ana travel pass

ANA Inviting Passengers to Participate in IATA Travel Pass Trial

• •Eligible customers are invited to participate in the trial, through which ANA will validate the testing and verification components of the IATA Travel Pass app
• •Trials will be conducted from May 24 until June 6 on Tokyo/Haneda - Honolulu and Tokyo/ Haneda - New York/JFK routes

TOKYO, May 11, 2021 - All Nippon Airways (ANA) is inviting customers to participate in a trial of the IATA Travel Pass mobile application, which is being developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to simplify the verification of health records in line with each country's latest travel requirements. IATA Travel Pass will be tested on ANA's Tokyo/Haneda - Honolulu and Tokyo/Haneda - New York/JFK routes from May 24 until June 6. The trial will further ANA's ability to apply innovative digital solutions that help passengers travel safely while also fully complying with COVID-19 entry requirements worldwide.

Customers whose travel details meet the following requirements are eligible to volunteer for the trial.

Other eligibility requirements:

• •Customers who are 18 years or older
• •Customers who have a passport that contains an electronic chip
• •Customers who have a smartphone that can read the NFC (Near-field communication) chip contained within their passport
• •Customers who take their COVID-19 test at a specified test center

Customers who participate in the trial will be able to enjoy a discount on their COVID-19 test at certain specified test centers, and receive 1,000 ANA miles in their ANA Mileage Club account after completing the post-trial survey. Passengers can find out more about the trial at the following ANA webpage, which also includes a link to the trial registration form. https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/topics/IATA-travel-pass/

"Passenger comfort and safety has been our top priority throughout the pandemic, and we look forward to testing IATA Travel Pass on two of our most popular international routes," said Junichiro Miyagawa, Executive Vice President of ANA Alliances and International Affairs. "By leveraging the insights and customer feedback from this trial, our goal is to make international travel safer and more secure, and provide more convenient options to our customers."

"We commend and look forward to working with ANA on the live trial of IATA Travel Pass. The trial will help build confidence among governments and travelers that digital health apps can safely, securely and conveniently help restart aviation. The app gives travelers a one-stop-shop to help them comply with the new rules for travel, and governments can have complete assurance in the identity of the passenger and the authenticity of the travel credentials being presented," said Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security.

In addition to working with IATA, ANA has conducted trials for the CommonPass digital health passport in collaboration with The Commons Project. ANA is committed to exploring ways to improve the travel experience while ensuring the safety and peace of mind of passengers.

Flow of Trial

About IATA Travel Pass IATA Travel Pass is a mobile application that helps travelers to store and manage their verified certifications for COVID-19 tests or COVID-19 vaccines. This will be important for governments that are likely to require either verified testing or vaccination proof as a condition of international travel during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The IATA Travel Pass will be more secure and efficient than current paper processes used to manage health requirements (the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, for example). This will be important given the potentially enormous scale of testing or vaccine verifications that will need to be securely managed.

• Contact: ANA Corporate Communications, TEL +81-3-6735-1111, [email protected]

About ANA Founded in 1952 with just two helicopters, All Nippon Airways (ANA) has grown to become the largest airline in Japan. ANA HOLDINGS Inc. (ANA HD) was established in 2013 as the largest airline group holding company in Japan, comprising 71 companies including ANA and Peach Aviation, the leading LCC in Japan. ANA is a launch customer and the largest operator of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, making ANA HD the biggest Dreamliner owner in the world. A member of Star Alliance since 1999, ANA has joint venture agreements with United Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines - giving it a truly global presence. The airline's legacy of superior service has helped it earn SKYTRAX's respected 5-Star rating every year since 2013, with ANA being the only Japanese airline to win this prestigious designation for eight consecutive years. ANA also has been recognized by Air Transport World as "Airline of the Year" three times (2007, 2013 and 2018); it is one of only a select few airlines to win this prominent award multiple times. ANA is the only company in the aviation industry to receive the Gold Class distinction from the 2021 S&P Global Sustainability Awards and ANA HD has been selected as a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index list for the fourth consecutive year and the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index list for the fifth consecutive year. For more information, please refer to the following link: https://www.ana.co.jp/group/en/

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ANA to trial IATA travel pass

All Nippon Airways (ANA) will conduct a trial of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass mobile application later this year. The trial will further ANA's goal to seek innovative digital solutions to help customers seamlessly and securely manage their international travel to comply with the latest global COVID-19 health requirements.

"With constant changes to international travel requirements adding to the complexity of travel, IATA Travel Pass enables passengers to easily verify whether they meet the COVID-19 testing requirements of their destination and share their test results with airlines and authorities in a secure way," said Yuji Hirako, president and CEO of ANA and member of the Board of Governors of IATA. "Through our trial, we hope to contribute to the development of the digital solution, which aims to make the travel experience more seamless, secure, and contactless."

"ANA is showing its industry leadership by becoming one of the first airlines to trial IATA Travel Pass. With the trial, ANA is helping global aviation to get back on its feet by giving Governments the confidence to safely re-open borders and re-connect people. IATA Travel Pass will help travelers to verify their compliance with COVID-19 requirements using health credentials securely linked to their identity in a digital passport. And this will put ANA and its customers on the front line of travel modernization even when this crisis is behind us," said Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO of IATA.

The trial is one of many efforts by ANA to continuously improve the customer experience and ensure the safety and peace of mind of passengers.

About IATA Travel Pass

IATA Travel Pass is a mobile application that helps travelers to store and manage their verified certifications for COVID-19 tests or COVID-19 vaccines. This will be important for governments that are likely to require either verified testing or vaccination proof as a condition of international travel during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The IATA Travel Pass will be more secure and efficient than current paper processes used to manage health requirements (the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, for example). This will be important given the potentially enormous scale of testing or vaccine verifications that will need to be securely managed.

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4 Comments Login to comment

Hammako Mar. 20, 2021 07:03 am JST

IATA Travel Pass enables passengers to easily verify whether they meet the COVID-19 testing requirements of their destination

This is great, but what can be done about that fact that Japan refuses to test people unless they’re showing severe symptoms? Kind of a moot point.

...and before anyone asks for sources, I’m speaking from personal experiences.

Badge213 Mar. 20, 2021 08:07 am JST

Dont know which parts of Japan you are but there are many testing private testing sites here in Tokyo that will do the test for people who need it for travel/business/or just piece of mind. I walked past two brand new private testing ones in Akiba alone just last week. If you dont need an official cerificate its cheaper but for official cerificates they charge more, special forms can be done for Hawaii and otjer destinations as well.

Hammako Mar. 20, 2021 10:02 am JST

Thanks for letting me know. I’m not too far outside of the Tokyo area, so I’ll look into it.

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Why you need to know about ANA Mileage Club as a US-based traveler

All Nippon Airways' Mileage Club has long been regarded as one of the top options for maximizing American Express Membership Rewards points . It offers redemption rates that are often significantly lower than other Amex partners, like Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan , with the peace of mind of published award charts .

Although the program has quirks and an interface that may not be the most user-friendly, the potential savings make it worthwhile. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about ANA Mileage Club, including earning and redeeming miles.

How to earn ANA Mileage Club miles

There are several ways to earn ANA miles. Here's a look at some of the most popular options:

Transfer Amex points to ANA

You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to ANA Mileage Club at a 1:1 ratio. Generally, point transfers from Amex to ANA take around 48 hours . Unfortunately, ANA doesn't allow for award ticket holds , meaning that award availability could change by the time your Amex points arrive in your ANA Mileage Club account.

If you don't already have Amex points, you can earn a welcome bonus on an American Express card and potentially have enough points for an ANA Mileage Club redemption. Here's a look at some of the most popular American Express cards:

• American Express® Gold Card : Earn 60,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Earn 80,000 points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Earn 150,000 points after you spend $20,000 on qualifying purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership.
• American Express® Green Card : Earn 40,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Transfer hotel points to ANA

Additionally, you can transfer hotel points to ANA. Here's a look at this option:

Earn ANA miles on ANA flights

For ANA-marketed and -operated flights, multiply the distance flown (basic sector mileage) by the accrual rate for the booking class to calculate mileage accruals. The accrual rates typically range from 30% to 150%, though some fare classes are ineligible for mileage accruals.

If you fly from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) in D-fare business class , you'll earn 8,465 Mileage Club miles on your booking since the fare class earns 125% miles flown. The math looks like this: 6,772 * 1.25 = 8,465.

Earn ANA miles on partner flights

For eligible partner flights you credit to ANA, you'll earn ANA miles as you would on ANA metal. The difference, however, is that accrual rates vary by the partner airline you're flying on.

ANA is a member of Star Alliance , so you can earn ANA miles on eligible Star Alliance flights in addition to flights on its non-alliance partner airlines. Here's a look at ANA's non-alliance partner carriers:

• Air Dolomiti
• Etihad Airways
• Garuda Indonesia
• Jet Airways
• Olympic Air
• Philippine Airlines
• Vietnam Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic
• Virgin Australia

Other ways to earn ANA miles

You can also earn ANA miles through ANA World Hotels and ANA World Car Rentals , powered by Agoda. Earning rates for hotel bookings vary, while you'll earn 1 mile for every 100 Japanese yen (around $0.72) spent on car rentals.

Related: Feels like first class: Flying ANA The Room business class from LA-Tokyo

How to redeem ANA Mileage Club miles

As mentioned, ANA still uses award charts, so as long as there's award space, you can book award flights at the published rates. Some partner flights won't appear on ANA's website, so you can use another top Star Alliance site or ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures) to search for availability on most of ANA's partner airlines. Once you find award space, call ANA Mileage Club to confirm availability.

There are two significant limitations to ANA Mileage Club redemptions, however. First, you can only book round-trip awards, though the program allows for creative stopovers and open jaws on most award tickets. Second, you can only use your miles to book tickets for you and your family. If you plan to travel with a friend, they'll need their own ANA miles.

ANA has three types of awards: ANA domestic flight awards, ANA international flight awards and partner flight awards.

ANA domestic flight awards

The ANA domestic flight award chart lists round-trip flights within Japan from 5,000 miles.

The price of your flight will depend on the season (low, regular or high) and the distance of the flight. For example, a round-trip short-haul flight from Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND) to Osaka's Kansai International Airport (KIX) costs 5,000 miles during the low season, 6,000 miles during the regular season and 7,500 miles during the high season.

Longer domestic flights cost more miles. A round-trip flight from Okinawa's Naha Airport (OKA) to Sapporo's New Chitose Airport (CTS) costs 8,500 miles during the low season, 10,000 miles during the regular season and 11,500 miles during the high season.

ANA international flight awards

The ANA international flight award chart shows award prices in the various zones, cabins and seasonalities, with award rates starting at 12,000 miles for round-trip flights between Japan (Zone 1) and South Korea (Zone 2). You can book and combine Air Japan and ANA flights at these award rates.

ANA is known for having extremely limited premium-cabin award space. Still, if you find award space, you can book a round-trip flight between the U.S. and Japan for 75,000-90,000 miles in business class or 150,000-165,000 miles in first class, depending on seasonality.

Economy-class rates are between 40,000 and 55,000 miles.

At the time of writing, ANA flies from Tokyo to these American destinations:

• Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Unfortunately, ANA charges fuel surcharges on its own award tickets, which currently sit at nearly $500 on round-trip flights between the U.S. and Japan. You can see the current fuel surcharges by clicking "International Surcharge Info" on the ANA fare rules webpage . Note that these surcharges apply in each direction on any class of travel, and the date ranges apply to your ticketing date. As you can see, the surcharges on a flight to Japan from the U.S. will drop from $216 each way to $173 each way as of Aug. 1.

You might be able to reduce your fuel surcharges by not starting or ending your trip in Japan, though the savings may be offset by additional costs to position to those spots.

You might also consider checking Virgin Atlantic Flying Club's award rates for ANA flights to Japan — especially since Flying Club is a transfer partner of all major credit card currencies.

Partner flight awards

The ANA partner flight award chart shows award rates on Star Alliance and non-alliance partners. While the partner award chart is zone-based like the ANA international award chart, it doesn't fluctuate on seasonality.

ANA passes fuel surcharges on to some partner airlines, including those part of the Lufthansa Group (Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa and Swiss). These carriers have some of the highest fuel surcharges, with long-haul business-class taxes and fees routinely passing $1,500 per person. You can avoid fuel surcharges by sticking to partners like Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Avianca, Copa Airlines, SAS, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal and United Airlines (except on some United Asia flights).

The ANA partner chart has some bargain sweet spots. For example, you can travel round-trip in business class on Philippine Airlines from JFK to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) for just 95,000 miles plus roughly $500 per person in taxes and fees. TPG's Nick Ewen recently booked this exact award for three passengers in early 2024.

If Europe is on your mind, you can book round-trip flights in business class for just 88,000 miles (and minimal taxes and fees for carriers like TAP Air Portugal and United).

Another sweet spot is round-trip business class from the U.S. to South Africa for 104,000 miles. You can add a stopover in Europe on the way or in Ethiopia if you choose to fly on Ethiopian Airlines .

However, there are limitations on redeeming rewards based on the airline partner. For example, when using ANA miles, you may only have the option to book economy seats on Singapore Airlines for most flights, as Singapore Airlines typically reserves long-haul business- and first-class seats exclusively for its KrisFlyer mileage program .

Round-the-world tickets

ANA offers a surprisingly reasonable around-the-world award chart for multistop itineraries, which are priced based on the total distance you travel. There are certain restrictions to remember, but you can book up to 12 flight segments and four ground transfer segments on the same ticket, with the option for multiple stopovers. Mixed-cabin bookings are allowed, but the cost will be based on the highest booking class. Additionally, your itinerary must touch all three of ANA's around-the-world regions and return to the same zone where you departed.

While there are rules to follow, ANA's around-the-world awards are relatively easy to calculate using route mapping tools. These award tickets cannot be booked online and you must contact ANA Mileage Club to make the reservation. Fuel surcharges may also apply for certain partner flights. So it's advisable to choose carriers that don't add these surcharges if you want to save money.

You can learn more about ANA round-the-world tickets here .

Related: Your ultimate guide to searching award availability for the major airlines

Bottom line

ANA is one of the most lucrative airline loyalty programs out there. It has an excellent award chart and offers a great deal on true around-the-world itineraries, so be sure to consider it the next time you need to book a Star Alliance award ticket.

Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh.

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Best Ways To Book ANA First Class Using Points [Step-by-Step]

Spencer Howard

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Table of Contents

A look inside ana first class, how to fly ana first class using points, great ana first class redemptions, how to earn enough miles for ana first class, when should you search for award space, what makes this a great redemption, final thoughts.

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Whether you’re flying Singapore Airlines first class or Cathay Pacific first class, many Asian carriers have developed a reputation for world-class service. When you fly ANA, you will enjoy the privacy and comfort of your first class suite and experience unbelievable service.

With several routes to the U.S., a competitive award chart, and plenty of partner booking options, let’s dive into ANA first class.

ANA is widely considered to be one of the best airlines in the world, and its first class experience really drives that point home.

When you fly ANA’s first class out of Tokyo, you’ll be treated like a VIP from the moment you walk into the airport. This is because the airline has a private ANA Suite Check-In in Terminal 1 for its most exclusive customers.

ANA’s concierge staff will help make the check-in process a quick and painless process. You can either check in at the counter or wait comfortably on one of the check-in area sofas.

Once you’re finished checking in, you’ll be off to security. While this is probably one of the least enjoyable experiences for most travelers, you’ll be whisked through priority security in no time.

At this point, you might rush to your gate — but hopefully, you’ve left enough time to relax in the ANA Suite Lounge, which is available at both Narita and Haneda.

It’s here where ANA’s amazing service starts to shine. During your stay, you can enjoy a great meal and refresh in one of the fully-stocked shower rooms. ANA really makes an effort to ensure the wait, as well as the flight, is an experience to remember!

Once onboard the ANA Boeing 777-300ER , you’ll see a large rectangular first class suite waiting for you. Unlike some first class suites, these seats do not have doors that close you off from the rest of the cabin. But they provide more than enough privacy (especially the window seats).

Another difference you’ll notice is that the 2 middle seats also have tons of privacy. Even if you lower the divider, you still have to lean forward to talk to the person next to you.

No first class experience wouldn’t be complete without pajamas and an amenity kit. ANA first class amenity kits are provided by Samsonite (departing from Tokyo) or Rimowa (departing to Tokyo) and have everything you need to refresh on a long flight.

ANA’s New First Class

ANA is moving forward with its epic refurbishment of its 777-300ERs. Known for offering its “flagship” premium products, the new ANA 777-300ER will arguably solidify its place among the best international first class products in the world .

ANA’s new first class will consist of enclosed suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, each complete with sliding doors. Also, the seats are ridiculously sleek yet minimalist. The in-flight monitor will measure an astonishing 43 inches, which would make it the largest personal television on a commercial airline in the world. Also, it will be a 4K monitor, the first of its kind on an airline.

Arranged in 2 rows with a 1-2-1 configuration, the 8-suite cabin will present an epic “East Meets West” collaboration between architect Kengo Kuma and British design firm Acumen Design Associates. The biggest gripe of ANA’s first class “The Square” had long been the closed-off nature of the hard product, which can make talking to your seatmate difficult if you’re traveling together.

ANA’s response to this is one of the most epic in the history of commercial aviation, and this will undoubtedly catapult the first class experience to a whole new level (not that it wasn’t already a top-tier product).

You can find the new ANA 777 first class on:

• Tokyo (HND) – London (LHR) on NH 211/212
• Tokyo (HND/NRT) – New York (JFK) on NH 159/160 and NH 109/110
• Tokyo (HND) – San Francisco (SFO) on NH 107/108

ANA is a member of Star Alliance , which is the world’s largest airline alliance — so you’ll have plenty of options for booking ANA first class.

ANA Mileage Club

The most straightforward way to book first class is through ANA’s own Mileage Club program . The entire booking process can be taken care of online. This might be the best way to book ANA business and first class, because ANA keeps a decent amount of award availability reserved for ANA Mileage Club members only .

Here are the steps to booking ANA first class:

• Visit ANA’s website .
• Select ANA Mileage Club .
• Select International  then Award Reservation .
• Log in to your account.
• Enter your desired route and dates.
• Select First Class .
• Select your flights.

Hot Tip: Use our Transfer Partner Calculator to quickly determine how many miles you’ll get for transferring between programs.

There are a few important caveats to remember when booking with ANA Mileage Club. First, you can only book awards for yourself and your family members .

Second, ANA has low, regular, and high seasons for awards. Stick to the low and regular seasons for your award bookings to get the most bang for your buck.

The mileage cost of first class awards is actually the same for the low and regular seasons, so there are plenty of travel dates from which to choose.

Third, ANA allows you to waitlist award bookings . This can be a nice feature, but there’s no guarantee you will move off the waitlist (especially on popular travel dates). For this reason, it’s important to check whether your selection is actually putting you on the waitlist.

Fortunately, it’s clear when you are waitlisting for an award. Just make sure you confirm before moving forward!

Speaking of the waitlisted flight pictured above, you’ll notice the route is from Chicago to Sydney, Australia connecting in Tokyo.

ANA not only allows you to transit a third region on your way to a destination, but they allow you to book a stopover. This means you could visit Tokyo for a bit before continuing to Australia.

If you need some more miles in your Mileage Club account, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards .

Membership Rewards generally take about 2 to 3 days to transfer. Keep this in mind before transferring, as award space isn’t guaranteed to be available if you wait.

Hot Tip: Check out other great ways to redeem ANA miles with ANA Mileage Club.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

In today’s age, it’s extremely difficult to find sweet spot awards to Asia . Luckily, Virgin Atlantic is an amazing transfer partner of all major flexible award points.

This is crucial for Virgin Atlantic Flying Club because they offer unbeatable first class award redemption rates on ANA to Japan .

The following chart is the ANA Award Chart using Virgin Points :

* or equivalent class

The above chart shows the round-trip cost in Virgin Points, though one-way trips are now allowed at half of the round-trip cost.

Here are some great example flights you can take:

• Chicago (ORD) – Tokyo (NRT/HND)  nonstop round-trip for 145,000 Virgin Points + ~$300 in taxes and fees in ANA first class
• Houston (IAH) – Tokyo (NRT) nonstop round-trip for 170,000 Virgin Points + ~$300 in taxes and fees in ANA first class
• New York (JFK) – Tokyo (NRT/HND)  nonstop round-trip for 170,000 Virgin Points + ~$300 in taxes and fees in ANA first class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Tokyo (NRT/HND) nonstop round-trip for 145,000 Virgin Points + ~$300 in taxes and fees in ANA first class

To make things even better, Citi and American Express often run huge transfer bonuses of 25% to 30% to top off your miles even more! If you line everything up correctly, you can fly from the West Coast to Japan in ANA first class round-trip for 112,000 points! 

One significant drawback of Virgin Atlantic vs. ANA is that Virgin Atlantic will only be able to reserve award seats that are released to partners. Since ANA has access to much more award inventory, you’ll need to plan further in advance or be more flexible.

Here’s how to book ANA first class with Virgin Atlantic ( do not transfer your points yet ):

• Visit United or Aeroplan .
• For Aeroplan: Under Use Your Miles select Travel.  Select your travel dates, cities, and business/first class.
• For United: Click round-trip, check Book with miles , and select your travel dates, cities, and first class.
• Find your desired flight in ANA first class.
• Call Virgin Atlantic at 800-365-9500 to hold  your award booking for 24 hours.
• Transfer your points.
• Call Virgin Atlantic at 800-365-9500 to confirm your booking once you have enough points and pay for taxes and fees.
• For example, John Steven Doe would be entered like this: First Name: JohnSteven and Last Name: Doe.
• You will be prompted to log in with your ANA Number and Password.
• Click Service  on the right tab to select your seats and add meal preferences.

The last thing you need to know is about transfer times: Chase and Citi transfer instantly, Amex takes 2 to 3 business days, and Marriott Bonvoy can take as long as Amex. Make sure you know this when you’re planning award holds ! If your award hold is lost, there’s no guarantee the seats will still be there if you try again.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

You can also book ANA flights through Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, a Star Alliance partner.

Here’s what you need to know to book.

• Visit Air Canada’s Aeroplan .
• Log in to your Aeroplan account (you’ll need your account number).
• Under Use Your Miles  select Travel.
• Select your travel dates, cities, and class of service
• Find your desired flight — make sure it’s ANA first class
• Complete the reservation online on Singapore Airlines’ website. Be sure to select Star Alliance Partners instead of Singapore Airlines .
• For connecting itineraries and reservations, you may need to call Singapore Airlines to complete the booking at 800-742-3333.
• John Steven Doe will be First Name: JohnSteven and Last Name: Doe
• You will be prompted to log in with your ANA Number and Password
• Click Service  on the right-hand tab to select your seats and add meal preferences

Booking through Singapore KrisFlyer allows you to book a one-way first class award on ANA if that’s all you need.

A big benefit to booking this way is that it allows you to leverage Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points since Singapore Airlines is a partner. Transfers to the KrisFlyer program generally take up to 24 hours; transfers from Citi generally take 1-2 days.

Hot Tip: Check out other great ways to redeem with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

Asiana Club

Asiana Club miles provide another great option for booking flights on ANA. Like Singapore Airlines, it also allows one-way bookings.

You must reserve and have your ticket issued 3 days prior to departure, which prevents snagging last-minute awards.

• Search for availability using Aeroplan’s site (see above for the steps)
• The U.S. call center is open between 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST (Monday to Friday)
• Tell the phone representative you’d like to book an award with Star Alliance partner ANA
• Provide your travel dates and flight numbers
• Once you confirm space, you will be prompted to give your credit card for any necessary taxes and fees

Other Options for Booking ANA Flights

You can also book through one of ANA’s other Star Alliance partners including Avianca LifeMiles , United MileagePlus , or Air Canada Aeroplan .

Each program we discussed above has its sweet spots:

• Virgin Atlantic is the best way to fly round-trip if you see partner availability.
• Asiana Club often provides solid one-way redemption options, but it doesn’t allow stopovers.
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer might cost a few more miles, but you can book one-ways and stopovers.
• ANA Mileage Club requires round-trip bookings, but offers some of the best redemption rates and allows stopovers . Most importantly, ANA has exclusive award availability compared to all other partners.

Here’s a quick comparison of some round-trip award redemptions with each program.

* Virgin Atlantic is really only worth it to fly to Japan. It’s possible to book to places like Australia and Thailand, but you don’t get anywhere near the same value.

When booking with Asiana Club, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, or Singapore KrisFlyer, a one-way ticket will cost half the miles of the round-trip award.

Since ANA is an Amex transfer partner , you can transfer miles at a rate of 1:1.

Singapore Airlines and Virgin Points are also a Chase transfer partner,  American Express Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards (all at a rate of 1:1).

In addition, Capital One miles can be transferred to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at a 1:1 ratio. Also, if you have Bilt Rewards points, you can transfer them to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at the same 1:1 ratio.

You can even transfer Brex Rewards points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer at a 1,670:1,000 ratio.

You can also  earn Marriott Bonvoy points  and transfer those to ANA, Asiana, Virgin Atlantic, or Singapore Airlines at a transfer rate of 3:1. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you’ll receive an extra 5,000-mile bonus.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel SM .
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel SM , 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel SM . For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Chase Ultimate Rewards

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel SM .
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel SM  immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel SM . For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass TM  Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Business Owner? See our article on Chase business credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards.

Recommended Amex Cards (Personal)

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card ® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: CLEAR ® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck ® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck ® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR

American Express Membership Rewards

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
• $250 annual fee (see rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

If you’re a business owner, refer to our article on Amex business credit cards that earn Membership Rewards.

You can search and book ANA flights between 355 days and 96 hours from departure. Start your search early to give yourself the best chance of finding award space, and check regularly if you don’t see space initially.

ANA is one of the premier carriers operating out of Asia, so you’ll want to give its first class a try. Here are some of the aspects of this experience you would enjoy.

First Class Service

If you’re accustomed to the service of U.S. carriers, you might be a bit overwhelmed. Don’t worry, there’s no trick here — ANA’s cabin crews really are that great!

From the moment you set foot onboard, they are ready to help you have a wonderful first class experience.

ANA Suite Lounge

Once you’re in the ANA Suite Lounge, staff will be there to offer you a hot (or cold) towel and a drink — Champagne is a great choice. If that’s not a great way to start off a lounge visit, we don’t know what is!

If you need a shower after a long flight or a long day visiting Tokyo, you can enjoy a relaxing one here. There’s plenty of seating even during busy times, so you can stretch out. If you need a quiet place to work, grab one of the workstations that include noise-canceling headphones.

Whether you’re enjoying a nice vacation or visiting the lounge for work, the ANA Suite Lounge will be a great experience.

Go ahead and add ANA first class to your list of flights you must try. If you need a one-way flight, Asiana Club and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer can get you what you need. If you need a round-trip, you’ll often find your best booking options are ANA’s own Mileage Club and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Additionally, ANA’s new first class is about to be added to its portfolio, so be sure to consider flying that product as it is sensational.

What are you waiting for? From the moment you arrive at the airport, the service will be amazing. Enjoy some Champagne and before you know it, the journey will be as much fun as the destination!

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to book ana first class.

Often, ANA’s Mileage Club program requires the fewest miles to book first class flights on ANA, but it requires round-trip bookings.

Asiana Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and other Star Alliance partners can also provide some great redemption options.

What credit cards can help me earn miles to fly ANA first class?

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and ANA Mileage Club are partners with  American Express Membership Rewards .

You can also earn KrisFlyer miles through  Chase Ultimate Rewards , Citi ThankYou Rewards , Capital One Miles , or Brex Rewards .

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is transfer partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Bilt Rewards , and Marriott Bonvoy. It’s also indirect transfer partners with Capital One Miles through Virgin Red.

What do I get when flying ANA first class?

First and foremost, world-class service. ANA is renowned for its amazing inflight service! Additionally, you can expect some great Champagne and food in the ANA Suite Lounge and during your flight.

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About Spencer Howard

Always a fan of flying, it was only natural that Spencer was drawn to finding a way to improve the travel experience.

Like many, he started this journey searching for cheap flights to take him around the world. This was fun for a while, but Spencer was intrigued by the idea of flying in business and first class!

Throwing himself into what became an extensive research project, Spencer spent 3-4 hours per night learning everything he could about frequent flyer miles over the course of several months (he thinks this is normal). He runs Straight to the Points, an award-seat alert platform.

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UPDATED! Exploring Japan With The ANA Experience Japan Fare

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ANA's Experience Japan Fare

By rob dyer, latest update - june 2023.

Presently, sales of both ANA’s Experience Japan Fare and their Visit Japan Fare are suspended. Of their 3 Special Fares, only the ANA Discover Japan Fare is currently on sale. The availability period for the Discover Japan Fare runs through to October 26, 2024, and you can purchase from 355 days before boarding. You can find details on that fare, and make bookings, here: https://www.ana.co.jp/en/gb/plan-book/promotions/special-fares/ .

I suspect the suspension is temporary, but I will monitor the situation, and keep this post updated on any changes to availability.

Discounted domestic flights

All Nippon Airways (usually abbreviated to ANA) is Japan's largest airline. 

Their Experience Japan Fare is a special fare that can be used across ANA’s entire Japan domestic flight network. It's a service specifically designed for foreign visitors to Japan, priced to encourage exploration of Japan's diverse islands .

Prices are significantly lower than their standard domestic flights. However, it's also worth checking prices of the various low cost carrier airlines also operating in Japan.

Sunset over Tokyo - Credit: ANA

Islands and cities included in ANA's Experience Japan Fare

Major cities covered by the network include Sapporo , Tokyo (both Haneda and Narita airports), Osaka , Nagoya , Fukuoka and Okinawa . Meaning the following islands are all included:

• Yaeyama Islands

Flight Details

• SEA=HND (NH117/NH118) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• SFO=HND (NH107/NH108) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• SFO=NRT (NH007/NH008) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• LAX=HND (NH105/NH106) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• LAX=HND (NH125/NH126) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024*NH125 will operate as NH1905 on Sep. 1
• LAX=NRT (NH005/NH006) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• ORD=NRT (NH011/NH012) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• ORD=HND (NH111/NH112) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• JFK=HND (NH109/NH110) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• JFK=HND (NH159/NH160) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• IAH=NRT (NH113/NH114) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• IAD=HND (NH101/NH102) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• HNL=NRT (NH181/NH182) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• HNL=NRT (NH183/NH184) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024
• HNL=HND (NH185/NH186) / 7 flights per week until Oct. 26, 2024

ANA Fare Families

To ensure peace of mind for our customers, ANA offers greater ticket flexibility so that you can plan and book your upcoming trips with ease.

Goodbye, Change Fees

To ensure peace of mind for our customers who need to travel during uncertain times, we've eliminated change fees.

Interested in travel insurance for your trip to Japan?

Unexpected situations can be stressful but even more so when you are traveling in a foreign country. If you want to learn more, or get a quote, click here .

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EXPLAINED: JAL Japan Explorer Pass

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The JAL Explorer Pass is a travel product offered by Japan Airlines, aimed at providing discounted fares for those looking to explore the beautiful and diverse landscapes of Japan. In this article, we will delve into the details of the JAL Explorer Pass, discussing its benefits, eligibility, possible routes, and how it compares to other similar products, such as the ANA Discover Japan Fare.

Table of contents

What is jal explorer pass, who is eligible for the explorer pass, 5,500 jpy routes, 7,700 jpy routes, 11,000 jpy routes, benefits of jal explorer pass, jal explorer pass rules, jal explorer pass vs. ana discover japan.

The JAL Explorer Pass is a discounted fare option designed to help travellers explore Japan more affordably. Offered by Japan Airlines , this pass allows both international and domestic travellers to access lower fares on an extensive network of routes throughout Japan. With a focus on flexibility and affordability, the JAL Explorer Pass is an excellent option for those looking to make the most of their time in the country.

It can be used on most domestic flights operated by Japan Airlines, Japan TransOcean Air, and J-Air (but not other JAL subsidiaries and partners) totalling up to 30 available destinations. What’s even better is that unlike the JAL “Welcome to Japan” pass – it can be booked online without the need to go via a travel agent

The JAL Explorer Pass is available to anyone who meets the following criteria:

• Holds a non-Japanese passport or a Japanese passport with an international residency card
• Has an international itinerary that includes a Japan Airlines or partner-operated flight

It’s important to note that Japanese nationals (with a Japanese passport) who do not hold an international residency card are not eligible for the JAL Explorer Pass.

What are the Possible Routes?

The JAL Explorer Pass covers an extensive route network that includes both domestic and international destinations. Passengers can choose from a total of 30 routes operated by JAL and its partners, exploring different regions of Japan and experiencing the unique culture and natural beauty each area has to offer.

The pass uses a zone-based pricing structure, with fares varying depending on the zones travelled. The pricing is divided into three tiers:

This tier includes short-haul domestic flights within Japan, covering popular destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. These routes are perfect for travellers looking to visit major cities or explore nearby regions.

This tier offers a wider range of domestic flights, including routes to more remote destinations like Hokkaido, Okinawa, and some of the smaller Japanese islands. These routes are ideal for travellers seeking to explore the diverse landscapes and cultures of Japan’s lesser-known areas.

This tier includes select international routes, allowing passengers to travel between Japan and nearby countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, and China. These routes provide an excellent opportunity for travellers to extend their exploration beyond Japan’s borders.

The JAL Explorer Pass offers a variety of benefits that make it an attractive option for travellers looking to explore Japan and the surrounding region. Some of the key advantages include:

• Cost-effective travel : Similar to the Qantas Explorer Pass , the JAL Explorer Pass provides significant savings compared to regular fares, helping travellers reduce their overall expenses and enjoy more budget-friendly trips.
• Wide range of destination options : The pass offers travellers the opportunity to choose from an extensive list of destinations across three different price zones, enabling them to visit various parts of Japan and experience the diverse culture and attractions.
• Straightforward booking process : The JAL Explorer Pass can be easily booked online or through a travel agent, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
• Year-round availability : The JAL Explorer Pass does not have blackout dates, allowing travellers to book flights throughout the year without any restrictions.
• Generous baggage allowance : The JAL Explorer Pass includes a baggage allowance of two pieces of free check-in baggage, up to 23kg / 50lbs per item, which is a notable advantage over purchasing a standalone one-way ticket with a more restrictive allowance.

The JAL Explorer Pass comes with specific rules and restrictions to ensure that it remains an attractive and cost-effective option for travellers. It’s essential to be aware of these conditions to make the most of the pass:

• International itinerary requirements : Your international itinerary must be a Round Trip, Circle Trip, or an Open Jaw within the same ticket and must be to/via Japan from outside Japan. A Japan inbound ticket number or reservation code is required at the time of purchase.
• Class of travel : The fare is valid for Economy Class travel only. Business and First Class may be purchased at the time of check-in on a standby basis (Business Class: +1,000 JPY; First Class: +8,000 JPY).
• Booking deadline : Ticket purchases can be made up to 24 hours before departure.
• Reservation changes and refunds : After the domestic ticket purchase, reservation changes are not permitted. All tickets are non-refundable.
• Currency of purchase : Tickets are issued in the currency of the country of sale, based on the current JPY exchange rate.
• Fares for infants and children : There is no fare difference for infants and children, and both will be charged the full adult fare.
• Taxes and fees : Fares quoted are inclusive of Japan Consumption Tax but not the Passenger Facility Charge. Additional charges are included at the time of booking.
• Seat availability : Seats are based on current availability. Therefore, seats can be sold out or blacked out during peak times.
• Seat selection : There is no default seat selection, but it can be added for an additional fee. Oneworld status supersedes this rule – however, only for the status holder.
• Check-in process : Due to eligibility requirements, there is no online check-in, and you cannot use the check-in kiosks with a JAL Explorer Pass. You are required to prove to the check-in agent that you are a tourist in Japan.
• Oneworld status accrual : For Oneworld members, the status accrual rates earned from Japan domestic flights on JAL can vary from JAL international flights.

Being aware of these rules and restrictions will help you make the most of the JAL Explorer Pass and ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience while exploring Japan.

The ANA Discover Japan Fare is a similar product offered by All Nippon Airways , providing discounted fares for exploring Japan.

When comparing the JAL Explorer Pass and ANA Discover Japan fares, there are several key differences to consider:

• Flight Prices : JAL Explorer Pass offers fixed prices of JPY 5,500, JPY 7,700, and JPY 11,000, while ANA Discover Japan fares can range from JPY 6,182 to JPY 65,093.
• Route Availability : JAL Explorer Pass fares can only be booked on select routes, while ANA Discover Japan fares are available on all ANA Japan domestic flights.
• Booking Window : JAL Explorer Pass fares can be booked from 355 days in advance and up to 24 hours before departure, while ANA Value and Super Value fares have shorter booking windows of up to 7 days and 30 days before departure, respectively.
• Upgrades : Both JAL Explorer Pass and ANA Discover Japan fares allow for upgrades on the day of departure, subject to availability.
• Ticket Flexibility : JAL Explorer Pass tickets do not allow for swapping or changes once issued, and they are non-refundable. ANA Discover Japan fares permit flight swapping on the date of departure if an earlier flight has an empty seat.
• Checked Baggage : JAL Explorer Pass includes two 23kg checked bags, while ANA Discover Japan fares include one 20kg checked bag.
• Consumption Tax : JAL Explorer Pass applies consumption tax to all flights. In contrast, ANA Discover Japan fares do not apply consumption tax to domestic sectors immediately connecting to/from international flights, provided the connection time is less than 24 hours.

The JAL Explorer Pass is an excellent option for travelers looking to explore Japan on a budget. With fixed prices, a generous baggage allowance, and the possibility of upgrades on the day of departure, this pass offers great value. However, it’s essential to consider the eligibility requirements, route limitations, and booking restrictions before committing to this pass. Comparing the JAL Explorer Pass with other options, such as ANA Discover Japan fares and the Qantas Explorer Pass, can help travelers make an informed decision that best suits their needs and preferences.

Air Asia X Quite Zone: An Overview

Understanding cathay pacific’s 24-hour cancellation policy, how to book swiss throne seats for free, exploring delta vip select, premium economy: the nuances of comfort and cost, qantas family transfers – a quick overview.

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Everything You Need to Know About the Kansai Railway Pass

Learn essential information for evaluating the Kansai Railway Pass for your visit to central Japan. (Main image: Klook)

Kansai Railway Pass Types & Prices

Why choose the kansai railway pass, main sights to see with the kansai railway pass, practical information about the kansai railway pass, alternatives to the kansai railway pass, conclusion - save time and money with the kansai rail pass.

Home to some of Japan’s most captivating cities, the region of Kansai also features a wonderful array of culture, history, and spectacular scenery. Alongside some of Japan’s most famous attractions, such as the free-roaming deer in Nara and the iconic Himeji Castle , head off Kansai’s beaten track and discover bucolic mountain towns and ancient hiking trails waiting to be explored. Kansai also happens to be one of the best places in Japan to eat. Osaka is known as Japan’s kitchen for good reason, while Kyoto is famous for kaiseki ryori, an exquisite multicourse meal of fine dining. You can also feast on the famous Kobe Wagyu beef, as well as sample the freshest range of seafood that’s caught daily in the seas just off Kansai’s shoreline. One of the best ways to explore the region is with the Kansai Railway Pass . The Kansai Railway Pass allows passengers to travel across six of the region’s prefectures via a network of different train lines, giving easy access to the majority of the region’s most popular cities and attractions.

Available as either a two-day or three-day pass, the Kansai Railway Pass covers unlimited rail travel on twenty private railway lines within the Kansai region. The full list of train lines covered by the Kansai Rail Pass is: Eizan Railway, Hankai Tramway, Hankyu Railway, Hanshin Electric Railway, Hieizan Sakamoto Cable, Keihan Electric Railway, Kinki Nippon Railway, Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway, Kobe Electric Railway, Kobe Kosoku Line, Kobe Municipal Subway, Kyoto Municipal Subway, Mizuma Railway, Nankai Electric Railway, Nose Electric Railway, Osaka Metro, Osaka Monorail, Port Liner/Rokko Liner, Sanyo Electric Railway, Semboku Rapid Railway. There are also several cable cars in various parts of Kansai that are also covered by the Kansai Railway Pass. However, be aware that the Kansai Railway Pass does not include travel on any JR Railways train lines. A full map of all of the train lines covered by the Kansai Railway Pass can be found on the official website (PDF) .

Comparing the Costs of the Two Types of Kansai Railway Pass

The Kansai Railway Pass is available as either a two-day or three-day pass. Here is a simple breakdown of the cost of the two different passes.

Who Might Benefit the Most from the Kansai Railway Pass?

The Kansai Railway Pass will most benefit those who are passing through the region as part of a longer trip in Japan. If you’re planning on spending a few days seeing some of Kansai’s major cities or attractions whilst touring Japan, the Kansai Railway Pass will be the perfect way to explore the region while saving you money.

Where to Buy the Kansai Railway Pass

The Kansai Railway Pass can be bought online from travel agents such as Klook and kkday.

Once you’ve purchased the pass you will be sent a QR code by email. You will need this QR code to collect the Kansai Railway Pass, which can be picked up at several locations in the region, including Kansai International Airport , the Kansai Tourist Information Center in Kyoto and Umeda or Tennoji Metro Stations in Osaka. A full list of collection points is available on the official website here .

You can easily explore more of Kansai

The Kansai Railway Pass makes it incredibly easy to explore this region of Japan. With unlimited train travel on so many train lines you can easily discover all of the delights of cities like Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe , or head to some of the area’s lesser-visited spots, such as Lake Shiga or the mountains of Wakayama .

Save time and money on travel costs in Japan

The main reason for buying the Kansai Rail Pass is to save money on travel costs. Offering unlimited journeys across many of the region’s train lines also means that the more journeys you take using the Kansai Railway Pass, the more money you will save. Compared to the cost of buying several single tickets to various destinations across the region, the Kansai Railway Pass will be much more cost-effective. Only having to buy one single ticket will also save you a lot of precious time. With no need to queue up to buy tickets each time you want to get from A to B you can spend more time exploring the wonders of Kansai.

Enjoy discounts on entrance fees and shopping

The Kansai Railway Pass also offers small discounts to a number of attractions throughout Kansai, as well as money off shopping in certain stores. With the pass, you can get a discount on the cost of entry to many of Kansai’s major attractions, such as the Umeda Sky Building’s Kuchu Teien Observatory, plus you’re also entitled to discounts on qualifying purchases in major stores such as BicCamera and Don Quijote.

Potential drawbacks of the Kansai Railway Pass

The Pass Does Not Cover Travel on Any JR trains The main downside of the Kansai Railway Pass is that it does not include travel on any trains operated by Japan Railways (JR). JR runs several services throughout Kansai, including the Shinkansen. If you need to use any services operated by JR while visiting Kansai, you will need to pay for these separately. Not Valid For Buses The Kansai Railway Pass was introduced in April 2024 to replace the Kansai Thru Pass, a previous travel pass that allowed travelers to use many bus services within the region. However, this has been replaced by the Kansai Railway Pass, which only allows travel by train in the region, excluding JR services. A 2 or 3 Day Pass Might Not Be Long Enough For Some Travelers Some visitors might find that the option of a 2 or a 3-day pass may give little time to travel across such a large area as Kansai, where there is so much to explore. This might be the case if you are planning on staying in Kansai for an extended period of time, such as a week or more. One possible solution might be to buy more than one Kansai Railway Pass during your trip. For example, you could purchase a second 3 day Kansai Railway Pass once the first has expired. Depending on your travel plans this may work out as a more cost effective way of traveling around the region. A Slightly Longer Travel Time Between Kyoto and Osaka If you plan to use the Kansai Rail Pass to travel directly between Kyoto and Osaka you’ll have to take the Keihan Main Line. The journey takes around 55 minutes and is by a regular commuter train. While this may not be a major issue, compared to the 30 minute journey between Kyoto Station and Shin- Osaka Station on the Shinkansen this may feel like a bit of a downgrade.

The Kansai Railway Pass can be used to reach many of the region’s most famous tourist attractions as well as plenty of Japan’s hidden gems. Here are a few of the places that you could visit with the Kansai Railway Pass: Kyoto: The Kansai Railway Pass includes travel on many of Kyoto’s local railway lines, including the subway, making it easy to visit all of the former capital’s biggest attractions, including the famous Gion geisha district , Kiyomizu-dera Temple , Fushimi Inari Shrine , Nijo Castle , and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest . Osaka: Similarly, the Kansai Railway Pass can also be used on Osaka’s Metro lines and several local rail lines. With the pass, you can travel easily between Osaka’s major sights , such as Osaka Castle , the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower , the Kuromon Market , Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan , and dazzling Dotonbori . Kobe : The port city of Kobe can also be easily explored using the Kansai Railway Pass. You can take in the views of the city from the Kobe Port Tower or the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway, discover the historic areas of Kitano-cho and Nankin-machi Chinatown , and admire the beauty of Sorakuen, a traditional Japanese garden . This is also the best place to sample Kobe ’s famous Wagyu beef. Uji City: The city of Uji is the tea capital of Japan and definitely worth visiting for those who love green tea. Only 30 minutes by train from Nara , Uji features century-old tea houses, shops, restaurants, and shrines lining both sides of the Uji River . Other highlights in Uji include the Byodoin Temple , Ujigami Shrine , and the Nintendo Museum . Nara : Nara is one of the most popular Osaka and Kyoto day trip destinations for visitors to Japan , thanks in part to the 1,200 or so deer who freely roam around Nara Park . As one of Japan’s former capitals, Nara Park also features many grand and historic temples and shrines , including Todaiji Temple , Horyuji Temple , and the colorful Kasuga Taisha Shrine , as well as the Nara National Museum . Himeji : Himeji ’s biggest attraction is easily the stunning Himeji Castle which still towers over the center of the city. A UNESCO World Heritage site that dates from the early 17th century, Himeji Castle is the best preserved castle in Japan and is easily one of the country’s most spectacular landmarks . Wakayama : The city of Wakayama sits on the Kii Peninsula, around an hour south of Osaka by train. The city is centered around the rebuilt Wakayama Castle , which was originally built as a fortress to protect western Japan in the late 16th century. Within the castle grounds is Momijidani Teien Garden , a gorgeous Japanese garden , while the Museum of Modern Art features works by famous artists such as Pablo Picasso and Mark Rothko. Koyasan : Located high in the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture, the town of Koyasan has been the center of a sect of Buddhism called Shingon Buddhism for over 1,000 years. Part of the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail , Mt. Koya is lined with many ancient temples and shrines , as well as the atmospheric mountain cemetery at Okunoin Temple . Koyasan is also the best place in Japan to enjoy the unique experience of an overnight stay in a Buddhist temple . Top Tip: You can use the Kansai Railway Pass to get to or from Kansai International Airport , as well as the Shinkansen stations at Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Himeji . If you’re traveling to another part of Japan or flying home after visiting Kansai, you could use the Kansai Railway Pass for one last journey before moving on.

Who can buy a Kansai Railway Pass?

The Kansai Railway Pass can only be bought by the following types of travelers.

• Overseas tourists visiting Japan on a temporary visitor visa;
• Japanese citizens who live overseas with permanent residence in another country;
• Anybody who is traveling with either of the above - in this instance this ticket must be bought together with those of their travel companions

How long is the Kansai Railway Pass valid for?

The Kansai Railway Pass is currently scheduled to be on sale from March 1, 2024 until March 31, 2025 and will be valid for use from April 1, 2024 until May 31, 2025. Any Kansai Railway Pass bought before March 31, 2025 has to be used before May 31, 2025.

How do I use the Kansai Railway Pass?

The Kansai Rail Pass is a physical ticket that needs to be passed through the ticket readers at the barriers at train stations. Smaller train stations in more remote areas still don’t have ticket machines, so at these you would simply need to show the ticket to a station attendant who will wave you through.

How do I activate the Kansai Railway Pass?

The pass is activated by passing it through the ticket barrier at any station. This imprints the date onto the back of the card. The card is then valid for travel for the rest of that day.

Do I have to use the pass on consecutive days?

No - A great advantage of the Kansai Railway Pass is that it does not have to be used over consecutive days, unlike many other passes. For example, if you plan on spending a week in Kansai, you could use a three day Kansai Railway Pass for train journeys on the Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Visitors who intend to rely more on Japan may wish to consider the following alternatives to the Kansai Railway Pass.

• JR West Kansai Area Pass - This pass offers unlimited travel on local JR trains and buses in Kansai, as well as the Kyoto City Subway, the Keihan Railway and Hankyu Railway lines. Available as a 1, 2, 3 or 4 day pass, this does not include travel on bullet trains. The JR West Kansai Area Pass covers a very similar area to the Kansai Railway Pass. See here for details & bookings .
• JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass - Similar to the JR West Kansai Area Pass, this 5 day pass offers unlimited train travel on JR trains across a larger area of Kansai, as well as to some neighboring areas, including Tottori, Okayama and Takamatsu. See here for details & bookings .

With so many wonderful places to discover, the Kansai Railway Pass can be a great option for those looking to get the most out of traveling around one of the most fascinating regions of Japan. Whether you decide to choose the 2-day or 3-day option, with unlimited travel on 20 regional train lines, the Kansai Railway Pass is also a smart way to save time and money whilst visiting Japan. For Kansai Rail Pass pass details, see the official website (https://www.surutto.com/kansai_rw/en/) .

Written by:

James Davies

Originally from Cardiff in the UK, James has been working as a freelance writer since moving to Japan in 2020. Having first visited Japan in 2013, James has been to each of the country’s 47 prefectures. A lover of sushi, sumo and sake, when not writing, he is either exploring Tokyo or planning a trip to a new corner of Japan. On Instagram: @_jamesdavies

• Area Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi
• How To: Transportation

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The Kremlin on Thursday condemned the assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and wished him a speedy recovery after he was shot when leaving a government meeting.

This Airport Lounge Was Just Voted Best in the World—Here's What It's Like Inside

By Lucy Bruton

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Of all the international travel hubs around the world, Vienna is home to the best airport lounge in the world —Vienna Lounge at Terminal 1 in Vienna Airport was voted not just the best in Europe, but the overall global winner in the inaugural Priority Pass Excellence Awards . The awards consider over 1,500 lounges and travel experiences and are judged on 379,966 Priority Pass member ratings and reviews across a wide range of criteria, including quality of facilities, customer service, food and beverage selection, and overall satisfaction.

While recently in the city to review the opening of The Hoxton Vienna , I paid a visit to the lounge to see what all the fuss was about. As a pay-to-enter lounge (or access with a Priority Pass membership ), the space definitely felt more premium and thoughtful than the usual lounge of this genre—which can often just feel like slightly less crowded waiting rooms with snacks and soft drinks.

The first thing I noticed as I entered the main lounge was the bright and calming feel of the space, flooded with natural light from the windows looking out onto the runway, and with stylish parquet flooring and greenery throughout. The walls are decorated with artwork by Klimpt and Schiele, as provided by Vienna's Leopold Museum, giving the space some local personality and the feel of a stylish hotel lobby , rather than a sterile airport. The lounge is also extensive, covering nearly 27,000 square feet with enough room to host 450 guests.

Beverage stations inside the Vienna airport lounge

The focal hub of the lounge is the bistro-esque dining area, where an impressively large Viennese buffet takes center stage. There's a huge variety of hot and cold options available, including traditional dishes, as well as cheese and meat and a salad bar. There's also a sweet Viennese cafe area where guests can help themselves to beautifully baked cakes and strudels. For drinks, the options range from several soft drinks, infused waters, spirits, beers, and wines—including Austrian beers and wines—to a Bloody Mary station.

Elsewhere there are comfortable loungers throughout, each with their own European electrical sockets and USB ports. Families will love the dedicated play area for kids, as well as the family bathroom with changing facilities. I personally loved the private booths with beds and reading lights, ideal if you want to catch some shut-eye before your flight—although you would need to bring your own blanket. Upon entering the lounge there’s also a complimentary locker room to store any bulky items or carry-on baggage , which helped make the lounge feel a lot more spacious and comfortable.

My favorite area of lounge, however, was the year-round outdoor roof terrace with views over and beyond the runway. A great spot, especially when the sun is out in summer. After catching some rays on the terrace, you can freshen up before your flight in one of the spacious private shower rooms—complete with Dyson hair dryers and fluffy towels.

My highlights:

• Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the airfield
• A Bloody Mary station
• Outdoor roof terrace
• Private booths with beds
• Dyson hair dryers in the private shower rooms

Is it worth it?

If you’ve got some time to spare before hitting the skies, this is definitely a lounge experience that’s worth the price.

How do I visit?

Priority Pass membership fees range from $99 a year to $469 a year; the most expensive tier provides free access to all Priority Pass lounges plus $35 guest visit fees. Non-members can access the Vienna Lounge for three hours at a cost of $59 for adults and $31 for children ages 4-14 (children three and under enter for free).

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

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Senate Approves Bill to Reauthorize F.A.A. and Improve Air Travel

The Senate also passed a short-term extension of the current F.A.A. law to give the House time to clear the longer-term package early next week.

By Kayla Guo

Reporting from the Capitol

The Senate on Thursday passed legislation to reauthorize federal aviation programs for the next five years and put in place new safety measures and consumer protections for passengers, at a moment of intense uncertainty and disruption in the air travel system.

The bill , which still must win final approval in the House before becoming law, would provide more than $105 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration and another $738 million to the National Transportation Safety Board for airport modernization, technology programs and safety. It would also bolster the hiring and training of air traffic controllers, codify airlines’ refund obligations to passengers, ensure fee-free family seating and strengthen protections for passengers with disabilities.

“Aviation safety has been front of mind for millions of Americans recently, and this F.A.A. bill is the best thing Congress can do to give Americans the peace of mind they deserve,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader, said on the Senate floor on Thursday evening.

It passed in an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 88 to 4, just one day before the current law is scheduled to lapse. The Senate also unanimously approved a short-term extension to allow time for the House to take up and clear the longer-term package next week, a step that would send it to President Biden.

The legislation is a bipartisan compromise negotiated over months by the Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over the F.A.A., after Congress authorized several short-term extensions of the agency when lawmakers failed to meet earlier deadlines. The House passed its version of the bill almost a year ago in a lopsided vote of 351 to 69.

Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, chairwoman of the Commerce Committee, celebrated the bill’s provisions on consumer protections, aviation safety, air traffic controllers, airport infrastructure and work force development on the floor after passage.

“This is a big moment for aviation,” Ms. Cantwell said. “We have had safety issues and concerns that we need to make a big investment. This legislation is that investment — in safety standards, in protecting consumers and advancing a work force and technology that will allow the United States to be the gold standard in aviation.”

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, the top Republican on the Commerce Committee, said: “This legislation is a strong, bipartisan, bicameral bill that includes hundreds of priorities for senators and representatives, both Republican and Democrat. This bill gives the FAA the safety tools it needs at a critical time.”

As one of the few remaining bills considered a must-pass item this year, the F.A.A. package, which prompted several regional disputes, became a magnet for dozens of amendments and policy riders that threatened to delay it in the Senate.

With the legislation threatening to stall, the House on Wednesday approved a one-week extension for the F.A.A. before leaving Washington for the weekend. The Senate followed suit on Thursday, steering around lingering disputes that had threatened to scuttle the effort and cause a brief lapse for the F.A.A.

The debate came at a time of acute uncertainty about the aviation system, which has had a recent spate of concerning episodes such as dangerous near collisions on runways, plane malfunctions and thousands of flight delays and cancellations.

It was unclear for much of Thursday whether the Senate would be able to push through the legislation and the extension, as senators demanded votes on amendments or threatened to block speedy passage. No amendments were ultimately brought to a vote.

The most intense regional fight was over a provision in the bill that would add five round-trip long-haul flights out of Ronald Reagan National Airport outside Washington. Proponents, which include Delta Air Lines, have said they want to expand access to the nation’s capital and increase competition.

The proposal incensed lawmakers representing the area , who argued that the airport maintains the busiest runway in the country and cannot support additional flights. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner of Virginia and Benjamin L. Cardin and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, all Democrats, filed an amendment to strike the new flights.

Mr. Kaine and Mr. Warner threatened to hold the bill up if they did not receive a vote. But Mr. Cruz blocked an effort to bring up a compromise amendment that would have given the transportation secretary the final say on new flights after considering any effects they would have on delays and passenger safety.

“The Senate abdicated its responsibility to protect the safety of the 25 million people who fly through D.C.A. every year,” Mr. Kaine and Mr. Warner said in a statement. “Some of our colleagues were too afraid to let the experts make the call. They didn’t want to show the American people that they care more about a few lawmakers’ desire for direct flights than they care about the safety and convenience of the traveling public. That is shameful and an embarrassment.”

The senators from Virginia and Maryland were the only votes against the bill.

Another group of senators failed to secure a vote on a proposal to halt the Transportation Security Administration’s expansion of facial recognition technology at airports and restrict it where it is in use.

Senators had also proposed adding a number of unrelated bills, including one that would compensate people harmed by exposure to the nation’s nuclear weapons program , legislation to fully fund the replacement of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, and a credit card competition measure. Senators Marsha Blackburn, Republican of Tennessee, and Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, were pushing for a vote on their bill to protect minors online into Thursday. None of them made it into the final product.

An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the bridge in Baltimore that collapsed. It is the Francis Scott Key Bridge, not the Francis Key Scott Bridge.

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Kayla Guo covers Congress for The New York Times as the 2023-24 reporting fellow based in Washington. More about Kayla Guo

Our Coverage of Congress

Here’s the latest news and analysis from capitol hill..

Aviation Bill: The House passed legislation to reauthorize federal aviation programs  and improve air travel  at a time of intense passenger woes and dysfunction in the system, sending the bill to President Biden.

Addressing A.I.: A bipartisan group of senators released a long-awaited legislative plan for A.I. , calling for billions in funding to propel American leadership in the technology while offering few details on regulations.

A White-Collar Indictment: Representative Henry Cuellar started from humble origins, but records show he welcomed the trappings of power afforded by his position. Here’s how an indictment shattered his blue-collar image .

Biden Impeachment: A crop of freshman Democrats on the House Oversight Committee has countered Republicans’ allegations against Biden with attention-grabbing charges of their own .

Marjorie Taylor Greene: The hard-right congresswoman from Georgia failed spectacularly  in her bid to depose Speaker Mike Johnson. But for a figure who sees her power in creating chaos, the loss was the point .

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Senate passes bill improving air safety and service for travelers, a day before FAA law expires

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters following Democratic strategy session, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed a $105 billion bill designed to improve safety and customer service for air travelers, a day before the law governing the Federal Aviation Administration expires.

The bipartisan bill, which comes after a series of close calls between planes at the nation’s airports, aims to boost the number of air traffic controllers amid a shortage, improve safety standards and make it easier for customers to get refunds after flights are delayed or canceled, among other measures.

After passing the legislation on a strong 88-4 vote, the Senate passed a one-week extension to ensure that the law doesn’t expire before the House considers the bill next week. The FAA has said it would have had to furlough around 3,600 workers if the law expired at midnight Friday.

The bill stalled for several days this week after senators from Virginia and Maryland objected to a provision that would allow an additional 10 flights a day to and from the heavily trafficked Reagan Washington National Airport. Other senators tried to add unrelated provisions, as well, seeing it as a prime chance to enact their legislative priorities.

But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called a vote Thursday evening after it became clear that senators would not be able to agree on amendments to the bill before the law expired. The Senate then passed the one-week extension that the House had already passed, sending that to President Joe Biden’s desk.

The FAA has been under scrutiny since it approved Boeing jets that were involved in two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. The Senate legislation would govern FAA operations for the next five years and put several new safety standards in place.

The bill “gives the FAA the stability it needs to fulfill its primary mission — advancing aviation safety — while also making travel more convenient and accessible,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

The legislation aims to increase the number of air traffic controllers, provides for more safety inspectors at manufacturing facilities and requires the FAA to use new technology designed to prevent collisions between planes on runways. It would require new airline planes to have cockpit voice recorders capable of saving 25 hours of audio, up from the current two hours, to help investigators after safety incidents.

It would try to improve customer service for flyers by requiring airlines to pay a refund to customers for flight delays — three hours for a domestic flight and six for an international one. Lawmakers tweaked the bill this week to make it even easier for customers to receive refunds, revising language that would have put most of the onus on the customers to request them. The change put the Senate bill more in line with new regulations issued by the Biden administration last week.

In addition, the bill would prohibit airlines from charging extra for families to sit together and triple the maximum fines for airlines that violate consumer laws. And it would require the Transportation Department to create a “dashboard” so consumers can compare seat sizes on different airlines.

The legislation would also improve access for passengers with disabilities, requiring airlines to accommodate seating requests for disability-related needs, setting new training standards for airline personnel who handle and store wheelchairs and awarding grants for airport accessibility upgrades.

Failure to pass the popular bipartisan bill by May 10 would have been the latest setback after months of delays on the measure, and the last-minute deal to pass it was the most recent example of Congress struggling to pass major legislation that had broad bipartisan support.

Schumer, who had urged lawmakers to drop their objections and come to agreement on the legislation, said after passage that “passing this FAA bill is the best thing Congress can do to give Americans the peace of mind they deserve.”

Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats, had pushed for a vote on their amendment to block the additional long-haul flights at Virginia’s Reagan National. They say the airport is restricted in size and too busy already, pointing to a close call there between two planes earlier in April that they said is a “flashing red warning light.”

Several Western lawmakers have argued for more flights at the airport, saying it is unfair to consumers that there is a restriction on long-haul flights. The provision’s chief proponent is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, who is up for reelection this year and has argued that San Antonio should have a direct flight from the airport. Cruz blocked a vote on Kaine and Warner’s amendment when Schumer tried to bring it up shortly before final passage.

Like lawmakers, airlines are also split on the idea of additional flights at Reagan National. Delta Airlines has argued for more flights, while United Airlines, with a major operation at farther-out Dulles Airport, has lobbied against the increase.

The House last year passed its own version of the FAA legislation without additional Reagan National flights after intense, last-minute lobbying from the Virginia delegation — a bipartisan vote on an amendment to the FAA bill that saw members aligning not by party but geographic location. Lawmakers use the airport frequently because it is the closest Washington airport to the Capitol, and Congress has long tried to have a say in which routes have service there.

“Some of our colleagues were too afraid to let the experts make the call,” Kaine and Warner said in a joint statement Thursday evening, after Cruz blocked a vote on their amendment. “They didn’t want to show the American people that they care more about a few lawmakers’ desire for direct flights than they care about the safety and convenience of the traveling public. That is shameful and an embarrassment.”

Kaine, Warner and Maryland’s two senators, Democrats Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, were the only four senators to vote against final passage.

Associated Press writer David Koenig contributed from Dallas.

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Meta Quest’s new Travel Mode will put more glassholes on your next flight

Another vision pro feature comes to quest headsets..

By Wes Davis , a weekend editor who covers the latest in tech and entertainment. He has written news, reviews, and more as a tech journalist since 2020.

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Meta Quest headsets are ready to go on flights with you as Meta has announced a new Travel Mode. The company is rolling out the experimental feature to Quest 2 and 3 headsets running Quest software version 65 or later, allowing owners to use the headset in passthrough on a flight without windows drifting away from them.

To try it, opt in under Settings > Experimental features . Then the new mode will live in the Quick settings panel, where you can toggle it from the Quest’s universal menu. Travel Mode isn’t without limitations — it’s not designed to account for the motion of a car or train, for instance; Meta says support for other transportation methods is coming. Also, if a game or app requires an internet connection, your plane will still need to offer Wi-Fi.

Quest headsets could already be used on flights, but doing it required turning off positional tracking, which also disables passthrough, as UploadVR notes .

• Meta’s Quest headsets add spatial video and pinch controls to compete with Vision Pro

The new mode seems aimed straight at Apple’s Vision Pro , which launched with a similar travel mode (and similar caveats). I’ve tried the headset in a car — as a passenger, of course; I’m not a monster — and it still mostly worked as long as the car wasn’t stopping and going a lot, and tracking failed if I looked out the side windows. Depending on how the Meta Quest’s new mode works, that could be the case for it as well, or it could be that it simply refuses to work if it doesn’t think you’re on a plane.

The new Travel Mode joins a growing list of Vision Pro-style features that Meta has added to its headset that debuted on Apple’s $3,500 headset earlier this year. This includes more expansive pinch controls as well as the ability to use it lying down and play back spatial videos recorded on an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max.

Update May 13th, 12:54PM ET: Added videos posted by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and CTO Andrew Bosworth.

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