ANA Premium Class Review 2025—Is it worth the money

In this review, I'll share my experience flying in ANA's Premium Class on a domestic Kyoto to Okinawa flight aboard a Boeing 777-200. A surprisingly large plane for a short route, but with 15 flights a day between these cities, ANA clearly knows the demand is there. 

So, what can you expect from ANA’s Premium Class? Is it worth the extra cost? I'll give you my honest opinion about the seats, food, and perks, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

 

So, where does ANA’s Premium Class stand? 

I’d say it’s somewhere between Premium Economy and Business Class on long-haul flights. This isn’t just an economy seat with a little extra legroom. There is great food and drinks (with selections from the Business Class menu), flawless cabin crew, and the seats clearly took a cue from a higher cabin. 

In general, while other Premium Economy experiences still feel like they originated in Economy, this one actually delivers a noticeable upgrade that’s closer to Business Class. Let’s get into the details so you know what I mean. 

Note: Since I was on a domestic flight, I only had the choice between Economy or Premium Class, which felt sorta-kinda-almost like Business Class. However, on international flights, you can choose from the standard selection of Economy Class, Premium Economy, Business Class, and First Class.   

Either way, pay attention because ANA is becoming increasingly attractive for travelers from Europe: they launched a direct Milan–Tokyo route in December 2024, and there are more new direct flights in the pipeline: from Stockholm (in January 2025) and Istanbul (in February 2025). 

Here are a few numbers to start with. My ratings for ANA: 

Value for money: 10/10
Food: 6/10
Entertainment: 5/10
Boarding: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Seat: 10/10
Overall: 85%

Those are my ratings of ANA Premium Class in a nutshell. That’s all for this article. I hope you enjoyed it.

...

We flew with Ana Airlines Premium Class from Kyoto to Okinawa to give you an authentic review

 

Just kidding! I know you're here for more than just a few numbers. The good, the bad, and the ugly. So, let's start with a summary:

 

Is ANA Premium Class worth it?

ANA exceeded my expectations and is worth it. For our domestic flight, ANA’s Premium Class provided business class services for a minimal surcharge, around USD 50 per person for both flights. The price alone seems absurd to me; I can’t believe there were still vacant seats when I made my booking.

The seats are so comfortable, with a USB port, reading light, and not one but two table trays. Service was outstanding to the point I rated it 15/10. Priority check-in and boarding, lounge access… the perks just don’t stop. So, for me, upgrading to Premium Class is definitely worth the extra money. Otherwise, I wouldn't fly.

Bottom line: ANA Premium Class is absolutely worth it if the price is right. It’s a massive step up from Economy and offers a business-class feel at a fraction of the cost.

Some standout features:

 

PROS

• Fantastic value for money (it's like Business Class Lite!)
   
• Wide, super comfortable seats (2-3-2 layout, tons of legroom)
   
• Free wifi (as of October 2024, messaging is free even on international flights)
   
• Free seat reservations (ANA, bless you, for not milking us like the others)
   
• Outstanding service (and I mean 15/10: so attentive without hovering)
   
• Decent food for a short flight (no plastic, good taste and quality)
   
• Lounge access included (many airlines make Premium Economy passengers pay extra)
   
• Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage (you get through the airport much faster)
   
• 5-star airline ranking (the top rating for the 12^th year straight on Skytrax in 2025)

 

CONS

• Upgrade price is unpredictable (could be USD 50, could be double the base price)
   
• Lounge could use more snacks (seriously, ANA, where’s the munchies?)
   
• No fully flat seats (I’m obviously out of things to call “cons” so I’m pulling at straws)

 

Now let’s break it all down in detail. I want you to be able to imagine the experience so you can make the right choice for your own travels:

 

Value for money

One of the main advantages of ANA Airlines' Premium Economy is definitely the value for money. Similar to Austria’s premium economy, it has one "but"—the price changes based on various factors. Simply put, don't expect any logic behind it.

On domestic flights, the upgrade to Premium Economy could cost you around USD 50 per person for both flights (as in my case, lucky me), or it could be twice the ticket price. In the latter case, the value for money would be debatable.

Japan is great value for money... it was surprisingly cheap! 

 

How “Bid My Price” works

A fantastic tip: Have you heard about "Bid My Price"? If you have even a slight inclination towards gambling and betting, listen up. Bid My Price is a special program by ANA Nippon Airlines, mainly for international flights.

Imagine you buy an Economy class ticket and through this program, you have the chance to propose your own price for an upgrade to Premium Class (or Premium Economy on international flights). If your offered price fits, ANA Airlines will upgrade you to Premium Class for that price. Isn't that awesome? Of course, it depends on several factors, like the availability of Premium Class seats and the price bids of other passengers.  

Note: When you get upgraded like this, you are not able to reserve a seat like you normally would be if you bought Premium Class directly (not as an upgrade). You are not even guaranteed that you will be sitting with your partner if your plane tickets are on a single booking.

 

Premium class seats

Take a seat and fasten your seatbelt because we're now at one of the most critical criteria: the airplane seats. Let's be honest; the seats are the main reason why many of us are willing to pay extra for premium economy or business class, not just with ANA Airways.

The thought of being smooshed next to strangers who might smell, cough the entire journey, or take their shoes off during the flight (why, just why?!) is off-putting. It's the reason we're willing to pay sometimes a high price for a better experience.

The seat arrangement in ANA's Premium Class is 2-3-2, while the rest of the plane has a 2-4-2 arrangement. Thanks to this generous seating layout, you'll have a sense of ample personal space, something that doesn’t happen often in airplanes.

 

This is what economy class seats look like...

 

And now, the seats themselves. As I mentioned, don't expect everything to be great and sun-drenched, but the seats were, in fact,  great and sun-drenched. You can easily recline and adjust your seat using the control panel.

The legroom is almost infinite. Well, I might be slightly exaggerating; the distance between seats (seat pitch) is precisely 127 cm (4.16 ft), but with my 186 cm (6.1 ft), I couldn’t reach the seat in front of me!

The maximum recline of the seat is undoubtedly much greater than in the normal Economy Premium, but still not for a fully flat nap. That's a bit of a downside for me because I have trouble sleeping while sitting, but I understand that most people don't have this problem, so it doesn't affect my overall rating.

...and this is all the space and comfort my lovely girlfriend and I had on the Premium Class
 

Besides the enormous legroom and spacious seats, I also enjoyed the wider armrests between the seats and broader leg support. You know how I hate fighting over that middle armrest! So much that I have a secret strategy on how to gently psych my neighbor off of it [*evil eyes*]. ANA’s seats are a bit like sitting on a reasonably comfortable couch, which is a significant improvement compared to the normal economy class.

Apart from great comfort, you also have access to a small tray table and a massive table that extends from the seat partition. There’s even a USB port and a socket for charging your electronic devices. The cherry on top is the personal reading light built directly into the seat's armrest—seriously, a great deal. 

 

Dining experience

If you've spent some time on my blog, you probably know that I enjoy good food. Well... the food was good, considering that you're on a plane. But not so good that you'd momentarily feel like you're in a restaurant (far from it).

The refreshments arrived within half an hour after takeoff and in super nice quality for such a short flight (under two hours). However, I've experienced only the morning flight, and the "lunch menu" is different.

What did we get? Two sandwiches and, of course, miso soup (after all, we're in Japan). When you think of a sandwich on a plane, you might imagine a soggy baguette in a plastic bag, right? Not on ANA Airways. These sandwiches were actually good in taste and quality and there was no plastic in sight. 

After our meal, we were provided with mouthwash—I just love these little details!

See the sandwich? It’s not like every other airplane sandwich. This one was really good!

 

Besides refreshments, during the flight, you can also order specific alcoholic beverages and snacks from the business class menu within ANA Premium Class.

Compared to Economy Class, Premium Class is way better because there you'd get at most some soup. I know, the flight only lasted two hours, so you won’t starve, but at least you’ll be entertained for a while longer.

Note: I assume that if you fly on an international flight, the menu would be different. However, the quality should be comparable because in both cases, the food is prepared by ANA company chefs, who are apparently among the best in the world among airlines.

 

In-flight entertainment and wifi

Maybe it's just me, but I feel that staying entertained on a plane is next to impossible—read my long-haul flight survival tips for more about that. And I say that even though each of us had our own enormous screen (15.6 inches) and a variety of activities beyond just watching a movie. Thanks to the concepts of "Reading in the Sky," "Learning in the Sky," and "Watching in the Sky," you can read magazines and newspapers in digital form or visit an online educational environment (I didn't visit it, so I'm not sure what you can learn there).

There were plenty of things you could do during the flight. I loved the big screens and super cool stainless remote control
 

The selection of movies is massive, but the limiting factor was the time. The total flight duration is 1 hour and 40 minutes. And I’d rather not start a movie that I won’t finish.

Upon boarding the plane, you can take disposable headphones, which are probably the worst option because they're of low quality, and the idea of good noise cancellation is just wishful thinking. I wanted to say better than a poke in the eye, but in this case, I'm not entirely sure. But don't worry; as passengers in the Premium Class, you're entitled to headphones with optimum sound quality.

As a big plus with All Nippon Airways, I value the free Wi-Fi, available five minutes after takeoff and almost until landing. So, you can comfortably spend the entire flight scrolling on Instagram or reading the Japan itinerary I’ve put together for you.

Update for international ANA flights! Good news if you’re considering ANA for your long-haul flight! Unlike many airlines that treat wifi like a luxury reserved for Business Class snobs, ANA now offers free wifi for messaging in Premium Economy Class (as of October 2024). 

 

Premium service—the absolute best!

I would rate the flight crew 15/10. For me, the best experience so far on a short flight (and I have a long line of flights under my belt). Even before takeoff, the crew introduced themselves! You instantly feel like you're in an American restaurant or something.

This is how I imagine it when someone is doing their job exceptionally well. The flight attendants were extremely nice, constantly asking if everything was okay and if we needed anything. Not intrusively or annoyingly, just the right amount that makes you feel well taken care of.

From my experience, everything they say about Ana Premium Class is true

 

For me, service is really important for the overall impression, and not just when flying. I probably won’t be the only one who’s had an unpleasant visit to an otherwise great restaurant due to unfriendly staff. So, I give ANA Airlines a big plus for this.

 

Extra perks: Priority check-in, lounge access, and amenity kits

Yes, you read that right. Premium Class at All Nippon Airways includes priority check-in, priority boarding, and lounge access. I know, so much extra for so little money.

Regarding check-in, there were no people at all when we strolled into the airport, and the same was true at the security checkpoint. Efficiency at its finest. That means you don't waste time in lines but can spend more time in the lounge that’s just next door.

And now it’s getting even better: As of December 2024, ANA has been renovating its premium check-in desks at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport). The north-side ANA PREMIUM CHECK-IN is already finished, and the south side will be completed by summer 2025. They’re also adding smart lanes to speed up security. No more standing around while someone fumbles with their belt and realizes (too late) that liquids over 100 ml aren’t allowed. Have you not read my article on how to pack a carry-on?? Sheesh.

 

Despite all the comfort, speed, and being prioritized by Ana Airlines Premium Class, I couldn’t wait to explore Okinawa

What's in the lounge? Well, apart from enjoying the view of the planes and having breakfast, you can also unwind there. The beverage bar includes taps where you can pour your own beer. Now, who could resist that? Let me not be all positive; I found two downsides in the lounge: no available snacks and the toilets don't have heated seats (Japan, you’ve spoiled me!). I know, the horror!

Priority boarding, apart from feeling superior to the people waiting in line (I joke!), I don't really understand its benefits. Yes, you get on the plane before everyone else. But your seat is already chosen, and you still have to wait for the rest of the "normal" people to board.

Of course, it’s not just you who’s a priority, but also your luggage. That means that after landing, you’ll save time waiting at the carousel as your bags will arrive first. You’ll be exploring Okinawa while the economy folk are still waiting for their belongings.

The amenity kit

Really? You want more for this price? Greedy much?! Ok. It’s nothing major though, just some pleasant items that you get on the plane. In addition to the headphones I mentioned in the entertainment section, you also receive slippers. Sure, you won't probably use them on a two-hour flight, but on longer journeys, they might come in handy. And for those who want to take a nap, there's a blanket, an eye mask, and earplugs.

From Kyoto, we traveled to Okinawa and eventually, we ended up back in Tokyo

 

 

FAQ 1: What airline has the best Premium Economy?

I can't say with certainty since I haven't tried all airlines yet, but it's clear now that ANA Premium Class is 5% better than Austrian Airlines Premium Economy but not as good as Air France Premium Economy. Overall, I can't imagine what more they could offer passengers for the price.
 

FAQ 2: Does ANA Premium Economy have access to the lounge?

Yes, at most airports in Japan, passengers in the Premium Economy have free lounge access. That seems like a great advantage since most airlines do not provide lounge access to Premium Economy passengers, or if they do, they need to pay for it. (I mention in my Austrian Airlines review that Premium Economy doesn’t get access to lounges.)
 

FAQ3: What is the difference between premium economy and business?

Differences between business and premium economy class will vary widely depending on the airline. You can tell a big difference at the airport between ANA Premium Economy and Business. In Premium Economy, you can avoid only a single line or, to be accurate, the luggage line, because upon landing, you get your bags first. In Business Class, you also get your bags first, but in addition, you have priority check-in and priority boarding, and you also have the option to disembark first from the aircraft.

The good news is that both passengers from Premium Economy and Business will meet in the lounge, but again, this is true for ANA, but not true for all airlines (I mention in my Austrian Airlines review that Premium Economy doesn’t get access to lounges).

On the plane, in Business Class, you have your own private “island” where you can lie down completely. In the Premium Economy, you are still doing better than in the economy, but you cannot lie down completely.

In Premium Economy on ANA Airlines, your food will be of fast food quality, compared to Business Class where your meal is prepared by The Connoisseurs, a group of renowned chefs.

So, the conclusion is that Premium Economy is for sure an upgrade from Economy, but you cannot compare it to Business Class, and you really need to check the airline’s website for the specifics, because what is true for one airline doesn’t have to be true for another.

 

 

Why am I an expert on (plane) travel?

If this is the first article on my blog that you've decided to read, maybe a few bits about me and my travel style would be helpful to set the stage. So here it goes.

I'm Jan, and I love traveling (ha, didn't see that coming, did you?). I don’t travel nonstop because I own and run several businesses too, so when I go, I go big. I know that these days, especially among younger folks (and I happen to be one), it's all about low-cost travel with a backpack. If that's what you’re looking for, that’s great, but there’s the door. But that’s not what this blog is about.

I’ve flown on 300+ flights all over the world. For me, it's about blending adventure with comfort. I'm willing to pay extra for a flight upgrade, a good hotel (I religiously use booking.com and recommend you do too), incredible food, and on all my travels I rent a car (I wouldn’t be caught dead on a bus). That’s why I like to put together travel hacks and airline reviews to help you travel without (most of) the stress related to it.

But it's not like I'm mindlessly splurging. I work hard for my money, so good value for money is a crucial criterion for me. Don’t expect me to be ecstatic just because I can stretch my legs on a plane when the service and value fall short. I won't be raving about how everything was perfect and sun-soaked because to be perfectly honest, it never is. I'll offer you an honest review, and if something doesn't meet my expectations, I'll certainly tell you. Find out more about me.