All Nippon Airways Boeing 767-300ER lands at YVR on Sunday afternoon – Photo: Leighton Matthews | Pacific Air Photo
Written for AirlineReporter.com
ANA – All Nippon Airways’ first scheduled flight to Canada landed at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Sunday afternoon. The arrival of the Boeing 767-300ER from Tokyo International Airport – Haneda (HND) ushered in the option of a new airline and new destination airport for Tokyo-bound passengers who originate or connect in YVR.
Located on Tokyo Bay, Haneda airport is a short 15-minute train or monorail ride for passengers to connect to Tokyo’s extensive transit system. Haneda was relegated to domestic flights in the late 1970’s, when Narita International Airport (NRT) opened to serve international traffic. Although a new express train now serves distant Narita, many consider traveling between downtown Tokyo and NRT to be a time-consuming and expensive ordeal.
Looking to return HND to its previous status as Tokyo’s convenient gateway, a new International Terminal was opened in 2010. Initially, international flights were limited, and slot-restricted to middle-of-the-night arrivals, which wasn’t particularly appealing to passengers or airlines. Fortunately, HND opened up daytime slots in 2014, most beginning this week. ANA’s YVR-HND route is just one of many new international flights serving the airport.
AirlineReporter was invited to join in the inbound flight’s arrival festivities at YVR, and to fly to Haneda on the inaugural. As AR.com’s Vancouver-based correspondent, I was given this “plum” assignment. But not without much jealousy coming from our staff in the Seattle area, including our illustrious Editor-in-Chief!
ANA’s inaugural flight to YVR gets a plane wash. Nice salute! Photo: Leighton Matthews – Pacific Air Photo
Vancouver’s spring rain actually let up about an hour before the inbound flight turned onto final for Runway 08L. After a smooth touchdown, the 767 taxiied through a welcoming “water cannon” salute, courtesy of YVR’s emergency services. Our media group was on the ramp not far from the fire trucks, and, thanks to a change in the wind, we got nicely soaked. At least ANA got a free plane wash.
Our group got back to the gate area as the inbound passengers deplaned. After finishing their speeches, dignitaries from YVR, ANA, and the Governments of Japan and British Columbia, took wooden hammers and whacked open a ceremonial drum of sake, which was served in traditional wooden boxes made especially for the event. Both inbound and outbound passengers enjoyed an eclectic buffet of sushi and sausages, to the sounds of a Japanese koto.
Inaugural flight dignitaries smash open the ceremonial barrel of sake
Somewhat surprising to AvGeeks, ANA decided to put the venerable 767-300ER on this new route. Many expected to see a Dreamliner, perhaps in response to Japan Airlines’ switch earlier this year to a 787 from a 767 for its NRT-YVR route. But it’s going to take some time for ANA to take delivery of the rest of their 787s, so for now, YVR will see the 767.
Our plane was ANA’s “214” configuration, with 35 Business Class (J) seats, and 179 Economy (Y) seats. The inaugural to HND was almost full, with 173 passengers in Economy and 31 in Business Class.
ANA Flight 115 from YVR to HND, Boeing 767-300ER Business Class
With all the events at the gate, boarding began a bit late, about 25 minutes before the scheduled 4:50 pm departure. I was on board quickly, and after taking a few photos, settled into Seat 8G in Business Class. Although ANA’s 767s aren’t the newest planes in the fleet, this 20-year-old aircraft was spotless. However, as would be expected, the Business Class seats were an older-style recliner, with extending footrests. The In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system has a 9″ screen that stows beside the seat, as does the folding tray table. Considering that ANA will be replacing 767s with 787s, I’d be surprised if the older planes ever get an update to “lie-flat” seats, but it sure would be nice. Not that I’m complaining.
Pushback from gate D55 was about ten minutes behind schedule, and after engine start and disconnecting from the tug, ANA’s YVR team lined up and waved goodbye to the flight. A nice touch!
ANA’s Vancouver team waves goodbye to the Haneda inaugural flight
While taxiing to Runway 08R, I noticed that the ceiling- and bulkhead-mounted monitors were displaying a forward view. The camera must be mounted forward of the nose gear, because the view ahead was clear, without the plane being visible as with the tail-cam in the A380. It was great to follow our progress to the runway, with a view as if I was on the flight deck. I wish.
ANA’s first flight to Haneda ready to go on YVR’s Runway 08R
We turned onto the runway, and waited for a moment before the engines spooled up to takeoff power. After a short 30-second ground roll, the 767 rotated and lifted off, and were on our way to Haneda!
Stay tuned for Part 2 – our flight to HND, with sunset chasing us all the way.