Traveller reference · NH
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Star Alliance · IATA NH · two Tokyo airports, and the choice matters
Travelaidnow is an independent travel agency and is not ANA (All Nippon Airways), nor affiliated with or endorsed by it.
This page is a general reference written by our team. Baggage allowances, fees and policies are set by the airline and change without notice, so confirm anything that affects your trip with ANA (All Nippon Airways) directly before you travel.
Official site: ana.co.jpANA flies to Tokyo from several US cities, and the most consequential detail on the booking is which Tokyo airport you land at. Haneda is close to the city and reachable in half an hour or so; Narita is considerably further out and the journey in takes an hour or more with a train fare to match.
The airline has a strong reputation for consistency, and its baggage allowance on transpacific routes is more generous than many travellers expect. Both Tokyo airports connect onward to the domestic network, though a Narita arrival with a domestic connection at Haneda means crossing the city.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) at a glance
- IATA code
- NH
- ICAO code
- ANA
- Based in
- Japan
- Alliance
- Star Alliance
- Type
- Full-service
- Frequent flyer
- ANA Mileage Club
Cabins
- Economy
- Premium Economy
- Business
- First
Main bases
- HND · Tokyo
- NRT
How ANA (All Nippon Airways) baggage works
ANA uses a piece system on transpacific routes with a per-bag weight ceiling, and the allowance is typically more generous than on comparable transatlantic flying.
The amount varies by cabin, fare and ANA Mileage Club or Star Alliance status.
Domestic flying within Japan uses a different, weight-based structure, so a through-itinerary can involve both. Confirm against your booking on ana.co.jp.
Check-in
Online check-in typically opens 24 hours before departure on international routes.
Both Tokyo airports are efficient and well signposted in English. Narita's cutoffs are firm and the airport is large; Haneda's international terminal is more compact.
Boarding
Boarding is by group according to cabin and status, and is generally orderly and prompt.
Departures typically leave on time, and boarding closes when stated rather than approximately.
Before you fly ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Prefer Haneda if the fare is close
Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo than Narita. The difference is roughly half an hour versus an hour or more, in each direction, plus a higher fare on the train from Narita.
Do not split a Tokyo connection across airports
An international arrival at Narita with a domestic departure from Haneda means crossing the city. On separate tickets that is a serious risk if the first flight is late.
Transpacific allowances are relatively generous
ANA's baggage terms on US routes are usually better than equivalent transatlantic tickets, which is worth factoring into a fare comparison.
Planning a trip rather than researching a carrier?
Our route and airport guides cover the journey itself — when demand peaks, which airports work, and how long the connection really takes.
FAQ
ANA (All Nippon Airways) — common questions
General guidance only. ANA (All Nippon Airways) sets these policies and can change them, so confirm anything that affects your trip at ana.co.jp.
Should I fly into Haneda or Narita?
Haneda, if the fare and schedule allow. It is much closer to central Tokyo, with a journey of around thirty to forty-five minutes against an hour or more from Narita, and the train fare is lower. Narita is a perfectly good airport and often has more route options, but the transfer into the city is a real cost in both time and money on each end of the trip.
What is ANA's baggage allowance to Japan?
ANA uses a piece system on transpacific routes and its allowance is generally more generous than comparable transatlantic tickets, varying by cabin, fare and status. Domestic flights within Japan follow a different, weight-based system, so an itinerary combining both can have two sets of rules. Check your booking on ana.co.jp.
What is the difference between ANA and Japan Airlines?
Both are full-service Japanese carriers with strong reputations and similar standards. The practical differences are alliance membership — ANA is Star Alliance and JAL is oneworld — and their route and airport mixes at Tokyo. Which suits you usually comes down to which alliance you collect miles in and which Tokyo airport the flight uses.