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| ANA uses the Bombardier DHC8-Q400 for MMB to CTS |
On The Ground
Check-in
There are only 2 airlines that flies from Memanbetsu Airport - ANA and JAL. The check-in for ANA in Memanbetsu Airport is located on the 1st floor of the terminal building, on the left most side of the airport. There are 3 ANA check-in counters in Memanbetsu, with counter 3 being the counter that takes check-in luggage. We did not have to wait for our turn to check in as there are no one in the queue. ANA has a straight to gate service for passengers without check-in luggage, which could be the reason for no one at the queue for check-in. Checking-in was very fast, after the staff at the counter verified our names on the system, she handed over our boarding passes to us. We were also briefed on which gate to go to and the boarding time for the short 50 min flight to New Chitose Airport. As we have luggage to be checked in, the staff at the ANA counter invited us to the x-ray machine in front of counter 3. After our luggage has been scanned by airport security, the ANA staff at counter 3 took over our luggage for checking-in.
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| ANA sign outside MMB Airport |
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| ANA check-in counter is located on level 1 to the left of MMB Airport. There are 3 counters for ANA, counter 3 is used to receive check-in luggages |
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| JAL Check-in counters beside ANA counter |
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| There are limited shops in MMB airport |
Boarding Gate
Departure halls in Memanbetsu Airport is located on 2nd floor of the terminal building, where security checks are being done before we are allowed into the airside of the terminal building. Memanbetsu Airport is a very small domestic airport, there are not many shops around in the airside. Our flight departs from Gate 4, where the announcement for boarding was done soon after we arrived at the airside. Boarding was done fairly fast at Gate 4. As there are no aerobridges to the aircraft, we headed down to level 1 and out onto the tarmac to board ANA4862 bound for New Chitose Airport.
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| More shops are located on the departure level 2 in MMB Airport |
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| Security clearance before entering the airside of the airport |
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| There is only one shop at the airside of MMB Airport |
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| Flight information at airside of MMB Airport |
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| Waiting areas are open concept. Most of the time the airport is empty as there is only one flight departing at any one time |
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| ANA uses Gate 4 for this MMB-CTS flight |
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| ANA4862 sitting on the tarmac waiting for passengers to board |
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| Luggage collection in CTS Domestic Terminal |
In-Flight
The Cabin
ANA uses the twin propeller engine Bombardier DHC8-Q400 for the flight to New Chitose. The aircraft only has one class, with a total of 74 Economy Class seats arranged in 2-2 configuration. The cabin is decked out in the iconic ANA shades of blue seats and white cabin.
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| Blue seats onboard ANA4962 |
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| Seats are arranged in 2-2 configuration onboard |
Lavatory
There is only one lavatory onboard ANA4862, located in front of the aircraft, behind the cockpit. Despite being small, the lavatory has all the basic necessities. The amenities in the lavatory is limited to handsoap and tissues.
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| Sink in the lavatory |
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| Large mirrors onboard ANA DHC8-Q400 |
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| Tissues and seat covers are found on the bulkhead of the lavatory |
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| Toilet bowl inside the lavatory |
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| Handle beside the toilet bowl is a nice touch |
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| Air flow duct and return to seat signal inside the lavatory |
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| The toilet flush is located beneath the sink |
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| Amenity kit drawer and little bin |
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| Limited amenities in the lavatory |
The Seats
All the 74 seats onboard has a pitch of 31" and width of 17". The legroom is very good considering it being a single class aircraft. As this is a domestic flight, there are no IFEs onboard. The seats on board are very basic but comfortable for the 50 min fight time to New Chitose Airport. There is only a button on the armrest for passengers to reclining the seats. The control for lighting is located on the ceiling above our seats. The reading materials are stowed in the single compartment large seat pocket. The single piece tray table is large enough for one to put a 13" laptop on comfortably.
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| The seats onboard ANA DHC8-Q400 is very basic, but does the job for a short domestic flight |
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| Legroom is very good onboard the ANA DHC8-Q400 |
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| Seat pocket and tray table folded |
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| Tray table is large enough to put a 13" laptop |
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| There is only one recline button on the armrest of the seat |
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| Aircon duct and light controls are located on the ceiling above the seats |
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| Aircraft safety card |
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| Seat pocket contents |
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| Taking off from MMB Airport. The ANA DHC8-Q400 uses twin propeller jet |
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| Flying over Hokkaido, the flight is very smooth and comfortable |
Beverage Service
Due to the short flight time, no food or snacks are served onboard. Soon after the seat belts signs are off, both pursuers quickly jumped into action to serve passengers either coffee or tea. Pursuers went around the cabin 2nd time to check if passengers need more drinks.
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| I opted for coffee during this short flight from MMB to CTS |
Service
The service on the ground and onboard are fantastic. On the ground, the staffs are very welcoming and did not allow us to wait for too long. After checking-in, the ground ANA staffs thanked us for flying with ANA. Instructions for checking-in of luggage and departure information were given very clearly in the excellent Japanese style service. Despite only having 2 pursuers onboard, service is by no means lacking. Pursuers were seen bowing to passengers during boarding and would go around helping passengers stowing their carry-ons in the overhead compartment. The pursuers would bow and thank passengers for flying with ANA when taxiing for take off. They are also seen smiling to passengers throughout the 50min flight to CTS. When serving drinks. the pursuers kept their smiles on. I noticed that the pursuers would always check cleanliness of the lavatory whenever passengers used the toilet. These friendly pursuers made me feel welcome and wanted to try their product on International Sectors. At no time I witness pursuers not smiling throughout the flight. During disembarking, these friendly pursuers were seen bowing to passengers and thanking them for flying with ANA.
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| One of the only two pursuers onboard this flight to CTS |
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| As there are no IFEs, safety demonstrations are dome manually by the pursuers |
Afterthought
My experience with ANA flying on their Bombadier DHC8-Q400 is a very pleasant one. The aircraft is very well maintained and the flight was very smooth. Despite in Economy Class, the legroom is superb. The service is top notch from check-in to onboard services. Despite having only 2 pursuers onboard, the service is by no means lacking. Pursuers are seen smiling all the time and helping passengers, displaying pride in their work despite being a domestic route. Such service is far better than some renowned international airlines and definitely better than the Business Class I flew into Hokkaido onboard Thai Airways. This short experience with ANA made me want to fly on their international routes.
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| ANA4862 flying over Hokkaido |
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| Flying over Hokkaido |
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| Approaching for landing in CTS |
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| Touch down at CTS |
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