10. Michael Wilson Reply
    August 11, 2019 at 10:28 am

    Yes; I have experience the same thing with the Asian culture. Why can’t that be the way at all counters. Let people know you really care about them and respect them for flying there airline.
    I have always felt real comfort and respected flying ANA. I recommend this airline to everyone.

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