ANA The Room Business Class Review: Flying Backwards to Japan (SFO-NRT)

For the first leg of our journey to Singapore, we flew ANA Business Class from San Francisco to Tokyo Narita. We managed to book seats in ANA's "The Room" configuration. I was secretly hoping for the Pokémon-liveried plane. We got the standard one. The experience was still unforgettable.

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Pre-Flight: United Polaris Lounge at SFO

Traveling Business Class on a Star Alliance partner gave us access to the United Polaris Lounge at SFO.

The lounge is massive, with both a buffet and a sit-down dining room. The dining room is first-come, first-served: go put your name on the list the moment you check in. We waited about 45 minutes for a table, but the food and drinks were significantly better than the buffet. (We have a full dedicated review on the channel.)

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First Impressions of The Room

When we boarded, my jaw dropped. "The Room" is genuinely spacious. To put it in perspective: two people can sit comfortably side by side in a single seat. The width felt comparable to Singapore Airlines First Class.

The layout: We chose middle seats positioned close together, with a privacy divider you can raise or lower depending on whether you want to talk to the person next to you.

Storage and tech: A mirrored cabinet, coat hook, reading lights, large tray table, standard power outlets, HDMI port, and USB ports. No USB-C ports.

The doors: There are actual sliding doors. Pull the latch, slide them shut, and you have complete privacy.

Wi-Fi: Scratch-off card with a passcode. The connection runs around 3 Mbps. Do not expect to stream anything. Emails, barely.

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What It Is Like Flying Backwards

This was our first time facing backwards on a flight.

During takeoff, instead of being pressed into your seat, your body moves forward against the seatbelt. It genuinely felt like the first drop of a roller coaster viewed from the front car. Once airborne and cruising, you stop noticing it entirely. I found it fun rather than unsettling, but if you are prone to motion sickness, a backwards-facing seat might not be for you.

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Amenities and Pajamas

Globe-Trotter amenity kit: A hard-shell Globe-Trotter branded case containing an ANA eco-tote bag (useful internationally where plastic bags are often charged for), Aveda lip balm, and body lotion.

Pajamas: You have to ask for these explicitly. The flight attendants do not hand them out automatically. Comfortable long-sleeve shirt and pants.

Slippers: Gray slippers with their own drawstring bag included. The bag is for your shoes, so airport dirt stays out of your suite. A thoughtful Japanese touch.

The lavatory: Compact but has a bidet. One warning: the provided face wipes are very strong and irritating. Skip them.

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Making the Bed

Business Class means you set up your own bed. Mattress pad, pillow, and blanket provided. The bed is very wide. Vincent is 5'9" and mentioned anyone over 6 feet might need to bend their legs slightly.

Skincare tip: we always wear a collagen sheet mask on long-haul flights. It keeps skin hydrated, does not drip, and you can sleep in it comfortably.

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The Food

We have a dedicated dining review covering everything in detail: ANA The Room Business Class Dining: Japanese vs. Western.

Short version: order the Japanese meal. The Western meal is fine, but the Japanese main (grilled rockfish with miso soup and rice) was exceptional. The mid-flight ramen broth was great; the noodles were a bit doughy. The second meal service before landing was better than the first round of appetizers.

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Verdict

Ten hours from San Francisco to Japan went by quickly. "The Room" is spacious, private, and genuinely comfortable. The Wi-Fi is slow and the Western appetizers are mediocre, but the service was excellent throughout. We would book it again.