Inside the Cockpit: A Closer Look at ANA's Flight Operations
From preflight briefings to in-flight coordination,
experience the teamwork behind every flight.
Ever wondered what it's like in the cockpit during a flight? ANA recently offered a behind-the-scenes look at flight deck operations from the jump seat.
Ninda Rachmawati and Yuko Ueyama of ANA's Corporate Branding and Public Relations Department recently flew in the cockpit jump seat, gaining firsthand insight into the airline's safety and on-time operations.
As public relations team members, they will use this experience to raise awareness of the safety and security measures behind each flight.
Jump seats are spare, foldable seats for crew members, located in the cockpit and cabin. In the cockpit, they are positioned behind the pilots’ seats. These seats are typically stowed but can be used by employees involved in flight operations, such as dispatchers, flight attendants and ground handling staff.
Preparing for Takeoff: The Pilot's Process
Before each flight, pilots undergo several health assessments, including physical and mental checks, as well as alcohol tests, to ensure they are fit to fly.
The crew also conducts a preflight briefing at the Flight Operations Center (FOC) to review flight plans and conditions prior to entering the cockpit.
“Watching the briefings, I realized there is so much more taken into account than I had expected, such as airport weather, navigation logs, dispatch messages and more,” said Rachmawati.
By reviewing the entire flight plan, the pilot and co-pilot can align on expectations to ensure a safe and comfortable flight for all passengers.
Kakuro Ogawa, a pilot with ANA for more than 20 years, was on the flight.
“It's rare for others to see the work we do during a flight, so I’m excited our colleagues are gaining insight into a day in the life of a pilot,” said Ogawa. “There's a lot that happens behind-the-scenes before and during the flight.”
Enhancing Safety Through Communication and Expertise
Inside the flight deck, the pilots maintain clear and precise communication with air traffic controllers while ensuring accurate operation of cockpit controls. Cooperation and communication between pilots is essential for a safe flight.
“Experience and instincts are very important for us,” said Ogawa. “These are developed through extensive flight hours, rigorous training and examinations.”
“I was amazed at how the pilots communicated with each other and air traffic controllers,” said Ueyama.
For Rachmawati and Ueyama, the experience provided a new perspective on ANA's flight operations.
Teamwork Behind Every Flight
Through this experience, Rachmawati and Ueyama hope to highlight the professionalism and safety-minded operations of the ANA Group.
“Participating in the briefings and flying in the cockpit jump seat opened my eyes to the extensive process behind ensuring a safe, smooth and on-time flight,” said Rachmawati.
“This experience truly made me appreciate how many departments work together to make each flight possible,” said Ueyama.
“While not everyone can see these operations firsthand, we hope this offers a glimpse into the teamwork behind safe flight operations,” adds Ogawa.
With seamless coordination across departments, the ANA Group remains committed to ensuring safe and on-time flights every day.