ANA Airlines Honest Review 2025: Is It a Good Airline

Few airlines earn a Skytrax 5-Star rating for more than a decade. ANA has maintained that distinction for 13 consecutive years (ANA Holdings) and remains one of just 11 carriers worldwide at that level, with a safety record and service that competes directly with Japan Airlines.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan ·
Founded: 1952 ·
Skytrax Rating: 5-Star ·
IATA Code: NH

Here is a quick reference of ANA’s key facts.

Four facts, one pattern: ANA’s consistency across multiple Skytrax categories—airport services, cabin crew, cleanliness—points to a deeply ingrained service culture.

Is ANA Airlines a good airline?

Customer reviews and ratings

• ANA holds a Skytrax 5-Star rating, one of only 11 airlines worldwide (ANA).
• In Skytrax’s 2025 World’s Best Airlines ranking, ANA placed 5th, while JAL placed 9th (Nippon.com).
• Travelers on TripAdvisor consistently praise service, seat comfort, and meal quality.

The implication: ANA’s reputation isn’t built on a single award—it’s backed by sustained high marks across multiple dimensions.

Skytrax 5-Star certification

• Skytrax describes ANA as certified 5-Star for both airport and onboard product and staff service (Skytrax Ratings).
• The rating covers over 800 categories, including seats, amenities, food and beverages, in-flight entertainment, cleanliness, and cabin and ground staff service (ANA).

What this means: Skytrax’s methodology goes far beyond passenger surveys—it includes auditor inspections across every touchpoint.

Safety record and awards

• ANA has no hull losses since 2000, placing it among the safest airlines globally.
• It won Skytrax World’s Best Airport Services for the sixth consecutive year in 2025 (ANA Holdings).
• It also earned Best Airline Staff Service in Asia for the fifth consecutive year (ANA Holdings).

The pattern: Safety and service are treated as inseparable dimensions of the same omotenashi philosophy.

This philosophy underpins ANA’s sustained 5-Star status.

Which country owns ANA Airlines?

Country of registration

• ANA is headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan (ANA).
• It is a Japanese airline, registered and regulated under Japanese civil aviation law.

Major shareholders

• ANA is owned by Japanese investors, with the largest shareholder being the ANA Holdings group.
• No single foreign entity holds a controlling stake, ensuring Japanese operational control.

Why this matters: For travelers who prioritize national safety oversight, Japan’s regulatory framework—one of the world’s strictest—adds an extra layer of confidence.

Are ANA and Japan Airlines the same?

Distinct companies

• ANA and JAL are separate airlines with different ownership structures and corporate histories.
• ANA traces its roots to 1952 as Nippon Helicopter; JAL was established in 1951.

Shared routes and alliances

• Both serve the Tokyo-Narita to Los Angeles route, among others, but belong to different alliances: ANA is in Star Alliance, JAL is in oneworld (Japan Airlines).

Key differences

• ANA has a larger fleet (~200 aircraft) compared to JAL (~160).
• ANA’s fleet is newer on average, with a higher proportion of Boeing 787s.
• JAL’s first class suites are widely regarded as more private, while ANA’s business class is lauded for seat width and storage.

The catch: Alliance loyalty often determines the better choice—Star Alliance travelers will prefer ANA; oneworld loyalists will lean JAL.

Is ANA a high-end airline?

Cabin classes and service

• ANA offers First Class, Business Class (“The Room”), Premium Economy, and Economy.
• “The Room” business class (launched 2024) features sliding doors, 17-inch IFE screens, and direct aisle access (ANA).

Business class and first class features

• First Class on ANA’s Boeing 777-300ER offers 4 suites with 23-inch IFE screens.
• Premium Economy offers 38-inch seat pitch and dedicated cabin service.

Awards and recognition

• ANA ranked 2nd in Skytrax’s World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew category in 2025 (Nippon.com).
• It ranked 1st in World’s Best Airport Services (2025) (Nippon.com).

The trade-off: ANA’s premium cabins are among the best in Asia, but pricing often mirrors that of European flag carriers—high value for money, but not a budget option.

What’s better, Japan Airlines or ANA?

Service quality comparison

Both airlines earn 5-Star Skytrax ratings, but their awards profiles differ. ANA leads in airport services and cabin crew; JAL excels in terminal lounges and first-class privacy.

Route networks

• ANA’s Star Alliance membership provides extensive connections through United, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines.
• JAL’s oneworld membership offers American Airlines, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific links.

Frequent flyer programs

• ANA Mileage Club allows redemptions on all Star Alliance carriers.
• JAL Mileage Bank provides oneworld partner access.

Three facts, one pattern: The choice between ANA and JAL largely comes down to alliance preference and specific cabin features rather than overall quality.

Nine points of comparison, one pattern: ANA leads in Skytrax subcategories (airport services, cabin crew, cleanliness) and holds a higher global ranking, while JAL matches on core rating but trails in awards frequency.

These comparisons show ANA’s edge in most Skytrax categories.

Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

These distinctions help readers weigh the reliability of available information.

What the experts say

“ANA continues to deliver a consistently high standard of product and service.”

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax

“Only 11 airlines worldwide have achieved Skytrax’s highest rating.”

ANA spokesperson, quoting Skytrax data

For travelers deciding between Japanese carriers, the choice hinges on alliance loyalty: Star Alliance members get seamless connections with ANA, while oneworld loyalists will prefer JAL. Either way, both airlines deliver world-class safety and service—ANA’s decade-plus consistency makes it a safe bet for anyone seeking a premium experience from a Japanese airline.

Frequently asked questions

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