Delta vs United vs. ANA: My experience flying from Tokyo-Michigan-Seattle-Tokyo

ANA seems to have recently upgraded their planes...
and they are awesome! 

Recently, I returned to Tokyo from teaching at the International Stunt School out in Seattle Washington. As I always go to Michigan when I return to the states from Tokyo, normally I always fly Delta (straight shot from Narita to Detroit) or United (Narita to Chicago, Chicago to Lansing). As an extra trip out to Seattle this time afforded me the opportunity to use all three airlines in one go however (Narita to Detroit- Delta, Lansing to Seattle- United, and Seattle to Narita, ANA), I thought now might be an interesting chance to compare the three side by side. 

As aforementioned, in order to avoid the hell that is transferring, (and the 100 million mile+ walks you need to get around Chicago O’hare), normally I always just take the straight shot from Tokyo/Narita to Detroit, and then use the Michigan Flyer bus service (which is comfortable, has free wifi, and is only $25) to get where I am going in Michigan. 

I’ve always been happy with Delta in recent years as the seats are spacious enough, I can usually sleep well, and the movie and entertainment options are pretty boss. The only complaint I’ve ever had is that once the airplane is in the air, it’s always friggin cold. (So much in fact that I usually have to bring warm clothes and socks to wear on the plane even in the summer).  

On ANA this was not an issue at all. The cabin temp didn’t change in the least from the moment I got on (pre-take-off)  till the moment I got off. In typical Japanese, detail-oriented fashion, the service was great, (they actually give you picture menus of the food choices) and the plane had a higher-tech feel to it. (I heard that ANA just upgraded to Boeing's newest planes, so that may have something to do with the technical enhancements). In any event, it was pretty damn nice. Instead of having shades that you pull down over the windows, they actually just "turn" dark blue. No damn idea how that works... and you can control the degree of the tint with a key menu under the window. (I’m assuming it is blue because blue lighting is supposed to have a calming effect, and put people in a better mood). The bathrooms were also more spacious than I have seen on other planes, and had cool blue lights as well. 

In terms of movie and entertainment selection though, Delta had them beat, but other than that, I’d say ANA took the cake in the other regards. Seat comfort was more or less the same. (Although ANA might have had a tiny bit more footspace)

As for United, it was fine, and I only had one issue. You have to charge your credit card to access the entertainment and movies. WTF?? Who charges for that?? Granted, it’s direct TV, and seemed pretty awesome, but it also seems kind of asinine to leave travelers without a credit card (or who don’t want to use it) just assed-out in terms of their entertainment. Particularly since it’s totally free everywhere else. It is only a few dollars, but travelers be warned! For the United flights I was only traveling domestically however, so international might be a different story. Still for myself, that was a major major turn-off. Nothing erks me more than when companies try to charge you for services that have always been (or should always be) free. No more United for Chuck, me thinks. If you come with your own movies however, and that doesn't bother you ,then otherwise, it wasn't bad at all.