Points and miles collection in Japan for the non-Japanese.
From SilverKris to the Sky: My First ANA Business Class Flight from Manila to Narita (Part 2 of 3)
In this second installment, I finally fly ANA business class from Manila to Narita — a first for me on this route. From correcting last trip’s lounge mistake (hello, SilverKris) to unexpected celebrity encounters, to a 2‑2‑2 cabin with dated screens but warm ANA service, this review captures the full experience. If you’ve ever wondered how ANA’s Manila–Narita business class compares to its Haneda counterpart, here’s the honest, lighthearted breakdown you didn’t know you needed.
With my ANA business class ticket finally secured, I had one mission before takeoff: redeem myself for last trip’s lounge blunder. If you remember, I went straight to the PAGSS lounge and completely missed the Singapore Airlines SilverKris lounge at NAIA Terminal 3. Rookie mistake. This time, I was determined to do it right.
I arrived early — SilverKris opens at 4:20 AM and supposedly closes at 9 AM, but in reality they shut down for cleaning at 8:45. I got in while it was still quiet. Within an hour, it was nearly full. The lounge itself was decent. Power sockets were showing their age, and the buffet was… fine. No noodle dish, no rice porridge.
I was about to settle for the rice pilaf when a staff member approached me and asked, “Would you like some arroz caldo?”
Um, yes. Yes, I would.
It wasn’t on the buffet — they served it straight from the kitchen. And it was delicious. I couldn’t help but wonder: were they offering it only to Filipino passengers? Either way, it was a lovely touch. The arroz caldo was warm, comforting, and just what I needed to start the day.
The lounge had plenty of seats with runway views, though the sightlines could be better. Raise the platform or swap out the chairs for taller ones, and they have a winner. Still, it was comfortable. I sipped my orange juice, watched the planes taxi by, and thought, “Okay, maybe this lounge isn’t so bad after all.”
But as the minutes ticked by and more passengers walked in, I started to feel… underwhelmed. The food was fine. The ambiance was fine. The seats were fine. I was about to mentally file the SilverKris lounge under “meh” — a decent place to rest, but nothing to write home about.
And then, just as I was preparing to leave, it happened.
I met Maria Ressa. Yes — that Maria Ressa. Nobel Peace Laureate.
She was gracious, warm, and kind enough to chat and take a selfie with me. I was stunned. Of all the places to bump into someone like her, it was here, in this lounge, on this morning. Suddenly, the SilverKris lounge didn’t seem so “meh” anymore.
Boarding was smooth. I got to the gate early — SilverKris had closed, and I had time to spare. There were a surprising number of wheelchair passengers, including one who stood up and walked to the restroom the moment the wheels were locked. Travel mysteries.
We pushed back at 9:36 AM and took off at 10. The business class cabin had a 2‑2‑2 configuration. My seat — upholstered in ANA’s signature blue with a striped pattern — was comfortable, with good (near lie-flat) recline. Even when the person in front leaned back, it didn’t intrude into my space. I only wished the front compartment allowed me to store my bag underneath.
The in-flight entertainment screen was… dated. Touchscreen responsiveness was better than using the remote, but still not great. I chose the Japanese meal this time — grilled pork in miso sauce. The appetizers were lovely (melon cubes were a nice surprise), but the main dish could’ve used a bit more salt.
WiFi was available but painfully slow. At one point, I couldn’t connect because “access points were temporarily full.” Whatever that means.
After flying ANA business class to both Haneda and Narita, I can say this: the Haneda flight had better seats and overall service. I won’t compare menus since I chose different cuisines, but the soft product felt stronger on the HND route.
Still, this Manila–Narita flight was a solid experience — made sweeter by the fact that I earned it through sheer persistence, creative point-gathering, and a little luck. And yes, finally trying the SilverKris lounge (and meeting Maria Ressa!) made the journey even more memorable.