All Nippon Airways Returning to O'Hare

United Airlines recently started using All Nippon Airways' gate at Narita International Airport in Japan.

Now United is returning the favor.

It's leasing its gate at O'Hare International Airport to ANA so it can resume its Chicago-Toyko route Oct. 29 - after a five-year absence.

The Japanese airline will add more travel options for consumers and lure them with cultural touches, such as authentic specialty foods, while increasing competition among international carriers, including United and American Airlines.

"Actually, this partnership with United will help strengthen United," said Mike Boyd, airline analyst and principal of Evergreen, Colo.-based Boyd Group. "Just think of ANA as another United Airlines."

Elk Grove Township-based United and ANA are members of Star Alliance, a consortium of more than a dozen airlines that help passengers book needed connecting flights with other member carriers.

"We welcome the competition and believe it will offer more opportunities for our customers," said United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy.

ANA left O'Hare after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when passenger travel was at its lowest. Although ANA has retained many of its U.S.-Toyko flights elsewhere - including from Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. -it was hardest hit here, said ANA spokesman Damion Martin.

"It has become more realistic now to return to O'Hare," said Martin.

Starting Oct. 29, ANA will fly into O'Hare's International Terminal 5, where passengers will go through immigrations and customs. Flights will depart from Terminal 1. This arrangement will reduce connection times from 75 minutes to 35 minutes for passengers. ANA will fly the new Boeing 777-300ER.

It will offer private cabin first class seating, lie-flat business class seating, a new premium economy cabin with seats 20 percent wider with more legroom than economy class, and more than 60 channels of digital Audio Visual On Demand in-flight entertainment.

Also, ANA will offer gourmet Japanese meals. From Oct. 29 through Feb. 28, first and business class will feature lobster, snow crab or Matsuzaka beef. All meals will be served on newly designed Noritake tableware. Hot towels will be infused with ginger, said Martin.

"Our ticket prices may be slightly higher than United's, but we believe our amenities will attract more business," said Martin.

American also plans to upgrade its menu offerings on flights to Japan - not necessarily to lure more passengers, although that is always the goal, but because the budget now allows for it, said American spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan.

"Last year, the focus was on China and India. Now we're upgrading the menus on other international flights and that includes Japan," she said.

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