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

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

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

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

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

ANA is absolutely top notch!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The sounds, the views, just wow!

That was amazing! Thanks, Alex!

Awesome video! That looked so fun!!! ✈️

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

Thanks for the info + great video!

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

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

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

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

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

Great video! The commentary was amazing! You deserve more subs!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wow that is one beautiful livery!

So cool that the crew gave you all those gifts!

Those rolls roys Trent 900s sounded amazing

Great video as always!

This was the best A380 takeoff I've ever heard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Again great report and the food looks very good!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That's sick! Great video Alex!

What an amazing ANA crew!

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

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

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

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

Dzięki. This is one of my top bucket list flights.

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

That takeoff sound was AMAZING. Good stuff

Nice video Alex of the ANA A380-800

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

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

Very interesting info - Thank you! 🍁🇨🇦🍁

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

Great video, Alex. I’m a subscriber now.

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

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

So amazing!

You might have been flying economy, but your vlog was first Class!

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

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

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

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

My favorite video so far

7:09 that sounds soooooo amazing

The little note was so cute lol

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

NRT airport is BEAUTIFUL I went there before

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

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

Good job 👍 Greetings from Helsinki ❄️

ANA， one of my favourite airlines

Those trent 900s are music to my ears.

I never knew that about dimming the cabin lights!

Probably the most stunning economy class I have ever seen

Jesus that turtle plush is ADORABLE

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

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

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

I hope to fly on An A380 maybe with Emirates Airlines there Awesome to see in Some International Airports Awesome Video Alex Praglowski nuff respect to all your Videos on Aviation and Travel keep going and Dream Big on Aviation Man 100%

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

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

the planes are so cute 😭

That plushie is niceeee

ANA is a great airline. Loved the video! I don't know about today, but back in the late '90s when I made 14 business trips to Honolulu from Chicago, I learned that there were several packed 747 flights per day between Japan and Honolulu. Sounds like a financial boom for Hawai'i from all of the tourists, right? Nope. Just the opposite. Many of the hotels and restaurants and some of the golf courses were Japanese owned. The Japanese tourists would buy packages that covered their flights, hotels and restaurants and were issued coupons for the hotel stays and restaurant visits, using only Japanese owned establishments. Not 1 yen left Japan. Hawai'i received $0 in sales taxes, and non-Japanese owned hotels and restaurants received $0 from those thousands of tourists. Other than some income from souvenir and clothing stores, it was a net loss to the islands. The tourists weren't much liked by the locals.