Last week, we were sad to say goodbye to Japan and board our flight back home. However, when we stepped on the plane, we realized we were not on just any ordinary ANA plane. We were on the ANA Pikachu Jet!
This came as a total surprise to us. We were already excited to fly ANA for our first time ever, but now we were also getting to experience one of only two of their very special Pokemon jets! Here’s exactly what it’s like flying on their Pikachu-themed airplane.
ANA Pikachu Jet Review – Economy Class NH116 HND-YVR
We originally booked our round-trip tickets with Air Canada. However, Air Canada made a change to our return flight so that we would arrive home later than we originally booked. Due to the involuntary change, Air Canada allowed us to choose an alternative flight at no extra cost.
The alternative flight options provided included other Star Alliance partners, one of which was ANA. Since we had never flown ANA before, and ANA had a more desirable flight time, I decided to rebook us onto an ANA flight back home.
Turns out it was a blessing in disguise!
Flight Overview
- Route: HND to YVR
- Flight number: NH116
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
- Departure Time: 9:55 pm
- Flight time: 8 hours 50 minutes
- Our seats: 37A, 37B, 37C
ANA Check-in
ANA opens online check-in 24 hours prior to departure time. We completed our mobile check-in the night before our flight and had our boarding passes e-mailed to us. They were also available in the ANA app.
When we arrived at Haneda Airport, we used the self check-in kiosk to print our boarding passes (I always like to have a paper copy when possible) and baggage tags, before heading to the self-serve baggage drop.
At this point, we still had no indication that we would be on one of the special Pokemon flights.
ANA Economy Class Baggage Allowance
We were allowed one complimentary piece of checked baggage each, with a maximum weight of 23kg and total linear dimensions of 158cm. When dropping our bags off at Haneda, everything was automated. The machine weighed and scanned each bag before letting it through.
In our case, our checked bag was over the 23kg limit so the machine would not accept our bag. A staff member came over and let us know we had to remove items to ensure it was under 23kg before our bag would be accepted. So, I would say they are pretty strict about the weight limits for checked bags.
Our carry-on allowance was one bag, with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 25 cm, and a maximum weight of 10kg. An additional personal item is also allowed, but must still be below 10kg when combined with the carry-on bag.
However, no one checked our carry-on bags. They didn’t seem too strict about carry-on limits.
Boarding
Boarding commenced 30 minutes prior to departure time and was done by group number. Interestingly, even though we were all traveling together in the same row, the three of us each had different boarding group numbers (group 3, 4 and 5).
It seems window seats are assigned group 3, middle seats group 4, and aisle seats group 5 in an effort to prevent congestion in the aisles. However, the three of us all went up when they called group 3 since we were all sitting together anyway.
Even when we were boarding, we still had no idea that we were going to be on the Pikachu Jet. I had not looked outside the window to view the plane as it was dark out anyway.
Cabins and Seats
This Pikachu jet has a total of 246 seats (40 business class, 14 premium economy and 192 economy seats).
The economy seats on ANA are some of the most spacious of any airline in the world. We were seriously impressed. Our economy seats had a pitch of 34 inches! In comparison, Air Canada has an economy seat pitch of only 31″ on the exact same aircraft. The 3″ of extra legroom definitely makes a difference on a long-haul flight.
Not only was there a decent amount of legroom, but there were also footrests! I have never seen footrests in economy before. As soon as we sat down, the flight was starting to feel more like premium economy than economy.
Pikachu Headrest Cover
After admiring the footrests and spacious legroom, I realized the headrest covers had Pikachu on them. That was my first inclination – “Hm, are we on a Pokemon themed-flight?!”
Blanket and Pillow
We were each provided with a very soft blanket and small pillow. The blanket was very comfortable – not at all scratchy and not too warm but not too thin either.
Pokemon-themed Safety Video
Once the cabin doors were closed and we were ready for takeoff, the flight attendants announced that we were on a special Pokemon-themed flight afterall! We were on the Pikachu Jet!
They invited us to enjoy the Pokemon-themed safety video. Apparently, ANA collaborated with The Pokemon Company to create this limited in-flight safety video, which is the world’s first in-flight safety video featuring Pokemon.
It was so cute and definitely caught our daughter’s attention.
ANA Food and Drinks
We were excited to try out ANA’s onboard meal service and drinks. It’s always exciting to try different international airlines’ food offerings, as what we find back home in North America is usually pretty uninspiring.
Snacks
Not long after takeoff, the flight attendants (who were wearing Pokemon-themed aprons!) came around with a complimentary snack mix. The accompanying napkin even featured Pokemon Air Advenures on it.
Drinks
We were then offered complimentary drinks, which were of course served in Pokemon paper cups. Juices (apple, orange, tomato and “lemonade”), sodas, wine, sake and Japanese beers were all included.
I decided to go with the lemonade as it’s not typically something I find offered on flights. It turns out it was actually ANA’s original beverage, aromatic kabosu juice. I had never heard of kabosu before but I looked it up and it is a green citrus fruit grown in Japan. Very delicious! Sweet and not too sour.
Ryan was very happy with his Sapporo beer.
Dinner
After the beverage service, the flight attendants came around with the dinner carts. I loved that they presented us first with a menu showing what our options were with clear coloured photos. Definitely makes it easier to make a decision!
We had the option of chicken or beef. The chicken option was chicken teriyaki over steamed rice with some greens and I think scrambled egg (?), and the beef option was a hamburger steak with Italian tomato sauce over rice.
Typically, Ryan and I like to order one of each so we can try them both, but this time, the chicken teriyaki looked to be the superior choice so we both went with it.
Our meals came with a side of smoked duck and potato salad, simmered daikon radish with minced chicken sauce, a mixed salad, crackers with butter, and a bottle of water.
To be honest, the entire meal was just okay. Both of us felt that it didn’t quite live up to our expectations. The chicken was decent, but I’d have to say the salad with the ANA original Japanese dressing was my favourite of all the items. It was the best side salad I’ve ever had in economy (and even some business class).
The smoked duck was also alright. However, neither of us liked the simmered daikon dish at all and I could not finish it.
Dessert
Towards the end of dinner, the flight attendants came around once more, this time with individual cups of Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream. Yay! The perfect ending to the meal.
ANA Child’s Meal
ANA offers a number of specialty meals that can be requested in advance of the flight. We requested a child’s meal which ANA prepares for children two to five-years-old, with food they describe as “easily identifiable, tender and easy to chew”.
They brought out our daughter’s meal at the very start of the meal service, but unfortunately she had already fallen into a deep sleep (it was midnight).
The meal looked great and was cutely presented in eye-catching shapes, like a star-shaped chicken and pork patty. There was also some shaped ketchup rice, steamed veggies and egg to go with the main dish.
The sides consisted of potato salad, beef and pork hamburger patty with cheese and corn, a fruit cup, chocolate koala cookies, and marshmallow-filled crackers.
Sadly, our daughter slept for hours and did not get a chance to try her lovely meal. We did, however, save the crackers and cookies for her to enjoy when she woke up. She absolutely loved the marshmallow crackers
Snack before arrival
After everyone woke up from their rest, the lights were turned back on and we were served a small pre-arrival meal/snack.
The snacks were served in cute boxes with an airplane cut-out design. Inside was a sandwich (tasted like a BLT), vanilla yogurt, fruit cup and mini KitKat bar. All tasted very good and I was quite pleased with the sandwich in particular.
Thankfully, our daughter woke up in time for the pre-arrival snack. This time, her child’s meal consisted of adorable heart-shaped sandwiches.
The large heart was an egg salad sandwich (not her favourite) but she ate the little brown heart sandwiches. She also enjoyed the fruit jelly and fruits.
Hot drinks
After our snack, we were enthusiastically offered Japanese green tea or coffee.
Lavatory
The bathrooms seemed to be kept in quite nice condition and didn’t seem as wet and dirty as other flights we’ve been on.
Also, I was very pleased to find a bidet toilet in economy class! Gotta love Japanese airlines.
ANA Entertainment
Every seat had a 9-inch LCD touchscreen monitor, complete with a remote. Below the screen was a headphone jack and USB port.
Headphones, which were better than the usual economy class earbuds, were provided at each seat.
The selection of movies and shows was very good, but honestly I slept the majority of the flight so I really only watched the flight map.
Pokemon
Of course, being the Pikachu Jet and all, you will find Pokemon-related content such as Pokemon Kids TV and Poketoon!
ANA Pikachu Jet Souvenirs
Perhaps my favourite part of flying the Pikachu Jet was that all passengers were given commemorative gifts at the end of the flight.
The colourful Pokemon package contained a special Japanese wooden tag, unique boarding certificate to show we flew the Pikachu Jet NH, and a commemorative sticker. What a great souvenir of this very special flight!
Pokemon Duty-free Merchandise
Sadly, I slept through the duty-free sales. I wish I had realized that they were selling unique and original ANA x Pokemon merchandise. They had a special stainless steel bottle, kids hooded bath towel, and in January 2025, they’ll have a Pikachu Jet model airplane!
Child’s Gift
Before landing, the flight attendants came around offering free gifts for the kids. Our daughter was given the choice between playing cards, a small bath towel, or a balloon.
We chose the balloon for our daughter and it turned out to be an inflatable A380 ANA Honu airplane toy! Our daughter loved it.
Pokemon Disembarkation Video
After landing, another entertaining Pokemon video came on the screens as a disembarkation video. It was super cute! I didn’t get a chance to record it, but you can watch it on YouTube.
Pokemon Music
During boarding and disembarkation, there was Pokemon music playing in the background. I didn’t catch it during boarding, but I did notice it as we were waiting to get off the plane. How fun.
How to book ANA Pikachu Jet
Unfortunately, there is no way to specifically book yourself onto the ANA Pikachu Jet or Eevee Jet (ANA’s other Pokemon Air Adventures plane). ANA provides a list of all routes that you may find the jets on, so obviously you can book yourself on one of these routes to increase your chances. However, given that there are only two of these special planes and many ANA routes, it is just the luck of the draw whether your route gets served by this particular jet on any given day.
You will only know on the day of your flight whether or not the ANA Pikachu Jet will be serving your particular flight. If you see that your flight will be served by the aircraft with tail number JA894A, you’re in luck! (It’s almost like winning the ANA Pikachu Jet lottery haha).
ANA Pikachu Jet Price
There is no extra cost to fly on the specialized ANA Pikachu Jet. Given that the aircraft is just in rotation along with all of ANA’s other 787s, there is no special surcharge or anything.
ANA Pikachu Jet Routes and Schedule
As of December 2024 until March 29, 2025, the following routes have the possibility of having the ANA Pikachu Jet in service:
- Bangkok – Haneda (NH849/NH848)
- Bangkok – Narita (NH805/NH806)
- Beijing – Haneda (NH961/NH962 *Only from January 31 to February 13, February 17 to March 2, and from March 13)
- Delhi – Haneda (NH837/NH838)
- Ho Chi Minh – Haneda (NH891/NH892)
- Ho Chi Minh – Narita (NH833/NH834 *until February 28)
- Hong Kong – Narita (NH811/NH812)
- Honolulu – Haneda (NH186/NH185)
- Jakarta – Haneda (NH855/NH856)
- Jakarta – Narita (NH835/NH836 *until January 29)
- Kuala Lumpur – Haneda (NH885/NH886)
- Kuala Lumpur – Narita (NH815/NH816)
- Manila – Haneda (NH869/NH870)
- Manila – Narita (NH819/NH820)
- Mumbai – Narita (NH829/NH830)
- Perth – Narita (NH881/NH882)
- Seattle – Haneda (NH118/NH117 *from January 30)
- Shanghai (Pudong) – Narita (NH919/NH920)
- Singapore – Haneda (NH841/NH844/NH843/NH842)
- Singapore – Narita (NH801/NH802)
- Sydney – Haneda (NH879/NH880/NH889/NH890)
- Vancouver – Haneda (NH116/NH115)
ANA Pikachu Jet Final Thoughts
It was incredibly fun getting to experience a themed flight in the form of the ANA Pikachu Jet! What a wonderful surprise to be welcomed with on board.
From the Pokemon music and videos, to the friendly flight attendants in their cute Pokemon aprons, ANA has made the Pikachu Jet a unique and memorable experience for passengers of all ages!
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