ANA Celebrates a Decade of
Connecting Houston and Tokyo
Commemorating the vital route that seamlessly links
communities fostering both commerce and cultural exchange
In the latest installment of “A New Chapter of Flight” series, we touch down in the U.S., where ANA proudly commemorates a decade of service between Houston and Tokyo.
On June 12, 2015, ANA launched its operations connecting Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) with Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT). Just five years later, in 2020, the service transitioned to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND), offering even greater convenience and choice for travelers. A decade on, ANA continues to operate daily flights between IAH and HND, offering effortless journeys for both business and leisure passengers.
Houston's strategic location serves as a pivotal gateway, seamlessly linking Latin America with Japan and the broader Asian continent. This route not only facilitates global commerce but also fosters cultural exchange, embodying ANA's mission to connect people and places across the globe.
To commemorate this significant milestone, the ANA Houston (IAH) team hosted a special gate event on June 12. Passengers departing that day were greeted with festive decorations and thoughtful gifts, a heartfelt gesture of appreciation for their continued loyalty. The celebration highlighted the strong bonds forged over the past decade and underscored ANA's dedication to exceptional service.
Behind every successful flight is a team of passionate individuals. Let's meet the ANA IAH team and learn how the “Houston Strong” spirit drives their success.
The Spirit of ANA in Houston
The team describes themselves through the following words, each representing the values that define their work ethic and cohesive team:
- H - Hardworking hearts
- O - Open-minded thinkers
- U - United in purpose
- S - Supportive and sharp
- T - Tenacious in goals
- O - Organized
- N - Navigating change with “Houston Strong”
This acronym embodies the team's “Houston Strong” mindset, which combines professionalism with genuine friendship, creating a supportive and uplifting environment.
Their diverse backgrounds and perspectives allow them to approach challenges creatively and to make well-rounded decisions. It's this balance of teamwork, adaptability and mutual respect that sets the ANA IAH team apart.
For example, when assisting Spanish-speaking passengers from Latin America, elderly travelers who can only speak their native language or customers with any concerns about their journeys to Asia, team members familiar with their language and culture step in to communicate clearly and provide warm, personalized support.
Houston is known for its southern hospitality, a tradition rooted in warm greetings, personal connections and generosity. The ANA IAH team embraces this local charm while incorporating omotenashi, the Japanese philosophy of providing thoughtful, personalized hospitality.
Together, these elements create a service experience that is welcoming, sincere and uniquely ANA.
Connecting to the Future
“Since our inaugural flight in 2015, we have reached this remarkable milestone thanks to the unwavering support of our valued customers and the dedicated efforts of our entire team,” says Shigeru Sakamoto, General Manager of ANA Houston.
Yuzuru Nagawa, the former General Manager of ANA Houston during the 2015 inaugural flight, also joined the ANA IAH team to celebrate this special occasion.
As a major hub for industries such as energy, aerospace, automotive and healthcare, Houston attracts a diverse range of international travelers for both business and leisure. Its vibrant multicultural community, world-class culinary scene, arts and sports offerings make it a memorable destination for all visitors.
“We will continue to build on the trust we've earned and the experience we've gained, always placing safety at the forefront and striving to deliver even more comfortable and high-quality service,” Sakamoto adds.
Looking ahead to the next decade and beyond, the ANA IAH team hopes to connect more people and places, one flight at a time.