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  • All Nippon Airways is the largest airline in Japan, earning a 5-star rating from aviation ranking website Skytrax.
  • ANA unveiled new business and first class cabins in 2019, including “The Room” and “The Suite.”
  • I flew in “The Room” business class from New York to Tokyo and loved the privacy.

All Nippon Airways is the largest airline in Japan, beating out the country’s flag carrier Japan Airlines.

All Nippon Airways
All Nippon AirwaysHit1912/Shutterstock

Source: ANA

ANA has been consistently named a 5-star airline by aviation ranking company Skytrax. In fact, it has earned the title every year since 2013.

All Nippon Airways Airbus A380
An All Nippon Airways Airbus A380.Airbus

Source: ANA

The carrier is known for its two premium products — “The Suite” in first class and “The Room” in business class, which were introduced in 2019 and are fitted onto Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

ANA's The Room business class.
“The Room” business class. ANA Holdings CEO Koji Shibata told Insider the new cabins are on nine of the carrier’s 13 Boeing 777-300ER international aircraft, but there are no concrete plans to add the products to the company’s Boeing 787s.All Nippon Airways

Source: ANA

The cabins were created by British design company Acumen in collaboration with famous Japanese architect Kengo Kuma — who also designed the Tokyo Olympics National Stadium.

Japan National Stadium, the main venue for the 2020 Olympic Games
Japan National Stadium, the main venue for the 2020 Olympic Games.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / Getty Images

Source: ANA

“Our work focused on transforming the cabin experience by fusing the rich history and culture of Japan with modern design principles and technologies,” Acumen CEO Ian Dryburgh said.

An open "The Room" business class seat with TV in view.
Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: ANA

I have been eager to try out the two products and was lucky to be given the opportunity to fly in “The Room” on a recent trip to Tokyo. Here’s what it was like.

A selfie of the author in the seat wearing a green fleece sweater.
Shibata explained the demand for business class is returning post-COVID and is “in line with our expectations.”Taylor Rains/Insider

My trip started at Terminal 7 in New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The departures lobby is small and I easily found ANA’s check-in counter located on the far right of the building.

The ANA sign pointing to go right.
Taylor Rains/Insider

Thanks to my business class ticket, I was able to bypass the long line of economy passengers and check my bag within minutes.

My luggage on the scale.
This was the first time I’ve checked luggage on an international flight in years, and it fortunately didn’t go missing.Taylor Rains/Insider

The agent was extremely personable, giving a great first impression of ANA. She checked my passport and travel documents and I was on my way.

The author holding her passport and boarding pass.
Taylor Rains/Insider

Once I cleared security, I headed to the Club Lounge to kill time before my 2:05 p.m. flight. I thought the lounge, which is used by a handful of carriers, had great food and drink options, though the showers weren’t open.

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