I Flew on the ANA A380! The "Flying Honu" Experience

After spending an unforgettable week in Japan back in May, part of the journey back to Canada involved a bit of a detour to Hawaii to fly on ANA's Airbus A380!
The famous "Flying Honu" flies exclusively between Tokyo and Honolulu, and so this made for a great opportunity to fly on one of the rarest A380s in the world!
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FLIGHT INFORMATION
Airline: All Nippon Airways (ANA/NH)
Aircraft: Airbus A380-841 (A388)
Flight Number: NH184
Seat: 42K (Economy)
Livery: Blue Sea Turtle - "Lani"
Engines: 4x Rolls Royce Trent 970
Registration: JA381A
Route: Tokyo Narita (NRT) - Honolulu (HNL)
Callsign: ALL NIPPON 184 Super
Runway used: 34L (NRT) - 4R (HNL)
Date filmed: May 2023
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SOURCES
Skymark A380 Saga: web.archive.or...
www.reuters.co...
aviationweek.c...
ANA Adds A380s:
centreforaviat...
mainlymiles.co...
www.anahd.co.j...
U.S. DOT Passenger Numbers:
www.transporta...
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Outro song - "Take Flight" by Nyhtian: • Nyhtian - Take Flight ...
© Alex Praglowski Aviation 2023
This video is the property of Alex Praglowski Aviation and may not be used for any purpose without prior permission. Contact me at the email in the "About" section of my channel for usage.

[@auxiliarypowerunit]

The two aircraft delivered before 2020 were used on flights-to-nowhere tours during the pandemic, and they would sell out within a matter of minutes!

[@jmstransit]

I feel like this event was fuelled by the country’s airline Otaku/fandom

[@Hoovie9596]

Where’d they go.

[@ramairturbine]

I think some of them went over Korea and others towards Okinawa, and on new year's there were Mt. Fuji sunrise viewing flights as well. The main point was for the passengers to experience a bit of the "Hawaii vibe" more than anything else.

[@Anolaana]

@@jmstransit even in the west, avgeeks and youtubers/media would definitely pounce on such an opportunity!

[@NurNur-rg6um]

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[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

You know how passionate ANA and their crew are for these A380s when they go above and beyond with the Hawaiian theming, model planes and plushies, and given you trinkets you wouldn't have otherwise gotten if you didn't tell them you were there just for the plane. And those views of Kauai are incredible! Honolulu's international airport is named after Daniel Inouye who was a Senator from January 1963 to December 2012. Inouye fought in WWII as part of the 442nd Infantry Regiment. He lost his right arm to a grenade wound and received several military decorations, including the Medal of Honor. When Hawaii became a state, he represented them in the House before being elected for the Senate. Ni'ihau has an interesting story. During Pearl Harbor, pilot Shigenori Nishikaichi crash landed there as the Japanese viewed the island as an uninhabited place for damaged aircraft to await rescue. Native Hawaiians unaware of the attack treated him like a guest, including three Japanese-born residents, but carefully removed his weapons and had guards in front of the Haroda family house he was staying in. When the pilot told the Harodas about the attack, they overcame a guard and escaped in order to destroy the plane and papers. They took two natives, the Kanaheles, prisoner, but one of them managed to kill the pilot. Ben Kanahele who was wounded, was given a Medal for Merit and a Purple Heart. Ella killed the pilot. The papers were turned over. Irene Haroda and the translator were both sent to internment camps, while Irene's husband took his own life.

[@TankcommanderT34]

kim, what are you doing here i thought u were busy with communism and stuff

[@Mis-fe9fc]

@@TankcommanderT34 nah kim has evolved into a historian, his people eat it up.

[@Letuva_Friends298]

How is there 99 likes and 3 replies

[@MKsAviation2013]

Fake

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

The livery of the ANA A380s is one of my favorite liveries of all-time because they truly made their A380s stand out! So adorable, and it's a great way to get the message across to protect what makes Hawaii what it is! The blue livery/Lani represents Hawaii's blue skies, the green/Kai represents the crystal-clear water of the Pacific Ocean and the orange/Lā refers to the beautiful island sunsets. Lani means sky, Kai means ocean, and Lā means sun! In Hawaii, the green sea turtle symbolizes good luck and prosperity. Honu are a very significant animal to Hawaiian culture. As the only native reptile to Hawaii, they are considered to be an Aumakua, or guardian spirit! Long ago, legend states that they were the original guides showing the ancient Polynesians the way to get to the Hawaiian islands. They swim great distances as they migrate through the tropical waters. In some legends gods such as the god, Kanaloa, would take the shape of a honu when they needed to be among humans. While other legends tell of the green sea turtle Kauila, who would take the shape of a young girl who would watch over children of Hawaii.

[@natnoah472]

Heeey I know you from Miles in Transit : )

[@midoribookstore]

I sit in my HNL tower (Air Ops Control) drawing up the schedule for these 3 sweethearts to come and go on a daily basis, I always refer to them by their names (381-Lani, 382-Kai, and 383-La) and the ANA staff always get a kick out it when I give them the morning gate plan assignment. I'm planning on flying with each one eventually and picking up their according plushies when I do :D

[@KuostA]

just wondering, what schedule there is to be drawn up when their flights are the same everyday? or do they vary? what exactly does your job entail, given that?

[@midoribookstore]

@@KuostA It's more a matter playing tetris with the other airlines around the honu siblings as the A380s can only be accommodated by specific gates at HNL. The honu themselves are incredibly easy to manage. The challenge lies in getting everyone else to fit the puzzle when all kinds of other daily variables come into play, like delays, in flight emergencies (medical or otherwise), even tailwinds can throw a giant wrench in the works with birds coming in far too early, not to mention airlines straight up adding new flights when HNL can literally only handle so many on the ground at one time, then they decide they all want to arrive in the same 2 hour window and sit for 4+ hours before next takeoff. But I digress, I love these 3 and I can't help but smile when they come in

[@tonyng1793]

ANA is absolutely top notch!

[@johannesdenholt4928]

The cabin crew's willingness to allow you to film First Class reminded me of a British Airways flight to London from Seattle March 2001. I wandered up to First after the flight and the purser showed me around the cabin, gave me an amenity kit, and the pyjamas that were leftover. It took 7 more years before I flew as a passenger in First Class on British Aiways, but I'll always remember how kind the Purser was after a 10 hour flight with doubtless small tasks to complete before she could deplane.

[@american101]

Incredible video Alex! Those Trent 900s sounded absolutely insane! Liked!

[@donaldknowles9640]

The Trent 900s are awesome

[@joeschenk8400]

I always enjoy these videos....the plane, the interior, the outside view and surprising enough...the food selection! Thanks for the post.

[@FinlandGuy747]

I understand ANA's decision to keep the A380 on that route as Japan to Hawaii was already a very popular route in 1941.

[@Dnttou0497]

🙄

[@schalitz1]

😂😂😂 Still trying to take Hawaii from us to this day. No joke, Honolulu has "Japanese only buses" (what the locals call them) operated by ANA.

[@oahusirens]

Later flown by B29’s in 1945

[@magnustan841]

Bruh...

[@Anolaana]

... wait a minute, that's just Pearl Harbor. It was popular even before that for immigration and work, and I kinda wonder when Hawaii made the transition to a true holiday destination postwar.

[@varyar77]

I love seeing A380 videos. I hope to fly on one again soon!

[@kiwi4kian]

I flew on an Emirates A380 on my direct to Dubai and it was a great experience. One of the better economy classes I've been in and super spacious.

[@JzrCrz]

Of course the Trents sounded like that. Rainy weather makes em roar 🌧😁

[@sileong6602]

Stumbled upon your video and I loved it! Really like how you ended the video with the plane taking off from the reef runway, a view that I’ve seen many times. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to fly in the Honu one day.

[@magnustan841]

That is an absolute bucket list flight for me too! A rare aircraft type, flown by my favourite airline, on such a unique operation, decorated beautifully, what more can an avgeek ask for? Japanese cabin crew go all out to make the experience for avgeeks memorable. On my recent flights on ZIPAir and Peach, I got the crew to sign a note I prepared as a souvenir and what I got back left me speechless. It had stickers, drawings and very creative art all over it. I will truly treasure those moments and I'm tempted to do that for every flight I take on a Japanese airline....

[@ricey6667]

The sounds, the views, just wow!

[@susanableton8647]

Beautiful photography. Nice to see other airlines treating their economy passengers nicely.

[@lrg3834]

Boy, Alex, you sure have come a long way from spotting at Alberta airports. Honolulu-bound review on one of ANA's special A380's! Impressive. Look forward when you reach your 100,000 subscriber milestone, which is not far off.

[@davidcole333]

Alex, you have been blessed with an absolutely amazing vacation. I'm very happy for you to have experienced all that you have in the last several days and thankful you shared it with us. I think Flying on ANA's A380 is now a bucket list item for myself.

[@jeckyyeung5072]

This is such a touching move of the crew, and I'm so happy for you Alex!!

[@nurrizadjatmiko21]

What an amazing takeoff and sound from those 4 massive Rolls Royce engines. 17:57 the landing was very smooth in my opinion. Also, the ending of this video is perfect👍

[@get2dachoppa249]

Folks, I am here to tell you, if your are planning a trip to HI and/or other US-aligned Pacific Island nations, it really, really pays to check the holiday calendars of Japan and South Korea because of the popularity of these islands with those countries nationals. I was in Guam at the beginning of the month and it was pretty crowded with South Korean families because it was their version of Thanksgiving (Chusok). Golden Week is the most traveled timeframe in Japan, and as alluded to at 3:05, HI, Waikiki especially, will be crowded during that timeframe (late APR-early MAY) for sure.

[@airedition]

Loved this video - what a beautifully outfitted plane, plus that wing and engine view wow. Now I know which seat to pick whenever I finally fly this. Thanks!

[@ronduncan9527]

Awesome video! That looked so fun!!! ✈️

[@isaacflyaway]

ANA sure has one of the best liveries out there on their A380! :D

[@sigalroman8547]

This instantly became my favorite flight video taking away my flying anxienty.

[@cskvision]

What an amazing experience Alex! I went out of my way to fly the Qantas A380 and 747 to Australia and still the best economy seat and quietest cabin ever.

[@sski]

That was amazing! Thanks, Alex!

[@stanleovart]

18:16 - ooo! - B737-200C of Transair. They are parked in Honolulu for many years!

[@ydmf2]

The extras like the note and drawings, so nice! Wow. Kind.🙂

[@theoneandonlyneagabi]

This was the best A380 takeoff I've ever heard

[@zorojuro6786]

Look at the rainy Qantas airlines then you will now what is the best but mans respect to Alex

[@mahdijavadi]

Alex your videos are simply the best. Thank you. I feel like I am flying there with you ✈ I am also super excited about my upcoming trip to Japan next month 🗾

[@jermajearest3960]

7:18 Amazing Trent-900 ROAR!! BEST REVIEW BTW!!

[@Mazerage2023]

Those rolls roys Trent 900s sounded amazing

[@keegangould6011]

Awesome vid Alex! I definitely want to fly this route one day!

[@turquoise8492]

Thanks for sharing an exciting flight experience. Flying turtle is very unique, amazing livery !!! I love it.

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

I really enjoy your videos. Your passion for flying makes your videos feel more genuine than some other flight reviewers.

[@yichythegoat]

Tip for window reflection while recording: put your phone against the window, then pull your window cover down over your phone while recording, trapping your phone in between the cover and window while recording. No more reflections

[@Kakkoii_ne]

I have flown on this aircraft and route six times to Hawaii and I have enjoyed it every time! Awesome flight. I go out of my way to take this flight, because I could also fly on JAL, but I prefer this aircraft when going to Hawaii.

[@jimmyjames6492]

Thanks for the info + great video!

[@turt54le]

We enjoyed our flight on ANA's Flt 184 to Honolulu from Narita and found the A380 so comfortable. It helped that the plane was not full so my wife and I were able to have an open seat between us to stretch out. Food and service was excellent in Economy and it was a surprise to us that they served sashimi as part of our evening meal.

[@jessemillington5988]

Amazing video! They sure out did themselves! Also yes the turtle for a "friend"....you will need a bigger display case!

[@canadaman7638]

Wow that is one beautiful livery!

[@XLRSAv]

That’s some of the best engine spool up noise ever!

[@justenlim3149]

I actually flew on this exact route and aircraft in July. I was sitting above the wings so you literally could not hear the engines at all! There was a minimum spool up and it was so quiet the whole flight my family could hear me even when whispering

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

I Love The Livery To ANA 3 A380-800.Great Trip Report

[@Mat.Carvalho]

So cool that the crew gave you all those gifts!

[@DAZABPRA]

As a Japanese I welcome you to Japan

[@sxnny9554]

7:09 that sounds soooooo amazing

[@bastieschenbach9814]

Hey guys. Just found your channel and it’s sooo refreshing seeing some true av/planegeeks just losing it over an economy experience in a freakin’ 380. Reaaally enjoyed it! 😍😍

[@imanueleducation5314]

Regarding they left the light in the cabin undimmed, I think it’s not only a common practice in ANA. I also found that when I fly with Japan Airlines from Narita to Vancouver. I guess that’s totally normal for almost all airlines in Japan

[@Odontomango]

I laughed so hard during the blanket scene. Especially from the camera work showing the "normal passenger" when turn to the Avgeeks trying to film with their blanket XD

[@jonweigand3712]

Beautiful video, I hope to one day fly on the 380. I have only been on one 747 (Lufthansa), having only been on other widebodies (767,777) and single isle aircraft. It always exciting to see them at the airports, very amazing aircraft. You must elaborate how you accumulate points someday.

[@cristianboldisor1175]

The A380 looks very impressive.The sound of those RR Trent engines is great. However,I did not find Ana's menus that impressive. You shall try Turkish or Emirates to see how a good lunch looks like.

[@moldytexas]

Mate ANA is quickly becoming my favourite airline in the world, from all the glowing reviews I've seen of them. I need to get my finances right soon enough to fly them!

[@ice711real]

Nice comprehensive review, a route that I would love to fly sometime! Thanks for sharing the experience :)

[@Barney_the_realfish]

ICe 711 nobody notice you after 5 months

[@spidermooncake5563]

I saw this plane when I went to Japan! I never thought you would of flown it

[@67sontop]

That's sick! Great video Alex!

[@ryvensonic999]

Woah, I’ve never seen F redemptions on this route with ANA, 90k is a nice deal. Would love to see you try that as well. Hopefully you had a great time in Japan!

[@BayAreaTraveler]

Wow, what a wonderful review! Really enjoyed this and one of the best review of this route! This is now on my bucket list! One thing I really dislike about the 380's is the side walls are so thick it's difficult to record especially if there is an extraneous lights within the cabin.

[@bbbl67]

I was an Emirates A380, and yeah, I gotta say it's an absolutely spectacular plane! I hope they start up production again, just for Emirates if necessary.

[@linyutengsvps2891]

NRT airport is BEAUTIFUL I went there before

[@aimbotefly222]

how do u capture the sound of those engines so well!!!!

[@BluePlanet88]

ANA and JL older planes usually have 34" leg room, and I try to fly with them as much as I can. The new planes are more restrictive nowadays 32-31".

[@_Hasboa_]

That takeoff sound was AMAZING. Good stuff

[@JackTravels4]

I visited Toulouse in the summer of 2019 and got to see the sunset turtle in final assembly!! Love the a380 and love ANA ❤❤

[@HawaiiJapan808]

I will be flying on this plane tomorrow hopefully. Ive been waiting since they debuted to ride them. one of the few times I look forward to a flight.

[@oregonduc]

ANA and then Governor Ige for Hawaii were in talks to boost tourism for Hawaii since Hawaii is the #1 outside of Japan destination for Japanese pre-covid. They struck a deal that Governor Ige would authorize the funding to renovate the HNL airport C-Wing to accommodate the A380's and have 2 special lounges for ANA. One ANA lounge is for the B787 flights to Haneda and A380 flights to Narita for their typical guests that can get in and the 2nd lounge is for Business class and first class access only to the A380 upper deck because they have a special accessway from the lounge to the upper deck. Also they did a PR/Marketing program contest to have people draw what they wanted the livery to be for the Flying Honu so that is how they drew the turtles on the planes and the names too. It was a very big cooperation push between Japan, ANA and State of Hawaii. ANA also built a special lounge for their customers in Waikiki too. Also HNL was designated as one of the emergency landing sites for the Space Shuttle Program when it was still going at NASA. And they share the runways with Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam which is a Navy and Air Force base. When landing you should have seen on your side of the window all the Raptor F22's parked outside under the huts.

[@TheRealJazz359]

I got the model not so long ago. Beautiful aircraft!

[@maynardhogg]

ANA's Honu livery A380 has been on my bucket list since before COVID. November may be my last chance.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

I flew Honolulu to narita with zipair. Nice airline as even though my baggage was 12.5 kilos when they weighed it, which exceeded their 6 kilo-limit, they didn’t charge me and I was still allowed to use them as carryons.

[@MrBlazemaster525]

Jesus that turtle plush is ADORABLE

[@fdanieln8759]

Wow! Wonderful review, Alex. I don't think we'll get a chance to try this route so thank you for the great and detailed report.

[@strisrobith4782]

I routed via Doha to fly the a380 from DOH to LHR in business class. Qatar have a cool bar area that you can hang out for the flight and walk around. I would recommend to all a380 fans.

[@liamcooks1]

Alex, if you like the footrest, Egypt air has them in economy on their 787-9s

[@_Erogaki]

That plushie is niceeee

[@ethancampbell6076]

7:04 Music to my ears listening to the Trent 900 🔥🔥🔥.

[@ethancampbell6076]

And one more thing it never disappoints with other airliners.

[@shadowblade232]

Those Trent 900s are awesome, such a unique takeoff roar

[@murillovolpato6266]

Probably the most stunning economy class I have ever seen

[@BobWehadababyitsaboy69]

I got those same post cards when I took ANA on a 14 hour flight from Dulles to Narita

[@andyliu9319]

I can't wait for my flying honu HNL-NRT next week :D

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

I flew it with zipair 2 months ago. Which airline are you flying with?

[@shiitake69]

Was lucky enough to see the Flying Honu on my layover in Tokyo. Would love to fly them before ANA decides to retire the a380s (and the eevee/pikachu ones too :D)

[@honolulu.spotter]

You’ll have plenty of time, ANA isn’t expecting to retire them for maybe another 10-15 years, maybe even 20-30 if spare parts allow

[@shiitake69]

that's good to know! gonna start saving up :D@@honolulu.spotter

[@JcEstrla]

That takeoff roll sounds like the end of the world

[@YohamYT]

I was super lucky to fly on SQ's A380 from Singapore to Hong Kong this summer, unfortunately sat in the middle but nevertheless a great plane. 2nd time i've flown it now

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

I only flew on the A380s of Air France and British airways

[@DarthFurball]

What an amazing ANA crew!

[@nagasako7]

My ANA A380 was smoothest flight I've ever had. I usually too much of light sleeper to ever sleep on a plane. I actually had a cat nap due to how much leg room I've had.

[@snowglobe2]

Those trent 900s are music to my ears.

[@MasonAndChickens]

My favorite video so far

[@AeroTravels]

Again great report and the food looks very good!

[@jessemillington5988]

Also almost 100k subscribers!!! Keep it going!!!! Woooo

[@sugardidilookoverthere2243]

Man, those RR engines roaring at the take off from NRJ wow that was awesome!!!

[@merdapostagem5985]

The little note was so cute lol

[@zocopeta3290]

That sounds

[@thetechziguy]

I love the sound of the Rolls-royce Trent 900

[@TheSoftballstar1261]

BUTTER!!!!!!!

[@Michaeldoesdrumsofficial]

The b-747’s in the background UPS and Atlas air

[@RVNspotting]

JAL 763, ANA 772, A380… Nice flight options on this trip!

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Hawaiian A332 and Zipair 788.

[@intpdefender8385]

the planes are so cute 😭

[@larrylefebvre2237]

At 18:12 those were huge 747 UPS planes. They must pack a lot of cargo.

[@earthlyvibes23]

ANAs entertainment screens are the best in all classes

[@Girlwatchingtheworld]

Loved flying ANA the couple of times I have flown from Hawaii to Japan and back again. Best airline currently flying between Japan and Hawaii. 😊❤