ANA Lounge Entrance I've been traveling through Narita International Airport for more than two decades, and I can testify that for much of that time, Japan's largest airport has been a work in progress. Terminal 1 was under reconstruction for almost 12 years, reopening finally a year ago. Last week I had the opportunity to tour some of Narita's new facilities, and I must confess that even I-who thinks of airports merely as a means to an end-was impressed.Carriers are now grouped under one roof according to their airline alliance, making transfers from one member airline to the next quicker and easier. New club lounges, strategically placed near member gates, give first- and business-class passengers more time to use the clubs before and between flights.
AA's Admiral Club Lounge Entrance American Airlines (AA), for example, is now housed in Terminal 2, together with other oneworld Alliance airlines. Its new, state-of-the-art Admirals Club, which opened in January and seats 264, is almost twice the size of its predecessor. In addition to free Wi-Fi and more than 100 Ethernet cable ports placed throughout the lounge for those traveling with their own laptops, there are also 16 computers, available in private work booths and a cyber cafe. Computer users are even able to submit print requests online and pick up their printed materials in the lounge. Other facilities include a refreshment counter offering complimentary snacks, wine, beer, coffee, and soft drinks, five shower booths with a soothing, spa-like atmosphere, a relaxation area, a conference room, and a concierge. What I like most about the lounge are its large windows overlooking tarmac traffic and its traditional Japanese design, including the use of bamboo, pottery, screens, and Hiroshige's Tokaido Road woodblock prints.
AA's Admiral Club Lounge Decor Also in Terminal 2 is Japan Airlines, which joined the oneworld Alliance earlier this year. Later this month it will open two refurbished lounges for its first- and business-class passengers that will include a hot meal service, bars staffed by bartenders, shower rooms, free massages, massage chairs, wireless access, and even a kid's room for families.
ANA's First Class Lounge Meanwhile, Terminal 1's south wing is now home to 10 member airlines of Star Alliance, including All Nippon Airways (ANA), United, and Lufthansa. Gathered together under a single roof for the first time in Asia, the arrangement allows Star Alliance airlines to share check-in counters and passengers to use one of three club lounges closest to their international gate, one operated by United and the other two by ANA. Each of ANA's two lounges is divided into a first-class and a business lounge, offering a total of 1,000 seats altogether. The first-class lounges are classy indeed, with shower rooms to serve passengers making connections and those who have spent a day conducting business in Tokyo, as well as a massage room to take care of fatigued muscles. The individual business cubicles are spacious, with computers connected to color printers and even lounge chairs. There's also a traditional tatami room, where elderly Japanese might feel right at home or nursing mothers can find privacy. The food table puts on quite a feast, including sushi, fine pastries, and even a sake bar, but most impressive is the counter offering freshly prepared traditional bowls of noodles.
ANA's Noodle Bar ANA's business lounges are larger and also offer a noodle bar along with snacks and drinks, free wireless access, and smaller business booths equipped with computers. All of ANA's lounges are simply yet elegantly furnished in a sleek, modern style, with Japanese touches like sheer cloths lending a shoji-like appearance. No wonder ANA's lounges won Japan's T+L Designer Award.
ANA's Sake Bar Need I add that Terminal 1 and 2 both offer designer and duty-free shopping (I always wait to buy my bottle of take-home sake here), as well as restaurants? In short, while it's a drag having to get to an airport two hours before an international flight, two hours at Narita Airport is no longer an endurance test.
